National Governors’ Association Engages with Digital Minister on Advancing Digital Society Initiatives
Tokyo, Japan – August 4, 2025 – The National Governors’ Association (NGA) announced today that it conducted a significant request activity with the Honorable Takeaki Matsumoto, Minister of Digital Affairs and Minister in charge of Digital Administrative Reform. This important engagement took place on August 4, 2025, at 06:00 JST, underscoring the NGA’s commitment to fostering a robust and inclusive digital society across Japan.
The meeting, held under the auspices of the NGA’s Digital Society Promotion Headquarters, served as a vital platform for governors to convey their collective priorities and solicit the national government’s support for key digital initiatives. The discussions focused on a range of critical areas aimed at accelerating the digital transformation of local governments and ensuring that the benefits of a digital society reach all citizens.
While specific details of the requests are not fully elaborated in the initial announcement, it is understood that the NGA’s agenda likely included proposals related to:
- Enhancing Digital Infrastructure: Governors are expected to have emphasized the need for continued investment and support in building and expanding reliable digital infrastructure in all regions, particularly in areas that may currently face connectivity challenges. This includes promoting the widespread adoption of high-speed internet and ensuring equitable access for both urban and rural communities.
- Streamlining Digital Services for Citizens: A key focus is anticipated to be on improving the user experience and accessibility of digital government services. This likely involved discussions on standardizing platforms, simplifying application processes, and promoting the adoption of user-friendly interfaces to make government interactions more efficient and convenient for the public.
- Promoting Digital Literacy and Inclusion: The NGA is likely to have highlighted the importance of digital literacy programs and initiatives to ensure that all segments of society, including the elderly and those with limited digital skills, can confidently participate in the digital economy and access digital services.
- Strengthening Data Utilization and Cybersecurity: Governors may have also raised concerns and sought collaboration on the secure and effective utilization of data for policy development and service improvement, alongside robust cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive information and ensure the integrity of digital systems.
- Facilitating Digital Transformation of Local Governments: The NGA is expected to have advocated for increased national government support, including financial and technical assistance, to help local governments undertake comprehensive digital transformation projects, modernize their administrative processes, and foster a culture of innovation within their organizations.
Minister Matsumoto’s engagement with the NGA signifies the national government’s dedication to collaborating with local authorities to achieve a truly digital society. The NGA, representing the collective voice of Japan’s prefectural governors, plays a crucial role in identifying on-the-ground needs and advocating for policies that will drive digital progress and improve the lives of citizens nationwide.
This request activity underscores the ongoing efforts to build a resilient, innovative, and citizen-centric digital future for Japan, with local governments at the forefront of this transformative journey. The NGA looks forward to continued constructive dialogue and collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Affairs to realize these shared objectives.
デジタル社会推進本部から平デジタル大臣・デジタル行財政改革担当大臣へ要請活動を実施しました
AI has delivered the news.
The answer to the following question is obtained from Google Gemini.
全国知事会 published ‘デジタル社会推進本部から平デジタル大臣・デジタル行財政改革担当大臣へ要請活動を実施しました’ at 2025-08-04 06:00. Please write a detailed article about this news in a polite tone with relevant information. Please reply in English with the article only.