Stamping out the hanko: Japan set to launch new digitalization agency in September

Japan's parliament on Wednesday enacted a set of laws to establish a new government agency in September as the country aims to speed up digitalization. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's government hopes to accelerate digitalization in the central and local governments to improve the quality of services after the novel coronavirus pandemic exposed challenges caused by a delay in the initiatives. Under the digitalization legislation that was enacted in the Upper House plenary session, Japan will revamp computer systems for central and local governments and introduce common nationwide rules to protect personal information. It will also be tasked with taking privacy protection measures as the legislation will boost the exchange of personal information, in a move that could cause data leakage and other risks. The Suga government has, since its launch last September, placed a high priority on digital reforms, as Japan has long been struggling to promote administrative reforms by utilizing information technology, despite having aimed at improvements since around 2000.