Full move to the Maina health insurance card — no new paper health insurance cards from 2 December 2024
Source material is a Japanese government announcement (in Japanese); this page is a summary.
From 2 December 2024 Japan stopped issuing new paper health insurance cards and moved to a system based on the Maina health insurance card.
Key facts
| Date new issues stopped | 2 December 2024 (no new paper health insurance cards) |
|---|---|
| Responsible ministry | Health Insurance Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (厚生労働省 保険局) |
| Transitional arrangement | A valid paper health insurance card held on 2 December 2024 can be used for up to 1 year from that date (until 1 December 2025 at the latest) |
| Basic system | Moved to a structure based on the Maina health insurance card (registering the My Number Card for use as a health insurance card) |
| Certificate of eligibility (資格確認書) | Issued to people who have not registered; no application needed and free of charge (issued from 2 December 2024) |
| How unregistered people use services | Use a paper health insurance card (until 1 December 2025 at the latest) or a certificate of eligibility |
Last checked:
From 2 December 2024, Japan stopped issuing new paper health insurance cards and moved to a system based on the Maina health insurance card (registering your My Number Card for use as a health insurance card). Valid paper health insurance cards already issued could be used for up to 1 year from that date (until 1 December 2025 at the latest). People who have not registered for the Maina health insurance card are issued a 'certificate of eligibility' (資格確認書) before their card expires; you do not have to apply for it and it is free. The responsible body is the Health Insurance Bureau of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
Background — why this change
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare moved to a system based on the 'Maina health insurance card' — using the My Number Card as a health insurance card — instead of issuing new paper health insurance cards, with people who do not hold or have not registered a Maina health insurance card using a paper health insurance card (during the transitional period) or a certificate of eligibility at medical institutions.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
Summaries reflect national-level programs. Municipal (city/ward/town) programs may differ — confirm with the official desk before applying.
FAQ
How long could paper health insurance cards be used?
A valid paper health insurance card held on 2 December 2024 could be used for up to 1 year from that date, that is until 1 December 2025 at the latest.
What do I do at a hospital if I have not registered a Maina health insurance card?
People who have not registered are issued a 'certificate of eligibility' (資格確認書) before their paper health insurance card expires. You do not have to apply for it, it is free, and you can use it at medical institutions.