Test flights conducted at midnight Monday proved Japan's major airlines and aviation control systems can cope with the Year 2000 computer problem, Transport Minister Jiro Kawasaki said Tuesday.

The test was aimed at easing public concerns over the safety of domestic flights on New Year's Day.

Three airplanes for the test flights, operated by Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways and Japan Air System, took off from Tokyo's Haneda airport within minutes of one another around 11:30 p.m. Monday, carrying some 300 passengers in total, including Kawasaki, lawmakers, Transport Ministry and airline officials and reporters.