For five days from December 3 to December 7 of 2018, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) conducted training program for six staff members of the Thai Public Institutions Reform Committee (OPDC) .

Under the theme of ” Public Administration for Better Life in Technological Disruption Era ” requested by the OPDC of Thailand, the seminar featured lectures and visits on organizational reform of public institutions utilizing Japan’s latest technology.

In the lecture, Professor Emeritus Masahiro Horie (Director, Executive Development Center for Global Leadership) explained Japan’s administrative system, good governance, and administrative reform. Professor Hirofumi Takada lectured on “Local Government” and Associate Professor Ayumi Kubo on “Administrative Procedure Act” and exchanged opinions with participants.

At the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, participants were briefed on e-government, electronic approval and e-laws. They also had a tour around the office to see the innovative style of work places.

In addition, they visited the showrooms of Fujitsu and NTT DATA to experience cutting-edge technologies including robots and study new systems which are already being used at local governments. Participants were curious about companies’ efforts to realize digital governance including system of “My Number Card”. They asked questions about the concept of the government and the details of the needs from local governments and service users.

Through these visits, participants could also learn the social issues to be solved by technology, such as childcare, elderly care, labor shortage, and reform of working styles. They also realized the additional works arising from the use of technology and the importance of policies and operations of government agencies.

On the final day of the program, all the participants stated their aspirations and how they would utilize the results in their work.

Thank you very much to all of the staff of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Fujitsu, and NTT DATA for their cooperation.