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Japan steps up push to get public buy-in to digital IDs

Japan's Minister of Digital Affairs Taro Kono speaks during a press conference in Tokyo on Oct. 13, 2022. Japan has stepped up its push to catch up on digitization by telling a reluctant public they have to sign up for digital IDs or possibly lose access to their public health insurance. (Kyodo News via AP)

FILE - Visitors wearing protective masks to help curb the spread of the coronavirus walk at pedestrian crossings in Tokyo on Sept. 20, 2021. Japan has stepped up its push to catch up on digitization by telling a reluctant public they have to sign up for digital IDs or possibly lose access to their public health insurance. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File)

Japan's Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Yasushi Kaneko attends an event to promote My Number cards in Tokyo on June 30, 2022. Japan has stepped up its push to catch up on digitization by telling a reluctant public they have to sign up for digital IDs or possibly lose access to their public health insurance. The sign, right, reads " Apply for My Number card as soon as possible!" (Kyodo News via AP)

Japanese actor Masato Sakai shows a sample of My Number card during a promotional event in Tokyo on March 8, 2021. Japan has stepped up its push to catch up on digitization by telling a reluctant public they have to sign up for digital IDs or possibly lose access to their public health insurance. (Kyodo News via AP)

Japan steps up push to get public buy-in to digital IDs