Japan has finally caught up to the times by scrapping regulations requiring the use of floppy disks for administrative purposes, 13 years after the country’s last units were manufactured. The floppy disk, once a staple of computing, has been replaced by newer forms of memory like flash drives and cloud storage. Despite being known for its advanced technology, Japan has been slow to move away from outdated tech like floppy disks, fax machines, and cash.
The country began the transition away from floppy disks two years ago, with Digital Minister Taro Kono leading the charge. Many businesses, including mines, oil companies, and retailers, were required to submit documents on floppy disks, even after manufacturers stopped producing them in 2011. However, all regulations mandating the use of floppy disks have now been reviewed and repealed.
Despite the change, some sectors in Japan, such as the traditional textile industry and regional banks, still heavily rely on floppy disks for daily operations. In Tsuwano, the accounting department recently upgraded from floppy disks to a new database system, improving speed and accuracy. However, the town still uses fax machines for certain communications, highlighting the reluctance to fully embrace modern technology.
Kono has indicated that fax machines are the next target for modernization, as he recommends switching to email for faster and more secure communication. While Japan has made progress in moving away from outdated technology like floppy disks, there are still challenges in fully transitioning to modern methods in some sectors of the country.
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