Governmental ID System in Japan

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.?"

Comments

No, we won't

[Arcturax]

We only have a 9 digit number instead...

Seriously though, why all the fuss about a national ID? We have it at the State level already and you don't see people screaming big brother about that. Here in Ohio, we have drivers licenses but you can also get a "State ID" card which looks like it only it says "non driver" if for some reason you can't drive (say, due to age).

Granted its just yet another card I'll have to carry about with me, unless maybe they strike a deal with states to combine the ID with drivers licenses as well as using them as just standard ID's (for non drivers).