October 21, 2020 Appeal for Opinions on Drafted Idea of the Demonstration Experiment for the Conversion of Private Radio Broadcasters’ AM Broadcasting to FM Broadcasting

The Study Subcommittee on Strengthening the Broadcasting Business Base under the Study Group on Various Issues over Broadcasting (Chaired by TAGAYA Kazuteru, Professor Emeritus at Chiba University) issued a report on strengthening the broadcasting business base in June 2020. In response to the report, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) drafted an idea of the demonstration experiment to convert private radio broadcasters’ AM broadcasting to FM broadcasting. Accordingly, MIC will make an appeal for opinions on the draft from Thursday, October 22 through Friday, November 20, 2020.

1. Background

Concerning the conversion of private radio broadcasters’ AM broadcasting to FM broadcasting, the Study Subcommittee on Strengthening the Broadcasting Business Base under the Study Group on Various Issues over Broadcasting issued the report in June 2020 on strengthening the broadcasting business base. The report states that any private radio broadcaster’s AM broadcasting should be stopped and converted to FM broadcasting as a demonstration experiment at the time of relicensing in 2023 with consideration of the request of the Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association. Furthermore, the report also states that MIC should consider and announce a concrete plan of the demonstration experiment until the autumn of 2020.
In response to the report, MIC has drafted the concrete plan of the demonstration experiment and decided to make an appeal for opinions.

2. Subject and period of the appeal for opinions

1. 1.
   Subject
   Drafted Idea of the Demonstration Experiment for the Conversion of Private Radio Broadcasters’ AM Broadcasting to FM Broadcasting
2. 2.
   Submission period
   No later than Friday, November 20, 2020

3. How to obtain references

MIC will post the references on the public comment page of the e-Gov. (https://www.e-gov.go.jp/en/ )

4. Future plans

With consideration of submitted opinions, the idea of the demonstration experiment will be finalized and opened to the public.