January 24, 2020 Appeal for Opinions on Draft Ministerial Ordinance for Partial Revision of Ministerial Ordinance for Survey on Actual Radio Spectrum Usage

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) drafted a ministerial ordinance on an expansion of a survey on actual radio spectrum usage for the further promotion of the effective radio spectrum usage.
In this connection, MIC has decided to make an appeal for opinions from Saturday, January 25 through Tuesday, February 25, 2020.

1. Background

Based on Article 26-2 of the Radio Act (Act No. 131 of 1950), MIC has been conducting a survey and evaluation on radio spectrum usage every three years (every year for mobile radio communications) since fiscal 2003 for the reallocation of frequencies to realize the optimal use of radio waves following the progress of technology. The frequency bands specified by the Radio Act are divided into three categories.

Recently, radio spectrum usage has been diversified and has become indispensable as social infrastructure, and it is expected that the needs of radio spectrum usage will further expand. There is a growing need to promote more efficient radio spectrum usage than ever before. On June 15, 2018, a Cabinet decision was made in a regulatory reform implementation plan to expand the survey on radio spectrum usage to grasp the actual situation of radio spectrum usage accurately. Furthermore, in the report of a roundtable meeting on growth strategies for effective use of radio waves in August 2018, it was considered appropriate to change the survey cycle from three years to two years and to expand the survey to include priority items.

Based on the above, MIC will expand the survey on radio spectrum usage from in and after 2020 to promote further effective use of radio waves. Accordingly, MIC has a ministerial ordinance on the survey on radio spectrum usage and related notices and has decided to make an appeal for opinions.

2. Procedure of appeal for opinions

1. Subjects

Draft ministry ordinance

• 1.
  Draft ministerial ordinance that partially revises an ordinance for radio spectrum usage (MIC Ordinance No. 110, 2002)

Notice plan

• 2.
  Notice that partially revises the basic policy on the evaluation of effective radio spectrum usage (MIC Notice No. 1m 2007)
• 3.
  Basic policy to conduct a priority survey

2. Period of submission

From Tuesday, January 7, and no later than noon on Monday, January 27, 2020.

3. Future plans

With consideration of the results of opinions submitted, MIC will consult with the Radio Regulatory Council, and promptly proceed with necessary procedures for the revision of the ministerial ordinance, etc. when MIC receives a report.