Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

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  Japan Broadcasting Corporation (Public broadcaster)

Telework

For the prevention of the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic, it is important to reduce the risk of infection in places where many people gather. One of the effective measures is telework, in which workers can avoid the rush hour and crowds and make it possible to work from home.

The Novel Coronavirus Infectious Disease Control Headquarters decided a basic policy for countermeasures against the novel coronavirus pandemic on February 25, 2020. From the viewpoint of reducing the chances of contact with patients and infected people based on this basic policy, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) wishes to ask that you actively use telework as much as possible.

(Reference) Website of Office for Novel Coronavirus Disease Control, Cabinet Secretariat

Telework-related Support Information

MIC and related ministries and government agencies provide support for the introduction of telework.

• FY2020 Project on Telework Manager Consultation [MIC]

  MIC provides information and consultation on systems suitable for telework (ICT equipment and systems for working from home), as well as information and consultation on information security, attendance and labor management, and other telework-related matters in general through web conferences and telephone calls.

• Introduction of Support Programs for Emergency Implementation of Telework [Japan Telework Association]

  Member companies and groups of the Japan Telework Association introduce support programs for enterprises that are urgently implementing telework.

• Useful Information on Telework
  • https://teleworkdays.jp/
  • https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_sosiki/joho_tsusin/eng/COVID-19/pdf/000686928.pptx

  This is a leaflet with summarized useful information from the ministries and government agencies concerned about the introduction of telework as countermeasures against the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Ensuring Security in Telework

Cyberattacks that take advantage of the turmoil of the novel coronavirus pandemic have also been confirmed. Please take appropriate security measures when implementing telework.

• Telework Security Guidelines (4th Edition) [MIC]

  The guidelines show the concept of security measures with examples of measures at the time of introducing telework.

  Telework Security Guide for SMEs(Checklist) (1st Edition)

  This checklist is published for SME to check that their company meets a minimum level of security.

• For Teleworkers [National Center of Incident Readiness and Strategy for Cybersecurity (NISC)]
  • This website summarizes basic points to note in security for those who perform telework.
  • Security Precautions for Teleworkers [Information-technology Promotion Agency (IPA)]
  • IPA provides a summary of the points to be noted for security when performing telework.
• Internet Safety and Security Handbook [NISC]

  This handbook shows general points to be kept in mind when using the Internet.

• Information on Various Alerts

  Relevant organizations issue information on major vulnerabilities related to telework.

  • Preparations for Long Vacation April 2020 [JPCERT/CC]
  • Countermeasures against Zoom Vulnerability [IPA]
  • Example of Attack Email Using Novel Coronavirus [IPA]

Telephone / Internet Charges

• Measures to extend payment deadlines for fixed-line and mobile phones are being implemented.
  • Re-request on Payment Deadline Extension as a Result of the Spread of New Coronavirus Infection (January 21, 2021)
  • Request for Payment Deadline Extension as a Result of the Spread of New Coronavirus Infections (March 19, 2019)

NHK^* Receiving Fees

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  Japan Broadcasting Corporation (Public broadcaster)

• NHK has established a consultation desk for payment of NHK receiving fees.
  • About the Receiving Fees Consultation Desk Due to the Influence of Novel Coronavirus Infection (Japanese)
  • On March 18, 2020, MIC requested that NHK take appropriate measures for the handling of deferred payments of receiving fees due to the spread of coronavirus infections.
  • Request for Dissemination of Measures taken by NHK due to the Spread of Influence of COVID-19
• Measures for alleviating the burden of NHK reception fees are being taken
  • On March 30, 2020, MIC requested that NHK consider a reduction in receiving fees for small and medium businesses, such as inns and hotels, considering the increasing impact of coronavirus pandemic.
  • Approval regarding changes in the Exemption Standards of Reception Fees and the Broadcasting Reception Rules of Japan Broadcasting Corporation (May 8, 2020)
  • Approval regarding Exemption of Reception Fees due to Spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection (May 11, 2020)

Other Arrangements

• MIC asked each ministry, government agency, and local public body to improve accessibility to dedicated websites on novel coronavirus disease for providing information.
• MIC requested four groups related to telecommunications carriers to alert each user to be aware of fraudulent acts that take advantage of special fixed-sum benefits (tentative name).

  Request for Alerting to Fraud by Taking Advantage of Special Fixed-Sum Cash Benefit Program (Tentative Name) (April 23, 2020)

• Payment for spectrum user fees will be deferred.
• MIC has requested the Telecommunications Carriers Association to strengthen efforts to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus infection at dealers' shops.

  Request for Strengthening Efforts to Prevent the Spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (April 17, 2020)

• MIC has requested that industry groups related to digital signage distribute PR videos regarding coronavirus pandemic.

  Request to Digital Signage Related Industrial Organizations to Distribute Information on Novel Coronavirus Infection (March 13, 2020)

• MIC has requested that NHK pay particular attention to the latest domestic situation regarding coronavirus pandemic during the implementation of international broadcasting (international television broadcasting and international radio broadcasting).
  • Change in FY2019 Request for Implementation of International Broadcasting for Japan Broadcasting Corporation and Report from the Radio Regulatory Council on FY2020 Request for Implementation of International Broadcasting (March 11, 2020)
  • FY2020 Request for Implementation of Overseas Broadcasting, etc. and Answer from Japan Broadcasting Corporation (March 13, 2020)
  • FY2020 Request for Implementation of Overseas Broadcasting, etc. and Answer from Japan Broadcasting Corporation (April 1, 2020)
• MIC has requested designated public institutions to implement preventions of novel coronavirus disease and to continue business operations.
  • NTT Group
  • KDDI Corporation
  • SoftBank Corp.
  • NHK
• "The Council for Network Efficiency by Cross-layer Technical members(CONECT)" has been established, consisting of companies which are involved in the distribution of Internet traffic. CONECT are promoting information sharing and collaboration.
• MIC has provided prefectures and designated cities with information on data disclosure for websites that are posting information on countermeasures against coronavirus pandemic.

  Data Release for Countermeasures against Novel Coronavirus Infections (March 31, 2020)

• MIC is implementing the #Private Support Information Navi project, in which information on free support by companies that are responding to coronavirus pandemic is converted into standard data and released.

  Standardization and Disclosure of Information on Free Support by Companies Responding to Novel Coronavirus Infection Control (March 9, 2020)

• MIC, and other concerned ministries jointly requested digital platform operators and mobile operators to provide statistical data that contributes to preventing of the spread of COVID-19.

  Request for the Provision of Statistical Data that Contributes to Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 (March 31, 2020)

• Each mobile phone company is cooperating in providing daily data on the flow of people at major points nationwide to help prevent the spread of novel coronavirus infection.
  • NTT Docomo, Inc. <Analysis of population changes in major cities around Japan before and after the declaration of the state of emergency>
  • AGOOP Corp. (SoftBank Group) <Analysis of changes in human flow during novel coronavirus spread>
  • KDDI Corporation <Free provision of a location-based big data analysis tool to local governments nationwide>