The Japanese Government has decided not to compel all citizens to obtain the national ID, known as "My Number". Although the implementation date was not stated, it was an awaited move garnering both support and opposition due to concerns about privacy and surveillance. The intention behind this policy hold-off is to re-evaluate the risks and benefits associated with enforcing such a mandate and ensure the best interests of the Japanese citizens are met.

In Japan, the My Number system is a contentious topic. It has been billed as a tool for simplifying administrative procedures and improving social services, but there are widespread privacy concerns among the general public. Being obliged to own a My Number card could potentially increase these worries, as people fear potential misuse or mishandling of their personal information.

This situation has parallels with debates in the US and EU over data privacy and security, especially concerning government-issued IDs. While some European countries have mandatory ID cards, the US has no national ID system due to privacy and freedom concerns. The striking of a balance between efficiency and privacy is a global challenge.