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System error: Japan cybersecurity minister admits he has never used a computer
A Japanese minister in charge of cybersecurity 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 cybersecurity 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 cybersecurity 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 cybersecurity. "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!"
Also at NYT, The Register, and Reuters.
(Score: 2) by edIII on Thursday November 15 2018, @11:32PM (1 child)
You have a valid point, however there is a difference between a widget company, and something that involves security and risk, which are often intimately intertwined.
I would absolutely expect that the CEO of a security firm have indepth knowledge of the field. Along with the top people in the company.
Cybersecurity is one of those things where you need to tap the field itself for the leader, finding the best suited among them to lead.
Technically, lunchtime is at any moment. It's just a wave function.
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 16 2018, @01:38AM
..and he is not CEO, he is the minister. He is the one you ask for more money and then he talks to the other politicians about getting more money. I'm sure we'd all prefer an experienced politician in that situation instead of a technical person who only know how to play against logical opponents.