Top �� What's up around the Prime Minister �� February, 2004

The 23rd Meeting of the IT Strategic Headquarters Friday, February 6, 2004 The meeting of the IT Strategic Headquarters was held at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. At the meeting, the "Policy Package to accelerate the e-Japan Strategy II" was decided. This Package defined the target date for the implementation of the policies in six areas including enhancement of security policies, promotion of policies on digital content, promotion of IT regulatory reform, promotion of e-government and e-local government, so as to further accelerate the "e-Japan Strategy II," which was decided in July, 2003 as an IT strategy of Japan aiming to realize the world's most advanced IT nation. Furthermore, specific items in the Package include mounting IC chips on passports as part of anti-terrorism and security measures, digitalization of medical information such as prescriptions, enhancing measures that would lead to the improvement of services for the people of Japan. In closing the meeting, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said, "The target for Japan to become the world's most advanced IT nation by 2005 was established in the days of the Mori Cabinet, and I took on the target when I assumed office as prime minister. Time flies and next year is already 2005. I would like to ask for your continuous and further support to accelerate the progress of IT."