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News Summary
The following content was published online. A translated summary is presented below. See the source for details.
Japan’s Digital Agency has published comprehensive survey results regarding administrative procedures as of March 31, 2024. The release includes a detailed overview document (PDF, 1,652KB), complete survey results in Excel format (14,316KB), and explanatory materials about survey items (PDF, 385KB). This survey was conducted under Article 25, Paragraph 2 of the Act on Promotion of Administration Using Information and Communication Technology (Act No. 151 of 2002). The agency notes that the published data may be subject to future revisions through additional review processes. Previous survey results are also available on the administrative procedures inventory page. The materials were officially posted on July 22, 2025.
Source: Digital Agency Japan
Our Commentary
Background and Context
Digital transformation in government services has become a critical priority for Japan. The Digital Agency, established in September 2021, serves as the central command for modernizing how citizens interact with government services. This annual survey represents a key accountability measure, tracking progress in digitizing thousands of administrative procedures across national and local government offices.
The survey is mandated by law, specifically the Act on Promotion of Administration Using Information and Communication Technology, which was first enacted in 2002 and has been updated several times to keep pace with technological advances. This legal framework ensures that government agencies regularly assess and report on their digital progress.
Expert Analysis
The release of such a large dataset (over 14MB in Excel format) suggests an extensive scope covering numerous government procedures. This transparency initiative allows researchers, policy makers, and citizens to analyze the current state of digital government services. The survey likely includes metrics such as online availability of services, usage rates, user satisfaction, and areas still requiring digitalization.
From a policy perspective, this data serves multiple purposes. It helps identify gaps in digital service delivery, measures progress against government targets, and provides evidence for resource allocation decisions. The timing of this release in July 2025 for data collected through March 2024 indicates a thorough review process before publication.
Additional Data and Fact Reinforcement
Japan has set ambitious targets for digital government transformation. According to previous Digital Agency reports, the government aims to make 100% of administrative procedures available online by 2025. This survey data will be crucial in assessing whether these targets are being met.
The file sizes mentioned (1.6MB for the overview PDF and 14.3MB for the Excel data) indicate comprehensive coverage. For context, a 14MB Excel file could contain information on thousands of different procedures across hundreds of government offices. The inclusion of an explanatory document about survey items shows attention to data transparency and usability.
Related News
This survey release connects to broader digital transformation efforts in Japan, including the My Number card system expansion, the development of digital identity verification systems, and efforts to streamline business registration procedures. The Digital Agency has also been working on standardizing data formats across government departments to improve interoperability.
Recent initiatives include partnerships with private sector technology companies to improve user interfaces for government services and the development of common platforms for local governments to share digital infrastructure.
Summary
The release of the 2024 administrative procedures survey represents a significant milestone in Japan’s digital government journey. While the raw data requires analysis to draw specific conclusions, the publication itself demonstrates commitment to transparency and continuous improvement. The note about potential future revisions shows responsible data management practices. This information will be valuable for tracking Japan’s progress toward its 2025 digital government goals and identifying areas requiring additional attention or resources.
