As of April 1, 2002, the Japanese government will cease guaranteeing time deposits in excess of ¥10 million ($75,200) against the possibility of bank failure, leaving an estimated ¥200 trillion ($1.5 trillion) in bank deposits unprotected. Proponents of postponement of the deadline are worried that the limit on deposit insurance will prompt bank runs, especially among regional or second-tier banks whose financial positions are considered the weakest. Some analysts in the West warn that a collapse in Japan’s banks could trigger a systemic crisis in the country and send reverberations across the globe. Until the economy shows signs of reflating, deflation will continue to savage the net worth of banks and their depositors.