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Japan is advising its citizens to include their usernames and passwords in their wills as part of their digital end-of-life planning initiative, The Register reports. The country’s National Consumer Affairs Center announced the recommendation yesterday, November 21.
The recommendation from the National Consumer Affairs Center is a proactive measure to prevent unnecessary complications and financial burdens for grieving families. Many are unaware of their loved ones’ account details, making it difficult to cancel subscriptions, close online accounts, or even unlock devices. This initiative hopes to address those challenges head-on.
The Center advises citizens to maintain a list of their user IDs, passwords, and subscriptions and to store them in a way that can be accessed after death. This could be done through password managers or by physically documenting this information. Moreover, Japan is encouraging citizens to appoint someone to manage their digital affairs posthumously, similar to assigning an executor for a will. The suggestion includes making sure that someone can unlock their smartphone or computer in case of emergencies.
This initiative aligns with growing international concerns about managing digital estates. It emphasizes the need to secure online assets and avoid prolonged digital footprints that could pose privacy risks for families.
It also touches on environmental concerns since unused digital accounts take up storage space in data centers. While it remains active, it also contributes to environmental strain. In closing these accounts, families can help reduce the load on data centers. The Center’s suggestion emphasizes both practicality and sustainability, making it a forward-thinking solution for the digital age.
Japan’s approach is a recognition of how much of our lives are now digital. Many online services, including social media platforms, have started offering options for handling accounts after death. For instance, Meta and Apple allow users to assign a “legacy contact” who can manage their accounts.
Services like “Dead Man’s Switch” apps, notify selected contacts if a user does not log in for a predetermined period. These tools can help ensure that loved ones have the access they need without having to scramble for passwords during difficult times.
Despite these few examples, most other online services lack such features, which makes Japan’s recommendation even more relevant today.
Overall, Japan’s initiative encourages citizens to think ahead and plan for what happens to their digital presence after they’re gone. By including passwords and account information in wills, families can avoid unnecessary financial strain and have a clear path for managing their loved one’s digital legacy.
