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Worried about Y2K, Japan warns year-end travelers

TOKYO (AP) - The Japanese government urged citizens Wednesday to take precautions when traveling abroad around the New Year's holiday because of possible Y2K computer bug problems.

The Foreign Ministry advisory said travelers should tell others of their itineraries in advance, buy Y2K-related casualty insurance and seek information about computer problems in their destinations.

``Those traveling and staying overseas between late 1999 and early 2000 are advised to make plans while keeping in mind the possibility trouble and inconveniences may arise,'' the ministry said.

The advisory said Y2K problems could affect transportation, public utilities, communications and financial and medical services.

When this year ends, computers that use the last two digits of a year to keep track of dates could mistake 2000 for 1900. Many fear the confusion could disrupt vital computerized systems.

The warning will hit a favorite traveling time for globe-trotting Japanese, who fly abroad in droves during New Year's.

Japan's largest travel agency, JTB, announced last month it would not sell New Year's tours involving air travel because of concerns other nations are not sufficiently prepared for the millennium bug.

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-- Deborah (infowars@yahoo.com), August 18, 1999