The digital minister of Japan has “declared war” on the usage of floppy discs and other obsolete technology by the nation’s officials.
Taro Kono stated that around 1,900 government procedures still require enterprises to utilize storage devices, in addition to CDs and mini-discs.
He stated that regulations would be revised to permit the usage of online services.
Japan’s office culture is known for its adherence to obsolete technology, despite the country’s reputation for technological innovation.
The first floppy discs were bendable, hence the name. They were produced in the late 1960s, but by the end of the 1970s, they had fallen out of favor due to more effective storage options.
More than 20,000 standard discs would be required to replicate a memory stick carrying 32GB of data.
However, the square-shaped device has left a lasting impression, as its visual look influenced the classic “save” icon.
A committee of the Japanese government has identified around 1,900 instances in which enterprises are compelled to employ storage mediums such as floppy discs when creating apps or storing data.
During a Tuesday news conference, Mr. Kono criticized the country’s continued use of other obsolete technology.
He stated, “I’m still planning to dispose of the fax machine.”
Regarding storage devices, he inquired, “Where can one even purchase a floppy disc today?”
This is not the first time Japan has been in the news for its analog habits, which seem paradoxical given the nation’s prowess in creating innovative new items.
Diverse explanations have been given, including insufficient internet literacy and a bureaucratic culture with conservative values.
The country’s cyber-security minister said in 2018 that he had never used a computer and had always delegated IT chores to his staff, causing widespread surprise.
And it was not until 2019 that Japan’s final pager supplier discontinued service, with the final private customer saying that his elderly mother preferred pagers as a means of contact.
During the 2010s, it was discovered that US officials were still utilizing floppy discs to handle its nuclear weapons force, but this practice was supposedly discontinued before the end of the decade.
