Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has instructed Cabinet ministers to consider integrating the various information technology sections of different ministries, possibly into a new ministry, to reduce red tape, sources familiar with the issue said Saturday.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda, however, told reporters the same day that Koizumi is not asking ministers to create a new ministry immediately.

"The prime minister said lateral cooperation among ministries and agencies is necessary," Fukuda said.