Minister for Digital Transformation
The Minister for Digital Transformation (デジタル大臣, Dejitaru Daijin) is a member of the cabinet of Japan and is the leader and chief executive of the Digital Agency. The minister is responsible for overseeing Japan's transformation to a digital economy. The minister is nominated by the Prime Minister and is appointed by the Emperor of Japan.
It began operations on 1 September 2021 after being formed as a result of the Digital Agency Establishment Act, making it the newest Ministerial position in the Cabinet. The current Minister for Digital Transformation is Masaaki Taira, who took office October 1, 2024 as a member of the Ishiba Cabinet.
English translation
The English translation of the ministerial title has been changed several times. During deliberations of the Digital Agency Establishment Act, the English title provided on the outline of the legislation was "Digital Minister". After the appointment of Takuya Hirai, there was no English title, as the English version of the Cabinet Office's List of Ministers, State Ministers and Parliamentary Vice-Ministers only listed the name of Takuya Hirai without any mention of the English title. The English title for the position was changed to Minister for Digital Agency with the inauguration of the First Kishida Cabinet, but was later changed to Minister for Digital. Since 2022, Minister for Digital Transformation has been used for the English title of the position.