[Ecommerce] A national resident registry system

[Takeshi Muramoto]

Protect private information

The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 4
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/index-e.htm

A national resident registry system will officially be launched Monday, but
out of concerns that the huge amount of confidential information on
residents could be leaked, some local governments have decided not to
participate in the computerized network, and some local assemblies are
discussing a postponement of the system's launch.
We strongly urge those responsible for the system once again to do their
utmost to protect private information.
The system allocates 11-digit numbers to residents and stores their personal
data for use in various administrative procedures at central and local
governments.
With the system, residents do not have to submit a copy of their resident
registration in making various applications because information necessary to
identify applicants is available online.
Starting next summer, residents can obtain a copy of their resident
registration at a counter of not only the local government where they live
but also of any local government nationwide.
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Foundation of e-government
The central government is currently promoting e-government on the national
and local levels. The resident registry system linking national and local
governments online will be the foundation for that.
Quite a few of those opposing the system seem to be making statements that
ignore the fact that the basic pension system, which has allocated 10-digit
numbers to all adults, has already been in operation for five years and few
protests were heard at the time of its introduction.
We cannot agree with such objections, but strongly believe that those
responsible for the system should listen seriously to any technical
suggestions on risks of information leakage and take every possible measure
to prevent leaks.
Measures to foil computer hackers and others trying to illegally access the
system will become more important than ever with the system's launch.
Besides, officials operating the system must be trained to become more
sensitive about personal data.
In May, Defense Agency officials were found to have compiled lists
containing personal data on individuals who had sought information from
defense-related agencies under the law concerning disclosure of information.
The case has shown that the agency officials were little aware of protection
of privacy.
Duty to protect information
Through seminars and other means, national and local governments once again
must make officials fully understand their duty to protect private
information.
Some local governments said that they opposed the launching of the resident
registry network because a bill regarding the protection of individual
information failed to pass during the last ordinary Diet session. However,
the bill the government proposed was designed basically to cover the private
sector.
Another bill to revise the current law on protection of individual
information at administrative offices is not directly related to the
resident registry network either. It is aimed mainly at making hand-written
administrative documents and other information subject to the law, which
currently covers only computerized information.
However, compared with the bill, which has no penalty clause, the Law of
Basic Resident Registers is more advanced in terms of protecting private
information since it has tough penalties for violators.
Though laws to protect personal information should be developed as quickly
as possible, it is wrong to oppose the resident registry network because of
that.
Our society is becoming more and more dependent on information technology.
Nobody can stop this trend of the times.
It is better to cool-headedly study a way to allow protection of private
information and efficient use of information technology to coexist without
fueling unnecessary concerns and fears.

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Tskeshi Muramoto
Consumer Law News Network