Economics
Japan’s Creaking Computer Systems Are Hampering Its Economic Recovery
- Analysts say delays in disbursing aid hinder fiscal policy
- Japan called in July for ‘digital new deal’ to fund upgrades
Photographer: Philip Fong/AFP via Getty Images
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The coronavirus crisis may have finally forced Japan’s government to get serious about fixing its computer systems. Before the pandemic, the problems might have been merely annoying, but now they’re impeding an economic recovery.
Japan’s aging administrative pipeline has delayed aid money getting to where it’s needed during the pandemic. To fix that, the government last month included a “digital new deal” in its annual policy goals, calling for a year of concentrated investment to boost data-sharing between ministries and update websites, although no price tag has been given yet.