Retirement and Inauguration Ceremonies for Senior Vice-Ministers and Parliamentary Vice-Ministers

On September 21, 2023, the retirement and inauguration ceremony of Senior Vice-Minister for Digital and Parliamentary Vice-Minister Minister for Digital Transformation was held.
A retirement ceremony was held for former Senior Vice-Minister for Digital Okushi and former Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Minister for Digital Transformation Ozaki, and an inauguration ceremony was held for Senior Vice-Minister for Digital Minister for Digital Transformation Ishikawa and Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Minister for Digital Transformation Tsuchida. Kono and other officials from Digital Agency participated in the ceremony.

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

There are things I have done well and things I have left undone, but I have been supported by so many people.
Although there are some troubles, the need for digitalization itself is widely understood, and I think it is important to steadily advance it. In doing so, I feel that it is important to increase the number of fans, not just for the sake of the people. We have been able to advance various cooperation agreements, but if we feel that it has become more convenient to be able to do this, such as through efforts to prevent resale, I believe that the number of fans will increase from there.
Local government's digital services are about to go into full swing, but even within Digital Extraordinary Administrative Advisory Committee, there are more and more extremely difficult Issue, such as base registry for address. This is really about sorting out the complex things that have been cultivated over the course of Japanese history, and I feel once again that Digital Agency is doing a really important job in order to firmly open up the future of the country.
I would like to continue to make use of my relationship with you and move forward together, encouraging and helping each other, step by step, toward the realization of digital society.

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

Thank you very much for all your help over the past 400 days.
I really enjoyed working with you, and I learned a lot from it.
I have worked in various public authorities such as Ministry of Finance, the Prime Minister's Official Residence, and the Kochi Prefectural Government. Each organization has its own advantages. What I was impressed with when I came to Digital Agency is that while the content of work is changing rapidly, the organization must be changed accordingly, and you are responding quickly to it.
I would like to sincerely pray for the continued success of all of you. How important it is to improve Japan's digital competitiveness. It is no exaggeration to say that whether our children and grandchildren will be able to remain advanced countries depends on this point. From now on, I would like to change my position and do my best to be your cheering squad.

Digital Agency staff presented bouquets of flowers to former Senior Vice-Minister Okushi and former Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ozaki.

Summary of Greetings by ISHIKAWA Akimasa, New Senior Vice-Minister

Digital Agency was established to "give birth small and raise big," but I feel that we have finally entered the "raising" phase. At first, I created Digital Agency with high expectations that regulation would be reformed to eliminate vertical divisions, saying that "Digital Agency is a pillar of our growth strategy." Going back to this starting point, I will believe in all of our employees and do my best. Please give me your guidance and encouragement.

Summary of Address by Mr. TSUCHIDA Shin, New Parliamentary Vice-Minister Minister for Digital Transformation

I believe that Digital Agency is a fundamental Issue resolution agency. We are the ones who will determine the ups and downs of the country over the next 30 years. With that kind of spirit, I would like to do my best to support the Minister Kono together with you. Thank you very much.

Summary of Minister for Digital Transformation Kono's Greetings

Former Senior Vice-Minister Okushi and former Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Ozaki took the lead in responding to various incidents in Issue over a period of 400 days. Thank you very much.
I asked former Senior Vice-Minister Okushi about the use of private sector in My Number Card, and he realized various things, such as age confirmation at self-checkout counters, use in the entertainment area, including prevention of resale, and cooperation with administrative scriveners.
Mr. Ozaki, former Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, responded to various fields, including disaster risk management aspects, such as the launch of the disaster risk management Council, based on the knowledge of the Governor of Kochi Prefecture, who is facing the Nankai Trough.
We have decided to welcome two new Parliamentary Vice-Ministers, Mr. Yohei Ishikawa and Mr. Yohei Tsuchida. I would like you to steadily take over the positions of former Parliamentary Vice-Ministers Mr. Okushi and Mr. Yohei Ozaki.
Digital Agency is also in its third year, and I would like to do my best so that I can run at full speed instead of warming up. In addition, I would like to ask you to spread the good climate of Digital Agency to other public office so that the clothes of the people who participated in the inauguration and retirement ceremonies do not look like Kasumigaseki.