November 13, 2020 Results of Appeal for Opinions on Draft Ministerial Ordinance for Partial Revision of the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act and Report from the Radio Regulatory Council

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) made an appeal for opinions from Thursday, September 24 through Monday, October 26, 2020, on a drafted ministerial ordinance, which will partially revise the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act. As a result, 12 opinions were submitted. Accordingly, MIC has decided to open the opinion to the public with MIC’s view on the opinion. Furthermore, with consideration of the results of the appeal for opinions, MIC submitted an inquiry about the drafted partial revision of the ministerial ordinance to the Radio Regulatory Council (Chaired by YOSHIDA Susumu, Professor Emeritus, Kyoto University). In response to the inquiry, MIC has today received a report stating its approval as drafted.
Following the results of the appeal for opinions and the report from the Radio Regulatory Council, MIC will promptly make institutional development for the ministerial ordinance.

1. Overview

Due to the development of Internet shopping in recent years, the distribution of radio equipment not meeting technical standards has expanded. There is an increasing risk that communication with radio stations in proper operation will be seriously adversely affected. Therefore, at the follow-up meeting of the Growth Strategy Roundtable Meeting on Effective Use of Radio Waves in fiscal 2020, proposals were made regarding revisions to Article 102-11 of the Radio Act (Recommendations on Non-Conforming Equipment).
Against this background, the revision of the Radio Act in 2020 relaxed the requirements for invoking recommendations and orders to manufacturers, importers, and distributors of radio equipment. This relaxation aimed to increase the effectiveness of deterring the distribution of wireless devices not meeting the technical standards.
Article 102-11, Paragraph 4 of the revised Radio Act stipulates that a Ministerial Ordinance shall specify radio stations that need to be operated properly. Accordingly, MIC made the appeal for opinions on the drafted ministerial ordinance, which will partially revise the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act (Radio Regulatory Commission Rules No. 14 of 1950).

2. Results of appeal for opinions

• *
  The published material is in Japanese only.

3. Report from the Radio Regulatory Council

With consideration of the results of the appeal for opinions, MIC submitted an inquiry about the drafted partial revision of the ministerial ordinance to the Radio Regulatory Council. In response to the inquiry, MIC has today received a report stating its approval as drafted.

4. Future plans

Following the results of the appeal for opinions and the report from the Radio Regulatory Council, MIC will promptly make institutional development for the ministerial ordinance.