Fujitsu Given Guidance over My Number System Problem

By Barrier Free Japan, Jiji

April 16 2024

TOKYO – Japan’s internal affairs ministry on Tuesday issued administrative guidance to Fujitsu Ltd. over a fresh problem with a subsidiary’s My Number-linked certificate issuance system.

The guidance followed an incident earlier this month in which a person seeking to receive a residence certificate copy through the Fujitsu Japan Ltd. system at a convenience store was issued that of another person.

Last year, there were 15 cases of erroneous issuance through the system. Although the system operator took corrective measures, including fixing the program, the latest problem occurred. Some of those errors included some individuals’ disability welfare and health-related information being ‘linked’ to the wrong My Number account. The most recent case of such a mistake was reported by Aichi Prefecture in March 2024 when 95 new cases of incorrect linking were confirmed.

The latest problem was “extremely regrettable,” an official of the ministry said. “It cannot be said that necessary and appropriate measures have been taken thoroughly.”

Fujitsu said in a statement that it takes the ministry’s guidance seriously and will investigate the cause of the problem and take measures to prevent a recurrence.