The government said Thursday it will scrap in principle existing health insurance cards in fall 2024 and integrate them into the My Number national identification system.

The plan is part of efforts to promote My Number cards issued under the ID system, which have proven unpopular and are only currently carried by around half the population.

The government will also consider moving up the date for integrating driver's licenses into the system, from the current goal of the end of fiscal 2024, Digital Minister Taro Kono told a news conference.