Japan IDs All Its Citizens

Edis Krad writes "While RealID in the US is a threat whose implementation is a ways in the future, the Japanese long ago implemented something similar; and there has been very little complaint raised about it. The Juki Net (Residents Registration Network — link in Japanese) has been silently developing since 1992. The system involves an 11-digit unique number to identify every citizen in Japan, and the data stored against that ID covers name, address, date of birth, and gender. Many Japanese citizens seem to be oblivious that such a government-run network exists. Juki Net had a spotlight shone on it recently because a number of citizens around the country sued against it, citing concerns of information misuse or leakage. And while an Osaka court ruled against the system, the Japanese Supreme Court has just ruled it is not unconstitutional, on the grounds that the data will be used in a bona-fide manner and there's no risk of leakage. While there is a longstanding registration system for us foreigners in Japan, what astonishes me is how the government can secretly implement such a system for its citizens, and how little concern the media and Japanese citizens in general display about the privacy implications."

Comments

Re:To what extent is privacy cultural?

[Profane MuthaFucka]

In Japan, privacy is not a primary concern. Their technology is good if it's not radioactive, tastes like squid, has blurries over the naughty bits, looks like a kitten, fits in your pocket, and can sink an American aircraft carrier.

Re:Japan != USA/Europe

[Profane MuthaFucka]

And I have an irrational need to ejaculate in your beautiful beautiful mouth. Surprise! It's me! And I still remember the unjustified attack, you talented cocksucker.

Re:Japan != USA/Europe

[DNS-and-BIND]

Ah! Another foreigner who understands Japan! Please, share with us your wisdom, oh country boy! Your viewpoint is ten times as valid as an actual son of Nippon. Let me guess - you married a Japanese girl, and you have sex with her regularly! uNF uNF uNF. Wow...please let me know how I can do this, without being a big-city sellout like so many others...and perhaps someday you will actually get a Japanese passport, which will make you as Japanese as anyone who spent their entire life there!

Actually, if you are more Japanese than the Japanese, what are you doing spending your time on English websites, much less arguing with the worthless outsiders to be found therein? As a true Japanese, surely you realize that only the opinions of ignorant outsiders matter when discussing any subject.