The public deserves a more detailed explanation.

We wonder just how many people are familiar with the term "official personal authentication system."

In a nutshell, this refers to the "electronic authentication" to be issued at the prefectural level to confirm personal identification on the Internet. It will function in much the same way as the printed certificates of personal seals "inkan" provided by local government offices upon request.

With this authentication, it will be possible to file tax returns, apply for passports and perform other tasks over the Internet. As we understand it, this comprises a key component of the "electronic government" now being promoted by the central government.

However, despite the scheduled launch of the system this fall, the public has received few if any meaningful explanations of the details and implications from either the national or local governments.

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