← Back to list
2026-04-01Daily
📱 Mobile Contract ID Verification Unified to My Number Card
Effective April 2026; JPKI (public personal authentication) required for online contracts
JPKI
Public auth
Required
My Number Card
In-store
Alternative
Unchanged
Existing plans
❓ What's changing?
On April 1, 2026, the revised Mobile Phone Fraud Prevention Act comes into force, significantly changing how identity is verified for mobile phone contracts. ID verification using copies of driver's licenses or residence cards is no longer accepted — Public Personal Authentication (JPKI) via the My Number Card becomes the standard requirement.
🔄 Before / After
[Old] Contracts possible with license/residence card photocopy + selfie
[New] IC chip reading of My Number Card (JPKI) is required
[Old] Mail and online contracts widely available
[New] Those without a My Number Card cannot contract online
[Old] Widespread fraud with impersonation and fake IDs
[New] Public authentication drastically reduces fraudulent use
👥 Who is most affected?
- ●Foreign residents without a My Number Card
- ●Those who signed up by mail or online
- ●Businesses including corporate contracts
- ●Short-term visitors and business travelers (cannot obtain My Number Card)
🛠️ What to do
- ✓[Best] Foreign residents should get a My Number Card at city hall
- ✓Application to issuance takes ~1 month; bring photo, residence card, notification card
- ✓In-store (carrier shop) face-to-face contracts still accept traditional IDs
- ✓Short-term visitors: in-store contracts or prepaid SIM
- ✓Existing contracts unaffected (only new contracts and phone changes)
💳 How to Get a My Number Card (Foreign Residents)
- ●① Apply at your city/town office (mail and online also work)
- ●② ID: residence card, passport, etc.
- ●③ Issuance notice arrives ~1 month after application
- ●④ Pick up at the office counter (set your PIN)
- ●⑤ Validity matches your residence period (except for permanent residents)
💡 Key points to know
1Only new contracts affected; existing users unchanged
2Purpose: eliminate breeding grounds for scams and dark-net jobs
3My Number Card is increasingly needed beyond mobile contracts
4In-store contracts still possible but with stricter ID checks
5Child-name contracts require the guardian's My Number Card