December 2, 2020 Approval to Subsidies and Granting Methods along with Contributions and Collection Methods based on Universal Service System

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has received a report today from the Information and Communications and Posts Administrative Council (chaired by TAGAYA Kazuteru, Professor Emeritus at Chiba University) in response to the MIC’s inquiry (Inquiry No. 3132 of September 28, 2020). The inquiry covers the Minister’s approval for subsidies and granting methods of the same according to the provisions of Paragraph 1, Article 109 of the Telecommunications Business Act (Act No. 86 of 1984) and approval for contributions and collection methods of the same according to the provisions of Paragraph 2, Article 110 of the same Act. The report states that the inquired approval is appropriate.
With consideration of the report, MIC will promptly make approval for the subject matters accordingly.

1. Background

On September 17, 2020, the Telecommunications Carriers Association made two applications to the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications. One of the applications was for approval of the amount and a providing method of grants under Article 109, Paragraph 1 of the Act. The other application was for approval of the amount and a collection method of contributions based on Article 110, Paragraph 2 of the Act.

2. Report and results of the appeal for opinions

• 1.
  As for the approval of the amount and a providing method of grants based on the universal service system, MIC submitted an inquiry on September 28, 2020, to the Information and Communications and Posts Administrative Council, from which MIC received a report stating its approval as inquired.
• 2.
  The Information and Communications and Posts Administrative Council made an appeal for opinions on the subject from September 29 through October 29, 2020. However, no opinions were submitted.

3. Future plans

In response to this report, MIC’s will promptly make approval for this matter.