When Japan’s Cybersecurity Minister Confused About Computers
Meet the Unplugged Official
Mr. Yoshitaka Sakurada, 68, has recently taken the reins as Japan’s deputy chief of the cyber‑security strategy office and the caretaker of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. With a brief tenure of just over a month, he’s already earned a reputation for a few bewildering moments in Parliament.
His Unexpected Stance
- “Since I turned 25, I’ve left the day‑to‑day computer work to my employees and secretaries,” Sakurada explained when a back‑bench member asked him if he ever used a computer. Turns out, he’s never turned on a PC in a professional setting.
- When the same question slipped to the topic of USB drives—especially as they’re used in Japanese nuclear facilities—Sakurada genuinely seemed baffled, pausing before offering a half‑formed answer.
Backbenchers React Like It’s a Bizarre Plot Twist
- Opposition lawmaker Masato Imai called the revelation “unbelievable” and accused the minister of skirting the responsibilities of cyber‑security.
- Online, Twitter users sent mock‑despair, ranging from “Doesn’t he feel ashamed?” to an ironic “Maybe this is the most secure kind of cyber‑security—no hacker can steal anything he never stores in a USB.”
Why It’s Odd
In an era where every business leader relies on PCs, the notion of a minister heading a cyber‑security office who never uses a computer feels like a chapter from a comedy script.
Other gaffes to watch (and to laugh about)
- Mispronounced an opposition lawmaker’s name during a session.
- Repeatedly answered “I don’t know the details” when asked about any specifics of the Olympic brief.
Final Thought
While Mr. Sakurada’s approach might raise eyebrows, it’s a reminder that tech vigilance can come in many forms—sometimes, it’s about not being there at all.
