News Japanese officialdom to abolish floppy discs this month

Digital Minister Kono Taro declared on 14 June that the requirement for using floppy disks in certain administrative processes will be eliminated by the end of the month. This announcement during a press conference after a Cabinet meeting is a step in the government's initiative to modernize outdated technologies. The initiative is spearheaded by Japan's Digital Agency. Kono had committed to phasing out "analogue" technologies, including floppy disks, in government procedures shortly after taking office in August 2022. The persistence of outdated technology in Japan has drawn international attention, with the BBC highlighting Japan's reputation for maintaining obsolete office technologies.

Some 70% of the target procedures have been revised. Of 1,034 that originally required floppy disks, the requirement for the use of the format invented in the 1970s has reportedly been abolished in all but one -- where the Ministry of the Environment is in the process of revising an ordinance. Kono commented, "One case remains, but we'll be able to review it over this month. Digitization has made considerable progress. We would like to proceed with necessary reviews, including the use of faxes."

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About bloody time, I say! I didn't reliase a country as technologically advanced countries as Japan still used those - not outside specialised fields where you can't get replacement hardware/software, at least. Relying on outdated tech, especially something as volatile as floppies, is just not safe.