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On September 1, 2021, the Prime Minister attended the opening ceremony of the Digital Agency, which was held in a virtual format, at the Prime Minister’s Office and delivered an address.

The Prime Minister said in his address,
 
 “I am very pleased that the Digital Agency was established under the leadership of Minister Hirai today. Approximately 600 personnel, including Chief Digital Officer Ishikura, joined the agency. On the occasion of the launch of the Digital Agency, I would like to say a few words.
 
In response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), delays in digitalization of administrative services as well as the private sector have come to light. We cannot change Japan without bold digitalization. A control tower to strongly lead this transformation is necessary. With these in mind, we have decided to establish the Digital Agency.
 
There are a variety of issues that have remained untouched and postponed for years, including delays in digitalization of administrative services, different systems of national and local governments, and the lack of convenience of My Number Cards.
 
The Digital Agency has a large pool of personnel with various experience in the private sector, in addition to government officials. I request you to think out of the box regardless of respective positions and use your ingenuity, with a sense of speed and a mindset as if you would transform not only administration, but also the entire Japan.
 
Let me conclude my remarks by expressing a renewed determination that we will create a digital society that is by no means inferior to the rest of the world, where everyone can benefit from digitalization. Thank you.”