August 6, 2026 Exceptional Identification Measure for Mobile Phone Subscribers in Case of Identification Difficulty due to 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake

　The Act on Identification, etc. by Mobile Voice Communications Carriers of their Subscribers, etc. and for Prevention of Improper Use of Mobile Voice Communications Services (Act No. 31 of 2005) demands mobile voice communications carriers to confirm the identification of service subscribers.
　As a result of the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake, disaster victims may have lost their identification documents and they may not be able to prepare documents to identify themselves if they want to conclude mobile phone subscription contracts.
　In this connection, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has decided to partially revise the Regulations for Enforcement of the Act on Identification, etc. by Mobile Voice Communications Carriers of their Subscribers, etc. and for Prevention of Improper Use of Mobile Voice Communications Services (MIC ordinance No. 167 of 2005). Accordingly, an exceptional identification measure shall apply from today until January 31, 2027 (see Attachment 1 for an outline of the Ministerial Ordinance Partially Amending the Regulations for Enforcement of the Act on Identification, etc. by Mobile Voice Communications Carriers of their Subscribers, etc. and for Prevention of Improper Use of Mobile Voice Communications Services (hereinafter referred to as the "Amended Ministerial Ordinance,") and Attachment 2 for the text of the Amended Ministerial Ordinance).

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