World

Japan Urges Y2K Stockpiles

October 29, 1999 / 10:45 AM EDT / AP

The government recommended Friday that the public stockpile several days' worth of food and water over the year-end as a precaution against the Year 2000 computer problem.

"We believe there will be no widespread confusion" that will have a major impact on people's daily lives, the government said in presenting an 11-point list of precautions aimed at the public.

"But it is important for each of you to make preparations in case of unexpected emergencies, including minor or short-term inconveniences," a message accompanying the list said.

The list was made public after a government task force approved it in the morning. It will appear in the form of advertisements in national newspapers Saturday.

The government believes there will be no big problem regarding food distribution or electricity, gas or water supply, it said.

But people are recommended to keep two or three days' worth of food and drinking water on hand, which is a measure always urged as a precaution against earthquakes and other natural disasters, the message said.

The government also called on consumers to store medicines, kerosene for heaters, and gasoline, and to check with makers whether their appliances are Y2K compliant.

The message also called on people to update bankbooks and to save receipts for transactions leading up to the New Year so they can compare them with the receipts they receive in January.

Concerning the withdrawal of bank deposits, the government said people should consider it in the same way as on any other New Year's holiday, when automatic tellers close down for the first few days of the year.

The government said it expects no big problem with telephone services either, but asked the public not to make unnecessary calls or try the Internet just to see if it is working.

The message also warned about sales aimed at exploiting public concern about the millennium bug, calling on people "to be doubly careful not to be a victim of such acts."

Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi said Tuesday major confusion from the Y2K bug was unlikely, but urged the public to prepare for "unexpected incidents."

The Y2K bug could cause computer systems with software that identifies years only by their last two digits to crash or spew out incorrect data on Jan. 1, 2000, by reading the new year as "1900."

On a related development, the Foreign Ministry on Friday began offering updates on Year 2000 computer glitches around the world on its Internet home page, the ministry said.

The service aims to assist those living or traveling abroad to deal with the Y2K problem by offering updated information on the risk management plans and major infrastructure measures being taken by other countries, the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry has initially made available information on some 30 countries, and plans to add more countries as soon as it completes preparations.