Tokyo residents sue Japan capital over app-based point handout

In Tokyo, 13 residents who lack smartphones or Japan's My Number identification cards have filed a lawsuit against the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Seeking approximately 110,000 yen in damages per plaintiff, the plaintiffs argue that they were excluded from a cost-of-living assistance program. The initiative, facilitated through the Tokyo App and the My Number card, awards 11,000 yen to residents aged 15 or older who provide proof of identity.

The plaintiffs contend that this exclusion violates the principle of equal access to public services as guaranteed by the Local Autonomy Act and related laws. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government offers in-person assistance and plans to allow proxy applications for those with difficulty using smartphones, including individuals with disabilities.

However, the plaintiffs argue that the government should also provide cash benefits or allow applications at service counters to ensure all residents are included. Responding to the lawsuit, the government stated their intention to review the complaint and respond appropriately. One plaintiff, a 77-year-old unemployed woman from the Tama region who declined to obtain a My Number card due to privacy concerns, expressed frustration over her exclusion from the program.

She highlighted the significance of the 11,000-yen benefit for her monthly pension income of 65,000 yen, emphasizing the need for the app's benefits to be accessible to all residents.