Priority Plan for the Advancement of a Digital Society

On June 21, 2024, the Cabinet approved the "Priority Plan for the Realization of a Digital Society."

Contents

• Introduction
• About Priority Plan
• Overview
• Enhancing the promotion process

Introduction

Human-friendly digitalisation: No one left behind
On September 1, 2021, the Digital Agency was established as the primary center for advancing Japan's digital society. The agency prioritizes the well-being of all individuals living in the country and aims to promote digitalisation across society in collaboration with national and local governments, the private sector, and other relevant stakeholders.

This document outlines the vision for Japan's future digital society, along with the ideas and initiatives needed to achieve it.

About Priority Plan

Guideline for achieving a digital society
This plan outlines the immediate and intensive measures that the government should implement to realize the envisioned digital society. It serves as a guiding framework for each ministry and agency, facilitating their structural reforms and individual initiatives while also enabling them to communicate and propose these actions to the global community. At the same time, this plan will clarify the initiatives of the Digital Agency as well as those of each ministry and agency, along with a detailed schedule, including a process timeline.

The PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act) cycle will be rigorously applied to regularly monitor the progress and outcomes of the measures described in the Priority Plan. To effectively gauge the progress of digitalisation from a comprehensive perspective, the PDCA cycle will be continually reviewed and adjusted as necessary. This will include assessing and disclosing the satisfaction levels of citizens and private sectors, as well as the utilization rates of digital services.

Overview

1. Digital society based on six key visions
2. Values and Principles to promote a digital society
3. Priority issues
4. Strategic approaches for addressing priority issues
5. Key initiatives to overcome major challenges

1. Digital society based on six key visions

Digital technology enabling personalized services and inclusive happiness
We believe that digitalisation should be fundamentally "people-friendly," prioritizing safety and security while promoting convenience in everyday life. This approach aims to streamline operations in both the public and private sectors and maximize the effective use of data. Advancements in digital technology now allow for the delivery of customized services at a low cost, providing citizens and users with valuable and meaningful experiences. Our goal is to leverage digital innovation to further this vision, ensuring that all members of society can realize diverse forms of happiness and that no one is left behind.

Six key visions for a digital society

1. Growth strategy through digitalisation
   Aim to raise productivity and digital competitiveness across society, contributing to the development of a sustainable society.
2. Digitalisation in semi-public sectors such as medical care, education, disaster prevention, and support for children
   Developing data-linkage infrastructures to ensure a safe and secure society.
3. Regional revitalization through digitalisation
   Enhancing the attractiveness of regions and ensuring the development of a digital society that promotes sustainability.
4. A digital society where no one is left behind
   Develop a digital society where everyone can benefit from digital advancements in their daily lives.
5. Fostering and securing digital talents
   Enhance a society where digital talents are nurtured and secured.
6. International strategy, including the advancement of DFFT
   Realize a society that fosters cross-border data flows with trust.

2. Values and Principles to promote a digital society

In order to realize a society where no one is left behind and can enjoy the benefits of digitalisation, we will thoroughly implement the value and principles in all our policies and initiatives.

Ten basic principles for creating a digital society

1. Open and transparent
2. Fairness and ethics
3. Safe and secure
4. Continuity, stability, and resilience
5. Resolve social issues
6. Quick and flexible
7. Inclusive and diversity
8. Penetration
9. Creation of new value
10. Leap forward / International contribution

Three principles of online administrative procedures

1. Digital-first principles
   Consistent digital completion of individual procedural services
2. One-time notification principle
   Information submitted once does not need to be resubmitted
3. Connected one-stop principle
   One-stop provision of multiple procedures and services, including private-sector services

Digital principles for structural reforms

1. Principles of digital completion and automation
2. Principles behind agile and adaptable policy development and execution (agile governance)
3. Principles of public-private partnerships
4. Principles of interoperability
5. Principles for common infrastructure utilization

The need for Business Process Reengineering (BPR)

Engage in BPR by adhering to these 12 service design principles.

1. Start with the user's needs
2. Realize the facts in detail
3. Think from the inside out
4. Consider the perspectives of all stakeholders
5. Keep services simple
6. Use digital technology to enhance the value of services
7. Integrate services into the user's daily experience
8. Avoid taking excessive action on your own
9. Create services in an open manner
10. Continuously refine and improve
11. Implement gradually and consistently
12. Focus on creating services rather than just information systems

Cloud-First (Cloud-by-Default) Principle

We emphasize prioritizing cloud services as the primary choice for development. This includes a design approach that leverages modular components for various functions, facilitating the efficient sharing of commonly needed capabilities.

Ensuring proper handling and effective use of personal information

We are committed to striking a balance between protecting individual rights and interests while ensuring appropriate and effective utilization of personal information.

3. Priority issues

Declining Population and Labor Shortages (limited resources)

Concerns are increasing that the country may struggle to sustain essential public services due to labor shortages stemming from a declining population and an increasing concentration of residents in major urban areas. There is an increasing need to streamline administrative procedures and eliminate inefficiencies, promoting further optimization and improvements through the application of digital technologies.

Decrease in the competitiveness of the industry as a whole

The overall competitiveness of the industry is decreasing. This is primarily due to insufficient progress in data accumulation and utilization, as well as limited adoption of generative AI. Consequently, the digital balance is deteriorating and widening. To address these issues, it is essential to promote digitalisation, enhance productivity, and create new business opportunities.

Emerging threats such as disasters and cyber-attacks

The nation faces various threats, including natural disasters, environmental degradation related to waste management, and public health crises such as pandemics. It is vital to address these challenges through the strategic use of digital technology, particularly in terms of data linkage. Moreover, ensuring the sustainability of digital technologies and improving resilience against cyber-attacks are critical challenges that must be addressed.

Concerns and hesitation regarding digitalisation

A significant number of individuals express skepticism about the benefits of digitalisation in society, with comments such as, "I don't believe digitalisation is advantageous," or "I have yet to adapt to digitalisation." In addition, satisfaction with online services tends to be lower in comparison to other countries, and surveys indicate a reluctance among many to experiment with digital tools. It is crucial to consider these attitudes as we strive towards a digital society.

4. Strategic approaches for addressing priority issues

Enhancing the digital infrastructure for industries

To raise industrial competitiveness and improve labor productivity, it is essential to achieve sustainable growth through digitalisation. This involves utilizing cutting-edge technologies and transitioning to data-driven management to reduce costs through improved efficiency, add value to existing businesses, and create new enterprises. To accomplish this, we will enhance the thorough use of AI and data, modernize digital industries, and develop human resources by cultivating talent to promote digital utilization and digital transformation (DX).

Strengthening efforts to make digitalisation a standard practice

We will steadily increase the number of fields in which people can experience the benefits of digitalisation by using digital technology to solve various issues in a concrete manner, avoiding human intervention as much as possible, and avoiding waste and inconvenience, leading to high-quality experiences and satisfaction. In addition, we will strengthen efforts to visualize policy data (Policy Dashboard, etc.), confirm progress toward the society we aim for and make continuous improvements, and actively conduct information dissemination and public relations.

Reinforce sustainability through data linkage

With an international perspective, the government and the private sector will work together to enhance initiatives, such as the promotion of data linkage and the development of a standardized framework (data space) for sharing data while ensuring reliability.
In addition, we will also strengthen risk management associated with digitalisation, addressing potential challenges such as data loss or disruptions to networks and power supplies.

Development of a common digital platform for national and local government

To enhance and sustain public services through digital innovation, even in a society experiencing population decline, it is essential for national and local governments to collaborate in establishing a standardized system. Instead of having around 1,800 local governments to develop and manage their systems individually, it is important to create a common platform that can be utilized across various areas. Therefore, we will work on the development and operation of a national and local digital common platform.

Strengthening international cooperation

To address sustainability challenges on a global scale, it is essential to develop markets and implement policies with a sustained focus on international expansion. We will enhance international cooperation with like-minded countries in the development of digital infrastructure, including cybersecurity and the Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT).

5. Key initiatives to overcome major challenges

1. Enhancing and accelerating the development of a common digital platform
2. The trinity efforts of regulations, business processes and systems
3. Implementation of digital administrative and fiscal reforms
4. Strengthening digital government (system optimization)
5. Modernization of entire industries related to digitalisation
6. Leveraging data to address challenges and improve competitiveness
7. Security
8. Initiatives in cutting-edge technologies

1. Enhancing and accelerating the development of a common digital platform

1. Initiatives to develop infrastructure for digital completion

For Individuals

• Promoting the My Number (the Individual Number) System
  Based on the law, we will promote the use of the My Number System in administrative procedures other than those related to the social security system, taxation system, and disaster control measures. Besides, the government will conduct comprehensive survey to assess the usability of the My Number System in various administrative procedures by the summer of 2024 and submit a bill to the next ordinary session of the Diet. Moreover, based on the Overall Review of My Number information, the government will provide careful support to organizations implementing data linkage between My Number and personal information, in line with the provisions for ensuring the accuracy of specific personal information outlined in the My Number Act.
• Promoting the use and accessibility of My Number Cards
  We aim to enhance the development of application environments and issuance systems to ensure the easy acquisition of My Number Cards. Besides, we promote the implementation of online services at city halls, allowing individuals to complete various administrative procedures using their smartphones on a daily basis. Furthermore, we will encourage the adoption of My Number Cards as citizen cards and support their use for identity verification in private-sector businesses.
• Specific initiatives to promote the wide adoption and use of the My Number Card
  • Integration with a health insurance card
  • Acceleration and facilitation of ambulance service
  • Digitalisation applications in the health, medical, and nursing care fields
  • Integration with driver's license
  • Integration with a residence card
  • Strengthening cooperation with the Disability Certificate
  • Strengthening cooperation with pension information
  • Credential digitalisation
  • Enhancing measures to improve the convenience of filing tax returns
  • Further promotion of digitalisation for moving procedures and consideration of digital completion
  • Digital completion of death and inheritance procedures
  • Consideration of online application for registration of overseas voters
  • Promotion of My Number Card as citizen cards
  • Enhancing public money receiving account utilization
  • Improvement of convenience, such as installation on smartphones
  • Promotion of use in various private businesses
  • Promoting online services in the public and private sectors by expanding the use of Mynaportal API

For businesses

• Development of Public Basic Information Database (Base Registry)
  The Basic Public Information Database (Base Registry) is being established through a comprehensive and systematic development and improvement plan. This initiative aims to enhance both the development and utilization of the database. The government will also assess the roles of related organizations and implement specific measures to ensure the accuracy and quality of data. In terms of commercial and precise real estate registration databases, the government is committed to developing resources that will be accessible to administrative organizations and local governments as outlined in the development and improvement plan. Furthermore, to maintain updated and accurate information related to addresses and locations, the government plans to develop area by the end of fiscal year 2024.
• Development of systems for services for businesses with an awareness of overall optimization
  With regard to administrative services for businesses, it is important to establish a system that is conscious of overall optimization. The following three points are summarized as major issues.
  • Enhance the environment to improve the user experience of administrative services for business sectors
    For business portals that provide access to various administrative services, we will study the feasibility of implementing e-Gov functions and develop a demonstration version. In the next procurement portal, our goal is to establish a comprehensive site for all government procurement activities, thereby increasing convenience for business sectors.
  • Development of common functions for administrative services in business sectors
    The objective is to implement gBizIDs across all administrative procedures. We will assess the feasibility of utilizing existing functions and systems to identify commonly required features in these processes and develop an implementation plan. The goal is to ensure the digital completion and data interoperability of public-private and business-to-business transactions.
  • Digitalisation for administrative procedures and subsidy applications for businesses by each ministry and agency
    To enhance efficiency and reduce costs for administrative procedures that occur infrequently each year, we will focus on utilizing common functions. The modernization of large-scale administrative procedure systems will also be considered. Regarding subsidy applications, as a rule, applications will be submitted online starting in 2025, and efforts will be made to improve the rate of online applications.

2. Improving the environment for an inclusive digital society

To foster a "people-friendly digitalisation where no one is left behind," the government will conduct surveys to evaluate the satisfaction levels of citizens, businesses, and government officials with digital administrative services. These surveys will also assess the penetration of each service and address public concerns regarding digitalisation. Continuous improvements will be made based on these findings. Moreover, the government will advance its initiatives for environmental development within three key frameworks.

• Development of digital infrastructure and usage environment
  Keep advancing the development of user environments and infrastructure by addressing underserved areas for optical fiber, expanding 5G coverage, establishing communication systems tailored for non-residential areas, and promoting the deployment of non-terrestrial networks and data centers.
• Improving digital literacy to effectively read, interpret, and utilize information correctly
  By utilizing accessible content, such as videos, through initiatives like the Digital Usage Support Promotion Project and the Digital Promotion Committee, we aim to reduce the anxiety of individuals unfamiliar with digital devices and services, including the elderly and disabled. In addition, the government will promote comprehensive measures that address institutional aspects, such as ensuring transparency and accountability from platform operators. We will also address issues related to digital advertising and the spread of fake news and misinformation online, in alignment with international trends.
• Ensuring accessibility to digital products and services
  The government will guarantee that all web content—including administrative services, online systems, websites, videos, and materials—is accessible to everyone. This involves establishing an inclusive information and communication infrastructure, which includes the revision of the Web Accessibility Introduction Guidebook based on the latest international technological standards. By providing user-centered digital services that blend the advantages of both analog and digital methods, we aim to enhance user experiences and satisfaction.
  To maximize the value that each service user receives from their perspective, we will link information across services to create a cohesive experience. This will ensure that all individuals have the opportunity to access and benefit from the service.

3. Development of digital human resources

• Developing digital talent is essential for our future
  Integrating digitalisation as a standard aspect of our daily lives requires sufficient human resources, both in quantity and quality, to address various challenges using digital technology and enhance convenience as a matter of course. Therefore, we will reinforce our efforts to develop digital human resources.
• Specific measures for digital human resource development
  • By accumulating and visualizing individuals' digital skills, their progress in those skills, and their exam evaluations, we aim to encourage continuous learning and support purpose-driven career development. To achieve this, we issue digital certificates that recognize the skills they have acquired.
  • To further enhance educational curricula and attract highly specialized instructors and faculty, initiatives will focus on improving mathematics, data science, and AI education in universities and similar institutions. These efforts include activities under the Math, Data Science, and AI Education Enhancement Hub Consortium, the establishment of a national accreditation system for outstanding educational programs offered by universities, and the development of interdisciplinary graduate degree programs that integrate fields such as the humanities, social sciences, and information sciences.
  • The development of DX promotion systems in local governments will be accelerated, and efforts will be made to enhance human resource pool functions so that prefectures can better support digital transformation in municipalities.

2. The trinity of regulations, business processes, and systems

The "Digital Principles for Structural Reforms," among others, will be thoroughly implemented, and regulations, business processes, and systems will be integrated from the policy planning and drafting stages. The core premise of the digital policy is to ensure the consistency of these elements and to promote initiatives within the trinity.

• Expanding the fields in which the public feels they benefits through digitalisation
  Based on the "Fundamental Premise of the Trinity Reform," we will simultaneously implement changes not only of institutional but also of systems and work in the digitalisation of existing workflows. Every year, we will designate priority areas and concentrate government resources, promote the trinity reform in the Digital System Reform Review committee, and steadily increase the number of areas where people can feel the merits of digitalisation.
• Strengthening the Digital Principles Compliance Verification Process
  In the process of formulating new policies and establishing new systems, we will enhance the process for confirming the conformity of new laws and ordinances with digital principles (digital legal examination). This enhancement will ensure that examinations related to business design and the development and operation of information systems are conducted from the planning and drafting stages. Furthermore, alignment of regulations, business processes, and systems will be advanced based on the fundamental premise of their integrated coherence. This will be achieved through reviews conducted at various stages of government information system projects, including the budget request phase and implementation phase.
• Development of hard and soft rules to utilize innovative technologies
  By leveraging physical space and innovative technologies such as drones and autonomous vehicles, we can transcend physical constraints and minimize the need for human intervention. To enhance efficiency, convenience, and overall experience, it is essential to focus on the "fundamental premise of the trinity." Therefore, we will promote the development of hard and soft rules through the Digital Lifeline National Comprehensive Development Plan which includes support for the introduction of digital technology.

3. Implementation of digital administrative and fiscal reforms

In light of the rapid decline in population and other influencing factors, we will reevaluate our administrative and fiscal policies with a focus on the user's perspective. Additionally, we will implement initiatives outlined in the Digital Administrative and Fiscal Reform Report 2024 to sustain and enhance public services by leveraging digital technologies effectively.

• Development and operation of a common digital infrastructure for the national and local governments
  Based on basic policy on the Development and Operation of Common Digital Platforms for the national and local governments, we will deepen liaison and consultation between the national and local governments, eliminate the negative effects of sectionalism, and review operations and build systems under a cross-governmental promotion system.
• Securing specialized human resources and promoting digital public infrastructure
  The government will secure the necessary specialized human resources primarily within the Digital Agency. It will focus on the initial development, transition, and support for the popularization of Digital Public Infrastructure, especially in rural areas. Additionally, a hub for promoting the digital transformation of public services will be established in each prefecture. These prefectures will assist the basic local governments in their regions, while the national government will support the recruitment of professional human resources.
• Implementation of policy progress monitoring
  To promote reforms in key areas, we will monitor and improve the progress of policies by setting medium - to long-term KPIs and developing a graphical representation of the logical connection between policy measures and policy objectives (logic model).

4. Strengthening digital government (system optimization)

1. Initiatives in public sector

• Basic Policy on the Development and Operation of Common Digital Platforms for the Government and Local Governments
  Based on the "Basic Policy on the Development and Operation of Common Digital Platforms for the Government and Local Governments," we aim to achieve the following three objectives, ensuring that both national and local governments share fundamental values. Under the framework of liaison and consultation, we will promote efforts for "Business Process Reengineering (BPR)" and the thorough implementation of digital principles within the jurisdiction of each ministry and agency (vertical reform), as well as the "Development and Utilization of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)" and the promotion of the use of common Software as a Service (SaaS) (horizontal reform).
  1. Optimized administration in which systems are standardized, enabling local governments to devise innovative policies
  2. Robust administration capable of flexibly responding to social and economic changes by acquiring real-time data and providing timely assistance, such as situational awareness during emergencies
  3. Administration that minimizes total costs by reducing burdens through economies of scale, cost visualization, and joint procurement between national and local governments
• Optimization of Government Information Systems
  The government information system will build a cloud-optimized framework on the Government Cloud and operate it efficiently by utilizing services provided by cloud service providers. We will avoid developing systems from scratch whenever possible and instead promote flexible system construction. At the same time, we will leverage ready-made SaaS solutions and thoroughly examine system integration, abolition, standardization, and collaboration.
  For this reason, we will not align the system with the business, but align the business with the system, and revise the business and the system that is the premise of it.
  Digital Agency will promote the componentization of functions that can be used in common, and develop catalogs of common functions, APIs, and SaaS, such as certificates, signatures, settlements, portals, applications, procedure processing, databases, terminals, servers, and networks. We will also support the efficient use of government information systems using Government Cloud.
  Furthermore, from the perspective of providing citizens with better administrative services at low cost and from the perspective of reducing the overall budget, we will promote the improvement of convenience and administrative efficiency through digitalisation.
  We will promote initiatives to "visualize" system expenses and cost effectiveness so that the people of Japan can feel the results.
• Integration and standardization of local government information systems
  We aim to enhance the environment for local governments utilizing core business systems, facilitating a smooth and safe transition to standardized compliance systems by 2025. Additionally, we will provide active support for the migration of mission-critical systems, particularly those that present challenges, to ensure they comply with standard systems effectively and securely.
• Promotion of Public Service Mesh
  Based on the fact that the standard compliance system's meets the necessary standards for data and coordination, we will implement a standardized design for inter-agency information coordination, utilization of information within local governments, and external connections with the private sector. This approach aims to create a public service mesh—an infrastructure for information coordination—that ensures the safe and efficient sharing of data held by the government.

2. Initiatives in semi-public sector

In the semi-public sector, the government will promote initiatives based on the principle of the trinity, which ensures consistency among regulations, business processes, and systems. Our goal is to achieve concrete results that eliminate waste and inconvenience, and we aim for digitalisation to become a standard practice for citizens.
Following are the main initiatives.

• Health, Medical and Nursing Care
  • Standardization of electronic medical records
  • Promotion of medical fee revisions through digital transformation (DX)
  • Advancement of online medical care
• Children
  • Establishment of a system for optimal delivery of necessary information
  • Implementation of online birth registration
  • Promotion of digitalisation in maternal and child health
  • Support for pregnant women returning to their hometowns
  • Creation of a framework to implement the "one-time only" notification principle for children services
  • Nationwide implementation of a comprehensive one-stop system for daycare searches.
  • Digitalisation of work certificates
  • Development of ICT infrastructure in childcare facilities
  • Promotion of digital transformation at after-school children's programs
  • Study of data linkage for children's services
• Education
  • Advancement of school administration through digital transformation
  • Encouragement of online education and specialization-based recruitment
  • Promotion of digital learning materials
  • Effective use of educational data to enhance the learning environment
• Mobility
  • Formulate the mobility roadmap and promotion of related measures

3. Maximizing the potential of SaaS solutions

• Extensive use of SaaS
  To transition from "making" to "using," we will develop a procurement process for a new software acquisition method through a digital marketplace. This will utilize catalog sites to enable national and local governments to procure SaaS and other products quickly and easily in alignment with their accounting systems. Our goal is to commence full-scale operations in the second half of fiscal 2024. Regarding ISMAP and ISMAP-LIU, we will evaluate their operational management with a focus on enhancing system efficiency while ensuring reliability and stability, and we will promote the expansion of their use.

5. Modernization of entire industries related to digitalisation

• Modernization of entire industries related to digitalisation
  The goal is to establish a strong foundation for the future development and innovation of industries related to digitalisation by optimizing information systems across the entire sector, engaging both users and suppliers connected to digitalisation. Key improvements will focus on security, redundancy, recoverability, and resilience, while also moving away from complex subcontracting structures and increasing wages. In addition, there will be an emphasis on developing digital talent and enhancing the overall responsiveness, adaptability, productivity, and efficiency of the entire industry.
  To achieve this, it's essential to understand the current state and challenges of each industry. Steps must be taken to migrate away from outdated legacy systems, optimize for cloud computing, and implement these changes within the public sector. We plan to organize a "Conference on Moving Away from Legacy Systems and Modernizing Systems" (tentative name), with the Information-Technology Promotion Agency (IPA) acting as the secretariat, alongside participation from the Digital Agency and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. This conference will help us assess the present situation of legacy systems, identify specific issues in different industries, and explore effective strategies to address these challenges.

6 Utilizing data to solve issues and enhance competitiveness

• Promote the structure of a standardized dataspace that ensures trust and the advancement of the Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT)
  We will implement projects to address the challenges associated with the transfer of data across borders through the Institutional Arrangement for Partnership (IAP) for operationalizing DFFT. At bilateral meetings, we will discuss more ambitious initiatives and sensitive data, considering each country's national circumstances. In addition, we will utilize the International Data Governance Advisory Committee and the International Data Governance Study Group to promote a framework (data governance) that encourages data linkage and protection measures across international borders, industries, and other sectors, both in Japan and overseas.
  Based on the needs of industry, we will enhance public-private collaboration with related ministries and agencies to facilitate international data flows and utilization.
• Trust and digital identity
  We will engage in the discussions of international standardizations and work towards establishing a new trust framework for data flow, referred to as the Trusted Web. Our focus will be on organizing the institutional and technical issues related to implementation and exploring how we should collect attribute information, or digital identities, in the digital world. Moreover, we will consider the ideal way to aggregate this attribute information in the digital landscape.
  Relevant ministries and agencies will collaborate to create leading use cases in administration to promote the social implementation of verifiable digital certificates (VC) and decentralized identifiers (DID). Besides, a roadmap will be developed to implement a mechanism and application—a digital identity wallet—that can store and present personal and corporate attributes and credentials.
• Promotion of disaster risk management DX
  The disaster risk management DX is a crucial aspect of crisis management policies, we aim to promote the following initiatives for their improvement and enhancement.
  • Establishment of a disaster risk management digital platform
    In April 2024, we launched the SOBO-WEB, which will serve as our core tool for developing a comprehensive digital platform for disaster risk management by 2025. This platform will automatically aggregate information from various disaster-related systems, making it accessible to disaster response organizations. Additionally, we will focus on strengthening the Information Aggregation Support Team for Disasters (ISUT), which helps compile disaster information. We will also emphasize the promotion of data distribution in disaster prevention, working in collaboration with data-linkage infrastructure and L-alert.
  • Development and utilization of disaster risk management Apps / Structure of the data linkage platform
    We will promote the development of high-quality systems and services, ensuring their timely implementation and broader application throughout society. Additionally, we will support the establishment of a data-linkage infrastructure for disaster risk management, enabling connections between applications and services, and facilitating integration with SOBO-WEB.
  • Personalized support for disaster victim
    The use of the My Number Card will be promoted to ensure that each disaster victim receives appropriate support based on their specific circumstances. Convenience for disaster victims will be enhanced by allowing applications to be submitted at evacuation shelters. Health and medical information, including details about medications, will also be collected, and online applications for disaster victim certificates will be made available.
  • Public-private partnership for enhanced disaster risk management
    In response to the earthquake that occurred in Noto Island in 2024, digital professionals from the private sector actively participated in the local government's response efforts. Based on this experience, the government will explore and establish mechanisms to dispatch private-sector digital talent to assist with crisis response initiatives.
  • Strengthening telecommunications, broadcasting, and electricity infrastructure
    Public and private sectors collaborate to enhance the resilience and redundancy of infrastructure. The focus is on improving inspection efficiency and installing equipment that allows for prompt emergency restoration during disasters. Maintaining ongoing communication, broadcasting, and electrical services at municipal offices and evacuation shelters is crucial for effective information sharing among disaster response organizations and for assisting victims in accessing essential disaster-related information.
  • Advancements and global expansion of digital technology in disaster risk management
    The promotion of research and development in technologies such as predictive modeling, digital twins, and AI will occur through partnerships among industry, government, and academia. Initiatives will focus not only on advancing future technologies but also on promoting the global expansion of Japan's leading disaster risk management technologies and industry.

7. Security

To effectively secure information systems, it is essential to implement consistent security measures throughout all stages, from planning to operation—this approach is known as security-by-design. Our goal is to enhance user convenience while also ensuring robust cybersecurity. To achieve this, we will strengthen our cybersecurity efforts in alignment with the national security strategy and the cybersecurity strategy.

• Initiatives to enhance cybersecurity
  In fiscal year 2024, we start identifying vulnerabilities through cross-sectional attack surface management, including the potential implementation of Red Team Tests and information collection via Protective DNS. Besides, we will develop and operate government information systems in accordance with the National center of Incident readiness and Strategy for Cybersecurity (NISC). Specifically, the Digital Agency, which builds and operates common government infrastructure and certification systems for citizens and businesses, will work to strengthen the resilience of its systems. This includes the development and enhancement of operation, monitoring, and incident response systems, as well as the construction and management of comprehensive operation and monitoring systems. To achieve these goals, we will reinforce our security measures by implementing systems designed with security in mind. We will also conduct necessary verifications and audits with the help of experts from the Digital Agency and the Information-Technology Promotion Agency (IPA).

8. Initiatives in cutting-edge technologies

• AI
  To create a virtuous cycle that accelerates innovation while suppressing various risks associated with AI, including generative AI, and ensuring safety and security, we will focus on the following priorities. In line with these efforts, we will continue to demonstrate international leadership through initiatives such as the Hiroshima AI Process and others.
  • Accelerating AI innovation and AI-driven innovation
  • Ensuring safety and security for AI
  • Promoting international cooperation
• Web3.0
  Leverage technologies like non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) to address various social issues. Our initiatives will focus on developing consultation desks, creating practical use cases, advancing technological development, enhancing human resource skills, promoting globalization, and revitalizing regional communities.
• Quantum technologies
  Engage in both basic and applied research on quantum innovations, promoting the integration of these advancements with foundational technologies such as aluminum and classical computing infrastructure.
• Digital twins
  Promote initiatives that include the development and renovation of the Digital Japan Basic Map, support the creation and use of 3D urban models, and achieve infrastructure management digital transformation through the construction of digital twin underground infrastructures.
• Beyond 5G (6G)
  Enhance research and development, international standardization, social implementation, and overseas deployment of Beyond 5G (6G). This next-generation information and communications infrastructure should be flexible, low-cost, and capable of delivering high-speed, high-capacity, low-latency, low-power consumption, and quality assurance.

Enhancing the promotion process

1. Strengthening three Initiatives and cross-sectoral functions

To advance the initiatives outlined in the Priority Plan, it is essential to enhance the Digital Agency's structure, including its back-office functions such as public relations and human resources. Our goal is to expand the Digital Agency's personnel to 1,500 in short term and to continuously enhance essential systems by utilizing external private sector resources.
The three initiatives in the Priority Plan that will be prioritized for strengthening are as follows

1. Eliminating waste and enhancing convenience to improve efficiency and deliver high-quality experiences across various sectors, including semi-public services, by integrating efforts in regulations, business processes, and systems.
2. Developing a digital infrastructure that can be utilized by both national and local government, following the Basic policy on the development and operation of common digital platforms for governments.
3. Strengthening digital industrial infrastructure through the effective use of AI and data.

2. Enhancing cooperation with related organizations

To promote digitalisation, it is essential to implement new measures and develop systems. However, each system requires ongoing operation and maintenance. Therefore, we will strengthen our collaboration with related organizations, such as the Information-Technology Promotion Agency (IPA) and the National Printing Bureau, which have a proven track record in digital initiatives. This collaboration will help us develop the necessary systems to support various measures effectively.

3. Examination of medium to long-term direction

According to the Act on the Establishment of the Digital Agency, an evaluation of the Digital Agency's state will take place ten years after its establishment, along with necessary measures. However, the Government of Japan will conduct a review before this ten-year period. This review will include a summary of the ideal personnel system, focusing on the appointment and utilization of experts from the private sector. Additionally, the Government will explore ways to create a virtuous cycle between planning and execution, as well as the possibility of establishing an external organization.

Materials

You can find more documents in Japanese at the following link.

• (Japanese version) Priority Plan for the Advancement of a Digital Society

Historical data

See the following for Priority Plan's past materials on the realization of digital society.

• Priority Plan's Past Materials for Realizing digital society