At a press conference on the 27th, Japan's Digital Minister, Naokazu Matsumoto, addressed inquiries regarding the relationship between the recently released Jeffrey Epstein documents by the U.S. Department of Justice and members of Japan’s "Digital Society Concept Council." Matsumoto stated that he would not comment on what he termed 'uncertain information.' The Epstein documents include over 3 million pages and contain mentions of individuals associated with the council, including Joi Ito, who is known for his connection to Chiba Institute of Technology. Matsumoto denied prior knowledge of Ito’s connection to the council during the press conference, indicating that this was new information to him.

Ito, a notable figure in the tech industry and a co-founder of the major IT firm Digital Garage, has announced his resignation from the position of Executive Vice President, effective March 31. This decision garnered attention as it follows the revelations regarding his name being associated with Epstein's documents, raising questions about the implications for his professional standing and the credibility of the council. However, Ito did not provide detailed reasons for his resignation, which is set to take place after the annual shareholders' meeting scheduled for June.

This situation has potential ramifications not only for Ito and the Digital Agency but also for Japan's public perception in the tech sector, as it grapples with the fallout from international scandals. The handling of this inquiry by Matsumoto has the possibility of impacting public trust in the Digital Agency's integrity and its members as discussions surrounding transparency and accountability intensify within the Japanese government.