“A war against floppy discs” has been declared by the government of Japan. In an effort to modernise its bureaucracy, Japan’s digital ministry has declared that it will finally get rid of floppy discs and other antiquated technologies, decades after the cumbersome magnetic storage discs became useless and were phased out globally.
Japan’s digital minister, Taro Kono, stated this week during a press conference that he was striving to move administrative processes online. He tweeted in English earlier last week, “Digital Minister declares a war on floppy discs.” The Digital Agency will alter those rules so you can utilise the internet.
Although some of the biggest tech companies in the world have their headquarters in Japan, the Japanese have always had a preference for older technology. In 2015, cassettes were still commonly used, the BBC reported. In contrast, the nation’s cyber security minister declared in public in 2019 that he had never used a computer in his life.
A floppy disc is a removable disc storage device used to store computer data and programmes that was widely used throughout the 1970s and 1990s. A small animated floppy disc serves as the save button on an MS Word document, so even if you haven’t used one, you’ve probably seen one.
Kono has been vocal about his dislike of the hanko seal, an official seal that is used to sign contracts and documents, as well as the outdated fax machine that is a staple in many Japanese government offices, since 2021, when he served as the minister of administrative reform. He gave government ministries the go-ahead to stop requiring hanko for a number of papers, such as tax returns and year-end adjustments. However, fax machines and hanko seals are still utilised in numerous government buildings all around Japan.
Kono stated that in addition to the floppy disc, he also wants to do away with CDs and tiny discs.
According to a committee established by the Japanese government, about 1,900 government operations still require the use of particular storage devices, such as the floppy disc, CD, and mini disc. The government will alter its rules, according to the digital minister, allowing consumers to use online services instead.
At a press conference earlier this week, Kono stated, “We will be investigating these procedures rapidly,” adding that he has the backing of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
However, other government officials have strongly disagreed with Kono, arguing that the floppy provides a level of protection and legitimacy that an email just cannot, according to The Guardian.
