The Digital Minister of Japan is fighting to stop the use of floppy disks and other old technology still used by the government.
Taro Kono, the Digital Minister of Japan, says that about 1,900 government procedures require businesses to use old technology like floppy disks, CD and mini-discs.
However, he says that government regulations will be updated so that people can use online services.
Japan is famous for creative, high-tech gadgets, but it’s also notorious for holding on to outdated technology in its offices.
Floppy disks were first created in the late 1960s. The original floppy disks were “soft” and bendable, which is where the name comes from. In the 90s, floppy disks started to disappear because of improved storage devices.
For example, the storage space on one 32GB memory stick is equal to more than 20,000 floppy disks.
This past Tuesday, Kono also said that he wanted to “get rid of the fax machine.” He also asked, “where does a person even buy a floppy disk these days?”
It’s not clear why there is still so much old technology being used in Japan, but some possible reasons are conservative work environments and poor digital literacy.
In 2018, the Cyber-Security Minister of Japan shocked everyone when he said that he had never used a computer in his life.
Similar to this story, the US government used floppy disks in connection with the country’s nuclear weapons until the 2010s.
VOCABULARY
- Digital Minister – A government person who is responsible for helping the government and business become digital and use more computers
- Procedure – a series of actions; a series of steps; process
- Regulation – a rule; guideline; law;
- Gadget – an electronic or mechanical device; a small machine; gismo;
- Notorious – famous or well-know for a bad reason or quality
- Hold on to something – to continue with; to keep; to not let go
- Outdated – old-fashioned; out of style; old; from the past
- Bendable – can flex, bend or easily move; “loose”
- Disappear – can’t be found; vanish; not able to be seen
- Storage – space available for keeping or storing something
- get rid of – throw away; stop using; put in the trash;
- Conservative – does not want to change; traditional; careful
- Environment – the atmosphere or condition; surroundings; mood
- Literacy – the ability or skill to read and write; ability or knowledge about something
- Cyber-Security – computer security; IT security; defense or safety of digital information
- Shock – a sudden event that is surprising or upsetting; surprise; unexpected news
- nuclear weapon – a bomb or missile that uses nuclear energy; very dangerous bombs
Original story from BBC below:
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