Japan Merges Digital ID Apps, Enables Biometric-Only Authentication

Japan's Digital Agency has launched a unified Myna App combining its Digital Authentication and My Number Portal apps, letting citizens verify identity, sign documents electronically and access over 300 government services through one national ID number. iPhone users can now authenticate via Face ID alone without presenting a physical card, the app enforces mandatory device screen-lock security, and officials plan to let AI agents access services on citizens' behalf by 2027. Consolidating national identity, biometrics and government access into one always-on gateway reflects the steady build-out of infrastructure for comprehensive, biometrically-verified population identification.