AB Circle Supports Japan’s Digital ID Integration with Smart Readers

AB Circle has officially aligned itself with Japan’s “MyNa License” initiative, which merges the existing My Number card and driver’s license into a single, streamlined smart credential. This national rollout allows Japanese citizens to carry one card that serves both as personal identification and driving certification, enhancing convenience and improving digital security across the nation.

The initiative is managed by the Digital Agency of Japan, which forms the backbone of the country’s evolving digital identity infrastructure. To date, over 100 million My Number cards have been issued, signaling a significant move toward a more integrated digital identity system. “The integration of My Number cards and driver’s licenses marks a major milestone in Japan’s digital transformation,” stated Hiroyuki Shimada, General Manager of AB Circle Japan. “We are proud to provide the technology that enables secure, efficient, and user-friendly identity verification for both citizens and service providers.”

Smart Card Readers Certified for Use

AB Circle’s smart card readers, namely the CIR315A, CIR415A, and CIR715A, have received certification for compatibility with the new integrated ID cards. These readers are designed to extract and verify data from the embedded IC-chip, which includes personal information and driving credentials. They function seamlessly in both mobile and desktop environments, utilizing Bluetooth or USB connectivity.

By delivering secure and accurate chip reading that aligns with Japan’s J-LIS public card standards, AB Circle’s devices aim to streamline service operations at various service counters and reduce wait times. The implementation of these readers is expected to facilitate broader adoption across sectors such as healthcare, transportation, rental services, and financial institutions.

The versatility of the CIR715A is particularly noteworthy, as its high-speed, multi-card capabilities and flexible installation options make it suitable for high-security environments. This reinforces the reliability of the system as Japan progresses toward a unified digital identity ecosystem.

Additional Certified Devices and Future Implications

In addition to AB Circle’s offerings, the Japanese government has also certified devices from Socket Mobile, specifically the SocketScan S370 and S550 data-capture devices. Their inclusion on Japan’s official list of eligible devices paves the way for businesses and developers to integrate these readers into public and commercial applications that require secure access to government services.

“Our approval as an official My Number Card reader provider marks a major milestone for our presence in Japan,” remarked Dave Holmes, Chief Business Officer at Socket Mobile. “The scale and reach of the My Number Card program are immense, especially with its recent integration into Apple Wallet on iOS.”

Furthermore, Fime has been engaged to enable scalable testing for mobile solutions utilizing digital identity. Their new Digital Identity Reader Test Suite is designed to accelerate the interoperability of the My Number Card within the broader ecosystem. “Our work to support the My Number Card reflects our expertise in helping turn complex global standards into tangible, interoperable solutions that scale,” said James Daniels, Senior Vice President for Asia Pacific at Fime. “By equipping vendors with cutting-edge test tools and expert guidance, we help accelerate innovation, establish trust, and support compliance—essential ingredients for the future adoption of digital identity.”

The Digital Identity Reader Test Suite is tailored to support the Japanese language, allowing vendors to validate their solutions against national requirements as well as international standards for data transfers between devices. This initiative plays a crucial role in aligning the My Number Card with standards for personal identification, including interface specifications for mobile driver’s licenses (mDLs).

As Japan embraces a more integrated approach to digital identification, the collaboration among these technology providers signifies a commitment to enhancing security and efficiency in identity verification across multiple sectors.