May 18, 2011

Appeal for Opinions on Ministerial Ordinance Plan accompanying Execution of Law for Partial Revision of Broadcast Act, etc.

(Concerning technical requirements for safety and reliability of broadcasting equipment (appended))

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has drawn up a ministerial ordinance plan for partial reform the Broadcast Act enforcement regulations (1950 Radio Regulatory Council Regulation No. 10) in order to service technical requirements relating to the safety and reliability of broadcasting equipment based on the effects of the Eastern Japan Great Earthquake Disaster, accompanying reforms of the Broadcast Act, Radio Law and Telecommunications Business Act included in the Law for Partial Reform of the Broadcast Act, etc. (Act No. 65 of 2010 Law).
Accordingly, a broad appeal for opinions on this plan will be held from May 19 (Thu) to June 3 (Fri), 2011.

1. Background

  The Law for Partial Revision of the Broadcast Act, etc., came into existence at the 176th National Diet and was promulgated on December 3, 2010. This same Law also set forth regulations for the maintenance of broadcasting equipment.
  In view of this, on December 21, 2010 an inquiry was submitted to the Information and Communications Council concerning “Technical Requirements for the Safety and Reliability of Broadcasting” in order to prevent broadcasting from being interrupted by the damage or failure of broadcasting equipment, and the Council subsequently deliberated over the inquiry. As the Eastern Japan Great Earthquake Disaster occurred while deliberation was in process, additional consideration was given to the effects of this disaster on broadcasting equipment, and a reply was received from the Council on May 17, 2011.
  Accordingly, in order to conduct the necessary system maintenance based on this reply, there will now be a broad appeal for opinions on a new ministerial ordinance plan that has been created with updated sections to reflect these additional considerations, albeit based on the earlier draft technical requirements for safety and reliability, concerning which an appeal for opinions has been running since April 28, 2011.

2. Outline of ministerial ordinance plan

Further system maintenance will be carried out for technical requirements relating to the safety and reliability of broadcasting equipment through analysis of the situation of equipment that was damaged in the Eastern Japan Great Earthquake Disaster. (See reference materials.)

3. Outline of public appeal for opinions

(1) Subject of appeal for opinions
  Ministerial ordinance plan for partial reform of Broadcast Act enforcement regulations (see attached new-old comparison table)

2) Deadline for submission of opinions
  17:00 on June 3 (Fri), 2011
  For further details, please refer to the enclosed outline of the appeal for opinions.
Please note that the ministerial ordinance plan can be inspected at the address provided at the end of this document, and will also be published in the “Reports and documents” area of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) website (http://www.soumu.go.jp) as well as in the “Public comment” field of e-Gov (http://www.e-gov.go.jp), the electronic coordinated government contact website.

4. Schedule

The relevant ministerial ordinances will be revised based on the opinions received and a reply from the Radio Regulatory Council concerning items that must be submitted to the Council in the form of an inquiry.

Appeal for Opinions on Ministerial Ordinance Plan accompanying Execution of Law for Partial Revision of Broadcast Act, etc.

1. Background

2. Outline of ministerial ordinance plan

3. Outline of public appeal for opinions

4. Schedule

Related reports and documents