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| March 15, 2011 |
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| Citizens’ Privacy Stripped by State |
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The ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) has approved a policy to introduce a unified code system to register each citizen by a specific number. The government emphasizes that the code number will be applied in the taxation and social services to be reformed comprehensively. It plans to put numbers in June 2014 and operate the system in January 2015. For business corporations the code system could work conveniently, but for citizens, it must be revoked as it constitutes state control over the civil society.
UNIFIED CODE SCHEME APPLIED TO INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS, NO!
The government adopted the policy January 28. The new scheme would base on the existing programs: (1) the Resident Basic Register Network would be used for individuals and the Corporate Registration’s number, for business entities. And thus (2) the government will compile guidelines for the system by June and submit relevant bills for enactment to the extraordinary session of the Diet scheduled in autumn. It will (3) distribute individual citizens an IC-type identification card. This code system will cover extensive personal data, including pension, health care, welfare, elderly care, employee’s insurances and local taxes. The new plan covers far more items than those of the controversial existing system to deal with four kinds of information, including an individual’s name and date of birth.
Different from the Resident Register Network, which is controlled by the public offices, the new code system is assumed to be used by private business companies, including financial institutions, to facilitate proceedings. The new scheme, even though it relies on the existing network, is another in nature.
The New Socialist Party (NSP) has expressed its objection on the resident register network program: the scheme violates Constitution which guarantees the right to protect personal privacy. The network uses a numeric code for individual citizens and their personal data are controlled by the state authority. The NSP has participated in the suits to accuse the system as plaintiffs and encouraged judicial actions.
The new system would infringe the rights of privacy far more seriously than the current register system. Through a data matching technique individual’s data will be completely screened by the state authority in the unified manner.
The government explains that the new code system will be successful if personal information is well protected. The government had February 7 the first meeting of Working Group for Protection of Personal Data to hasten the process. The Group announced February 23 an outline of the scheme, including a plan to set up a third-party panel.
Other Countries Abandon Code System
The Resident Register Network, which began in 2002, has had troubles, including information leak and an intentional use of other person’s identification to pretend him/her. The new code will be used both by the public and private sectors, which will bring far more dangers.
In Republic of Korea, which has operated the number code system, information was leaked in 2006 through a major telecommunication company and over 7 million people’s personal data were traded.
In the US information is misused to receive pension money of some other person. Identification fraud happens very frequently.
In UK the National ID Card System was reportedly abolished last year because it constitutes state control over citizens and violates the human rights.
In Japan a fake phone-call happens extensively to pay money: the elderly are often cheated to remit money by a call who pretends to be a kin. It is easy to imagine what will happen if personal information is leaked from the unified scheme even though a competent, third-party monitoring organization works.
The Japanese society is prone to frauds. The state’s control over personal information in the unified manner would be perilous: if data come out, they will be easily taken advantage of for an evil purpose. The government excuses that the new system is to serve low-income people in the wake of a surge of the consumption tax rate. The NSP adamantly objects the new code system.
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