Digital Supporters (デジタル推進委員) – Japan’s National Community Network for Smartphone Training of Digitally Excluded Citizens

Japan's population aged 65+ makes up 29% of the total and shows significantly lower smartphone and internet adoption than younger cohorts, risking a widening age-based digital divide. In December 2021 Prime Minister Kishida announced the Digital Supporters Programme (デジタル推進委員), operational from FY2022, positioning volunteers and partner-organisation staff as digital supporters to help citizens unfamiliar with smartphones and online government services, under the goal of ‘a society where no one is left behind.’

The Digital Agency coordinates partnerships with local governments, the Japan Junior Chamber of Commerce, JR East, pharmacy associations and universities. Supporters deliver smartphone classes, My Number card registration assistance and online safety guidance through community centres, pharmacies, railway digital-consultation counters and on-site municipal visits, embedding support inside everyday trusted venues to reduce barriers for older adults. Open digital badges via a Digital Supporters Portal track supporter activity nationwide.

Registrations grew from over 23,000 Digital Promotion Committee members by March 2023 to more than 26,000 by May 2023 — well above PM Kishida's initial target of 10,000 supporters.