Initiative by the Japanese Government
for the Y2K Problem


I. Y2K Action Plan adopted by the Advanced Information and Telecommunication Society Promotion Headquarters, chaired by the Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, on September 11, 1998.

II. Contents of Y2K Action Plan

1. Promoting Y2k awareness
Not only call for general cautions, but also thoroughly inform the appropriate way to tackle the problem.
2. Measures to be taken by Central Government and Requests for Local Government
(1) Set up the Y2K Conversion Guidelines Including implementation of simulation tests and setting up contingency plan.

(2) Complete the simulation tests on major systems by the end of June, 1999.

(3) Report the progress quarterly and release them to the public.
3. Measures for the Private Sector
(1) Ask the Private Sectors of Particular Importance (finance, energy, telecommunications, transportation, medical care) to conduct simulation tests, and set up contingency plans, and report the progress to the Government quarterly.

(2) Encourage corporations to conduct check-ups in line with the Private Industry Y2K Check List. Collect information quarterly, and release it to the public.

(3) Encourage the manufacturers and vendors of computers, software and microcomputer-embedded equipment to provide information on their products.

(4) Support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
| Provide education, guidance and support through relevant organizations.
| SME can consult the SME Regional Information Center about the Y2K problem.

(5) Fair Trade Commission |Mere exchange of technical information among corporations will not cause problems in terms of Anti-Monopoly.
4. Establishment of a System to Provide Information
(1) Ministries and Agencies designate liaison staff for Y2K issues
| Promote information disclosure, including via their home page.

(2) Established a section on the Y2K problem in the Prime Minister's Home Page; Links will be established with central/local governments, and private sectors.
5. Follow-up to the Action Plan
Reports on the progress of implementation of the Action Plan will be submitted quarterly to the Y2K Advisors' Conference made up of private sectors' leaders and to the Conference to Promote Y2K Measures made up of Vice-Ministers level officials.
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