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Japan's Government Ends Use of Floppy Disks Two Decades After Their Peak

Jan 24, 2026 January 24, 2026 1 min read 📰 Radio Farda
📋 Key Takeaway

The Japanese government has officially ended the use of floppy disks in its systems, marking a significant step in its modernization efforts. This decision reflects ongoing challenges in digitizing bureaucratic processes, highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Taro Kono, the Digital Minister, celebrated this achievement as a victory for modernization.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: Japan's end of floppy disk usage symbolizes a critical step in its digital modernization journey.

👥 Key Players

Taro Kono MENTIONED
Digital Minister of Japan
"Kono is a key figure in Japan's efforts to modernize its bureaucratic processes and reduce reliance on outdated technology."
Digital Agency of Japan MENTIONED
Government agency responsible for digital transformation
"This agency plays a crucial role in implementing digital policies and modernizing Japan's governmental operations."

📰 What Happened

The Japanese government has officially ended the use of floppy disks in its systems, marking a significant step in its modernization efforts. This decision reflects ongoing challenges in digitizing bureaucratic processes, highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • The Digital Agency revoked 1,034 regulations related to floppy disks.
  • The agency was established in 2021 to address inefficiencies revealed during the pandemic.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: This modernization effort in Japan can serve as a case study for Iran as it grapples with its own bureaucratic inefficiencies and technological challenges.
🌍 Regional: The move may inspire other countries in the region to pursue similar digital transformations.
🌐 International: It highlights the challenges faced by governments worldwide in keeping pace with technological advancements.

📚 Background

Japan's reliance on outdated technology has been a significant barrier to efficient governance, especially highlighted during the pandemic. The push for modernization aims to streamline processes and improve public services.

Digital transformation in government Impact of COVID-19 on bureaucratic processes
📡 Source: NEUTRAL
📊 Confidence: 70%
The article presents factual information about Japan's government actions without evident bias.

The Japanese government has finally succeeded in ending the use of floppy disks across all its systems, two decades after their peak. This move marks a milestone in Japan's bureaucratic modernization campaign. By mid-June, the Digital Agency of Japan had revoked all 1,034 regulations related to the use of floppy disks, except for one environmental restriction concerning their recycling. Taro Kono, Japan's Digital Minister, stated in a Reuters announcement on Wednesday, July 4, 'We won the battle over floppy disks on June 28!' The Digital Agency was established during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, when efforts to implement widespread testing and vaccination revealed that the government remained reliant on paper filing and outdated technologies. However, Japan's digital efforts have faced numerous challenges. A contact tracing app during the COVID-19 pandemic was unsuccessful, and the issuance of the digital identification card 'My Number' initiated by the government has been slower than expected due to repeated errors.

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Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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