However some countries, like the United States or Canada, do not require their residents or citizens to provide this information to the government, unless they are applying for a passport or drivers license.

In 2002, the Japanese government created the Basic Resident Registers Network (住民基本台帳ネットワーク, Jūmin kihon daichō nettowāku) a.k.a Juki Net (住基ネット, Jūki netto) and started to issue unique 11-digits identity codes at request to people who did not possess a drivers license, but wanted a identity card to prove legitimacy when applying for a Japanese passport, obtaining copies of their family registry, or any other activities that require ID.

Both the Basic Resident Registers Network and the Jūki kādo were negatively received and had widespread opposition from people, political parties, and prefectures.

[4] To advertise the system's introduction, the Government of Japan hired actress Aya Ueto and created a mascot character named "Maina-chan".

Not only is it an accepted form of ID across Japan, it can be used to access National Health Insurance, apply for a Japanese passport, open a bank account, and obtain vaccination certificates.

[11] The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications promotes a cashless payment card called Mainapoint (マイナポイント) linked to a person's My Number.