Japanese government advises its citizens to include passwords and usernames in their wills.

Japan is urging its citizens to include their usernames and passwords in their wills, seeking to mitigate the burden and financial implications that their loved ones may face. This measure aims to facilitate access to the online accounts of the deceased, making it easier for families to manage their digital legacy.

In addition to the practical benefits for families, this action also has a positive impact on the environment. Closing inactive accounts helps reduce the load on data centers, thereby minimizing the environmental damage associated with cloud storage. Families often encounter difficulties when trying to cancel subscriptions or close accounts due to a lack of access to credentials, leading to complicated situations and ongoing expenses.

Within the context of "digital end-of-life planning," Japanese citizens are advised to ensure that their family members can access their devices in case of emergencies. Additionally, they are encouraged to keep a record of their subscriptions, usernames, and passwords, storing it in an accessible location for their loved ones to easily find.

This initiative comes at a time when the adoption of smartphones and online accounts is extremely common, and an increase in unresolved digital matters following a person's death is anticipated. Although some platforms like Meta and Apple allow users to designate legacy contacts to manage their accounts after their death, most online accounts still lack this functionality.

To simplify the process, it is recommended to store access credentials in a password manager and share access to it only, making it easier to pass on all passwords to family members.