Digital COVID 19 Vaccination Certificate: Convenience and Accessibility All in One in Japan
In December of 2021, Japan has launched the use of automated vaccination certificates which can be used in and outside the country as vaccine passports, this is in line with their vaccine verification system. This digitalization is made possible through an app that can be directly installed in any android or ios software which equals the paper-based vaccine passport that was previously issued. It was emphasized that the app is mainly for overseas travelling rather than domestic use though it can still be used within Japan.
Travelling during this pandemic has become a hassle for each individual leaving or entering a country. The Japanese government has created a system that would reduce the time of processing that involves tons of papers and documents. This app allows residents of Japan to conveniently show proof of vaccination in cases that they need one. It is accessible and user-friendly, also the details change to English when the user of the app travels overseas, which can be accessed directly through scanning a QR code generated from the details the user will be providing. The QR code will hold information, including names, records of vaccinations, and the manufacturer of the vaccine administered. The requirement in using this app depends on the mode that the user will be employing either for overseas or domestic travel.
For overseas travels, the user needs to log in through overseas mode which she/he will need his/her My Number card which is an ID card used for social security and taxation, the four-digit PIN code associated with My Number Card, passport, and instructions will follow including entering the MY Number card PIN code that has been set when applying and to scan the My number card and passport via the app. After processing the requirements, the user needs to access his/her vaccination data and the vaccination certificate will be shown on the screen of the mobile phone through selecting the municipality they live in and the location of where the vaccination voucher was sent, a quick and easy process.
Unlike the overseas mode, the domestic mode only needs two things, one is the My Number card, and the second is the PIN code. The domestic uses of this involve dining out and socializing with other people for large-scale events.
Another good thing about this digitalization is, the information, QR code, and the certificate itself can be accessed once obtained with or even without an internet connection, offering both convenience and accessibility to users.
