January 17, 2020 Appeal for Opinions on Draft Ministerial Ordinances and Pertinent Conditions for Partial Revisions to Regulations for Procedure for Obtaining a Radio Station License―Simplification of Licensing Procedure for Amateur Radio Stations, Expansion of Opportunities for Unqualified Persons, and Additional Allocation of Frequencies

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) drafted ministerial ordinances, notices, etc. on the Radio Act for institutional development related to amateur radio. Therefore, MIC has decided to make an appeal for opinions from Saturday, January 18 through Monday, February 17, 2020, on the drafted revisions.

1. Background and overview

MIC has drafted the ministerial ordinances for the following matters to improve the convenience of amateur radio operators.

1. Simplification of licensing procedure for amateur radio stations

For simplifying the licensing procedure related to the operation of connecting an attached device to the external input terminal of an amateur station transmitter, the ministerial ordinances have been drafted to revise the rules for the licensing procedure for radio stations.

2. Expansion of the opportunities for unqualified people to use amateur radio stations

Based on the proposals of the FY2019 follow-up meeting of the growth strategy roundtable meeting on the effective use of radio waves, MIC drafted a notice to enable young people who do not have amateur radio qualification to experience amateur radio temporarily.

3. Additional allocation of frequencies

Based on the Frequency Reorganization Action Plan (fiscal 2019 revised version), MIC drafted a notice to make partial changes to the plan for a band plan review on some amateur radio bands and additionally allocating frequencies with consideration of the frequency usage situations and conditions of existing radio stations and the harmonization of the international frequency usage of amateur radio stations.

2. Procedure of appeal for opinions

1. Subject

Draft Ministry Ordinance

  • Draft Ministerial Ordinance for a partial revision of the Regulations for Procedure for Obtaining a Radio Station License (Radio Regulatory Commission Rules No. 15 of 1950) (related to simplification of the licensing procedure)

Draft Notice

  • Draft notice that partially revises a notice (MPT Notice No. 87 of 1976) on minor matters of construction design that does not require permission under the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act (related to simplification of the licensing procedure)
  • Draft notice that partially revises a notice (MIC Notice No. 326, 1993) on the scope and conditions of qualified people to operate amateur station radio equipment in foreign countries under the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act and based on the qualifications equivalent to those listed in Article 40, Paragraph 1, Item 5 of the Radio Act (related to additional frequency allocation)
  • Draft notice that partially revises a notice (MIC Notice No. 126, 2009) on the frequency band in which amateur stations are permitted to operate under the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act (related to the additional allocation of frequencies)
  • Draft notice that partially revises a notice (MIC Notice No. 179, 2009) on the types of radio waves used for amateur service and the distinction of frequencies for use under the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act
  • Draft notice that partially revised a notice (MIC Notice No. 471, 2012) on the Frequency Reorganization Action Plan (related to additional frequency allocation)
  • Draft notice that stipulates the conditions for operating amateur radio equipment that will be established temporarily under the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act (related to expanding the opportunities for unqualified people to use)

Draft Official Directive

  • Draft official directive that partially revises the examination standards pertaining to the Radio Act (Official directive of MIC No. 67, 2001) (Simplification of licensing procedure and expansion of opportunities for unqualified people).

2. Period of submission

From Saturday, January 18 and no later than Monday, February 17, 2020.

3. Future plans

MIC will revise the relevant ordinances, etc. with consideration of the opinions submitted on the draft ministerial ordinances, etc. and the report from the Radio Regulatory Council in response to MIC’s inquiry.

Contact

For further information about this press release, please fill in the inquiry form and submit it to MIC on the website
https://www.soumu.go.jp/common/english_opinions.html

International Policy Division, Global Strategy Bureau, MIC

TEL: +81 3 5253 5920

FAX: +81 3 5253 5924