The management of personal information, which is fundamental to social life.
Supported by smart card technology and secure ID authentication.

As the management of all kinds of information shifts to digital worldwide, the digitalization of personal ID (identification) information management, such as resident identification and voter verification during elections, is accelerating in emerging countries as well.

However, in some countries and regions, the development of birth registration and ID identification systems has not kept pace, leading to significant social challenges such as limited access to adequate medical care and education. To prevent the disparity in access to administrative services from worsening, it is urgent that governments and institutions, which lack the necessary technology and expertise, establish systems for managing ID information. DNP aims to solve this problem by creating new value.

Information security technology is an inseparable and crucial field for printing companies. At DNP, starting with anti-counterfeiting and anti-duplicating technologies such as color engraving (a technique for engraving extremely fine patterns) used in the printing of securities such as government bonds and stock certificates since around 1897, we have refined our strength in handling information securely by combining the latest information management technologies, such as cryptographic key technology, with changing times, needs, and technological advancements.

smart card are a prime example of this technology. In 1984, the research institute of the Business Forms Division took notice of it and began development, and in 2001, DNP participated in the specification development of IC cash cards together with the Japanese Bankers Association. It became the first smart card vendor certified by the association, and the following year, in 2002, it also obtained certification as a VISA chip migration partner. DNP has supported the development of smart card from their inception and has established itself as the top market share vendor in Japan.

While it is expected that payment functions will increasingly be replaced by smartphones in the future, there are still many situations where the usefulness of smart card as a physical "thing" can be demonstrated, such as in BCP (Business Continuity Plan) measures during communication failures.

With smart card meeting a certain level of domestic demand, DNP focused on international market trends in the information security field, particularly expansion into emerging countries known as the "Global South," and invested in Rubicon, a company with which it has a strong affinity in the ID authentication business, making it a group company in 2025.

Rubicon provides biometric personal authentication services for governments under the "Laxton" brand. They offer portable ID registration and authentication devices and card printers to regions where hardware infrastructure is underdeveloped, providing a service that combines mobility, robustness, and security. This service has been implemented in over 50 countries and regions worldwide.

DNP resonated with Rubicon 's strong desire to expand its business globally and its long-term perspective, particularly its goal of enriching African countries through digital transformation (DX), and thus established a partnership. By leveraging DNP's strengths in information security technologies, including smart card manufacturing and issuance, anti-counterfeiting holograms, and biometric authentication equipment and software, and Rubicon 's ID authentication business, DNP is creating synergies to develop and expand its services.

Through "P&I Innovation" with Rubicon, DNP will expand its highly reliable ID authentication services primarily in emerging markets such as Africa, Asia, and South America, where growth is expected. By making what is commonplace in Japan commonplace in the world, we will contribute to the realization of a society where people can live safely, securely, healthily, and with peace of mind.

For example, in Ethiopia, Africa, as of 2023, approximately 69 million out of a population of about 130 million did not possess identification, and only about 4 million had their IDs in digital form. DNP and Rubicon are providing equipment and software for national ID registration at approximately 18,000 locations, including kits that allow ID registration even in places without electricity or internet access. They are working on a project to complete digital ID registration for approximately 90 million people by 2030.

These solutions will support the strengthening of administrative infrastructure in various countries and regions, eliminate disparities in "proof of individual existence," and create an environment where everyone can access public services such as healthcare, education, finance, and disaster relief and recovery.