Canon Marketing Japan Launches Innovative Disclosure Support System for Public Agencies

Canon Marketing Japan, led by President Masachika Adachi, has recently rolled out a groundbreaking tool—a Disclosure Support System—designed to streamline the information disclosure processes for government agencies. This initiative primarily targets the growing need for efficient responses to public information requests, especially seen in the context of recent increases in such requests across Japan.

Enhancing Efficiency and Security

The new system is equipped to automatically extract and redact confidential information from official documents. By converting sensitive text into images and removing the textual data, Canon aims to minimize security risks associated with information leaks. Starting in mid-May, the system is currently being implemented in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo, which is governed by Mayor Nobuto Hosaka. It is anticipated that this implementation will effectively reduce the average workload for each disclosure request by approximately 50%, significantly contributing to digital transformation (DX) efforts within public sector information handling.

In accordance with Japanese law, any citizen can file a request for information disclosure, a process that has been increasingly utilized in recent years. Public agencies have been manually handling these requests, often employing masking tools and tape to redact sensitive information—a method that is not only labor-intensive but also prone to human error. Critical issues such as inadvertent omissions in redaction and potential data leaks have highlighted the urgent need for a more reliable solution.

Automatic Extraction and Flexible Redaction

The Disclosure Support System utilizes advanced natural language processing techniques developed by Canon MJ Group, automatically identifying potential confidential information within public documents. This functionality allows users to apply redactions in various shapes, such as rectangular or circular, accommodating diverse document formats.

Furthermore, the system associates each redaction with a reason for non-disclosure, enabling the generation of notification drafts with a single click. This feature simplifies the document preparation process and reduces administrative burdens, ultimately improving the speed and efficiency of responses to information requests. The output documents are generated in PDF format without any retainment of sensitive text, ensuring that recipients cannot copy or reconstruct the redacted areas, thus preserving confidentiality.

Anticipated Outcomes in Setagaya Ward

Setagaya Ward receives approximately 600 information requests annually. Traditionally, each request would require staff to visually inspect documents—confirming sensitive information, applying redactions, and producing non-disclosure reason documents—completely by hand. This overwhelming workload has necessitated the implementation of a more efficient system. By introducing the Disclosure Support System, Setagaya Ward anticipates safeguarding confidential information while cutting down an estimated 1,200 person-days annually in related tasks, which can now be redirected toward enhancing services for residents.

Canon Marketing Japan is committed to promoting digital transformation within various governmental channels, including local and independent agencies, by providing this innovative system. The goal is to ensure the protection of sensitive data while simultaneously improving the speed and quality of public services delivered to citizens.

Conclusion

With its user-friendly interface and robust security features, the Disclosure Support System represents a significant advancement in how public bodies manage information disclosure. Canon MJ's strategic approach to this critical area is poised to set a new standard for transparency in governmental operations, marking a vital step in modernizing public service.

For further inquiries related to the Disclosure Support System, or for media communications, Canon Marketing Japan has established dedicated contact points which can be accessed through their official websites.