My Number system raises red flags in Japan ahead of notice release

[djean111]

1. I can understand why they are upset.

In reality, the "big brother" thing already exists here, social security numbers, credit cards, online shopping records, card swipes and loyalty cards at supermarkets already record what you are buying. Only paying cash affords privacy, and Japan wants that card swiped when buying anything that gives a tax rebate, which includes food and alcohol.

Really, it just tidies up Japan into what the NSA would like to have, without having to correlate things - a record of everything you buy, your bank account, your health records - all kept track of in, really, one place.