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Governmental ID System in Japan

Posted by timothy on from the hello-citizen dept.

Kaan writes: "Japan just launched a mandatory, nationwide ID system whereby every citizen is assigned an 11-digit identification number. The database stores personal data (name, address, date of birth, gender, possibly more data) for each person. At least five municipalities are refusing to join the system, which accounts for ~4 million of the 127 million total. While some Japanese folks are refusing to cooperate, most are going along with it. Is this the beginning of the end of privacy in Japan? How much longer until we see something like that in the U.S.?"

2 of 518 comments (clear)

  1. Europe continues to scare me... by Guppy06 · · Score: 2, Flamebait
    Reading all of the moderated posts in this article from all the happy Europeans with their ID system sends a cold chill up my spine. Most of their statements in support of a national ID system go something like this:
    • EU-member-state-X has had a national ID system in effect for years. The government has the ability to know where I am, what I'm doing there and who I'm doing it with.
    • I have no complains and I haven't heard of any either
    My God! Don't you see the possible relation between those two statements? Are you that blind? Here, let me pull up an analogy that's sure to piss you off enough to get your attention:
    • The German government established an identification system for all Jews, gypsies, communists, homosexuals, etc. so that they could know where they are, what they're doing there and who they're doing it with
    • Nobody knew of any complaints
    Before you can make a complaint about something you need to be in a situation where you are comfortable to make that complaint. And you just can't make a complaint when you have to fight to be heard over the din of "Four legs good, two legs bad!"

    Do you think my little Orwellian metaphor is too harsh? Take a look at all the posts here that have been modded up to 5 that are in support of the ID system. You'll see words like "ridiculous," "ludicrous," "silly," "short-sighted," and any number of other words and phrases that indicate just how little credence the authors of those posts are giving to the system's detractors.

    I could go on and on about the numerous policies and practices in the EU that scare me, but instead I'll just leave you with this thought: French voters handily abandoned their individual choices for the French president to support a man like Chirac (a man that can make Berlusconi seem downright respectable), all becuase some right-wing looney managed to scrape together a mere 20% of the vote. A victory for a democratic Europe, or a victory of the majority in crushing minority dissidence?

    UK! You're the last bastion of sanity over there! Get out while you still can!
  2. This idiot modded up to +5 ? Are you all INSANE!? by Fantastic+Lad · · Score: 1, Flamebait
    I won't bother attacking his simple-minded reasons for having a national I.D. Another poster has already responded reasonably well on that account, (cduffy). He left out many points, but if you read his comments you might begin to understand. Also, PLEASE skim through all of the comments on this Slashdot story with the understanding that this is NOT about YOU and your ego and winning arguments and being right or wrong. This stuff is important. Open your minds and try to recognize the ways in which this can be dangerous. There are multiple perspectives here, not just YOURS, and the fact that there are multiple perspectives should NOT be threatening to you. Grow up!!!

    I really did feel a shiver of apprehension run through my body when I realized yet again that most people are so ignorant on these sorts of issues that they are actually willing to give deluded twits like the one above the Good Nod.

    -Fantastic Lad