Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s administration has made digitalization a top priority in an effort to transform the nation's economy and society, but as far as the medical care sector is concerned, steps toward that goal are not off to a smooth start.
Beginning in March, the government started rolling out My Number cards embedded with IC chips that can double as health care insurance cards.
The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry says use of the new cards, which all Japan residents can apply for, would simplify administrative procedures at hospitals and streamline applications for tax deductions for medical expenses.