Japan has finally caught up to the times by scrapping regulations requiring the use of floppy disks for administrative purposes, which were still in place despite the outdated technology. The country’s digital minister, Taro Kono, declared a “war on floppy disks” in recent years, leading to the elimination of over 1,000 laws mandating their use.
The shift away from floppy disks began in Tsuwano, where officials replaced their stack of disks with a new digital system in April 2023. The upgrade was inevitable and has proven to be faster and more accurate. However, some sectors, like the traditional textile industry in Kyoto and Higo Bank on Kyushu Island, are still heavily reliant on floppy disks.
Floppy disks are still used in industries outside Japan, such as embroidery and avionics, and were even in use in the United States’ nuclear arsenal until recently. Despite progress in eliminating floppy disks, the battle against fax machines — still widely used in Japan — is next on the agenda for Minister Kono.
While some may miss the simplicity and security of floppy disks, the transition to more modern technologies is seen as necessary for efficiency and data security moving forward. The elimination of regulations requiring floppy disks in Japan marks a step towards modernization in a country known for its technological advancements.
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