Retirement Ceremony and Inauguration Ceremony for the Three Officers of Political Affairs

On August 17, 2022, the retirement ceremony and inauguration ceremony of the three executives of Digital Agency were held.
The retirement ceremony and inauguration ceremony were attended by senior officials of Minister for Digital Transformation, including the Old and New Digital Agency, the Old and New Senior Vice-Ministers, the New Parliamentary Secretary, Chief Officer of the Digital Agency and CxO.

MAKISHIMA Karen Greetings from Former Minister for Digital Transformation Summary

For 10 months, I have been working with former State Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumiaki Kobayashi, former Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Yamada, and senior officials and employees of Digital Agency to advance Digital Agency forward. I stand here today with this in mind.

We have CxOs, and to paraphrase that, I think I've been given a role as CEO.
As COO, I believe it was former Senior Vice-Minister Fumiaki Kobayashi who has shaped the organization and culture of this Digital Agency.
Also, I think it was of great significance that former Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Yamada played the role of CMO, who knew the site.
I would be very happy if the three of us could come to this Digital Agency and make a contribution by building the foundation of Digital Agency with you.

We were able to carry out our work thanks to the staff who made use of the individuality and nature of the three of us.
We have three unique people, including new Minister KONO Taro, new Senior Vice-Minister Okushi, and new Parliamentary Secretary Ozaki. I think it is important that the people of Digital Agency make full use of the knowledge and experience of the three people.

We are going to hand over the responsibility of Minister for Digital Transformation as the second generation to the third generation minister, Mr. Noshin.
The first minister, HIRAI Takuya, served for ten months, not forgetting that he was the one who built the wells, gave them water, and dug them.
With that thought in mind, we plowed the soil, planted seeds, set up props to show what direction we would move forward, and made efforts to spread cranes and move forward.
And my buds are about to bloom because of all of you.
I pray that with the help of Minister Noshin, this flower will be a big flower and many flowers will bloom in such a year.

It would be our sincere wish if we could convey to you the image of Digital Agency that is constantly growing.
I hope that you will continue to work together to support the new Minister, Mr. Kono, and the three officers in charge of political affairs. Thank you very much.

Summary of Greetings by Fumiaki Kobayashi, Former Senior Vice-Minister

It is wonderful that a small and elite organization with 700 people, which is probably less than half of the same digital government Digital Agency overseas, was able to achieve various new results, including the cashless bill. I believe that it was born from the high level of professionalism of all employees and executives. I am really proud to have worked with you for 10 months.

It is difficult to prioritize many projects, but I believe that the roles of political affairs are important. I would like to ask the new Foreign Minister Kono, the new State Minister Okushi, and the new Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Ozaki to make full use of their abilities, and at the same time, I would like to ask them to work together with Chief Officer of the Digital Agency, which is responsible for organization development, so that Digital Agency will become a wonderful organization.
Even after I return to the party, I would like to support Digital Agency so that his achievements will come out more and more.

Greeting Summary by Mr. Taro Yamada, Former Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Minister for Digital Transformation

Since the assumption of office by the three Governors last October, I have solidified the foundations of Digital Agency.
"Priority plan for the Realization of digital society" is an important Priority plan that I would like the new three political administrations and Digital Agency officials to firmly take over. The roles that Digital Agency will play are not limited to the digitalization of the government, but also extend to the semi-public sector that is closely related to the lives of the people, the development of digital human resources, and the Digital Rincho (Digital Extraordinary Administrative Advisory Committee). Since Priority plan is important for improving the lives of the people, I would like to ask for your guidance so that it can be realized according to the schedule.

I believe that Digital Agency will be able to achieve excellent results that exceed expectations.

A staff member of Digital Agency presented a bouquet of flowers to Minister Dozen Maki.

KONO Taro's New Minister for Digital Transformation Greeting Summary

I am KONO Taro, who was appointed as the third Minister for Digital Transformation.
I believe that we must build a house in accordance with the design map drawn by Minister Makishima's team, and I will do my best so that the third generation owner will not have to sell the house.

When former Prime Minister Suga said digital transformation (DX), there were many people who had an image of humans being sandwiched and pushed out by the gears of Chaplin's Modern Times, and I thought it was important to share the goal of what digital should be done for.
By advancing digital technology, we will make the lives of the people more convenient. At the same time, in order to make Japanese society, which has a declining population and an aging population, a warmer society, we need to make the most of digital technology. I believe that we need to obtain your understanding and proceed with this.

There are many things to do, such as connecting ministries and agencies horizontally, connecting prefectures, municipalities vertically, and internationally, DFFT (Data Free Flow with Trust).
We will connect horizontally, vertically, and internationally, and make the world more convenient while doing so. I would like to firmly communicate that this is Digital Agency.

I would like to create a working environment in which all Digital Agency employees can think that they were "glad to work in Digital Agency," "enjoyed working in Digital Agency," and "found it rewarding." If there are any Dozen employees who need to say something to you, I will see you as long as I have time. While continuing the mechanism established by Minister Maki, I will aim for an open ministerial office.

In addition, as Cabinet Bureau of Personnel Affairs is also in charge of the national public service system, I believe that we must make Digital Agency a model for revolving doors in digital human resources.
I would like to make it a Digital Agency where people from private sector can return to private sector after fulfilling their duties in Digital Agency because they want to do national work in Digital Agency again. I would also like people who left Kasumigaseki and went to private sector to come back and help us.
I will do my best for the third generation.
Staff, I would like to ask for your continued support.

Summary of Greetings by OGUSHI Masaki, New Senior Vice-Minister

At the time of the establishment of Digital Agency, I would like to thank the efforts and efforts of Minister Dozen Maki, former Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Kobayashi, former Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Yamada, and all those involved. While facing various problems in the creation stage and having a hard time, we will firmly take over the parts that were made and the parts that were left undone.
I think that is the task entrusted to us.
In cooperation with Minister Kono and Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Ozaki, I would like to make efforts to ensure smooth progress.

In the past, I was conducting research at a university on the theme of "how to share and utilize empirical knowledge of human beings." I would like to make steady efforts so that each and every one of our citizens can feel the convenience of digital and enjoy the experience of "I'm glad I did it." I think we have to overcome various rough seas from now on, so I will do my best together.

Summary of Address by Mr. Masanao Ozaki, New Parliamentary Vice-Minister Minister for Digital Transformation

After Dozen Makiko, former Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Kobayashi, and former Parliamentary Vice-Minister Yamada have worked hard to accumulate achievements, I would like to work hard under the guidance of the new Foreign Minister Kono and the new Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister Okushi.

When I served as the Governor of Kochi Prefecture in the past, I received great expectations and expressions of interest in digitalization from the residents.
At the same time as resolving the social Issue, the seeds for new growth are here, and I believe that the development of local economies will determine the future of the country. Digital Agency will become the standard-bearer for resolving the regional digitalization and social Issue, and will open up the future of the country.
I would like to do my best to move forward even a little. Thank you for your guidance.

(From left) Former Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Kobayashi (remote), Minister Dozen Maki, New Minister Kono, New Senior Vice-Minister Okushi, New Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ozaki
Mr. Yamada, former Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, will participate by video message due to his business.