TOKYO: The Japanese government plans to introduce smartphone-based digital COVID-19 vaccination certificates, officials said.

Business operators and others will be able to check one’s vaccination status by scanning a quick response, or QR, code.

The government aims to start issuing digital vaccination certificates as early as this year to people who have My Number personal identification cards.

Under the system, people will install a smartphone app, scan their My Number cards and enter the cards’ four-digit personal identification number to obtain digital vaccination certificates.

The QR code will contain information, including names, records of vaccinations and the maker of the vaccine administered.

The government also plans to create a system that will allow businesses to check people’s vaccination information online, possibly on booking sites for restaurants and events.

People will be asked to enter the confirmation number put on their vaccination tickets distributed from local governments and their birth date when making reservations.

The government plans to ease its COVID-19 restrictions on the movement of people by utilizing vaccine certificates. It will ease the restrictions in some areas that are not under a COVID-19 state of emergency as early as October on a trial basis.

JIJI Press