Abstract: This paper reviews Japanese government's digital transformation policies and systems after 2000, including 20-years digital government implementation plan. Problems faced by the unique identification card and living allowance payment during the COVID-19 have exposed the shortcomings and challenges of Japan's past digital policies. Lessons from this constitute the starting point for the new Japanese government to promote its digital transformation policy in the post COVID-19 era. This article also clarifies three major directions of Japan's digital transformation policy in the post COVID-19 era: reducing mobile communication tariffs, implementing 5G promotion plans, and setting up an independent digital agency. Based on the findings of a series of mobile communication industry's reform measures introduced by the Japanese government in the post COVID-19 era, this article further considers the necessity and significance of Japan's digital transformation policy and addresses the structural problems of the Japanese mobile phone industry hidden behind the system.

Key words: digital economy, digital transformation policy, independent digital agency, mobile phone industry