The minister is responsible for overseeing Japan's transformation to a digital economy.

It began operations on 1 September 2021 after being formed as a result of the Digital Agency Establishment Act, making it the newest Ministerial position in the Cabinet.

The current Minister for Digital Transformation is Masaaki Taira, who took office October 1, 2024 as a member of the Ishiba Cabinet.

[1] After the appointment of Takuya Hirai, there was no official English title, as the English version of the Cabinet Office's List of Ministers, State Ministers and Parliamentary Vice-Ministers only listed the name of Takuya Hirai without any mention of the official English title.

[3][4] Since 2022, Minister for Digital Transformation has been used for the official English title of the position.