Is the first step of structural reform in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to reduce copy paper by 100 million sheets!? What is DX in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government? [A first-year employee interviewed the Vice Governor]

Why did the Tokyo Metropolitan Government issue the "Five-Less Thorough Policy"? Staff member Anzai, who joined the government this April, interviewed Vice Governor Miyasaka, a key person in promoting Digital Transformation (DX).

What is Digital Transformation (DX)?

- It has been a year since Vice Governor Miyasaka took office as Vice Governor of Tokyo, and when I talk to my seniors, I often hear that the IT transformation of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has progressed significantly since you arrived. I feel that the term "DX (Digital Transformation)" is flying around the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in particular, but what exactly is this DX?

DX is using digital technology to improve our lives, work styles, and urban functions, and changing society itself. This will improve the quality of services for Tokyo residents and the appeal of the region. In February of this year, we announced the Smart Tokyo Implementation Strategy and are promoting initiatives aimed at realizing "a 'connected Tokyo' through 'radio wave roads'," "digital shift of public facilities and services for Tokyo residents (DX of the city)," and "digital shift of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (DX of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government)."

Vice Governor Miyasaka's thoughts on the digitalization of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government

- When I interviewed Vice Governor Takeichi the other day, he said that the key to the structural reforms we will be promoting from now on is "digital."

During this COVID-19 crisis, it became clear once again that we were working on old technology from several generations ago, such as riding crowded trains to go to the office to stamp documents and exchanging documents by fax. I came to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government after being told by Governor Koike to "make Tokyo a smart city," but first of all, it is important to replace the analog parts of administration with digital, not just limited to cutting-edge technology.

However, since the national government launched the e-Japan Strategy in 2001, the digitalization of administration has stalled for 20 years.

Now, in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, the word DX is flying around everywhere, but in order to move toward DX, we must proceed with initiatives in an orderly manner. If we compare the realization of DX to a "butterfly" flying in the sky, the stage of working with handwriting and abacuses is the "egg," the stage of creating documents and materials with digital tools such as PCs and word processors is the "larva," and the stage of sharing and distributing information created digitally using digital means is the "pupa".

The current Tokyo Metropolitan Government, which creates documents with digital tools like PCs and then goes out of its way to output them on analog paper and send them by fax, is still at the "larva" stage. The private sector has already moved on to the next stage, and from the perspective of digitalization, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is very far behind. In order to realize a Tokyo Metropolitan Government that is convenient for Tokyo residents and to improve the QOS (Quality of Service) for residents, we must urgently realize the five-less initiatives, such as paperless and hanko-less, and first evolve into a "pupa."

- Why hasn't the digitalization of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government progressed, and how will you realize the digitalization of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in the future?

The goals and objectives of the e-Japan Strategy are correct. We have tried, but digitalization has not progressed. If we compare it to baseball, if you keep swinging for 20 years and the ball doesn't hit the bat, why? Your swing is bad. It is important to change your form.

When I first came to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, I was shocked to find there was no Wi-Fi when I tried to work. I wondered if I could make it here...
But just as I have come to understand the Tokyo Metropolitan Government little by little over the past year, the awareness of the staff regarding digital has also increased significantly. Now, high-speed Wi-Fi is available, and video conferencing has become a daily occurrence. I think it will continue to change steadily from here on out.

And, in order to accelerate the digitalization of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, I believe that we must shift the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to digital entirely, not just in parts. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government moved from Yurakucho to Nishi-Shinjuku with the change of the Heisei era, but I want to make the Reiwa era known as the era when the Tokyo Metropolitan Government moved to digital space.

We have launched this as the "Virtual Tokyo Metropolitan Government." On this "Virtual Tokyo Metropolitan Government," I would like to thoroughly incorporate digital technology, including AI, into the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and realize services for Tokyo residents that make full use of digital technology.

Moving the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to digital space

- What can Tokyo residents expect from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government moving to digital space?

We will make administrative services for Tokyo residents, which are currently concentrated in physical spaces, available in digital spaces as well, and use the power of digital technology to rapidly deploy services that meet the needs of residents. As a result, you will be able to submit applications and consultations without having to go to the government office. Furthermore, even if a disaster such as an earthquake occurs, administrative services can be continued in the digital space, which is physically difficult to destroy.

- Moving to a digital space is a very dreamy idea. However, I imagine the physical move from Yurakucho to Nishi-Shinjuku was also difficult at the time, so will this move to digital also be accompanied by difficulties?

The fax machines and copiers we use now were also once cutting-edge technology. We have a history of incorporating and mastering the technology of each era into our organization. Therefore, I believe we can certainly accomplish this move to digital as well. While I think change can bring anxiety, I also think it is essentially fun. It allows us to encounter our own hidden potential. I would like to approach this with flexible thinking, without being too afraid of change or bound by existing systems and structures.

I know there are people who feel uncomfortable or anxious about digital technology. We will do our utmost to support these people so that everyone can move into the digital space without leaving anyone behind.

- As you said, mobile phones and copiers, which are now commonplace, were once cutting-edge technology. Where will we start with this move to digital?

I mentioned earlier that we are evolving into a 'pupa,' and based on the 'Five-Less Thorough Policy for DX Promotion' that we have formulated, we will work to realize these five 'lesses.' We want to liberate staff from the current way of working that is tied to paper, copying, stamps, desks, and chairs, update the way the Tokyo Metropolitan Government works, and change it to one based on digital technology. It would be strange to discuss smart cities while exchanging copy paper and faxes, wouldn't it...

- After hearing what the Vice Governor had to say, I really want to make this Reiwa-era move to digital a reality. First, as the first step of the move, I would like to work diligently on the five 'lesses.' Thank you very much for today.

From the next installment onwards, we will introduce structural reform initiatives such as the seven core projects in an easy-to-understand manner!

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