March 18, 2020 Appeal for Opinions on Draft Ministerial Ordinance for Partial Revision of Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has drafted a ministerial ordinance, that partially revises the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act, pertaining to new forms of use of the 2.4 GHz band low-power data communication system in order to meet new usage needs.
Accordingly, MIC has decided to make an appeal for opinions from Thursday, March 19, through to Friday, April 17, 2020.

1. Background

Currently, sensors that use cameras, infrared light, and LED lights are being typically utilized in electronic devices, such as home appliances, but there is a growing need for sensor systems that use radio waves and that have more accurate detection capabilities. With consideration for this situation, MIC has decided to make an appeal for opinions from Thursday, March 19, through to Friday, April 17, 2020, on a draft ministerial ordinance for the partial revision of the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act pertaining to the introduction of sensor systems based on the technical specifications of the 2.4 GHz band low-power data communication system.

2. Procedure of appeal for opinions

1. Subjects

Draft Ministry Ordinance

• 1.
  Draft ministerial ordinance to partially revise the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act

Draft Notice

• 2.
  Draft notice to determine the conditions for separate announcements by the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications as stipulated in Article 6, paragraph 4, item 4 (1) of the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act
• 3.
  Draft notice that partially revises the Frequency Reorganization Action Plan (MIC Notice No. 471, 2012)
• 4.
  Draft notice that partially revises connection requests from users that can’t be denied (MPT Notice No. 72, 1994), as part of the use of radio waves by terminal equipment
• 5.
  Draft notice that partially revises cases (MPT Notice No. 611, 1993) that determine the conditions for the transmission timing of mobile phone devices, etc., based on the provisions of the regulations for the terminal equipment, etc.
• 6.
  Draft notice that partially revises the cases (MPT Notice No. 424, 1994) that determine the conditions for identification codes based on the provisions of the regulations for the terminal equipment, etc.
• 7.
  Draft notice that partially revises the cases (MPT Notice No. 610, 1993) that determines the mobile phone devices, etc., which are considerably unreasonable due to the provisions of the regulations for devices and equipment, and their conditions.

2. Submission period

From Thursday, March 19, until no later than Friday, April 17, 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 the report.

4. How to obtain further reference information

Reference information on the report can be viewed, and copies handed out, at the Mobile Communications Division of the Communications Infrastructure Bureau (the tenth floor of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications). In addition, it is also listed on the e-Government website ‘Public Comments’ (https://www.e-gov.go.jp/ ).