The new "Administrative Reform Task Force" chaired by Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto met for the first time at his official residence. It will streamline the present organization of the Japanese Government into 13 ministries and agencies, each reporting directly to Prime Minister. The task force is working out relevant new bills to be presented to Parliament, possibly by April 1999.
The Government Reform Council that was formed in November, 1996, and also headed by the prime minister, met for the last time and was dissolved on the same day (June 23). Its duties will be taken over by the new task force.