December 1, 2020 Appeals for Opinions on Basic Policy on Facilitation of the Use of Telephones for the Persons with Hearing Impairments, etc., under the Enforcement Regulations of the Act on Facilitation of the Use of Telephones for the Persons with Hearing Impairments, etc.

Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication (MIC) made appeals for opinions on the following drafts: The drafts of the Enforcement Regulations of the Act on Facilitation of the Use of Telephones for the Persons with Hearing Impairments, etc. (hereafter referred to as the “Enforcement Regulations), the Notice in which Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications Shall Specify under the Provisions of Article 28 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Act on Facilitation of the Use of Telephones for the Persons with Hearing Impairments, etc. (hereafter referred to as the “Assessment Notice”), and the Basic Policy on Facilitation of the Use of Telephones for the Persons with Hearing Impairments, etc. (hereafter referred to as the “Basic Policy”). In this connection, MIC has decided to open the submitted opinions and MIC’s views on the opinions to the public.
The Enforcement Regulations, etc. came into force with the enforcement of the Act on Facilitation of the Use of Telephones for the Persons with Hearing Impairments, etc.

1. Background

The Act on Facilitation of the Use of Telephones for the Persons with Hearing Impairments, etc. (Act No. 53 of 2020) was established (June 12, 2020) to come into effect from the date specified by a Cabinet Order no later than nine months from the date of promulgation. Then it came into force today (Tuesday, December 1, 2020).
In response to the enforcement of the Act, MIC made appeals for the drafts of the Enforcement Regulations, Assessment Notice, and Basic Policy, and has decided to open the submitted opinions and MIC’s views on the opinions to the public.

2. Results of appeals for opinions

MIC made an appeal for opinions from Tuesday, September 15 through Wednesday, October 14, 2020, on the drafts of the Enforcement Regulations and Assessment Notice and received 4 opinions.

As for the draft Basic Policy, MIC made an appeal for opinions from Saturday, September 19 through Monday, October 18, 2020, and received 23 opinions.

3. Promulgation and Enforcement of them

With consideration of the results of the appeal for opinions, MIC has announced the promulgation of them in the official bulletin and enforced them today.

4. How to obtain references

MIC will post reference information on this appeal for opinions on the public comment page of the e-Gov (https://www.e-gov.go.jp/en/ ).