{"id":4914,"date":"2021-04-07T05:11:45","date_gmt":"2021-04-07T05:11:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/?p=4914"},"modified":"2021-04-08T05:02:45","modified_gmt":"2021-04-08T05:02:45","slug":"public-policy-updates-april-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/public-policy-updates-april-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"Public Policy Updates &#8211; April 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"4914\" class=\"elementor elementor-4914\" 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=\"291\" src=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/MicrosoftTeams-image-2-768x291.png\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-4893\" alt=\"Policy Radar 2021 Logo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/MicrosoftTeams-image-2-768x291.png 768w, https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/MicrosoftTeams-image-2-300x114.png 300w, https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/MicrosoftTeams-image-2.png 1024w, https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/MicrosoftTeams-image-2-1536x581.png 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-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>April 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>On April 16, Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide is set to become the first leader to physically meet with U.S. President Joe Biden since he took office in January. Arrangements are still being made, but the two leaders are expected to discuss a wide range of issues, including the denuclearization of North Korea, human rights in China, measures to contain Beijing\u2019s maritime assertiveness in the region and initiatives to maintain a \u201cfree and open Indo-Pacific.\u201d It is reported that both leaders will affirm that the Senkaku Islands (Diaoyu) fall under the scope of Article 5 of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty. Likewise, they will also condemn North Korea\u2019s ballistic missiles test in a joint statement after the summit. Other issues, like semiconductor supplies, are also likely to come up, as the U.S. administration has initiated a review of the global supply chain of semiconductors. It is asking countries like Japan and South Korea for their cooperation.<\/p><p>The Prime Minister has also said he is willing to meet with the North Korean head of state, Kim Jong Un. The American side has indicated it is unwilling to meet the North Korean leader in the near future. Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato Katsunobu is hopeful that such a meeting would focus attention on the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea. Suga\u2019s openness stems from his predecessor\u2019s foreign policy, which included a willingness to meet his foreign counterparts without any preconditions. No preparations are being made, as of now. <\/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; 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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>Suga\u2019s trip to Washington will last for three days. It will be an excellent opportunity for the Prime Minister to show off his foreign policy chops, an area where he has yet had little opportunity due to the novel coronavirus pandemic and his \u201clack of expertise\u201d in international relations.<\/p><p>Suga has taken on different domestic priorities than his predecessor, Abe Shinzo, but he has closely hewed to the Abe administration diplomatic positions. Nevertheless, the trip will offer Suga a chance to shift attention from domestic politics and local electoral dynamics to the international realm. His image will also benefit from being the first foreign leader to meet with the U.S. President. Foreign policy is often a useful distraction when domestic politics are not going well.<\/p><p>This month\u2019s edition of Policy Radar covers developments in Healthcare, Defense, Technology, Data, Finance and Cryptocurrencies.<\/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>Defense:<\/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-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 Bill Restricting Foreign Access to Land Purchases<\/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 government has approved a bill that imposes stricter regulations and controls on the purchase of land near military bases or critical infrastructure by foreign entities. The bill stipulates that the government must be notified before any such land purchase is completed in specially monitored districts. Monitoring zones will be about 1 km around designated facilities or infrastructure critical to national security. The government will be able to impose restrictions on the use of the land. If the law is approved, the government will be able to ask local governments and businesses about the foreign buyers\u2019 personal information (name, address, nationality, use of the land etc.) contained in the real estate registry. If the government finds an improper use of the land, it will be able to order the land usage suspended and impose a fine if the order is ignored. Currently there are no legal bans, limits or controls on the purchase of land by foreign nationals or entities, regardless of their status in Japan. Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato has defended the bill, saying it is necessary for national security. The government is worried about the security implications of purchases of land too close to military bases, whether American or Japanese, and of remote islands. The law follows the recommendations of an expert panel focused on the national security implications of foreign acquisitions.<\/p><p><i><span style=\"color: #b31b1b;\">Langley Insight<\/span>:<\/i> Komeito, the LDP\u2019s junior coalition partner, was initially worried about the impact of the law on private rights and economic freedom. However, it came on board after the LDP agreed to reduce the number of areas to be subject to government restrictions. Komeito has also succeeded in ensuring urban areas are excluded from government monitoring, unless such a designation is deemed reasonable. The special monitoring zones will only be designated after the Diet passes the bill. A provision over concerns relating to the violation of privacy rights is included in the legislation. The main opposition parties have said they will oppose the bill, and the constitutionality of the bill itself is unclear. Their main worry is about the access of personal data.<\/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-25187b6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"25187b6\" 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-b5f60a4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"b5f60a4\" 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-7f8b9ea elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7f8b9ea\" 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\">Japan to Issue Digital Vaccination Passports Despite Discrimination Fears<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-feb993e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"feb993e\" 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 is ready to issue digital health certificates to citizens who have received a COVID-19 vaccine. In line with international standards used by China and the EU, the digital health certificate will be managed through a mobile application, allowing travellers to show proof of inoculation at airports or other places. Kono Taro, minister in charge of vaccination efforts, has said the digital health passport is to allow citizens to travel overseas. However, some in in the House of Councillors have voiced concern, citing discrimination toward to who do not get or are not yet vaccinated. Health Minister Tamura Norihisa also worried that health passports could lead to discrimination. The minister has reassured members of the upper house by saying that the use of such digital certificates will only be for travelling abroad and not for travel within Japan. Additionally, All Nippon Airways is currently trialing the CommonPass app to verify negative test results. The government plans to have the app issue COVID-19 vaccination certificates as well. <\/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-f52db28 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f52db28\" 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\">MHLW Delays My Number Card Use for Health Insurance<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b534871 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b534871\" 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>MHLW will delay the comprehensive introduction of a framework that allows for My Number cards to be used as public health insurance cards. The ministry had initially planned to launch an online system in late March. Under the framework designed by the Health Ministry, medical institutions and pharmacies will be able to scan My Number cards using a card reader and facial recognition technology to verify patients\u2019 identity and check their treatment eligibility. The government will provide facial recognition card readers and subsidies to change computer systems of up to \u00a52.1 million for hospitals and \u00a5430,000 for clinics and pharmacies. However, a trial at 54 medical institutions and pharmacies in 24 prefectures saw a number of cases where people were not able to confirm their personal data. Trials showed instances where records did not match or did not exist. The errors arose because health insurance associations incorrectly entered people\u2019s information. MHLW will gradually increase the number of medical facilities in the trial phase, but only 54 out of the 500 designated institutions actually participated. The ministry argues that the use of the new cards will drastically simplify administrative procedures and has pushed back its introduction back until October.<\/p><p><i><span style=\"color: #b31b1b;\">Langley Insight<\/span>:<\/i> Medical facilities are reluctant to change their administrative procedures for a card used by only 25% of the population. Only 31% of 228,000 medical institutions have so far applied for the system. The National Insurance Medical Institution is opposed to the use of My Number cards for health insurance because of risks of personal data being leaked. The National Federation of Health Insurance Societies has also so far opposed the change, and asked for the introduction date to be pushed back to avoid confusion. The Japan Medical Association also backed a delay in the introduction of the government\u2019s plan, as government funds need to be directed to pandemic relief instead of efforts to digitize. The LDP is willing to eliminate health certificates by transferring information into My Number cards.<\/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>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-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\">Japan's Record Budget Clears Parliament<\/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 parliament approved a record 106.6 trillion yen budget for the fiscal year that started April 1, marking the third consecutive year the budget has surpassed 100 trillion yen. Along with an additional 5 trillion yen allocated to an emergency fund for the pandemic, record high expenditures on social security (35.8 trillion yen) and defense (5.3 billion yen) have contributed to the budget reaching record high levels. Concerning the Suga administration\u2019s policy priorities, 298.6 billion yen has been allocated to digital reforms, 466.3 billion yen for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, and 2.3 billion yen for expanding subsidies for infertility treatment. In contrast, tax revenue is expected to be 57.4 trillion yen, 6 trillion yen less than in the initial budget for fiscal 2020. While the government foresees revenue increasing by 2.3 trillion yen for this year, it is unclear whether corporate earnings and consumer spending will recover with no end of the pandemic in sight. With the government\u2019s long-term debt set to reach 990.3 trillion yen by the end of FY2021, the Finance Ministry is determined to return the country&#8217;s primary budget balance to surplus by fiscal 2025, meaning it is reluctant to pursue further spending. That could lead the world\u2019s third-biggest economy to lag in recovering from the pandemic.<\/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>Data:<\/u><\/h2>\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>Government Agencies Temporarily Suspend Line Use Over Security Issue <\/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 Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) and Cabinet Secretariat announced they would temporarily suspend the use of major messaging app Line. Line Corporation acknowledged that the personal information of its 86 million users in Japan was accessible to its Chinese affiliate company, raising concerns about overseas exposure of information among the government and political parties. A working group formed by the MIC, the Financial Services Agency, and the Personal Protection Commission will be established to standardize the individual operational guidelines for each government ministry before the service can be used again. The data mismanagement scandal has caused upheaval in the public sector, which has increasingly used Line. The software is used daily by 86% of the population. 200 municipalities had planned to accept reservations for COVID-19 vaccinations through Line, but some mayors have indicated that they will suspend the use of the app until security issues are addressed. In response, Line has announced an end to its services in China, and that it will transfer its data centers to Japan by the end of 2021. Following the incident, many providers, including KDDI, have also announced they would localize data centers ahead of revisions to the Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI) that will require the name of the country where the data has been relocated to be identified. Those revisions will come into effect in Spring 2022.<\/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-748b8c1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"748b8c1\" 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>Digital currency:<\/u><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-07a0486 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"07a0486\" 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-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>Bank of Japan Forms Committee to Coordinate Central Bank Digital Currency Efforts<\/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>With the People\u2019s Bank of China\u2019s digital yuan (DECP) project in public trial stages, the Bank of Japan (BOJ) is preparing for a change in prevailing financial conditions, which see the yen as a safe-haven currency. The BOJ launched the Liaison and Coordination Committee on Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), which will begin experimentation with the concept from April. The experiment will consist of three stages: the proof of concept is scheduled to be completed by the end of FY2021, and the developmental phases to be completed by FY2022. The final stage will see a pilot in which private businesses and individuals will test the use of the digital currency. Since last December, the Digital Money Promotion Project Team within the LDP\u2019s Financial Research Council have been calling for accelerated efforts to issue a digital currency as China attempts to internationalize its digital yuan. But the BOJ has been cautious, waiting to see how the FRB and ECB will respond and citing a lack of public demand for a CBDC.<\/p><p><i><span style=\"color: #b31b1b;\">Langley Insight<\/span>:<\/i> Nevertheless, a CBDC will increasingly become necessary as the government seeks to bolster Japan\u2019s digitization and use of cashless payments. A highly secure and common platform for handling the BOJ\u2019s digital currency will enable a standardized use of digital money settlement services, which are currently split among a myriad of existing digital payment options, as well as new localized digital currencies like Setagaya Pay from Tokyo\u2019s Setagaya Ward and Mina Coin by Minamishimabara in Nagasaki Prefecture. As the Labour Policy Council within the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare discusses the introduction of the digital payroll delivery options that will see the widespread use of digital currency akin to cash within FY2021, the government will need to once again reconsider its use of digital money. Yet, with major unions, including the Japanese Trade Union Confederation, against the proposed digital payroll, progress may be slow.<\/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-0903b91 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0903b91\" 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-fd957db elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"fd957db\" 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-a94d901 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a94d901\" 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>METI Sets Up Study Group to Examine Semiconductor Supply Chains<\/b><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bf21b37 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bf21b37\" 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 has this week set up a study group to look at Japan\u2019s semiconductor industry, inviting experts, chipmaker executives and officials. It will carefully examine the global supply chain in the age of the pandemic, automobile production issues (related to the lack of semiconductors) and recent events that have hindered Japan\u2019s capacity to produce semiconductors. The study group will identify and propose medium- to long-term policies to strengthen Japan\u2019s position in the global supply chain. At the first meeting, ministry officials presented proposals to boost domestic semiconductor production as part of efforts to address a shortage of chips. The proposals called for the joint development and production of chips with foreign companies to improve Japan&#8217;s status as a manufacturer of advanced semiconductors. Minister Kajiyama Hiroshi said at the study session that METI is ready to take drastic steps to strengthen the competitiveness of the Japanese semiconductor industry. He also argued for more ambitious steps, including larger subsidies, in response to financially larger plans coming from the EU and U.S. to attract semiconductor companies.<\/p><p>Last but not least, following a fire at a semiconductor plant last month in Ibaraki Prefecture, METI has asked for cooperation from manufacturers to alleviate the effects of the fire, which will disrupt production for about 3 to 4 months. The ministry will also assist in replacing the 23 machines that were damaged by the fire.<\/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>Langley Esquire provides a full range of <a href=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/government-affairs\/\">government &amp; public affairs consulting services<\/a>, including policy &amp; media monitoring, stakeholder mapping, strategic communications, procurement and government relations. 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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\" 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tag-implementation tag-japan tag-law-reform tag-ldp tag-policymaking tag-politics-in-japan tag-seniority tag-shinjikai\" 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\/discovering-the-key-link-in-japanese-policy-making\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" ><div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/The-Key-Link-300x157.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-3613\" alt=\"Discovering the Key Link in Japanese Policymaking Finding the right top official is crucial to effective government relations\" srcset=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/The-Key-Link-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/The-Key-Link.png 1024w, https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/The-Key-Link-768x402.png 768w\" 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\/discovering-the-key-link-in-japanese-policy-making\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tDiscovering  the Key Link in Japanese Policymaking\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>Understanding and accessing the civil service is crucial to successful government relations in Japan. Career bureaucrats at the government agencies and ministries are among the most influential policymakers in the country.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/discovering-the-key-link-in-japanese-policy-making\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Discovering  the Key Link in Japanese Policymaking\" 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\tMarch 18, 2025\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-4857 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-politics category-public-affairs category-public-policy tag-japanese-government tag-japanese-politics tag-jcp tag-ldp tag-mori tag-noda tag-politics-in-japan tag-public-policy\" 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\/japan-politics-now-march-2021\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" ><div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/MicrosoftTeams-image-300x157.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-4863\" alt=\"Japan Politics Now April\" srcset=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/MicrosoftTeams-image-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/MicrosoftTeams-image.png 1024w, https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/MicrosoftTeams-image-768x402.png 768w\" 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\/japan-politics-now-march-2021\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tJapan Politics Now &#8211; March 2021\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>In Japan Politics Now, we aim to bring you Japan\u2019s latest political developments, both foreign and domestic, and explain in brief why they matter. <\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/japan-politics-now-march-2021\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Japan Politics Now &#8211; March 2021\" 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\tMarch 11, 2021\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<\/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 and government developments in Healthcare, Data, Defense and Technology.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":4923,"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":[190,181,1103,1405,149,145,1029,1878,1877,986,147,258],"class_list":["post-4914","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics","category-public-affairs","category-public-policy","tag-cryptocurrency","tag-data","tag-defense","tag-healthcare","tag-japanese-government","tag-japanese-politics","tag-ldp","tag-olympics-2","tag-osaka","tag-politics-in-japan","tag-public-policy","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 - April 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 and government developments in Healthcare, Data, Defense and Technology.\" \/>\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-april-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 - April 2021\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"This month\u2019s edition of Policy Radar focuses on policy and government developments in Healthcare, Data, Defense and Technology.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"\/en\/https:\/\/langleyesquire.com\/en\/public-policy-updates-april-2021\/\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Langley Esquire Government Relations 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