Tokyo, Sept. 25 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga instructed officials Friday to complete the digitization of administrative procedures in five years.
   

The government will draw up “a road map for completing digital transformation by the end of fiscal 2025,” Suga said at a meeting of a working group on the digitization of administrative procedures.
   

The road map is scheduled for release later this year.
   

Suga also expressed his intention to unify administrative systems that differ among local governments by fiscal 2025, which ends in March 2026.
   

“It’s essential to ensure that people receive the same services even if they move and that we swiftly provide benefits to all residents nationwide,” Suga said.
   

The prime minister reiterated that the government aims to have all citizens hold the My Number social security and taxation identification card by the end of fiscal 2022.
   

To achieve this goal, Suga said, the government will take steps, including sending application forms to those who have not yet acquired the card and making sure that cardholders are aware of a reward point program involved.
   

In June, the government identified 33 challenges to be tackled to promote the use of the card, including integrating it with driver’s licenses and making it compatible with smartphones.