The Liberal Democratic Party's Digital Society Promotion Headquarters announced a policy proposal called "Digital Japan 2025" on the 16th. It positions this as the start of the LDP's "Digital Policy 2.0," and will work to strengthen its influence on the Digital Agency and realize digital transformation throughout society.
In order to achieve "Digital Policy 2.0," the party will also focus on realizing "Digital Agency 2.0." It aims to significantly expand the digital policy budget of the Digital Agency, fundamentally strengthen its role as a "control tower for data policy" centered on data utilization, and enhance its functions for a cross-sectional review of regulations and systems that hinder digitalization. Through these efforts, the Digital Agency will take on greater responsibility than ever before.
"Digital Japan 2025" includes the use of AI and digital human resource development, as well as mentioning Web 3.0. The proposal expressed the view that legal reform is urgently needed, especially with the rapid increase in cryptocurrency (virtual currency) investors, and emphasized the importance of tax reform. In addition, they will create a framework that takes into account characteristics that differ from securities, and position crypto assets as a new asset class in light of the need to ensure international competitiveness and market integrity, as well as introduce insider regulations, with the aim of promoting their penetration into society.
Takuya Hirai, a member of the House of Representatives and head of the Digital Society Promotion Headquarters, commented on the series of recommendations, "The Digital Agency's work so far has not been sufficient in advancing the digitalization of society as a whole." He continued, "The recommendations are harsh on the Digital Agency, but I believe there is more that can be done."
