Japan's My Number Card Goes Digital: Touch Payments in 2026

Imagine walking into a basketball game in Japan, tapping your national ID card on a terminal, and instantly paying for a snack—without a wallet, phone app, or even cash. This isn’t a distant sci-fi dream; it’s happening as early as January 2026. If you’ve ever wondered how Japan blends cutting-edge tech with everyday life, this news about the マイナンバーカード (Mainanbaa Kaado - My Number Card) becoming a digital payment tool will blow your mind. Let’s dive into this groundbreaking experiment and uncover some authentic Japanese language and culture along the way.

A Game-Changer: My Number Card as a Digital Wallet

On January 16, 2026, 三井住友カード (Mitsui Sumitomo Kaado - Mitsui Sumitomo Card), a top credit card company in Japan, announced a partnership with マイナウォレット (Maina Waretto), a service focused on digital wallet solutions. Their mission? Transform the マイナンバーカード (Mainanbaa Kaado - My Number Card), Japan’s national ID, into a tool for タッチ決済 (Tacchi Kessai - touch payment). Using ステーブルコイン (Suteeburu Koin - stablecoin), a cryptocurrency pegged to the Japanese yen, this system lets you pay by simply tapping your card on a stera terminal. No apps, no fuss—just seamless 決済 (Kessai - payment).

The first trial kicks off on January 23 and 24, 2026, at a home game of the basketball team ライジングゼファーフクオカ (Raijingu Zefaa Fukuoka - Rising Zephyr Fukuoka) in Fukuoka City. Fans who register their My Number Card will get JPYC, a yen-linked stablecoin, to spend at venue shops. Behind the scenes, ブロックチェーン (Burokkuchēn - blockchain) technology ensures secure transactions, while 公的個人認証 (Kouteki Kojin Ninshou - Public Personal Authentication) verifies identities. It’s a peek into a future where your ID isn’t just for paperwork—it’s your デジタルウォレット (Dejitaru Waretto - digital wallet).

Beyond the Game: A Vision for Japan and the World

This isn’t a one-time gimmick. Selected under the 福岡市実証実験フルサポート事業 (Fukuoka-shi Jisshou Jikken Furu Sapooto Jigyoo - Fukuoka City Full Support Demonstration Project), this 実証実験 (Jisshō Jikken - demonstration experiment) aims to expand to other regions and uses. The bigger dream? Enabling foreign visitors to use stablecoins at physical stores across Japan with the same ease. Imagine tourists tapping to pay at a ramen shop or a convenience store—Japan’s push for global convenience is unstoppable.

What’s fascinating here is how the project reflects a Japanese mindset of striving for improvement. They’re using a phrase you’ll hear often in business and innovation: を目指す (o mezasu - to aim for). The team isn’t just testing tech; they’re aiming for a future of effortless payments.

Cultural Context: Why the My Number Card Matters

If you’re new to Japanese culture, the マイナンバーカード (Mainanbaa Kaado) might seem like just another ID. But in Japan, it’s a symbol of the country’s digital evolution. Launched in 2016, this card ties every resident to a unique 12-digit number connected to taxes, social security, and more. Early on, privacy fears slowed its adoption, but government perks—like bonus points for linking it to payment systems—have turned the tide.

This experiment mirrors Japan’s obsession with 便利さ (benrisa - convenience). From Suica (Suika) transit cards to vending machines on every street, Japan loves making life smoother through tech. Turning an ID into a payment tool feels like the next logical step in a society that values efficiency above all. As a learner, understanding this drive for convenience will help you grasp why certain innovations—like this デジタルウォレット (Dejitaru Waretto)—resonate so deeply here.

Learn Japanese from This Article

Let’s break down some key language from this news to help you learn Japanese the way it’s taught in Japan—naturally and with real-world context. Whether you’re a beginner or brushing up, these words and patterns are straight from the headlines.

Key Vocabulary

Grammar Spotlight: 〜を使って and 〜を目指す

1. 〜を使って (o tsukatte - Using ~, by means of ~)

This structure shows the means or tool used to do something. It’s incredibly common in tech and daily life discussions.

• Structure: Noun + を + 使って + Verb

• Examples:

  • マイナンバーカードを使って決済をします。 (Mainanbaa Kaado o tsukatte kessai o shimasu.
    • I make a payment using the My Number Card.)
  • スマホを使って買い物をします。 (Sumaho o tsukatte kaimono o shimasu.
    • I shop using a smartphone.)
  • ブロックチェーンを使って安全を確保します。 (Burokkuchēn o tsukatte anzen o kakoho shimasu.
    • We ensure safety using blockchain.)

• When to Use: Perfect for describing tools, methods, or technology in action—like in this payment experiment.

2. 〜を目指す (o mezasu - To aim for ~, to strive for ~)

This pattern expresses a goal or aspiration, often used in formal or ambitious contexts like business and innovation.

• Structure: Noun + を + 目指す

• Examples:

  • 便利さを目指して実験をします。 (Benrisa o mezashite jikken o shimasu.
    • We conduct experiments aiming for convenience.)
  • 新しい決済システムを目指しています。 (Atarashii kessai shisutemu o mezashiteimasu.
    • We are aiming for a new payment system.)
  • 世界一を目指して頑張ります。 (Sekaiichi o mezashite ganbarimasu.
    • I will strive to be the best in the world.)

• When to Use: Great for talking about goals or visions, as seen in the vision for touch payments in Japan.

Useful Expression

• 使ってみる (tsukatte miru
  • to try using something) If you’re curious about new tech like this digital wallet, you might hear or say, 使ってみますか？ (Tsukatte mimasu ka?
    • Want to try using it?) It’s a casual, practical way to suggest experimenting with something new.

Continue Learning

Ready to build on what you’ve learned here? Check out these lessons for deeper insights into Japanese language and culture:

• Ni, De, and E: Mapping Directions and Locations: Curious about the Japanese used here? Our Ni, De, and E: Mapping Directions and Locations lesson covers this in depth.
• Wa vs. Ga: Emphasizing Importance in Sentences: Ready to dive deeper? Our lesson on Wa vs. Ga: Emphasizing Importance in Sentences will help you master these concepts.
• Numbers and Counters: Contextual Counting Systems: Curious about the Japanese used here? Our Numbers and Counters: Contextual Counting Systems lesson covers this in depth.

これからもよろしくお願いします。 Kore kara mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.