October 17, 2003,Vol. 14, No. 13 ISSN 1346-5317

On September 22, 2003, the Second KOIZUMI Cabinet appointed thenew Minister, Senior Vice-Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries. With regard to the information and communications field, the followingMinister and Senior Vice-Minister were appointed.
Curriculum Vitae

Date of birth: September 20, 1940
Permanent domicile: Fukuoka Prefecture

1963: Graduated from Faculty of Politics and Economics of GakushuinUniversity
1966: President, Aso Industry (currently Aso Cement Co., Ltd.)
1978: Chairman, Japan Junior Chamber
1979: Elected Member of the House of Representatives for the firsttime.
1988: Vice Minister for Education, Sports, Science and Culture
1990: Director, Education Division, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)
1991: Chairman, Special Committee on Coal Issues, the House of Representatives(HR)
1991: Chairman, Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, HR
1992: Director, Foreign Affairs Division, LDP
1996: Minister of State; Economic Planning Agency
1998: Chairman, Special Committee on Fiscal Structure Reform, HR
1999: Deputy Secretary-General, LDP
1999: Deputy Chairman, Policy Research Council, LDP
2001: Minister of State (Economic and Fiscal Policy, IT Policy)
2001: Chairman, Policy Research Council, LDP
2003: Minister for Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications

Hobbies: Reading books, golfing
Favorite sports:  Clay pigeon shooting
(Chairman of the Japan Clay Target Shooting Association)
(Chairman of the Women's Japan Basketball League Organization)

Family: He is married, and has a son and a daughter.
 
 

Date of birth: January 4, 1940
Permanent domicile: Wakayama Prefecture

1963: Graduated from Faculty of Economics, Doshisha University
1963: Entered Tokyo Tanabe Seiyaku Co., Ltd.
1965: Organ Paper (Komei Shimbun) 
1969: Kansai Bureau Chief, Komei Shimbun
1969: City News Editor, Komei Shimbun
1973: Political Editor, Komei Shimbun
1986: Director, Public Relations Bureau, New Komeito 
1993: Elected Member of the House of Representatives (HR) for the firsttime (since then, elected thrice)
1995: Deputy Secretary-General, New Frontier Party (Shinshin-to)
1999: Chair, Environment Division, New Komeito
2000: Chair, Committee on Science and Technology, HR
2000: Chair, Central Disciplinary Committee, New Komeito
2000: Deputy Secretary-General, New Komeito
2003: Spokesperson of Osaka Prefecture Headoffice, New Komeito

2003: Senior Vice-Minister for Public Management, Home Affairs, Postsand Telecommunications

Credo: "CCC politics": Clean politics, Consumer politics, Contributionto world peace

Credo: To boldly go forth!

Hobby: Reading books
Favorite sports:  Swimming

MPHPT has compiled the results of the FY2002 survey on price variancesbetween domestic and overseas telecommunications services.
1.  In terms of flat-rate and continuous access services to theInternet, Internet access fees in Tokyo for ADSL and cable remain at thelowest level worldwide.
2.  Charges for daytime local telephone calls are also the lowest,but charges for line facilities installation remain high and vary accordingto type, so that overall they do not compare unfavorably with those inEurope and North America.

Note: Circumstances differ in every country for telecommunicationsservices.  There are a variety of fee structures including regularrates and discount rates.  There are also variances within the samecountry according to the region, and fluctuations in exchange rate canhave a major effect, so that the scale of the price variance between domesticand overseas cannot be generalized.  Consequently, it would be appropriateto take these points into consideration and to see the results of thissurvey as just one of the indicators.

1.  Survey topics
A comparison of rates for (1) Internet access, (2) domestic telephoneservice, (3) cellular telephone service, (4) international telephone service,and (5) leased circuit, calculated at the TTS (Telegraphic Transfer Selling)rate as of September 1, 2003 in six cities, namely Tokyo, New York, London,Paris, Dusseldorf and Geneva.

2.  Survey period
The basic survey was conducted in March 2003, and any subsequent changesin charges have been reflected as far as possible.

3.  Outline (key points)
The items that were of particular notice with regard to individualtopics are as follows:

(1) Internet connection
¥ Tokyo rates for ADSL are at the lowest level in the world due tothe progress of competition among business operators.
¥ Connection speed is the highest in Tokyo at 26 Mbps, compared to500 kbps to 768 kbps in other cities (1.5 Mbps in Seoul), and taking speedinto consideration makes Tokyo charges even cheaper.
¥ Cable Internet is also cheaper than in other cities.  Here also,Tokyo is fast at 8 Mbps compared to 256 kbps to 1.5 Mbps in other cities,making it a better bargain too. 

ADSL

(2) Domestic telephone service
¥ Tokyo is the cheapest for daytime calls in comparison to the othercities, but European operators have special discounts for evening and nightcalls, so that TokyoÕs evening and night calls are at a somewhat lowerlevel than the average.
¥ In comparing long-distance call charges, especially those betweenprefectures, charges are at a higher level than in Europe, and discountrates are at a high level compared to those in New York.
¥ Basic monthly charges are at about average levels for residentialuse, but the second highest after New York for business use.  Initialsubscription charges are the highest, but relocation fees are low.
¥ Furthermore, when using the OECD Model that sets average call durationby distance and time band for comparing telephone charges of countries,Tokyo rates are at about average level for residential use standard anddiscount charges.  For commercial use, they are at about average levelfor standard charges, with the exception of New York where the chargesare high, but the second lowest to Geneva for discount rates.

i. Local call charges (3 minutes at 12 noon on weekdays)

ii. Local call charges (3 minutes at 8 p.m. on weekdays)

(3) Cellular telephone service
¥ The major trend in cellular telephone charges is for package plansthat include a certain number of minutes of calls, and there are many variationswithin these.  This makes it difficult to offer a simple comparisonof charges between countries.
¥ If one compares the package plan that most closely reflects the conditionsof traffic in Japan during FY2001, Tokyo seems rather high, but chargesfor calls to fixed telephones originating from cellular telephones arecheaper than the average, and calls between cellular telephones are atabout average levels.
¥ Charges for calls to cellular phones originating from fixed telephonesare cheapest in Tokyo.
¥ If the comparison is done based on the Tokyo Model, charges are atabout average levels.

(4) International telephone service
¥ For standard rates, it is cheaper to call from Tokyo to New Yorkthan the other way around, but it is more expensive to call the other citiesfrom Tokyo.
¥ As for discount rates, it is cheaper to call London and Dusseldorffrom Tokyo than the other way around, but more expensive to call the othercities.
¥ If the comparison is done based on the Tokyo Model, the trends generallycorrespond with those above.

(5) Domestic leased circuit
¥ Tokyo is cheapest for 64 kbps.  Tokyo is the second lowest afterNew York for 1.5 Mbps at 15 km, and the second highest after Geneva for50 km.  It is cheapest for 45 Mbps at 15 km, and the second lowestafter Dusseldorf for 50 km. 
¥ If the comparison is done based on the OECD Model, Tokyo is cheapestat 64 kbps, second highest after Geneva for 1.5 Mbps, and at about averagelevel for 45 Mbps.

i. Digital 64 kbps (15 km)

ii. Digital 64 kbps (50 km)

(6) Conclusion
(a) According to this survey, regular communications charges in Japan,despite differences in kinds of service, do not compare unfavorably overallwith those in Europe and North America.
(b) MPHPT aims to transform Japan into a leading-edge country for ICT,and will continue to work on promoting the lowering of charges.

Reference: 1
Surveyed business operators in each country:
Japan: NTT East, NTT Communications Corporation, NTT DoCoMo Inc., SoftbankBB Corp., its communications Inc., 
United States: Verizon Communications Inc., AT&T, Verizon WirelessInc.
United Kingdom: BT Group plc, Vodafone Group plc, Telewest Communicationsplc
France: France Telecom, OrangeFrance, France Telecom Cable Holding
Germany: Deutsche Telekom, T-Mobile International, TeleColumbus
Switzerland: Swisscom Group, Swisscom Mobile
 

Reference: 2
Price comparisons were done using two methods: (1) comparison of individualcharges and (2) comparison using models (the OECD Model and the Tokyo Model)based on actual conditions of use.
¥ OECD Model
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) carriesout a price competition using a model it has formulated that sets a trafficpattern by communications distance range, time range, etc. in order tocompare prices of telecommunications services in its 29 member countries.
¥ Tokyo Model
The Tokyo Model was established for cases where there is no OECD Model.
The Tokyo Model is a model that calculates average usage conditionsfor communication distance range, time range etc. based on traffic in Japan,and compares prices based on this.

Since 2002 January, MPHPT has been holding the "Study Group on PoliciesConcerning the Effective Radio Spectrum Use" (Chair: Mr. TAGAYA Kazuteru,Vice-President for Education, Chiba University) for deliberating upon policiesconcerning the effective radio spectrum use.  In April 2003, the StudyGroup set up a "working group on promotion measures for multiplexing ofradio spectrum use" for deliberating upon promotion measures for multiplexingof radio spectrum use.  The report was released by MPHPT.  Uponcompilation of this second report, MPHPT invited public comments and releasedthem as well as comments of the Study Group to the public comments.
After the due procedure, the Study Group compiled its findings as areport "Second Report of the Study Group on Policies Concerning the EffectiveRadio Spectrum Use -- Toward Introduction of Radio Station RegistrationSystem."
At present, there are many broadband users surpassing 11 million, mainlysubscribers to wire networks such as ADSL.  Japan's broadband environmentis rapidly expanding.  From now on, in order to construct a ubiquitousnetwork society, preparation of a wireless broadband environment becomesindispensable.
To this end, it is vital to i) further promote effective use of radiospectrums being limited and rare resources; ii) maintain order of radiospectrum use, for preventing interference, etc.; and iii) take promotionmeasures for multiplexed use of radio spectrums on a basis of deregulatedbusiness deployment.
From such viewpoints, since April 2003 the Study Group has been deliberatingupon promotion measures for multiplexed use of radio spectrums and compiledthe second report recommending a radio station registration system insteadof the current radio station license system.
The public comments filed with MPHPT during the period from June 27through July 25, 2003 and replies to the comments from the Study Groupcan be accessed at:
http://www.soumu.go.jp/main_sosiki/joho_tsusin/policyreports/chousa/yuko/index.html

Outline of radio station registration scheme

Target radio stations: High-power outdoor wireless LANs, etc.
Conditions to be registered
1. Radio stations being able to operate communications in the samearea utilizing the same frequency
2. Radio facilities granted the Technical Regulations Conformity Certification,etc.
Note: Where interference caused by radio facilities leads to exposureof humans to risks involving of life and limb, the radio facilities concernedare excluded (e.g., ship stations, aeronautical stations).

Matters to be registered: Registered persons may freely install individualtwo or more stations in the same type of usage
1. Name and address
2. Planned areas for installation of radio stations
3. Type of usage
4. Others
Blanket registration (name, installed areas, etc.) for base stations,etc.
Note: Ex-post-facto notification shall be submitted on locations ofinstalled radio stations, antenna power, days on which stations are opened,etc.

Requirements for refusing registration
1. Where an applicant falls under reasons for disqualification (violationof law, etc.)
2. Where areas outside specified areas for registration are included(no station shall be established in the vicinity of fixed relay stationsand radars)
3. Where effective use of radio spectrums is hindered (in cases whereit is obvious in advance that radio stations concerned will be used forpurposes contrary to public welfare, such as transmission of massive unsolicitede-mails)

Disciplines and supervision to registered radio stations
1. The same disciplines and supervision to licensed radio stations
Obligation to abide by the Radio Law, payment of the Spectrum UserFees, to be a target of the survey, etc. on actual radio spectrum usage
2. In cases where radio stations concerned are used exclusively forpurposes contrary to public welfare, such as transmission of massive unsolicitede-mails, operations of said radio stations shall be suspended and registrationthereof shall be revoked.
3. The valid period of registration is five years (the same as licensedradio stations). (from the viewpoints of responding to reallocation ofradiowaves, technological innovations, etc.)
 
 

1. Purposes of the StudyGroup
Taking into account recent trends in foreign countries,this Study Group was established in order to deliberate upon issues onan IP telephony numbering plan and number management, and measures forensuring numbers of fixed-communications terminals, etc. concerning thetelecommunications number in an IP network era.

2. Themes to be deliberated uponand results thereof
i) Measures for ensuring numbers of fixed-communicationsterminals (omitted)
ii) Issues on introduction of the ENUM* (omitted)
iii) Review of numbering plans accompanying the abolitionof classification of Type I and Type II telecommunications businesses (additionaltheme in the middle of the study period) (see "Outline")
*Note: ENUM (Telephone Number Mapping): "ENUM" refersto the IETF protocol that uses a telecommunications number and enablesto access PSTN-based telephones and various applications on IP networks,including e-mail, using a Domain Name System (DNS)-based architecture. 

3. Schedule
Based on this final report, MPHPT will develop a draftministerial ordinance for amending the current Rules for TelecommunicationsNumber.
This draft will be inquired of the Sub-council of TelecommunicationsBusiness of the Telecommunications Council.  After invitation of publiccomments, the Sub-council will compile a report.  The amended Rulesfor Telecommunications Number will come into force on the same day whenthe amended Telecommunications Business Law comes into force.

Outline of Final Report from"Study Group on Telecommunications Number of FY 2002"

1. Measures for ensuring numbers of fixed-communicationsterminals (numbers from 0AB to 0AJ)
As for fixed-communications terminals (numbers from 0ABto 0AJ) in areas where telecommunications numbers will run out with higherprobability judging from trends in the past, a survey on telecommunicationscarriers was conducted (survey period: June through July 2002) for estimatingfuture demand for telecommunications numbers.  According to this survey,it is found that i) there are 17 numbering plan areas (area codes) whereassignable numbers are to be depleted 20 years later among 611 numberingplan areas nationwide; and ii) in all 17 areas forecast depletion willbe avoidable through ad hoc measures (shifting digits, etc.) currentlytaken.

2. Issues on introduction of the ENUM
Taking into account the fact that ENUM are used in foreigncountries on a trial basis, when starting considering technical issuesregarding ENUM in Japan, ENUM shall be used on a trial basis before introductionthereof on a commercial basis.  Upon trial thereof, provided thatit is ensured that the trial shall not affect users of the existing telecommunicationsservices, directions shall be set forth that measures will be taken toassign numbers necessary for the trial.

3. Review of numbering plans accompanying the abolitionof classification of Type I and Type II telecommunications businesses
Upon review of requirements for designating telecommunicationsnumbers, from the viewpoints of ensuring convenience of users, ensuringfairness among carriers, and fair and effective use of telecommunicationsnumbers, the following topics shall be deliberated upon:
i) It is noted that currently, requirements for designatingtelecommunications numbers are that telecommunications numbers are designatedonly for Type I telecommunications carriers who satisfy disciplines (permissionupon entry, Technical Conditions Compliance Obligation, etc.) under thecurrent law.
ii) Since telecommunications numbers are widely usedby general users, it is important to ensure convenience of users. In particular, with regard to telecommunications numbers currently in use,it is vital to ensure continuous use thereof.
iii) To this end, upon review of numbering plans accompanyingthe abolition of classification of Type I and Type II telecommunicationsbusinesses, the following matters shall be considered:
¥ Numbers identifying telecommunications facilities:A person who stably provide services abiding by the Technical ConditionsCompliance Obligation
¥ Numbers identifying telecommunications services: Inprinciple, to be assigned to all telecommunications carriers
¥ International harmonization based on Recommendationsof ITU, and other transitional measures

4. Other topics to be deliberated upon
The following items shall be deliberated upon:
¥ Telecommunications numbers to be used by Mobile VirtualNetwork Operators (MVNOs)
¥ Treatment of inward dial numbers of business telephoneservice (similar to Centrex services)
¥ Use of special numbers by roaming-in users of 3G mobilecommunications systems