{"id":4615,"date":"2021-01-18T00:37:45","date_gmt":"2021-01-18T00:37:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/?p=4615"},"modified":"2021-01-18T01:28:15","modified_gmt":"2021-01-18T01:28:15","slug":"public-policy-updates-january-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"Public Policy Updates &#8211; January 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"4615\" class=\"elementor elementor-4615\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4f25e7c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4f25e7c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2672c81\" data-id=\"2672c81\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d55bdeb elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d55bdeb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Policy-Radar-this2-e1573995722255-768x157.png\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-1982\" alt=\"Policy Radar Banner\" srcset=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Policy-Radar-this2-e1573995722255-768x157.png 768w, https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Policy-Radar-this2-e1573995722255-300x62.png 300w, https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Policy-Radar-this2-e1573995722255.png 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-92e6af0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"92e6af0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><i>January 2021<\/i><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9b45086 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9b45086\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>As the government readies for the opening of the 204th Diet session, a legislative session that was to focus on some of the administration\u2019s biggest policies (e.g., digitization, social welfare reform, green energy and so on), COVID-19 infections have once again surged in urban centers and a new state of emergency has been declared. These developments could limit the government\u2019s attention to any topics beyond pandemic-related measures.<\/p><p>The government\u2019s lacking response to the pandemic and scandals involving LDP lawmakers have ended Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide\u2019s honeymoon with the public. Nikkei\/TV Tokyo polls showed the support rate dropped to 42% from 74%, a 32 point drop, from September to December. That is the largest drop since 2008 when Aso Taro was premier.<\/p><p>The government will start the legislative session with bills related to the new coronavirus pandemic. Some of these are aimed at increasing the power of prefectural governments to ensure compliance among businesses and individuals with government requests. However, these measures are not popular, as they are seen as curtailments of individuals\u2019 civil liberties. The third supplementary budget for the current fiscal year will provide more economic support for businesses and individuals, and should be far less contentious. Another critical issue will be the regulatory approval and subsequent rollout of vaccinations. Healthcare workers and the elderly are set to receive priority in inoculations. Getting all of these legislative and administrative processes underway will be critical in ending the pandemic in Japan.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d68066 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"5d68066\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e17eb73 elementor-section-content-middle elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e17eb73\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-827b622\" data-id=\"827b622\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6f2ce17\" data-id=\"6f2ce17\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-56e8c14 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"56e8c14\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Want to Stay Informed?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d988277 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d988277\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Sign up for monthly updates on the latest political developments impacting your industry in Japan:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-50ca16a elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"50ca16a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Begin Mailchimp Signup Form -->\n<link href=\"\/\/cdn-images.mailchimp.com\/embedcode\/classic-10_7.css\" rel=\"stylesheet\" type=\"text\/css\">\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Georgia,Georgia,Georgia; }\n\t\/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.\n\t   We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. *\/\n<\/style>\n<div id=\"mc_embed_signup\">\n<form action=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.us7.list-manage.com\/subscribe\/post?u=954360333b636e024b53d2772&amp;id=88fae57ba5\" method=\"post\" id=\"mc-embedded-subscribe-form\" name=\"mc-embedded-subscribe-form\" class=\"validate\" target=\"_blank\" novalidate>\n    <div id=\"mc_embed_signup_scroll\">\n\t<h2>Subscribe<\/h2>\n<div class=\"indicates-required\"><span class=\"asterisk\">*<\/span> indicates required<\/div>\n<div class=\"mc-field-group\">\n\t<label for=\"mce-EMAIL\">Email Address  <span class=\"asterisk\">*<\/span>\n<\/label>\n\t<input type=\"email\" value=\"\" name=\"EMAIL\" class=\"required email\" id=\"mce-EMAIL\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mc-field-group\">\n\t<label for=\"mce-FNAME\">First Name  <span class=\"asterisk\">*<\/span>\n<\/label>\n\t<input type=\"text\" value=\"\" name=\"FNAME\" class=\"required\" id=\"mce-FNAME\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mc-field-group\">\n\t<label for=\"mce-LNAME\">Last Name  <span class=\"asterisk\">*<\/span>\n<\/label>\n\t<input type=\"text\" value=\"\" name=\"LNAME\" class=\"required\" id=\"mce-LNAME\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mc-field-group\">\n\t<label for=\"mce-MMERGE6\">Industry  <span class=\"asterisk\">*<\/span>\n<\/label>\n\t<input type=\"text\" value=\"\" name=\"MMERGE6\" class=\"required\" id=\"mce-MMERGE6\">\n<\/div>\n\t<div id=\"mce-responses\" class=\"clear\">\n\t\t<div class=\"response\" id=\"mce-error-response\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"response\" id=\"mce-success-response\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div>\n\t<\/div>    <!-- real people should not fill this in and expect good things - do not remove this or risk form bot signups-->\n    <div style=\"position: absolute; left: -5000px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><input type=\"text\" name=\"b_954360333b636e024b53d2772_88fae57ba5\" tabindex=\"-1\" value=\"\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"clear\"><input type=\"submit\" value=\"Subscribe\" name=\"subscribe\" id=\"mc-embedded-subscribe\" class=\"button\"><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n<script type='text\/javascript' src='\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/downloads.mailchimp.com\/js\/mc-validate.js'><\/script><script type='text\/javascript'>(function($) {window.fnames = new Array(); window.ftypes = new Array();fnames[0]='EMAIL';ftypes[0]='email';fnames[1]='FNAME';ftypes[1]='text';fnames[2]='LNAME';ftypes[2]='text';fnames[6]='MMERGE6';ftypes[6]='text';fnames[5]='MMERGE5';ftypes[5]='text';fnames[7]='MMERGE7';ftypes[7]='text';fnames[3]='ADDRESS';ftypes[3]='address';fnames[4]='PHONE';ftypes[4]='phone';}(jQuery));var $mcj = jQuery.noConflict(true);<\/script>\n<!--End mc_embed_signup-->\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1a0343c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1a0343c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/privacy-policy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Privacy Policy<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-003244d\" data-id=\"003244d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-30d3732 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"30d3732\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2161a5d5\" data-id=\"2161a5d5\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f6e67ec elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"f6e67ec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d907dac elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d907dac\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Only a successful vaccine rollout will enable the government to successfully host the Tokyo Olympics this summer, and thereby leverage it in the LDP presidential election in September and a possible general election in October. A further surge in infections, cancellation of the Olympics or further tanking of the economy could thwart the possibility of Suga\u2019s reelection as LDP leader and therefore prime minister. The creation of the Digital Agency, the lowering of mobile fees and a green growth strategy could work in the government\u2019s favor to the extent that the pandemic response does not prove to be a complete disaster.<\/p><p>This month\u2019s edition of Policy Radar covers developments in Finance, Energy, Technology and Healthcare.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ec02df elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1ec02df\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><b><u>Finance:<\/u><\/b><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cf1e01b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"cf1e01b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/74C290C8-1C4B-4CAF-A688-29A001D89B69-768x512.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-3680\" alt=\"Finance Policy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/74C290C8-1C4B-4CAF-A688-29A001D89B69-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/74C290C8-1C4B-4CAF-A688-29A001D89B69-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/74C290C8-1C4B-4CAF-A688-29A001D89B69-scaled.jpeg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c26a38 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"0c26a38\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7535200 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7535200\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Cabinet approves record-high \u00a5106.61 trillion budget for fiscal 2021<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-67e1dd6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"67e1dd6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Japanese government has approved another record-high draft budget of \u00a5106.61 trillion ($1.03 trillion). This marks the third consecutive year in which the budget, if approved, will surpass the \u00a5100 trillion mark, despite the country\u2019s heavy debt load.<\/p><p>The budget will finance additional measures to combat the pandemic and address Japan\u2019s aging society. Finance Minister Aso Taro said that it is hard to achieve a balance between restoring fiscal health, revitalizing the economy and preventing a rise in infections. A third of the overall budget will be dedicated to social welfare, covering spiralling pension and healthcare costs resulting from the aging population. The government has reduced spending on healthcare from initial forecasts, as it expects to carry out drug price reviews that will lower pharmaceutical prices. The defense budget will increase by 0.5% to \u00a55.34 trillion, as the ministry increases its capabilities in cybersecurity, space and the development of standoff missiles. About \u00a55 trillion will be set aside for future responses to the pandemic. The government\u2019s draft budget will be submitted to the Diet once the ordinary session begins on January 18.<\/p><p><i><span style=\"color: #b31b1b;\">Langley Insight<\/span>:<\/i> The new budget will increase Japan\u2019s public debt, which will grow from \u00a51,106 trillion to \u00a51,201 trillion. To partially finance this year\u2019s record-high budget, the government will need to increase its issuance of new bonds by \u00a511.04 trillion, meaning a total issuance of \u00a543.60 trillion. The Ministry of Finance aims to have a primary balance surplus by 2025, but this year\u2019s primary balance deficit is expected to double last year\u2019s. Much of the increased spending stems from the growing costs of healthcare and the need to support growth during the pandemic. For a more thorough analysis of this year\u2019s budget, please read the following <a href=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/follow-the-money-understanding-next-record-budget\/\">article<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bc2ed36 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"bc2ed36\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Tokushima consumer office to receive \u00a5470 million in budget for FY 2021<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e8af7b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4e8af7b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Strategic Headquarters for Frontiers of Consumer Policy, which was set up in Tokushima Prefecture in mid-2020, will receive about \u00a5470 million in funding for fiscal 2021. The office is a part of the government&#8217;s effort to transfer agency functions away from Tokyo to other regions.<\/p><p>From April, the agency will explore more ways to integrate the use of AI and digitization to fight against COVID-19 infections. More precisely, the agency plans to develop an AI system to monitor fake and misleading online ads for supplements and food items that are said to promote virus immunity. The agency will also develop an app to allow users to learn about cashless payments. The current office is staffed by about 80 workers, but most of the agency\u2019s personnel remain in Tokyo. The agency\u2019s main operations will remain in Tokyo unless a large-scale disaster forces it to move elsewhere.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e663685 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e663685\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><b><u>Energy:<\/u><\/b><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ab2b607 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"ab2b607\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-72d285b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"72d285b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">METI devises plan to generate 10 gigawatts by 2030 through offshore wind<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-80afbb7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"80afbb7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) have devised a plan to use offshore wind power to generate 10 gigawatts by 2030, and between 30 and 45 gigawatts by 2040. This plan tracks with the government&#8217;s pledge to reduce carbon emissions to net-zero by 2050. Currently, Japan only produces 20,000 kilowatts from wind power, much less than the world\u2019s top offshore wind power generators. Officials from both ministries agreed to provide different types of support for industry operators, such as surveys on seabeds and wind movements. Officials have also indicated that as the country\u2019s capabilities develop, the costs of offshore wind power will become cheaper than thermal power sometime between 2030 and 2035. Since October 2020, ministries and agencies have been updating their energy policies to meet the government\u2019s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c464d5d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c464d5d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Government drafts roadmap aiming renewables to produce 50% of power by 2050<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c19af81 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c19af81\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Japan\u2019s government has released a roadmap aiming to triple the share of renewable power generation to 50% of the nation\u2019s total to achieve Suga\u2019s pledge of carbon neutrality by 2050. The roadmap comprises an agenda listing expected challenges and solutions for 14 fields, which include hydrogen and offshore wind (specifics of the latter are analyzed below). For example, the document calls for zero emissions from the construction of buildings and homes by 2030, and for the end of sales of new gasoline-only vehicles in the mid-2030s. While a shift from fossil fuels to electricity will increase power demand by 30% to 50%, the government thinks that their green growth strategy will not constrain economic growth, and that it will generate about \u00a5190 trillion yen in 2030. The roadmap aims for about 30 million tons of hydrogen consumption in 2050, and the production of 20% of electricity by thermal power plants.<\/p><p><i><span style=\"color: #b31b1b;\">Langley Insight<\/span>: <\/i>While the public may view these measures positively, many in the auto industry have openly criticized the government for its radical energy shift that could see Japan decoupled from global supply chains. Toyoda Akio, chairman of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association and president of Toyota Motor, has voiced concerns about the industry\u2019s parts suppliers and the lack of technological innovation needed for a greener industry. The government so far has only revealed its targets, and to assuage the discontent in Japan\u2019s major industries it will also need to provide support and incentives.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fb92f99 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fb92f99\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><u>Technology<\/u><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a6664e2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a6664e2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/network-3524352_1920-768x512.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-4308\" alt=\"Technology\" srcset=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/network-3524352_1920-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/network-3524352_1920-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/network-3524352_1920-scaled.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/network-3524352_1920-1536x1023.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-433faa7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"433faa7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-80caa04 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"80caa04\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><b>Communications Ministry to include \u00a550 billion for 6G development in budget<\/b><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2b56aab elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2b56aab\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Japanese government has included \u00a550 billion in the third supplementary budget for fiscal 2020 for the research and development of 6G services. The government has recognized Japan\u2019s lack of competitiveness in rolling out 5G infrastructure, as it is seen as lagging behind foreign competitors. This time authorities hope to lead in 6G research and development through public and private sector collaboration. A \u00a530 billion fund will be used for supporting research and development, commissioned to companies and universities through the Ministry of Internal Communications\u2019 National Institute of Information and Communications Technology. The other \u00a520 billion will be used to build a facility to be used by recipients of government funds to test their developed 6G-related products. The ministry is mulling adding more capital to the \u00a530 billion fund by taking money from fees paid by telecommunications operators. The government hopes to see the basics of a 6G infrastructure laid out by 2025 and put into general use by around 2030. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8eb31ae elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8eb31ae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><b>Japan to accelerate e-textbook use in classrooms by removing screen time limits<\/b><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ff1360 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1ff1360\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has removed a cap limiting the amount of time students can spend using screens in class from April. The goal is to clear a path for the introduction of digital textbooks to all schools by fiscal 2025. The ministry believes that a relaxation of rules will lead to a more \u201cdiverse classroom education.\u201d Past rules only allowed for the use of digital textbooks for under half of time spent in each subject because of concerns that extended screen use can adversely affect students\u2019 health. Additionally, the government is considering whether to pay for digital textbooks and materials. This would involve \u00a52.2 billion for buying the materials for children from the 5th to 9th grades. The Education Ministry will also draft guidelines on the use of e-books, relaxing rules for 5th graders and above. By the end of March, it will deliver tablets to all students from the 1st to 9th grades. The Suga government sees education as an important field in which it can advance digitization.<\/p><p><i><span style=\"color: #b31b1b;\">Langley Insight<\/span>: <\/i>Digital reform is a key issue for the Suga Cabinet, and the use of digital textbooks is one of the avenues where the government can rapidly demonstrate success. The overall target is for 100% digital usage by fiscal 2025, but incremental use will begin before then. Like their paper counterparts, digital resources will need to be approved by the Education Ministry. However, the government needs to ensure all students have access to digital tools (e.g., tablets, computers, reliable internet, etc.) before e-textbooks can be considered a success. While the provision of devices is underway, the government plans to provide digital textbooks to elementary and junior high schools that are interested. With more usage of digital devices and tools in the classroom, there will be a growing reliance on digital and cyber security \u2014 both education on the issues and software for implementation \u2014 to protect students.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-61dc42c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"61dc42c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><b>Kaga City to use blockchain technology for online voting<\/b><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f543b19 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f543b19\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The city of Kaga in Ishikawa Prefecture will use blockchain technology to allow its residents to vote online in local elections. Local authorities have asked two Tokyo-based blockchain and digital ID solution firms to take up the project of creating a safe and convenient online voting system. The city hopes that by allowing online voting through blockchain technology, its elderly citizens living in peripheral areas will be able to vote more easily. LayerX, one of the two commissioned companies, has created an e-voting protocol that seeks to balance the transparency of the process and the confidentiality of votes. While some security concerns linger on the use of blockchain, the city has said that if online voting proves to be a success, it will consider the further use of blockchain for other policy areas. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fa42110 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fa42110\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><b><u>Healthcare:<\/u><\/b><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-934cc2e elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"934cc2e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7166905 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7166905\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><b>Government finalises plan to raise medical fees for people 75 or older<\/b><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f200c13 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f200c13\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The government has finalized a plan to raise medical fees that are not reimbursed by social security for people aged 75 or older. The plan will require people aged 75 or older who live alone and have an annual income of \u00a52 million or more to pay 20% of medical fees from fiscal 2022. For households of two people 75 or older, the income threshold will be \u00a53.2 million. The increase in medical fees is expected to affect 3.7 million people. Until now, seniors were paying only 10% of their medical expenses, compared to the usual 30% paid by younger citizens. However, the increase in medical fees will be carried out over three years in gradual hikes. The measure comes as a part of a government effort to avoid another hike in the burdens shouldered by younger generations, tax payers and the government. The government will submit a package of social security legislation after the ordinary Diet session convenes on January 18. <\/p><p><i><span style=\"color: #b31b1b;\">Langley Insight<\/span>:<\/i> The increase of out-of-pocket medical expenses comes after an agreement between the LDP and Komeito, the two ruling parties. There was initially disagreement between them over who would pay higher fees. The Health Ministry and the LDP wanted the change to apply to the top 22% to 40% income groups, including those already paying 30% of their fees. Komeito wanted the measure to apply only to the top 20% income earners, those with a yearly income of at least \u00a52.4 million. The two sides reached a compromise that authorities say will save younger generations from having to pay \u00a588 billion a year.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a6c5787 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"a6c5787\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-19ed7fb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"19ed7fb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>As the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to bring unprecedented impact around the world, businesses and governments must adapt to a rapidly-changing global environment. While there is uncertainty for what lies ahead, new opportunities emerge for public-private partnerships and innovative solutions. Every day brings new insights, opportunities, and technology that affect Japanese politics, business, and society.<\/p><p>If you need support for stakeholder engagement across government, industry, and media to impact <span class=\"il\">policy<\/span> decisions being made in your sector, contact us to learn more about what we can accomplish for you.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9b9b6d5 elementor-align-center elementor-mobile-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"9b9b6d5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-md elementor-animation-grow\" href=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/contact\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-envelope\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M502.3 190.8c3.9-3.1 9.7-.2 9.7 4.7V400c0 26.5-21.5 48-48 48H48c-26.5 0-48-21.5-48-48V195.6c0-5 5.7-7.8 9.7-4.7 22.4 17.4 52.1 39.5 154.1 113.6 21.1 15.4 56.7 47.8 92.2 47.6 35.7.3 72-32.8 92.3-47.6 102-74.1 131.6-96.3 154-113.7zM256 320c23.2.4 56.6-29.2 73.4-41.4 132.7-96.3 142.8-104.7 173.4-128.7 5.8-4.5 9.2-11.5 9.2-18.9v-19c0-26.5-21.5-48-48-48H48C21.5 64 0 85.5 0 112v19c0 7.4 3.4 14.3 9.2 18.9 30.6 23.9 40.7 32.4 173.4 128.7 16.8 12.2 50.2 41.8 73.4 41.4z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">CONTACT US<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-54a6040 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"54a6040\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-96c20b7 elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon elementor-view-default elementor-widget-divider--element-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"96c20b7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon elementor-divider__element\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-align-justify\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M432 416H16a16 16 0 0 0-16 16v32a16 16 0 0 0 16 16h416a16 16 0 0 0 16-16v-32a16 16 0 0 0-16-16zm0-128H16a16 16 0 0 0-16 16v32a16 16 0 0 0 16 16h416a16 16 0 0 0 16-16v-32a16 16 0 0 0-16-16zm0-128H16a16 16 0 0 0-16 16v32a16 16 0 0 0 16 16h416a16 16 0 0 0 16-16v-32a16 16 0 0 0-16-16zm0-128H16A16 16 0 0 0 0 48v32a16 16 0 0 0 16 16h416a16 16 0 0 0 16-16V48a16 16 0 0 0-16-16z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c71edec elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c71edec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Be the First to Receive Future Updates!<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7c6744c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7c6744c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a343cf8\" data-id=\"a343cf8\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0e667d7\" data-id=\"0e667d7\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fb90a51 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"fb90a51\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Begin Mailchimp Signup Form -->\n<link href=\"\/\/cdn-images.mailchimp.com\/embedcode\/classic-10_7.css\" rel=\"stylesheet\" type=\"text\/css\">\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Georgia,Georgia,Georgia; }\n\t\/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.\n\t   We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. *\/\n<\/style>\n<div id=\"mc_embed_signup\">\n<form action=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.us7.list-manage.com\/subscribe\/post?u=954360333b636e024b53d2772&amp;id=88fae57ba5\" method=\"post\" id=\"mc-embedded-subscribe-form\" name=\"mc-embedded-subscribe-form\" class=\"validate\" target=\"_blank\" novalidate>\n    <div id=\"mc_embed_signup_scroll\">\n\t<h2>Subscribe<\/h2>\n<div class=\"indicates-required\"><span class=\"asterisk\">*<\/span> indicates required<\/div>\n<div class=\"mc-field-group\">\n\t<label for=\"mce-EMAIL\">Email Address  <span class=\"asterisk\">*<\/span>\n<\/label>\n\t<input type=\"email\" value=\"\" name=\"EMAIL\" class=\"required email\" id=\"mce-EMAIL\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mc-field-group\">\n\t<label for=\"mce-FNAME\">First Name  <span class=\"asterisk\">*<\/span>\n<\/label>\n\t<input type=\"text\" value=\"\" name=\"FNAME\" class=\"required\" id=\"mce-FNAME\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mc-field-group\">\n\t<label for=\"mce-LNAME\">Last Name  <span class=\"asterisk\">*<\/span>\n<\/label>\n\t<input type=\"text\" value=\"\" name=\"LNAME\" class=\"required\" id=\"mce-LNAME\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mc-field-group\">\n\t<label for=\"mce-MMERGE6\">Industry  <span class=\"asterisk\">*<\/span>\n<\/label>\n\t<input type=\"text\" value=\"\" name=\"MMERGE6\" class=\"required\" id=\"mce-MMERGE6\">\n<\/div>\n\t<div id=\"mce-responses\" class=\"clear\">\n\t\t<div class=\"response\" id=\"mce-error-response\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"response\" id=\"mce-success-response\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div>\n\t<\/div>    <!-- real people should not fill this in and expect good things - do not remove this or risk form bot signups-->\n    <div style=\"position: absolute; left: -5000px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><input type=\"text\" name=\"b_954360333b636e024b53d2772_88fae57ba5\" tabindex=\"-1\" value=\"\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"clear\"><input type=\"submit\" value=\"Subscribe\" name=\"subscribe\" id=\"mc-embedded-subscribe\" class=\"button\"><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n<script type='text\/javascript' src='\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/downloads.mailchimp.com\/js\/mc-validate.js'><\/script><script type='text\/javascript'>(function($) {window.fnames = new Array(); window.ftypes = new Array();fnames[0]='EMAIL';ftypes[0]='email';fnames[1]='FNAME';ftypes[1]='text';fnames[2]='LNAME';ftypes[2]='text';fnames[6]='MMERGE6';ftypes[6]='text';fnames[5]='MMERGE5';ftypes[5]='text';fnames[7]='MMERGE7';ftypes[7]='text';fnames[3]='ADDRESS';ftypes[3]='address';fnames[4]='PHONE';ftypes[4]='phone';}(jQuery));var $mcj = jQuery.noConflict(true);<\/script>\n<!--End mc_embed_signup-->\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ce570f2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ce570f2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/privacy-policy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Privacy Policy<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a8d1457\" data-id=\"a8d1457\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5a4a601 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5a4a601\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7e14164\" data-id=\"7e14164\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c47609a elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"c47609a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1969452 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"1969452\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0e71cd4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0e71cd4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">See Related Content:<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2f2b70b elementor-grid-3 elementor-grid-tablet-2 elementor-grid-mobile-1 elementor-posts--thumbnail-top elementor-card-shadow-yes elementor-posts__hover-gradient elementor-widget elementor-widget-posts\" data-id=\"2f2b70b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;cards_columns&quot;:&quot;3&quot;,&quot;cards_columns_tablet&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;cards_columns_mobile&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;cards_row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:35,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;cards_row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;cards_row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"posts.cards\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-posts-container elementor-posts elementor-posts--skin-cards elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-4362 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-business category-public-affairs category-public-policy category-19 tag-cia tag-george-h-w-bush tag-japan tag-langley-esquire tag-ldp tag-miyazawa tag-murayama tag-ozawa tag-prime-minister-president tag-timothy-langley tag-united-states\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__card\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/my-memory-of-george-h-w-bush\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" ><div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"151\" src=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/0-300x151.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-4369\" alt=\"George H. W. Bush\" srcset=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/0-300x151.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/0.jpeg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/my-memory-of-george-h-w-bush\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tMy Memory of George H. W. Bush\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>I was fortunate to spend an entire week in close-quarters with America\u2019s 41st president during his first visit to Japan after leaving office. <\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/my-memory-of-george-h-w-bush\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about My Memory of George H. W. Bush\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__meta-data\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-date\">\n\t\t\tNovember 29, 2020\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-4111 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-digital category-media category-politics category-public-affairs category-public-policy tag-coronavirus tag-digital tag-digital-transfomation tag-digitization tag-e-japan tag-government-affairs tag-government-services tag-healthcare tag-japan tag-langley-esquire tag-market tag-telemedicine tag-u-s\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__card\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/digitization-in-japan\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" ><div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/1-3-300x200.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-4202\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/1-3-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/1-3.png 1024w, https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/1-3-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/1-3-1536x1024.png 1536w, https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/1-3-2048x1365.png 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/digitization-in-japan\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tThe Digital Agency\u2014 Why Japan\u2019s most Recent Modernization Push Is Serious\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>Suga to have a digital agency up and running by the end of 2021. Each ministry previously tackled digitization independently, leading to varying levels of success and end products, and no standardized administrative framework. The new agency will coordinate and unify efforts to modernize government services.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/digitization-in-japan\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about The Digital Agency\u2014 Why Japan\u2019s most Recent Modernization Push Is Serious\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__meta-data\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-date\">\n\t\t\tOctober 22, 2020\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-4096 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-politics category-public-affairs category-public-policy category-uncategorized tag-5g tag-economic-revitalization tag-high-tech tag-smart-city tag-technology tag-telemedicine\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__card\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/japans-smart-cities-promise-new-tie-ups-with-high-tech-firms\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" ><div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/unnamed-file-300x200.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-4098\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/unnamed-file-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/unnamed-file.png 1024w, https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/unnamed-file-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/unnamed-file-1536x1024.png 1536w, https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/unnamed-file-2048x1365.png 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/japans-smart-cities-promise-new-tie-ups-with-high-tech-firms\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tJapan\u2019s Smart Cities Promise New Tie-Ups with High-Tech Firms\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>In June the Japanese Diet passed legislation governing the creation and management of smart cities \u2014 urban centers that use cutting-edge technology to improve livability and convenience.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/japans-smart-cities-promise-new-tie-ups-with-high-tech-firms\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Japan\u2019s Smart Cities Promise New Tie-Ups with High-Tech Firms\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__meta-data\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-date\">\n\t\t\tOctober 13, 2020\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This month\u2019s edition of Policy Radar focuses on policy developments in Finance, Energy, Technology and Healthcare. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":4618,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[255,17,393],"tags":[191,1779,1100,1405,149,145,1029,1300,1464,986,147,1820,1817,258],"class_list":["post-4615","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics","category-public-affairs","category-public-policy","tag-blockchain","tag-digital","tag-energy","tag-healthcare","tag-japanese-government","tag-japanese-politics","tag-ldp","tag-meti","tag-mhlw","tag-politics-in-japan","tag-public-policy","tag-renewables","tag-smartphone","tag-technology"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Public Policy Updates - January 2021 - Langley Esquire Government Relations &amp; Public Affairs: Getting the impossible done in Japan<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"This month\u2019s edition of Policy Radar focuses on policy developments in Energy, Healthcare, Technology and Diplomacy.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"\/en\/https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\/\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Japan Public Policy Updates - January 2021\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"This month\u2019s edition of Policy Radar focuses on policy developments in Finance, Energy, Technology and Healthcare.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"\/en\/https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\/\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Langley Esquire Government Relations &amp; Public Affairs: Getting the impossible done in Japan\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/langleyesquire\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-01-18T00:37:45+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2021-01-18T01:28:15+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/PR-Jan-2021.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"536\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Timothy Langley\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Japan Public Policy Updates - January 2021\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"This month\u2019s edition of Policy Radar focuses on policy developments in Finance, Energy, Technology and Healthcare.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/PR-Jan-2021.png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@langleyesquire\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@langleyesquire\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Timothy Langley\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"12 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/langleyesquire.com\\\/en\\\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/langleyesquire.com\\\/en\\\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Timothy Langley\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/langleyesquire.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/7731caca44d05578e362d3b614466911\"},\"headline\":\"Public Policy Updates &#8211; January 2021\",\"datePublished\":\"2021-01-18T00:37:45+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2021-01-18T01:28:15+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/langleyesquire.com\\\/en\\\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":2262,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/langleyesquire.com\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/langleyesquire.com\\\/en\\\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/langleyesquire.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/01\\\/PR-Jan-2021.png\",\"keywords\":[\"blockchain\",\"Digital\",\"energy\",\"healthcare\",\"Japanese government\",\"Japanese politics\",\"ldp\",\"meti\",\"mhlw\",\"politics in japan\",\"public policy\",\"renewables\",\"smartphone\",\"technology\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Politics\",\"Public Affairs\",\"Public Policy\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/langleyesquire.com\\\/en\\\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\\\/#respond\"]}],\"copyrightYear\":\"2020\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/langleyesquire.com\\\/en\\\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/langleyesquire.com\\\/en\\\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/langleyesquire.com\\\/en\\\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\\\/\",\"name\":\"Public Policy Updates - January 2021 - Langley Esquire Government Relations &amp; Public Affairs: Getting the impossible done in Japan\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/langleyesquire.com\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/langleyesquire.com\\\/en\\\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/langleyesquire.com\\\/en\\\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/langleyesquire.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/01\\\/PR-Jan-2021.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2021-01-18T00:37:45+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2021-01-18T01:28:15+00:00\",\"description\":\"This month\u2019s edition of Policy Radar focuses on policy developments in Energy, Healthcare, Technology and Diplomacy.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/langleyesquire.com\\\/en\\\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/langleyesquire.com\\\/en\\\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/langleyesquire.com\\\/en\\\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/langleyesquire.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/01\\\/PR-Jan-2021.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/langleyesquire.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/01\\\/PR-Jan-2021.png\",\"width\":1024,\"height\":536,\"caption\":\"PR Jan 2021\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/langleyesquire.com\\\/en\\\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/langleyesquire.com\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Public Policy Updates &#8211; January 2021\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/langleyesquire.com\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/langleyesquire.com\\\/\",\"name\":\"Langley Esquire\",\"description\":\"The Longest-Standing and Most Experienced Government Relations &amp; Public Policy Agency In Japan\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/langleyesquire.com\\\/#organization\"},\"alternateName\":\"The Government Relations And Policy Agency of Japan\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/langleyesquire.com\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":[\"Organization\",\"Place\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/langleyesquire.com\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Langley Esquire\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/langleyesquire.com\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/langleyesquire.com\\\/en\\\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\\\/#local-main-organization-logo\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/langleyesquire.com\\\/en\\\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\\\/#local-main-organization-logo\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/langleyesquire\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/langleyesquire\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.linkedin.com\\\/company\\\/langley-esquire\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/user\\\/langleyesquire\"],\"telephone\":[],\"openingHoursSpecification\":[{\"@type\":\"OpeningHoursSpecification\",\"dayOfWeek\":[\"Monday\",\"Tuesday\",\"Wednesday\",\"Thursday\",\"Friday\",\"Saturday\",\"Sunday\"],\"opens\":\"09:00\",\"closes\":\"17:00\"}]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/langleyesquire.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/7731caca44d05578e362d3b614466911\",\"name\":\"Timothy Langley\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/cdaec924bf35d2a934bbae719a9218307dc2b3681b5b3e5c82259569222605b9?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/cdaec924bf35d2a934bbae719a9218307dc2b3681b5b3e5c82259569222605b9?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/cdaec924bf35d2a934bbae719a9218307dc2b3681b5b3e5c82259569222605b9?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Timothy Langley\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/langleyesquire.com\\\/en\\\/author\\\/timothy\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/langleyesquire.com\\\/en\\\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\\\/#local-main-organization-logo\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/langleyesquire.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2019\\\/09\\\/Langley_Esquire_Logo.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/langleyesquire.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2019\\\/09\\\/Langley_Esquire_Logo.jpg\",\"width\":400,\"height\":400,\"caption\":\"Langley Esquire\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Public Policy Updates - January 2021 - Langley Esquire Government Relations &amp; Public Affairs: Getting the impossible done in Japan","description":"This month\u2019s edition of Policy Radar focuses on policy developments in Energy, Healthcare, Technology and Diplomacy.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"\/en\/https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\/\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Japan Public Policy Updates - January 2021","og_description":"This month\u2019s edition of Policy Radar focuses on policy developments in Finance, Energy, Technology and Healthcare.","og_url":"\/en\/https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\/\/","og_site_name":"Langley Esquire Government Relations &amp; Public Affairs: Getting the impossible done in Japan","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/langleyesquire\/","article_published_time":"2021-01-18T00:37:45+00:00","article_modified_time":"2021-01-18T01:28:15+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1024,"height":536,"url":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/PR-Jan-2021.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"Timothy Langley","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_title":"Japan Public Policy Updates - January 2021","twitter_description":"This month\u2019s edition of Policy Radar focuses on policy developments in Finance, Energy, Technology and Healthcare.","twitter_image":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/PR-Jan-2021.png","twitter_creator":"@langleyesquire","twitter_site":"@langleyesquire","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Timothy Langley","Est. reading time":"12 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\/"},"author":{"name":"Timothy Langley","@id":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/#\/schema\/person\/7731caca44d05578e362d3b614466911"},"headline":"Public Policy Updates &#8211; January 2021","datePublished":"2021-01-18T00:37:45+00:00","dateModified":"2021-01-18T01:28:15+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\/"},"wordCount":2262,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/PR-Jan-2021.png","keywords":["blockchain","Digital","energy","healthcare","Japanese government","Japanese politics","ldp","meti","mhlw","politics in japan","public policy","renewables","smartphone","technology"],"articleSection":["Politics","Public Affairs","Public Policy"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\/#respond"]}],"copyrightYear":"2020","copyrightHolder":{"@id":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/#organization"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\/","url":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\/","name":"Public Policy Updates - January 2021 - Langley Esquire Government Relations &amp; Public Affairs: Getting the impossible done in Japan","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/PR-Jan-2021.png","datePublished":"2021-01-18T00:37:45+00:00","dateModified":"2021-01-18T01:28:15+00:00","description":"This month\u2019s edition of Policy Radar focuses on policy developments in Energy, Healthcare, Technology and Diplomacy.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/PR-Jan-2021.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/PR-Jan-2021.png","width":1024,"height":536,"caption":"PR Jan 2021"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Public Policy Updates &#8211; January 2021"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/","name":"Langley Esquire","description":"The Longest-Standing and Most Experienced Government Relations &amp; Public Policy Agency In Japan","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/#organization"},"alternateName":"The Government Relations And Policy Agency of Japan","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":["Organization","Place"],"@id":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/#organization","name":"Langley Esquire","url":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/","logo":{"@id":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\/#local-main-organization-logo"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\/#local-main-organization-logo"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/langleyesquire\/","https:\/\/x.com\/langleyesquire","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/langley-esquire","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/langleyesquire"],"telephone":[],"openingHoursSpecification":[{"@type":"OpeningHoursSpecification","dayOfWeek":["Monday","Tuesday","Wednesday","Thursday","Friday","Saturday","Sunday"],"opens":"09:00","closes":"17:00"}]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/#\/schema\/person\/7731caca44d05578e362d3b614466911","name":"Timothy Langley","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/cdaec924bf35d2a934bbae719a9218307dc2b3681b5b3e5c82259569222605b9?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/cdaec924bf35d2a934bbae719a9218307dc2b3681b5b3e5c82259569222605b9?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/cdaec924bf35d2a934bbae719a9218307dc2b3681b5b3e5c82259569222605b9?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Timothy Langley"},"url":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/author\/timothy\/"},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/public-policy-updates-january-2021\/#local-main-organization-logo","url":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Langley_Esquire_Logo.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Langley_Esquire_Logo.jpg","width":400,"height":400,"caption":"Langley Esquire"}]}},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/PR-Jan-2021.png",1024,536,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/PR-Jan-2021-150x150.png",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/PR-Jan-2021-300x157.png",300,157,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/PR-Jan-2021-768x402.png",768,402,true],"large":["https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/PR-Jan-2021-1024x536.png",1024,536,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/PR-Jan-2021.png",1024,536,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/PR-Jan-2021.png",1024,536,false],"trp-custom-language-flag":["https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/PR-Jan-2021.png",18,9,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Timothy Langley","author_link":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/author\/timothy\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"This month\u2019s edition of Policy Radar focuses on policy developments in Finance, Energy, Technology and Healthcare.","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4615","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4615"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4615\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4631,"href":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4615\/revisions\/4631"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4618"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4615"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4615"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4615"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}