Why Did Futuristic Japan Fall Behind Digitally? | Insight

In December 2024, Japan Airlines was hit by a cyberattack that delayed numerous flights, following a 2023 breach that shut down the country’s largest port for over 48 hours. Despite its reputation for high‑tech innovation, Japan ranked 31st in digital competitiveness in 2024, trailing most advanced economies. The government only scrapped the mandatory use of floppy disks in July 2024, and a former Minister for Cybersecurity admitted he had never used a computer. Weak cyber safeguards threaten the world’s fourth‑largest economy, and Japan’s lag in digital transformation could make it an increasingly attractive target for cyberattacks. 00:00 Introduction 02:50 Japan is a target for hackers 06:10 Reality vs Japan’s futuristic image 09:46 Result of Japan’s digital lag 13:53 Why’s Japan so slow at digitalisation? 24:14 How is Japan catching up digitally? 29:15 Is Japan vulnerable to cyberattacks? 42:35 Japan’s security ties at risk 44:06 Will Japan get serious about digital transformation?