While many of us may have said goodbye to Internet Explorer after its recent termination, the demise of the old browser could present a significant problem for some organizations.
Many businesses in Japan, including government agencies, financial institutions, and manufacturing and logistics companies, still use the now unsupported web browser, according to Asian business publication Nikkei.
Microsoft finally ended support for Internet Explorer after 27 years on June 15, 2022, warning users of cybersecurity risks if they continue to use the software.
Why does Japan continue to rely on Internet Explorer?
The browser is still commonly used in Japan for employee attendance management, expense settlement and other internal purposes, according to research by information technology firm Keyman's Net, cited by Nikkei.
Nearly half, 49%, of those surveyed said they still use the browser for work, and 20% said they don't know how to leave Internet Explorer.
Many major resources in the Japanese public sector have been slow to respond to the problem, according to the Nikkei report.
The Japan Pension Service's notices for online applications still require users to use Edge in Internet Explorer mode, as does an unidentified government-backed self-help society website for private schools.
It's not just the Japanese who are still clinging to Internet Explorer.
Lansweeper research shared exclusively with TechRadar Pro indicates that nearly half (47%) of Windows 10 devices will need to upgrade because they still use Internet Explorer as their browser, equivalent to millions of PCs in offices and workplaces around the world. world.
Microsoft first announced plans to phase out Internet Explorer 11 in Windows 10 and Microsoft 365 in August 2020, and has been phasing out services from the software ever since.
Internet Explorer has a long history, successfully fighting other browsers like Netscape in the late 90s for dominance, in a phenomenon known as "Browser Wars."