Symposium to celebrate the founding of the Digital Agency.

 ■ Symposium to celebrate the founding of the Digital Agency.

“Digital Risk Forum” @ Takeshiba. Celebrating the founding of the Digital Agency.

It has been exactly one year since the opening of the world’s first smart building in Takeshiba. We once again invited Mr. Takuya Hirai, a member of the House of Representatives, who was appointed as the first Minister of Digital Affairs shortly after his arrival at the event. 

https://newmediarisk.org/draforum2021

I addressed the audience as the organizer of the event.

“It was 10 years ago that the widespread use of smartphones and social media led to a number of flaming incidents.

The following year, we established the New Media Risk Association, known colloquially as the ‘Flaming Association.’

Since then, the environment has changed with AI, IoT, and big data, “digital” has become the most important theme for the social economy.

At the same time, COVID-19 has ravaged the world, making digitality all the more important. It was a reminder that Japan was indeed losing the digital fight. It became clear that the Japanese government, healthcare, and business were lagging behind. 

In 1989, Japan’s international competitiveness, which has been the highest in the world, had dropped to 34th place, a clear downfall. The 30 years since have been a period of digital inaction for Japan. 

This is Japan’s last chance for digital transformation (DX). The country has maintained its world-class capabilities in manufacturing, design, education, and public safety. We believe is fully possible to digitally revitalized Japan post-COVID.

However, digital transformation that manifests as a sudden surge will also lead to increased digital risks. Therefore, last year, our association changed its name to the Digital Risk Association and put in place a new structure.

We welcome the inauguration of the Digital Agency, who shares a similar approach. I am pleased that the importance of digital administration has finally been recognized by the agency, and that they have set sail under a worthy first minister. 

In on year, they have developed many relevant laws and gathered human resources to inaugurate the Agency. The sheer horsepower of their work, the likes of which were not seen in the Heisei era, has given me hope. 

The agency’s base here in Takeshiba is a smart city designed to be in full swing in time for the Olympics. 

It was designed as a special zone abundant with digital technology such as 5G, robotics, IoT, and data. We hope to work digitally with the Digital Agency and other government agencies.”

Ms. Yoko Ishikura, who was appointed as Digital Supervisor, gave a comment as well.

Ms. Ishikura was a college of mine at Keio and our rooms were next to each other.

She said she never allowed teachers in. This was the same as when she was at iU. Though, simply calling her “Ms. Ishikura” would have been uninspiring. Ishikura-kan, Digi-kan, Yoko-chan—not sure which fits best.

Minister Hirai remarked,

“Ten years from now, the word ‘digital’ will no longer be used. We won’t even have to think to be digital.”

Great attitude. The digital will merge with our society. Everything will become digital. Consumed as such. This is truly “being digital.”

If their work is successful, the Digital Agency will be gone. This is the goal.

Right now, the conversation is focused on how to move forward with government DX, but what was discussed was a major posture to rewrite analog civilization: how to develop cities and live, how to develop cities and live, how to produce communities, families, and meals. It would be exciting if we could move toward such a policy. 

Let us hope that happens.

“A congressman should not seek happiness. If you do this for long enough, you become a horrible person.”

The minister murmured.

Hmm…

As was the case year ago, the timing of the cabinet change occurred right before the presidential election.

They must be carrying a heavy load.

Great work.