Efficient Address Updates for the Japanese ID Card with Evolis Printers

In Japan, the Japanese ID card, known as the My Number Card, plays a vital role in resident identification and streamlining administrative procedures. While national ID cards are not mandatory, this system enables the government to efficiently manage citizen data, especially when residents move and require address updates.

The Challenge of Address Updates on Japanese National ID

Whenever a citizen relocates, their Japanese ID card must be updated with the new address. However, the space available on the card for this information is limited. Handwriting addresses not only takes time but often results in errors, making it unsuitable for official identification. To maintain a high level of reliability and consistency, a standardized printing method became essential.

Automated Scanning Technology Improves Accuracy

Following the implementation of a new law, demand for updated Japanese ID cards surged. While the initial card issuance is handled centrally by the Japanese government, address updates are managed locally by each City Hall.

To meet this demand, many City Halls purchased card printers. CardEx, the official Evolis distributor in Japan, deployed over 500 Elypso and 250 Zenius printers nationwide. These printers were customized by Japanese system integrator DNP IDS to include a contactless chip encoding feature compatible with Japanese ID standards.

Evolis then developed an innovative scanner, integrated directly into the printers, to address the challenge of varying card templates. Since each local authority uses different layouts, the scanner automatically detects the size, position, and orientation of the address text box. This ensures precise and automatic printing—no matter how the card is inserted.

Optimized Printing for Japanese Residence Card

Evolis printers use a special thermal transfer material to print text on the card surface, ensuring high durability and readability. CardEx even added labeled guides to the printers to indicate where to insert the cards, making the process intuitive for civil servants.

Japan Identity Card Real-World Results at Tokyo’s Koto Ward City Hall

The Koto Ward City Hall in Tokyo, serving nearly 500,000 residents, began using Evolis printers in 2016. With 19 printers installed, address updates on existing Japanese ID cards are now handled efficiently and accurately.

“This method is more formal and it is highly regarded for its uniformity, readability, convenience, and speed. It also significantly reduces the chance of human error,” said an official from Koto Ward City Hall. Out of 3,000 staff members, around 140 now use the Evolis printing system daily.

Conclusion

The combination of Evolis printers and smart scanner technology has revolutionized the way local authorities update Japanese ID cards. By ensuring uniformity, minimizing errors, and simplifying the process, Evolis systems support Japan’s goal of efficient, modern public administration.