Digital Nations 2026: Accelerating the digital leap in Japan

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Digital Nations 2026: Accelerating the digital leap in Japan
Japan has long been recognised as a global leader in technological innovation – a legacy that spans centuries and continues to shape its modern industrial and digital capabilities.
However, in 2018, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) published the results of a landmark investigation into the nation’s digital infrastructure, warning that the country was heading towards a ‘digital cliff’ by 2025.
The government and private sector in Japan have intensified their efforts to make a decisive ‘digital leap’ – a shift away from the incremental modernisation of legacy systems towards a bold, comprehensive transformation aimed at establishing a fully integrated, human-centred digital nation.
By examining Japan’s recent digital policies and initiatives, this research reveals the strategic pillars and underlying factors supporting the country’s accelerated digital leap. It assesses Japan's progress using the Digital Nations Index, and the practices it can adopt to ensure it realises its digital leadership ambitions.
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Digital Nations 2026: Accelerating the digital leap in Japan
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