Posted on 11/16/2018 10:59:55 AM PST by dennisw
Tokyo: A Japanese minister in charge of cyber security has provoked astonishment by admitting he has never used a computer in his professional life, and appearing confused by the concept of a USB drive.
Yoshitaka Sakurada, 68, is the deputy chief of the government's cyber security strategy office and also the minister in charge of the Olympic and Paralympic Games that Tokyo will host in 2020.
In parliament on Wednesday however, he admitted he doesn't use computers.
"Since the age of 25, I have instructed my employees and secretaries, so I don't use computers myself," he said in a response to an opposition question in a lower house session, local media reported.
He also appeared confused by the question when asked about whether USB drives were in use at Japanese nuclear facilities.
His comments were met with incredulity by opposition lawmakers.
"It's unbelievable that someone who has not touched computers is responsible for cyber security policies," said opposition lawmaker Masato Imai.
And his comments provoked a firestorm online.
"Doesn't he feel ashamed?" wrote one Twitter user.
"Today any company president uses a PC. He doesn't even know what a USB is. Holy cow."
Another joked that perhaps Sakurada was simply engaged in his own kind of cyber security.
"If a hacker targets this Minister Sakurada, they wouldn't be able to steal any information. Indeed it might be the strongest kind of security!"
Sakurada has been in office just over a month, after being appointed in a cabinet reshuffle following Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's reelection as head of his political party.
But he has already come fire for other gaffes in parliament including garbling an opposition lawmaker's name and repeatedly stating "I don't know the details" when questioned about his new Olympic brief.
(Excerpt) Read more at thepeninsulaqatar.com ...
Sounds like he’s the most cybersecure man on the planet.
It’s like being in charge of vehicle safety and having never driven :)
I hope the PCs aren’t offended...................
Soooooo. this does guarantee that 1) he’ll not be hacked, and 2) he’ll never disgrace himself by appearing on (butt)Facebook.
Typical upper management.
The person who designs the traffic lights to be the most detrimental to flow.
Setting policy means juggling budgets and acting upon recommendations from your expert staff.
I see seppuku in somebodies future.
CC
Japanese for Chauncey Gardener
"Since the age of 25, I have instructed my employees and secretaries, so I don't use computers myself,"
"I like to watch."
Not that surprising. First, it’s probably a matter of seniority, which is common in Japan. Second, he could well be what in Japan is called a “madogiwa,” someone who is put off in a corner because he is too old to fire and too incompetent to be given any real responsibility. Third, cybersecurity in general is not a high priority in Japan, even though it should be; the Japanese still rely on fax machines and landlines, in spite of the availability of more advanced tech than often can be found here.
Hes the Grand Master of Cyber Aikido.
If he’s a competent executive it shouldn’t matter at all.
That disqualifies the PHB.
“Sounds like hes the most cybersecure man on the planet.”
exactly. He’s old school. I might be the only guy at work who doesnt text. I TALK.
Maybe Neil DID go to Mars and we just don’t know about it!!!
LOL - keeping that one
Smart guy.
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