The purpose of digitization in society is to make the lives of all the people more convenient. A situation must be prevented in which people's ability or inability to use digital devices creates a new type of social disparity.
Amid the coronavirus crisis, Japan's delay in digitization has been revealed in such ways as through the confusion that arose over online applications for the provision of cash benefits of 100,000 yen per person. The administration of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga regards the promotion of digitization as a key policy issue.
As a precondition for achieving this goal, it is necessary for the public to widely use personal computers, smartphones, the internet and other means to realize the convenience of digital services. The most important thing is to give consideration to elderly people who are not familiar with these digital devices.
According to a survey by the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry, the percentage of internet users among those 65 or older was lower than among other age groups. Even if they used the internet, about half of the people in that age range did not use it frequently and could not make full use of it.
While some people do not feel the need to use digital devices in their daily lives, there may be many people who do not have anyone around whom they can consult about how to use them. Some people may not be able to easily ask because their families live elsewhere.
It is important to take measures not to leave these people behind.
This autumn, the communications ministry launched a feasibility project at 11 locations across the country, in which staff members who support digital utilization teach mainly elderly people how to operate digital devices and use administrative and other services through digital devices.
In Matsuyama, the city government, the human resources center for the aged and other entities have teamed up to train 10 such staff members who intensively teach elderly people how to use smartphone apps that are closely linked to aspects of daily life, such as hobbies and health issues.
The use of administrative digital services is expected to spread as a result of people directly realizing the convenience of digital devices on a daily basis.
The government needs to take into account the opinions of participants in the project and develop a teaching method suitable for each person's level of proficiency. It is desirable to have a system in which elderly people can receive advice easily by phone, at home or in other convenient places, if necessary.
In order to develop the project in a full-fledged manner, it is essential for the central and local governments to increase their fiscal support to and their involvement in the project. Aid for people who cannot afford to buy digital devices will also be a subject for discussions.
Even if the number of elderly people who use digital devices increases, it would be putting the cart before the horse if the administrative services themselves are difficult to use.
Concerning the screen displays when users go through online procedures for administrative services, or the method of searching for necessary information, it is vital to make repeated improvements from the viewpoint of user-friendliness. Every possible measure must be taken to ensure the stability of the system of digital devices and protect personal information.
-- The original Japanese article appeared in The Yomiuri Shimbun on Nov. 11, 2020.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
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