Also in the news...
Foreign travel advice The Gambia
Warnings and insurance Still current at: 23 April 2024 Updated: 22 April 2024 Latest update: Ferry services between Banjul and Barra have been suspended until further notice; The Islamic Summit of the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) will be held in Banjul on 4-5 May; road closures and delays at Banjul International Airport ('Safety and security' page).
Foreign travel advice China
Warnings and insurance Still current at: 23 April 2024 Updated: 22 April 2024 Latest update: Updated information on flooding (‘Safety and security’ page).
Guidance Living in South Korea
Information for British citizens moving to or living in South Korea, including guidance on residency, healthcare, driving and more.
Guidance Living in Nigeria
Information for British citizens moving to or living in Nigeria, including guidance on residency, healthcare and passports.
Paul Beare Wins IR Global Member Of The Year
Paul Beare has been named Member of the Year at this year’s IR Global Conference in Amsterdam.
Japan’s My Number: Is Your Company Ready?
Starting in January, Japan’s My Number obliges companies to have the highest level of security system for data and paper handling of their employees’ My Numbers.
Japan will soon introduce a resident record system similar to the social security number in the US and Korea. However, nearly 70% of the 3,386 Japan firms who responded to the March to May survey conducted by the Japan Institute for Promotion of Digital Economy and Community were unready to safeguard their employees’ new identity numbers, according to The Japan’s Times article published last month.
All documents with My Number should be stored safely. Companies that are not yet prepared for the security system for My Numbers should know that there will be legal restraints on how the identity numbers are being used, including not to be allowed to use the numbers as employee identification numbers. Unlike the systems in the US and Korea, My Number has much broader linkage beyond tax and social security systems. It contains important personal information such as taxation, medical, bank accounts and disaster relief benefits held by the governments. It aims to help Japan’s government to enhance public convenience and improve the efficiency of administrative services, including tax and social benefits, as well as simplify procedures for users of governmental services.
Passed in 2013, the My Number law requires all companies in Japan to collect and manage the numbers for their employees (both part-time and full-time), and it will become necessary to adjust companies’ management of employee data. As each My Number is classified as Sensitive Personal Information (SPI), companies are required to have the highest level of security for data and paper handling of the numbers. Those who leak the identity numbers and data will face punishment, including up to four years imprisonment or a ¥2 million fine, which is about twice the penalty for leaking other personal information.
One of TMF Group Japan’s HR and Payroll services is to help companies handle My Number data management. With our strong international management team of specialists in accounting, legal, tax, payroll and HR, we can provide companies with a comprehensive solution for My Number life cycle management to help protect your company and safeguard your employees’ My Numbers data.
Contact us below, and find out more about how TMF Group Japan can help.