Japan's new minister for digital transformation Takuya Hirai says an agency will begin working in early 2021.
Hirai, who is in charge of science and technology, is now head of the as yet unnamed digital agency which has a mandate to advance digital transformation, or DX. It will ensure all citizens get the benefits of a digital economy.
"It should be in charge of not just system reform, but also the reform of all administrative services and our nation's growth strategy," according to Hirai.
Hirai said the digital agency would explain to the public why Japan must adopt digital technologies. He said the government was moving at an unprecedentedly fast pace to establish the agency.
"We are being asked to move at a speed never before seen in Kasumigaseki," he said, referring to the bureaucratic heart of the Japan government.
Hirai said the new agency's scope and authority would be decided on the basis of expert advice and in-depth analysis of similar efforts in other countries.
If the agency "is to forcefully promote digitalization of society as a whole, including in semipublic fields such as health care, education and disaster prevention, we must think about how we will be involved in important infrastructure systems," he said.
Hirai was appointed Sept. 17, the day after Yoshihide Suga was elected prime minister. The quick appointment of Hirai as one of Suga's first acts underscores the importance he places on digital transformation.
Despite its reputation as a technological power, Japan doesn't have widespread use of digitalization and computers. A survey of 51 countries for frequency of computer use in schools showed Japan last. Computer programing became a school curriculum requirement this year only.
Suga, 71, is knowledgeable about the problems Japan faces in digitalization, having been Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications. On the day of his election as prime minister, Suga said he wanted to bring Japan up to speed with its neighbors.
"My goal is to allow people to receive government services 24-hours a day, seven days a week," Suga said.
Japan's lack of digitalization is seen by Suga as a main reason for the country's inadequate response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Suga said the establishment of a new digital office was a priority.
