日本的数字国家：转型之路

The GSMA is a global organisation unifying the mobileecosystem to discover, develop and deliver innovationfoundational to positive business environments andsocietal change. Our vision is to unlock the full power ofconnectivity so that people, industry, and society thrive. Representing mobile operators and organisations acrossthe mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, the GSMAdelivers for its members across three broad pillars:Connectivity for Good, Industry Services and Solutions,and Outreach. This activity includes advancing policy,tackling today’s biggest societal challenges, underpinningthe technology and interoperability that make mobile work,and providing the world’s largest platform to convene themobile ecosystem at the MWC and M360 series of events. We invite you to find out more at www.gsma.com Authors Jeanette Whyte, Head of Policy & External Affairs, Asia Pacific, GSMAYoung Bahn, Policy Director for Advanced Technologies and DigitalMarkets, Asia Pacific, GSMA Published November 2025 Japan’s Digital Nation: Pathways for Transformation 1. Japan’s Digital Transformation Strategy As Japan advances the digitalisation of its public administration and corporate sectors,digital transformation (DX) has become a cornerstone of the nation’s policy agenda. Theurgency is underscored by the looming “digital cliff” in 2025, where companies risk losing upto ¥12 trillion (USD 80 billion) annually due to stalled or ineffective DX efforts1. This is furtherexemplified by a ¥6.8 trillion (USD 45 billion) digital services deficit for 2024 as reported bythe Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC).2This “digital deficit” hascatalysed a nationwide push for digital reform. Recognising that the ICT sector contributes 10% to Japan’s GDP3, the government haspositioned DX as vital to sustaining global competitiveness and addressing demographicpressures, including an aging population and a shrinking workforce. Japan’s DX strategy isdeeply intertwined with the Society 5.0 vision—a human-centric model where digitaltechnologies are harnessed to solve societal challenges. Within this framework, mobiletelecommunications networks are viewed as critical infrastructure, enabling AI integration,IoT deployment, and the development of cyber-physical systems that seamlessly blenddigital and physical environments. To realise these ambitions, Japan has set bold targets under the Digital InfrastructureDevelopment Plan for 2030, with the mobile industry serving as the backbone of DX. Theplan prioritises the expansion of essential infrastructure—optical fibre, 5G, data centres, andsubmarine cables—to support emerging technologies such as Generative AI. With mobiledata traffic expected to grow 4.8 times by 20304, and Japan leading Asia Pacific in IoTconnections, robust mobile networks are indispensable for comprehensive digitalisation. The mobile industry’s role is pivotal—not only in providing infrastructure and investment butalso in enabling market access for digital innovation. Operators are evolving beyondconnectivity providers to become DX enablers across industries, supporting initiatives likeSociety 5.0 and Beyond 5G. 2. Digital Nation Index Based on the concept of a digital nation—a scenario where digitalisation is central to nation-building through a coordinated effort to integrate digital technologies across all sectors of theeconomy—GSMA Intelligence has identified five key components essential for building adigital nation. These components (Figure 1) are interconnected and must be developed in tandem to avoidcostly gaps and delays in the implementation of digitalisation initiatives. Realising the aspirations of a digital nation depends on the development of five foundationalpillars: infrastructure, innovation, data governance, security, and people. These pillars formthe backbone of a digitally empowered society, ensuring that individuals and organisationscan adopt and benefit from digital technologies effectively, securely, and sustainably. To support this vision, GSMA Intelligence has created a Digital Nations Index to track theprogress of 20 countries across Asia Pacific. The index evaluates each pillar using acombination of quantitative metrics and qualitative assessments, enabling stakeholders tounderstand where each country stands on its digital nation journey and identify areas forimprovement. 3. Digital Nations Score: 2025 The Digital Nations in Asia Pacific 2025 report will be released on 13 November. Ahead of itspublication, we present the index results for Japan: Japan achieved an Overall Score of 76, placing it third in the Leading Digital Nation groupwithin the APAC region. 4.Policy Considerations The following assessment of Japan's IT capabilities outlines key strengths, areas fordevelopment, and pathways for advancement across five dimensions: infrastructure,innovation, data governance, security, and people. Infrastructure Japan's infrastructure score reflects a solid foundation b