The Eighth Meeting of the IT Strategic Headquarters Thursday, December 6, 2001 The Eighth Meeting of the Strategic Headquarters for the Promotion of an Advanced Information and Telecommunications Network Society (IT Strategic Headquarters) was held at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. At the meeting, the Research Council on IT-related Regulatory Reform, which was established at the previous meeting, reported on a "Direction for Structural Reform in the IT Sector" which represents the results of one month of concentrated discussions since the previous meeting. It is further planned to deepen discussion based on this report. In addition, based on the follow up to policies that are being initiated this year, it is planned that in May 2002, the e-Japan Priority Policy Program will be revised. At the conclusion of the meeting, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi stated, "I am grateful for the vigorous discussions that have taken place among experts. Towards the national goal of making Japan the world's most advanced IT nation within five years, I will be committed to progressing concretely with the help of the experts."