IfG.CC -
Institute for eGovernment

The Japanese government has admitted that it has experienced some setbacks in its attempts to “go digital.” But in its newly announced “Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform for 2020”, the Abe administration has signaled it is redoubling its efforts on this front, making restructuring the e-government system its utmost priority.

The basic policies approved by the cabinet on Friday include a pledge to speed up the government’s transition to digital work arrangements. This comes as the coronavirus pandemic has laid bare just how far behind other developed countries Japan lags in this regard.

Japanese passport holders and mid- to long-term foreign residents can already use automated gates with fingerprint readers if they register their fingerprints and other information. The Ministry of Justice website has been pushing for eligible people to use the gates by highlighting the ease with which users can get through immigration procedures by simply following the instructions on the screen at each booth, and that user registration can be completed on the day of a flight.

All over the world, smart cities often focus on technology to increase efficiency, but what about social development?

In Japan, there are plans to create a new type of human-centred smart society. They're calling it, Society 5.0. Aizuwakamatsu and Arao are two towns that have adopted the latest technologies to solve existing problems and improve people’s well-being. I went to see what initiatives they're using.

Autonomous cars, commonly known as self-driving cars, aren’t new in Japan — nor the automotive industry.

But whilst the rest of the developed world is pushing for autonomous vehicles largely for reasons of safety and convenience for people in general, Japan’s a little different.

It’s to compensate for its aging population.

Digital tools launched in a Japanese smart city that can send disaster alerts to safeguard residents are part of an optional technology push aiming to overcome social and economic challenges, while also allaying privacy fears.

The smartphone alerts were introduced in Aizuwakamatsu city, Fukushima prefecture, last week by consultancy firm Accenture, which has worked with researchers to revitalise the city using technology since a devastating earthquake in 2011.

The ‘smart city’ will feature autonomous vehicles, robots, hydrogen power and, of course, a sprinkling of AI solutions for residents to play with.

Less than four years after announcing plans to build a “smart city” near Mount Fuji in Japan, Toyota announced the city will welcome its first residents very soon.

Called the “Woven City,” it has been dubbed a “living laboratory” to experiment with new technologies like hydrogen power, autonomous vehicles, robots, and artificial intelligence (AI)

Mitsubishi Corporation (MC), HomeServe Japan Corporation and the municipal government of Yatsushiro City in Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture (hereinafter "our parties") are pleased to announce that we have signed a "regional revitalization" agreement that will cover services for Yatsushiro City. Under the terms of our agreement, our parties shall work together to invigorate the municipality and improve the quality of services for its citizens through the use of digital technologies.

Dassault Systèmes and NTT Communications will use virtual twin technology and big data to explore solutions to challenges related to sustainability and resilience in multiple domains including energy.

Dassault Systèmes and NTT Communications have entered a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the aim of offering a scalable smart city platform that can be used to address urban challenges in Japan.

According to the World Bank, around 56% of the world’s population lives in cities. By 2050, this figure is predicted to rise to 70%. This acceleration towards urbanisation is putting city infrastructure under enormous strain. Congested highways, crammed public transport, overworked waste management systems and sporadic urban planning are just a few consequences of our collective influx into cities.

Some cities in the Asia Pacific, such as Singapore, Jakarta and Osaka, have turned to technology to deal with the challenges of growing urban populations. These have become known as “smart cities”, leveraging advancements in sensor technologies, cloud computing and data infrastructure to serve residents, visitors and businesses better.

I've been wondering how far artificial intelligence (AI) can go to make human life easier and, amid the current pandemic, safer. A good place to start is Japan, where AI is gaining ground in fields from fashion to elder care.

For example, apparel companies hit by the pandemic have been tapping AI technology to boost sagging sales, using it to predict trending designs and colours.

The purpose of the visit was further expansion of relations between the two countries in the field of information and communication technologies (ICT).

Japanese ambassador to Bangladesh ITO Naoki said that his country was keen to work together with Bangladesh to develop smart city.

‘We are contributing in many areas including infrastructure development in Bangladesh and Japan is now interested to develop smart city,’ he said during a bilateral meeting with state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak at the latter’s office at ICT Division in Dhaka on Sunday.

As governments and industries around the world grapple with the challenges of integrating digital solutions into their infrastructures, Japan has emerged as a leader in creating a resilient and adaptive digital ecosystem. Its strategic approach, rooted in robust policies, cutting-edge infrastructure, and community-driven initiatives, has turned digital transformation from a lofty goal into a tangible reality. The World Bank's report, "Riding the Wave of Digital Transformation: Insights from Japan’s Journey," sheds light on how Japan navigated the complexities of digital adoption, offering valuable lessons for emerging economies. Published under the Quality Infrastructure Investment Partnership (QII) initiative, the report underscores the transformative power of robust policies, digital infrastructure, and innovative governance.

Fifty kilometres east of Tokyo we built a model community. A 1,000 home neighbourhood where everything looks pretty normal but where everyday life is infused with technology that makes it one of the most sustainable and resilient places to live on this planet — truly a smart city.

Fujisawa is powered by a solar smart grid, giving the neighbourhood the ability to run off-grid for up to seven days and the town’s carbon emissions are 70 per cent lower than the average community of its size. The roof of the community centre is a public space that sits above the tsunami flood line and, in the event of a natural disaster, the park benches convert to barbecue grills. The entire town is a virtual gated community with blanket 24-7 video surveillance coverage, allowing children to play safely, while their parents watch from their smart phones.

Many countries including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan are facing the problems of an ageing population and declining productivity, smart city has become their best solution.

Research institute IDC observes that among the five smart city projects that every nation focuses on, three are data related, namely data use, digital trust, and data-driven public safety, and these are closely related.

In 2015, Kakogawa City had the third-worst crime rate in Hyogo, a prefecture in western Japan neighboring Osaka. Local authorities decided to implement a smart networked camera and sensor system they call mimamori, which means to watch over someone. With this, residents can monitor their children and elderly relatives. The system helps ensure their safety and security while protecting their data and privacy. It’s one of the latest examples of how smart cities and data governance are helping improve society in Japan.

Suga gets serious on a signature policy to speed benefits payments

Japan has taken its latest step to bring government at all levels further into the digital age, stung by the experience of last year's slow rollout of economic stimulus payments.

The parliament on Wednesday enacted six laws to promote electronic government, with steps such as ending a widely criticized source of bureaucratic inefficiency -- the use of seals to sign documents.

The initiative is part of a digital transformation programme by Japan International Cooperation Agency and Accenture to pilot projects in six countries across Asia and Africa.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) has announced pilot programmes to support digital transformation (DX) in six countries across Asia and Africa.

As Japan’s central governmental organisation providing economic and social aid for developing nations, Jica is prioritising the application of digital technologies to address development challenges.

Japanese urban developer N-Ark will create Dogen City, a floating metropolis resistant to climate change. A ring surrounds this smart city, preventing tsunamis from devastating its structures. Moreover, it will harness the ocean to become a self-sufficient beacon of global healthcare.

We have integrated technologies so deeply into our lives that we have smart homes and devices. Inevitably, we would expand our innovations to transform our wider communities. Smart city projects like N-Ark’s could improve our quality of life and secure a brighter future for humanity.