“I and Information Processing”
- Imformation Processing Society of Japan (2017)
- KONO Taro
- Member of the House of Representatives
- Born in 1963. After graduating from Georgetown University in the United States, he worked for a company. After graduating from Georgetown University in the United States, he worked for a company and was elected to the House of Representatives in 1996. Currently serving his 7th term. Currently serving his seventh term. Currently Minister of Foreign Affairs. Currently Minister of Foreign Affairs.
- Minister for Digital Transformation(2023)
- Author is honored to write the opening words for a historic information processing magazine
- Studied abroad in the US after dropping out of Keio University, treasured Smith Corona typewriter from parents
- Classmate bought a PC from Compaq before graduation, impressed by the device's capabilities
- Joined Fuji Xerox in 1986, experienced company-wide network with email and electronic sharing
- In 1992, moved to a component manufacturer, found a disconnected PC, staff assured it was connected
- While in Xerox planning department, purchased a 9600bps modem for under 1 million yen, tried working from home
- Appointed as the site manager for Japan's first satellite office experiment in Shiki, Saitama
- Struggled to get permission from supervisors for employees to work in satellite offices, faced skepticism
- Technology has advanced since then, but similar skepticism exists for current initiatives like Consumer Affairs Agency relocation to Tokushima
- In 1996, created a website for election campaign, staff questioned its usefulness
- Author has been personally managing website, blog, and Twitter account ever since
- Started an email newsletter "Gomame no Hagishiri" almost 20 years ago, as it was a cost-effective way to distribute information
- Reflecting on progress, but also noticing that outdated practices, like using Excel grids and manual input, still exist
- Encourages individuals to speak up about inefficient practices to drive change
- Suggests that if no one listens, electing a researcher to the House of Councillors through proportional representation would be a democratic solution