Apple has unveiled plans to introduce its Apple Wallet ID feature in Japan, marking the first rollout outside the United States. Starting in the second half of next spring, Japanese residents with a My Number Card will be able to add their ID to Apple Wallet, enabling secure presentation both face-to-face and through the iOS app.
Collaborating with Japan’s Digital Agency, Apple aims to integrate My Number Cards into the Apple Wallet, allowing users to issue official certificates at convenience stores and access online government services via the “Myna Portal” iOS app.
“The rollout of Apple Wallet’s ID capabilities outside of the U.S. is an important step in our vision to replace traditional physical wallets with easy, secure, and private mobile wallets. We are very excited to make My Number Cards available in Apple Wallet from the second half of next spring, providing Japanese residents with a seamless and convenient way to present identification while taking full advantage of the security and privacy features built into the iPhone,” said Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s Vice President of Pay and Apple Wallet.4
Digital Minister Taro Kono also expressed enthusiasm for the initiative. “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Apple CEO Tim Cook, we are delighted to be collaborating with Apple on a bold initiative to incorporate the My Number Card function into smartphones. Currently, more than 100 million people apply for the My Number Card, which is widely used for various public and private online services, as well as administrative services at more than 60,000 convenience stores. The Digital Agency will build a safe and convenient digital society that leads the world based on smartphones.”
The new feature will allow users to present their My Number Card in Apple Wallet by opening Wallet, selecting their My Number card, double-clicking the side button on their iPhone to authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID, and holding their iPhone over a contactless ID card reader. Additional authentication steps may be required depending on the use case.
Apple emphasises the security and privacy benefits of using Apple Wallet for ID documents. Information about past presentations is encrypted and stored only on the user’s device, ensuring Apple does not have access to the user’s presentation history. If an iPhone is misplaced, the Find My app can be used to lock, locate, or remotely erase the device.
Apple Wallet identification supports the ISO 18013-5 and ISO 23220 standards, providing clear guidelines for protecting consumer privacy when presenting identification and driver’s licences on mobile devices.
