Last Monday, Japan changed forever. The old city registration system has been dramatically changed to the "juki network," or basic residential register network system numbering system.

If the system goes online as planned, all Japanese will be issued an 11-digit number, which, although initially to facilitate a more simple procedure for receiving information from the local government, is expected to grow to dominate all aspects of the lives of Japanese.

The system will link various government agencies and local governments so that all local government services will eventually be available at any other local government office in Japan.