Tagajo City Introduces Digital Transit Pass for Seniors via 'Pocket Sign' Prefectural App

Pocket Sign Inc. (HQ: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Hiroshi Umemoto) announces the development and launch of the 'Pocket Sign Mini Passport,' available within the 'Pocket Sign' official prefectural app for Miyagi residents. This service supports Tagajo City's new 'Norumon Pass' program, which began on April 1, 2026.

Supporting the 'Norumon Pass' Free Transit Program Tagajo City launched the 'Norumon Pass' on April 1, 2026, as part of its public transportation policy to encourage social participation for local seniors and persons with disabilities.

Eligible individuals include Tagajo residents aged 65 and over, and those with disabilities. For disabled residents, this also includes one accompanying caregiver for mobility support.

There are two types of 'Norumon Pass': digital and card. For the digital version, users must register for the 'Pocket Sign' app, register via the in-app mini-app, and scan the displayed QR code at a dedicated terminal when disembarking. Initial registration requires a smartphone, a My Number card, and the card's PIN.

The card type requires application at the city hall office and a 500-yen fee. Note that for residents with disabilities, current guidance is to use the pass by presenting their disability certificate.

To support this update, an app for bus-mounted scanning terminals was also implemented. Drivers simply select the route at the start of the shift, with no further operation required while driving. The introduction of the digital pass allows for easier tracking of usage numbers and data, streamlining reporting tasks.

Leveraging Prefectural App Infrastructure This initiative utilizes a shared prefectural app—pre-registered by residents using their My Number card—as a foundation for municipalities to deploy unique services. Tagajo City was able to offer digital services requiring identity verification without launching a separate, dedicated app.

The 'Pocket Sign' app is promoted by Miyagi Prefecture and surpassed 1 million registrations in February 2026.

Expected Benefits For municipalities, this eases the operation of issuing transit passes that require identity verification and provides a foundation for analyzing usage trends for future transit policy planning. For residents, it eliminates the need to visit city hall and removes the 500-yen fee associated with the card version. The digital pass requires a user-led renewal every six months within the app.

Potential for Further Expansion This model showcases the use of public transport digital tools alongside the provision of municipal services via mini-apps within a prefectural app. Beyond transportation, it has high potential for application in welfare services, resident discounts, and the digitization of various certificates requiring identity or eligibility verification.