Japan has finally bid farewell to floppy disks for administrative purposes, marking the end of an era that lasted far longer than in most other countries. The country, known for its cutting-edge technology, has been clinging onto outdated tech like floppy disks, fax machines, and cash long after the rest of the world moved on.
After 13 years since the last floppy disk was manufactured in Japan, the government has scrapped every regulation requiring their use. This move comes after the country’s digital minister, Taro Kono, declared a “war on floppy disks” two years ago. Despite the availability of more advanced storage options like flash drives and cloud storage, many businesses in Japan were still bound by regulations requiring them to use floppy disks for document submission.
In the town of Tsuwano, officials in the accounting department only recently replaced their stack of floppy disks with a new database system. While the switch took some time to set up, officials noted that the new system is faster and more accurate. However, some sectors in Japan, like the traditional textile industry in Kyoto, are still reliant on floppy disks dating back to the 1980s.
Outside of the government, some businesses like Higo Bank on the island of Kyushu still process nearly 300 floppy disks daily. Despite efforts to persuade clients to switch to more modern formats, some sectors are hesitant to let go of the familiar technology.
While Japan has finally moved on from floppy disks, the battle against outdated tech is not over. Minister Kono has set his sights on fax machines, recommending a switch to email for faster communication. However, some officials, like those in Tsuwano, still find fax machines to be the quickest way to send information, especially when dealing with local businesses.
As Japan continues to modernize its technology infrastructure, the nostalgia for the simplicity and security of floppy disks remains. While the risk of data security breaches is a concern with newer technology, the convenience and efficiency of modern storage options cannot be ignored.
