Japan’s Digital Minister Taro Kono has almost "declared war" against the floppy disk, a technology that has now become obsolete and many have not seen for decades. It seems that Taro Kono has vowed to get rid of some retro-tech outdated tools mostly used by Japan’s bureaucracy.

Not only the floppy disk, but the Taro Kono digital war also targeted many outdated tools—from the Hanko stamp to the fax machine, which could upset the emotions of many nostalgic devotees.

The square-shared, hand-sized data storage device, along with other similar items like the CD and mini disk, has been used in some government procedures. Taro Kono explained that his attempt to get rid of such outdated tools used by the bureaucracy would be expanded further as he targets shifting the entire administrative procedures online.

Taro Kono told reporters that they would be reviewing these procedures swiftly, adding that Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida had extended his full support in this matter.

Surprisingly, Japan is not the only country struggling with phasing out outdated technology. In 2019, the Defense Department of the United States declared that it would not use floppy disks in the control system of its nuclear arsenal.

Is Japan voting for a new prime minister today? What you need to know

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The candidates

Four candidates are in the running, including the popular vaccine minister Taro Kono, and the centrist ex-foreign minister Fumio Kishida.

Two women will also historically vie for the top job, including the ultra-conservative Sanae Takaichi, and Seiko Noda, from the party's dwindling liberal wing.

Scripting history

Sanae Takaichi (left), one of Japan's few prominent woman politicians, described Britain's "Iron Lady" Margaret Thatcher as a role model and said she has no problem sticking with unpopular policies if she thinks they are right.

Seiko Noda (right), often been described as most likely to become Japan's first woman prime minister, is a former women's empowerment and gender equality minister.

Is there a clear favourite?

Taro Kono, a social media friendly maverick who has shaken up the world of staid Japanese politics, is favored to win the most votes. However, projections show him failing to win the 383 votes needed for a majority.

Kono also lacks solid backing of the party's conservative heavyweights, which may set him up for a short-term premiership, while Kishida is seen as a choice who could lead government longer.

Why do we assume Liberal Democrats will remain in power?

The Liberal Democrats try to be all things to all people. If voters tire of one version of the party, it pivots in another direction. Party leaders have also shrewdly co-opted policy ideas from the opposition.

Also, the opposition is weak.

So, whoever wins the party leadership is almost certain to become Japan's new Prime Minister.

What awaits the new leader?

The new leader needs to change the party's high-handed reputation, worsened by the outgoing PM Yoshihide Suga who angered the public over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and insistence on holding the Olympics in Tokyo this past summer.

Developed in the 1960s, floppy disks were first introduced by IBM in 1971. Sony stopped manufacturing these disks in 2011. Today, the majority of younger generations would struggle to demonstrate how to use these disks, while many would even fail to identify one.

A presentation by Japan’s digital task force clearly showed that legal regulations are making obstacles to adopting the current technology like cloud storage for extensive use with bureaucracy.

The team will evaluate all plans and provisions before announcing solutions to improve these bureaucratic practices.

Being one of the prominent politicians of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Taro Kono has been cited as a contender for the PM’s position. He has openly criticised bureaucratic incompetence due to archaic practices.

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Japan Minister Taro Kono 'declares war' against outdated technology, targets floppy disks

Taro Kono, the Digital Minister of Japan, wants to extend his bid to phase out outdated technology tools by getting rid of the floppy disk. Earlier, he targeted fax machines and Hanko stamps, mostly used by the country’s bureaucrats.