Japan to implement ID card following Estonia’s example
Japanese Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy Akira Amari visited Estonia last week to get acquainted with Estonian e-services and discuss developing digital societies and closer economic relations between the two countries.
Japan is the first large country who is going to implement a digital personal identification code following Estonia’s example. “I am glad that Japan has taken a decisive step towards laying a foundation for the digital society of the 21st century by creating a unique personal identification code system,” Estonia's Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas said when acknowledging the successful launch of the Japanese MyNumber project.
“I am delighted that Estonia’s experiences and knowledge in relation to the ID card are useful to others as well. Cooperation in this field will certainly continue in the future,” he added.
During a meeting, the Japanese Minister of Finance presented Rõivas with his personal MyNumber card. Rõivas and Taavi Kotka, the CIO of Estonia, are the first foreigners to have this card. Amari, in turn, become a fresh e-resident of Estonia.
“Japan is an important partner to Estonia, which is reflected in the rising investments and commercial interests between the two countries,” Rõivas explained.
He expressed hope that Japan and the European Union would soon also sign a Free Trade Agreement, and Estonia and Japan an Agreement on Avoiding Double Taxation, which would significantly facilitate the Estonian entrepreneurs entering the Japanese market in the near future.
Editor: M. Oll