The Japanese government's proof-of-vaccination app (Mainichi)

       TOKYO -- Japan's proof-of-vaccination app that the government launched on Dec. 20 has already raised questions after it came to light that a certificate won't be issued if the person uses both their original family name and post-marriage surname in their passport or "My Number" individual identification card.

       The app allows smartphone users to obtain electronic certificates as proof of their COVID-19 shots, and is expected to be used for people to participate in events that require vaccination certificates as well as to travel abroad. To issue a certificate for domestic use, an individual must scan their My Number card with their smartphone, and for overseas use, scanning of their passport and My Number card is required.

       As it turned out, however, the app won't issue a vaccination certificate if two different last names are listed on the My Number card or passport, prompting a number of social media users to express skepticism over the new system, with one saying, "What's the point of having a My Number card then?"

       An official at the Digital Agency in charge of the app's operation told the Mainichi Shimbun, "We meant to create a system that would allow people to apply (for vaccination certificates) even with their pre-marriage family name (listed on their passport or My Number card) from the start, but we couldn't make it on time for the app's Dec. 20 release." They explained that the agency was only able to create a format which shows the person's "first name" and "last name," meaning that it was unable to respond to multiple last names. The official said they want to update the app as soon as possible.

       At the same time, paper-based certificates issued at municipal government offices and via other channels can be applied for with My Number cards and passports that have two different family names.

       From November 2019, individuals have been able to list their original family name and post-marriage last name on their residence certificate and My Number card, while the same was applied to passports in April 2021.

       (Japanese original by Maki Nakajima, Digital News Center)

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