Quick Answer
This notice relates to the reform of the health insurance card (健康保険証, kenkō hokenshō). From December 2024, Japan no longer issues new paper health insurance cards; the Myna Insurance Card (マイナ保険証, Maina hokenshō — your My Number Card used as a health insurance card) is now the standard. Those who have not registered for the Myna Insurance Card receive an eligibility certificate (資格確認書, shikaku kakuninsho) from their insurer free of charge. Paper insurance cards were valid at the longest until December 1, 2025; as a transitional measure they are still treated as usable when presented until July 31, 2026, after which you should use the Myna Insurance Card or the eligibility certificate. For specifics, follow the explanations of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and your own insurer.
What This Document Is
In connection with the health insurance card reform, you may come across:
- Myna Insurance Card (マイナ保険証): your My Number Card registered for use as a health insurance card (the card is read at medical institutions to confirm your coverage).
- Eligibility certificate (資格確認書): a document issued to those who do not hold, or have not registered, a Myna Insurance Card. It is issued free of charge, generally without application, and works much like the traditional insurance card.
- Paper health insurance card: no longer newly issued from December 2024; validity ran at the longest until December 1, 2025 (transitional measure: still treated as usable when presented until July 31, 2026).
Common Fields on the Document
- マイナ保険証 (Maina hokenshō) — the My Number Card used as a health insurance card
- 資格確認書 (shikaku kakuninsho) — eligibility certificate
- 被保険者証 / 健康保険証 (hihokenshashō / kenkō hokenshō) — (traditional) health insurance card
- 保険者 (hokensha) — insurer (municipal National Health Insurance, health insurance societies, etc.)
- 記号・番号 / 保険者番号 (kigō / bangō, hokensha bangō) — symbol and number / insurer number
- 有効期限 (yūkō kigen) — expiration date
What You Need to Do
- If you have a My Number Card: you can register it as a health insurance card (Myna Insurance Card) at a medical institution or online.
- If you have no card or have not registered: watch for the eligibility certificate your insurer sends you, keep it safe, and present it when you receive care.
- If you still hold an old paper health insurance card: its validity ran at the longest until December 1, 2025, and under a transitional measure it is still treated as usable when presented until July 31, 2026 — switch to the Myna Insurance Card or the eligibility certificate as soon as you can.
- If you have questions about your coverage, registration, or the eligibility certificate, check with your insurer or the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
Where Deadlines and Amounts May Appear
- Deadline: the current paper insurance card carries an expiration date (有効期限, yūkō kigen) — at the longest until around December 1, 2025, as determined by your insurer.
- Amount: neither the Myna Insurance Card nor the eligibility certificate is a payment slip; you continue to pay insurance premiums under the rules of your National Health Insurance or employee health insurance.
Which Official Body to Confirm With When Unsure
For general explanations of the health insurance card reform, rely on the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare website. For your specific coverage, your eligibility certificate, and how to register, follow the explanations of your insurer (your municipal National Health Insurance counter, your company's health insurance society, etc.). Official explanations take precedence over any third-party interpretation.
Common Japanese Terms
- マイナ保険証 (Maina hokenshō) — My Number Card used as a health insurance card
- 資格確認書 (shikaku kakuninsho) — eligibility certificate
- 被保険者証 (hihokenshashō) — (traditional) health insurance card
- 保険者 (hokensha) — insurer
- 保険者番号 (hokensha bangō) — insurer number
- 有効期限 (yūkō kigen) — expiration date