Meeting on Digital Administrative and Fiscal Reform

On February 20, 2025, Prime Minister Ishiba held the ninth Meeting on Digital Administrative and Fiscal Reform at the Prime Minister’s Office.

At the meeting, the participants engaged in discussions on the progress of digital administrative and fiscal reform and further responses.

Following the discussion, the Prime Minister said:

“Today we received a briefing on the progress of the consideration of digital administrative and fiscal reform from the relevant ministers and discussed the future course of initiatives. I ask each minister to push ahead with efforts centered on the following three points.

The first is the realization of Regional Revitalization 2.0. We will develop information and communications networks connecting artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers, among others, as ‘infrastructure for a new era’ that underpins green transformation (GX) and digital transformation (DX) toward the Reiwa Era remodeling of the Japanese archipelago. When we look overseas, efforts have already begun to develop large-scale data centers and secure electricity in an integrated manner, with a view to bringing next-generation AI technologies into reality.

I request Minister Murakami and Minister Muto to swiftly launch a public-private forum, integrate the development of electricity infrastructure and communications infrastructure, which has been under way separately thus far, with the aim of speeding up the establishment of data centers, and give concrete shape to our future course of action by this coming June.

Secondly, it is important to review regulations to keep up with innovation and digitally update systems that support people’s lives, including education, mobility, infrastructure, and healthcare, so that young people and women will choose local areas.

With regard to education, we will build authentication infrastructure to realize quality education and reduce burdens on parents and teachers when their children and students change schools or go on to the next stage of education by enabling the utilization of data across the borders of local governments. I call on you to advance discussions on the handling and standardization of data and other matters under the leadership of Minister Abe and compile specific measures by this coming June.

In the area of mobility, I ask Minister Taira and Minister Nakano to play a central role in fleshing out details regarding the review of regulations related to ideal operational management, such as ensuring a system to investigate accidents involving automated driving. When it comes to ride sharing, please take further steps in accordance with the Big-Boned Policy (Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform) and other policy documents, for example by discussing the refinement of the Japanese version of ride sharing and public ride sharing, among others, and conducting a careful analysis on different issues depending on the size of cities and other factors, while taking into account a conspicuous lack of means of transportation especially in local areas.

In regard to infrastructure, a serious accident occurred in Saitama Prefecture on January 28. I request that urgent action be taken to cope with aging water and sewage infrastructure and enable local governments to manage operations in a sustainable manner.

I call on Minister Nakano and Minister Murakami to considerably move up the target of implementing such DX technologies as the detection of water leaks and inspection of the inside of underground pipe lines through the use of artificial satellite data and drones across the country within around five years, by promptly starting the implementation in municipalities which are ready and working to achieve standard implementation nationwide within around three years.

At the same time, as for the maintenance of overall infrastructure by local governments, I ask the two Ministers to encourage them to revise rules with a view to increasing accuracy and ensuring safety in on-site work, which tends to rely on visual checks and other methods, and reducing the burden on workers on the ground.

In healthcare, we will further promote the adoption of electronic prescriptions. I request Minister Fukuoka to set a new adoption rate target and swiftly carry out necessary measures to meet it.

The third is the utilization of data and the promotion of data-driven policymaking. I request discussions on what a data utilization system should be like, including the necessity of new legislation, and the formulation of a basic policy by this coming June under the leadership of Minister Taira. These efforts should be based on such viewpoints as striking a balance between privacy protection and data utilization, realizing convenient and affluent lives, and enhancing collaboration across supply chains to enhance industrial competitiveness.

I also ask for the development of a policymaking mechanism across the Government, including initiatives utilizing the review of administrative programs.

It is necessary for all the Ministers to forge ahead with their efforts while keeping in mind thorough utilization of digital and new technologies. I call on you to draw up future policies that correspond to each challenge of digital administrative and fiscal reform discussed today under the leadership of Digital Minister Taira by this coming June.”