Japanese ID System Up and Running
Japan's national computerized ID system became fully operational today. The online database, which contains every citizen's name, address, birthdate and sex, is the centerpiece of a government initiative to speed administrative procedures such as filing change-of-address forms and applying for passports. The data stored in the system was initially used internally by the government, but now local governments are issuing Juki Net ID cards, which allow citizen access. The nation's Parliament passed a long-debated law in May to protect personal information from abuse by bureaucrats, however, three local governments continue to boycott the system, and a citizens' group reportedly plans to seek a court injunction to block operations.
Japan Launches National ID System Washington Post, August 25, 2003
