The government plans to draw up a data strategy as early as next year as part of its growth strategy for a digitized society, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned. Along with the establishment of a digital agency to promote the digitization of administrative services in a centralized manner, the government plans to position the new strategy as a key policy of the administration of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. The government is also considering designating the prime minister himself as the chair of the ministerial meetings on the issue, according to government sources.
The digital agency, which the government aims to establish by the end of next year, will be in charge of integrating administrative work at the central and local governments, and promoting the use of My Number social security and taxation identification cards.
The strategy aims to create new services as well as social and economic activities by using personal and industrial data. The government plans to map out the outline of the data strategy by the end of this year and make a decision by around next summer, as a part of the growth strategy developed by the Suga administration.
In relation to the move, the government will reorganize the ministerial meeting on digital government under the IT Strategic Headquarters, which is headed by Suga, as early as this month. Under the reorganization plan, the chairmanship of the meeting will shift from the chief cabinet secretary to the prime minister, and members of the meeting will be expanded to include all Cabinet ministers. Through the reorganization, the government aims to promote a series of digital policies in a top-down fashion by the prime minister.
Under the ministerial meeting, the government will set up a special task force to formulate the data strategy and a working group to compile basic concepts for revising the basic law on the formation of an advanced information and telecommunications network society. The government hopes to present a vision of the nation's digital future by revising the law during next year's ordinary Diet session. It is considering appointing Keio University Prof. Jun Murai as a chair of the working group, whose about 10 members will include private-sector experts. Murai is said to be well versed in digital policy and was an early proponent of internet use in Japan.
Data is called "the oil of the 21st century" in light of its impact on economy and society. The government plans to present innovative data utilization measures for medical care and education in its data strategy, with the aim of realizing them through cooperation between the public and private sectors.
Specifically, the government is considering compiling an "Infrastructure Ledger" of data on inspection, repair and construction records of aging roads and tunnels nationwide. By using artificial intelligence to improve the efficiency of maintenance and management of such infrastructure, local governments are expected to be able to reduce costs and labor.
The government is expected to promote linking My Number with bank accounts to expedite tax procedures and payments of various benefits. In addition, it also may consider permanently allowing doctors to practice online, which is temporarily permitted due to the coronavirus outbreak, and promoting remote work that moves people from urban offices to rural areas.
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