Japan to Start Phasing Out Traditional Health Insurance Cards

From Jiji

July 29 2025

TOKYO – Most conventional public health insurance cards under the medical care system for the elderly and the national health insurance program will expire on Thursday as part of a full transition to a digital system. 
   Starting Friday, people without a My Number personal identification card with health insurance card functions must present an eligibility certificate to receive medical care, in line with the shift to using My Number cards as health insurance cards.
   But to prevent confusion, the health ministry will allow conventional paper or plastic health insurance cards to be used until the end of March 2026 to receive medical care.
   Holders of the My Number card incorporating health insurance card functions are identified as insured people through card readers at medical facilities and pharmacies.
   This allows medical professionals to access the holders’ medical information, such as their drug prescription history.