Japan’s Digital Agency recently achieved a milestone by eliminating the use of floppy disks in its government computer systems. While floppy disks are largely considered obsolete in today’s technological landscape, they are still being utilized in Japan for essential functions, notably in an environmental system monitoring vehicle recycling.
This move marks a significant step forward in Japan’s efforts to modernize its digital infrastructure.
Digital Minister Taro Kono proudly declared the achievement on June 28, emphasizing the symbolic end of an era. Since his appointment to the Digital Agency in 2022, Kono has been proactive in pushing for the abandonment of outdated technology across approximately 1,900 government procedures.
This initiative included phasing out not just floppy disks but also fax machines, CDs, and MiniDiscs, which were remnants of ’90s-era technology.
Kono’s campaign against obsolete technology garnered attention not just domestically but also internationally, underscoring the broader trend of countries grappling with legacy systems long past their prime.
The United States military, for instance, famously continued to use 8-inch floppy disks until 2019 to operate the Strategic Automated Command and Control System (SACCS), responsible for nuclear command and control. This revelation, highlighted by CBS’s 60 Minutes, brought to light the persistence of outdated technology in critical infrastructures worldwide.
Japan’s transition away from floppy disks reflects a broader global effort to modernize digital infrastructure and enhance operational efficiency. The elimination of these antiquated technologies is seen as a necessary step to streamline governmental processes and ensure compatibility with contemporary data storage and communication methods.
As countries like Japan continue to embrace digital transformation, the focus remains on updating systems to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
