Taiwan IT Minister "5G Saves Life" Online Talk with Governor Yamaguchi

Taiwan's IT minister, Audrey Tang, who is known as a genius programmer, spoke online with Governor Tsugumasa Muraoka of Yamaguchi Prefecture on the theme of local digitization on the 22nd . Mr. Tan emphasized the importance of local digitization, saying, "The more remote the area, the more advanced technology should be incorporated."

　In 2016, Mr. Tan was appointed as IT Minister from the private sector at the age of 35. In Taiwan, a distribution system was laid to ensure a stable supply of masks as a measure against the new corona . Mr. Tan has developed an app "Mask Map" that allows you to check the inventory of masks at a nearby pharmacy in collaboration with a private programmer. Contributed to the containment of the corona.

　In Taiwan, the development of the high-speed communication standard "5G" is proceeding from rural areas, not from cities. When asked why in a dialogue, Mr. Tan cited telemedicine as an example, saying, " Face-to-face communication (with doctors and pharmacists ) is essential even in remote areas . If telemedicine is delayed, problems will pile up. Providing 5G is not possible. It will save lives. " He pointed out that self-driving cars could be used to deliver medicines.

　He also mentioned "people who have the ability to be close to and listen to people who are in pain" as human resources needed to advance digitalization. In introducing the mask map, Mr. Tan went to a repulsive pharmacy and heard his opinion directly. "We took negative emotions and made positive proposals. When a conflict arises in the region, we need someone who can sympathize with the other person's position," he said.

　After the meeting, Governor Muraoka said, "I was encouraged by the story that digitization efforts should fail and be improved. I would like to try a method that involves citizens in Yamaguchi to solve the problems."

Source: https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASP1S6RDKP1QTZNB008.html