Address to the Y2K Advisor's Conference (draft)

Greeting by the Prime Minister
July 29, 1999

I would like to say a few words on the opening of this Y2K Advisor's Conference.

1. Today our advisors have discussed the latest state of progress. It appears that the goal of "general completion of dry-run testing by the end of June 1999" for systems in government and in important private-sector fields such as finance and energy, which was set in the action plan of September 1998, has been largely attained. The preparation of contingency plans in all fields is also progressing.

2. However, in the five months that remain to us before the arrival of the year 2000, we will continue to add thorough preventive measures in line with our action plan to ensure full readiness. We will also be enhancing the contingency plans which will enable us to respond perfectly to any problems which may arise.

   I would like to mention three aspects of our preparations:

   The first is the strengthening of systems within the government. Systems are being built up within all related ministries and agencies. To ensure overall coordination, the Y2K Task Force will be set up within the Cabinet Secretariat with the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary as the chairman, and the Cabinet Secretariat’s Y2K Office will be established in the Cabinet Councillor's Office.

   In addition, as a contingency system for the New Year period, an organization will be set up within my official residence to gather and disseminate information from around Japan and abroad and aid liaison between the government and private sectors. This organization will be ready to serve in the event of problems.

   The second point is the provision of information based on the needs of the public. We must ensure that the lack of accurate information does not cause the public needless anxiety or cause them to either underestimate or overestimate the problem. The website for my official residence is now equipped with a "question box" to receive questions from the public and a question and answer collection addressing public concerns has also been added to the website.

   Thirdly, the further strengthening of contingency plans requires close cooperation with our advisors, and also with local authorities and all fields of the private sector. We ask for the full cooperation of all concerned.

3. We are doing all in our power to make sure the public can look forward to the New Year with complete peace of mind. I ask our advisors to continue their best efforts towards flawless readiness.