MIC today consulted the Radio Regulatory Council (Chair: Prof. HATORI Mitsutoshi, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University) in regard to the authorization of changes to the reception contract of Japan Broadcasting Corporation (President: FUKUCHI Shigeo; hereinafter, "NHK"), which NHK has applied for pursuant to the provisions of Article 32 paragraph (3) of the Broadcast Law (Law No. 132 of 1950). The Council reported that it is appropriate to authorize the changes as stated in the consultation document.
MIC will authorize the changes when the Diet approves NHK's budget of revenues and expenditures, business project and financial program for fiscal 2008.
1. Outline of changes
1) Abolishing door-to-door collection of fees
Door-to-door collection of viewing fees is to be abolished as a method of payment (others include account transfer, automatic credit card debit and automatic transfer) so that the fees are unified under the current category of "account transfer, etc."
2) Introducing exceptions for corporate contracts
Businesses that have concluded multiple reception contracts are to be offered a 50% discount on viewing fees for contracts concluded after the first, provided that the necessary contracts have been concluded for all viewers at a single premises.
3) Expanding exceptions for multiple payments by one household
The scope of application of the family discount is to be expanded from the existing two categories, of "student" and "workers away from home," which respectively target students living apart from their parents and people living away from their regular family homes for work reasons, to cover reception contracts concluded with multiple residences for one household. At the same time, the discount rate will be changed from 33% to 50% off the fee.
4) Abolishing reception contract stickers
In conjunction with the introduction of mobile reception of broadcast programs, stickers to certify the conclusion of reception, which are to be indicated at the contractor's entrance or front door, are to be abolished.
2. Date of implementing changes
The changes will be implemented on October 1, 2008, excluding the exceptions for corporate contracts and the exception for multiple payments by one household, both of which will be enforced on February 1, 2009.
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For further information about this press release, please fill in the inquiry form and submit it to MIC on the website
http://www.soumu.go.jp/joho_tsusin/eng/contact.html
International Policy Division,
International Affairs Department
Telecommunications Bureau, MIC
TEL: +81 3 5253 5920 / FAX: +81 3 5253 5924
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