With cybersecurity challenges mounting and attacks getting more sophisticated, you would expect that the people governments put in positions responsible for cyber defence would have at least some knowledge of the subject matter. That’s wasn’t a requirement, apparently, for the Japanese government because the man it has appointed as its new cybersecurity minister has never used a computer in his life.
Independent lawmaker Masato Imai inquired about cybersecurity minister Yoshitaka Sakurada’s qualifications during a lower house session yesterday. “Since I was 25 years old and independent I have instructed my staff and secretaries. I have never used a computer in my life,” Sakurada reportedly responded, according to Kyodo News.
Imai was understandably shocked by the response, replying that “I find it unbelievable that someone who is responsible for cybersecurity measures has never used a computer.” His shock is justified as this would be a normal expectation of someone in this position.
Sakurada appeared to throw the ball in the government’s court, saying that “It’s a matter that should be dealt with by the government as a whole. I am confident that I am not at fault.” That’s essentially a politician’s way of saying that he didn’t make himself the minister so the onus of justifying his capabilities, or lack thereof, rests on the government.
While there haven’t been calls for Sakurada to resign from his post, one would have to call into question his lack of experience, given that he’s responsible for overseeing cybersecurity for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as well.
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