Apple Partners with Japanese Government to Support Digital ID Cards in Apple Wallet for Use Across Various Scenarios

Apple has previously launched digital ID cards (driver's licenses) in the United States, allowing users to scan and link their ID cards to Apple Wallet. This feature is known as Apple Wallet ID.

Today, Apple announced a partnership with the Japanese government to introduce the digital ID card feature in Japan. Japanese nationals and residents in Japan can now seamlessly add their My Number cards to Apple Wallet.

Thanks to this collaboration, users who link their My Number cards can use them across a variety of settings. They can present the full digital version of their My Number card through Apple Wallet or use it in online scenarios, such as accessing and receiving services from the Japanese government.

It is noteworthy that the digital My Number card can also be used in Japanese hospitals and medical institutions. Although it does not cover all areas currently, the digital My Number card is applicable in most conventional scenarios, eliminating the need for physical documents.

Using it after linking is very straightforward. Simply double-click the iPhone's power button to open the Apple Pay interface, where the My Number card can be selected for NFC scanning, allowing for quick identity verification on supported devices.

Currently, Apple Wallet ID is only available in the United States and Japan. Apple is expected to continue expanding this feature, but this requires agreements with governments, many of which may have concerns about potential data breaches before opening up to Apple's digital ID functionality.