March 24, 2020 Notification for Users and Publication of Notification Information of Distributors pertaining to telecommunication services

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has begun publishing on the MIC homepage information notifications for distributors that make notifications to MIC based on Article 73, Paragraph 2, of the Telecommunications Business Act (Act No. 86, 1984).
In addition, MIC takes this opportunity to make users aware of new initiatives related to the notification system (the obligation to include notification numbers in briefing documents) and points to be noted.

1. Background

MIC is enforcing a law (Act No. 5, 2019, hereinafter called the ‘legal revision) to partially revise the Telecommunications Business Act as of October 1, 2019. In accordance with Article 73 Paragraph 2 of the revised Telecommunications Business Act, it has been determined that a party (distributer) whose work involves mediating on the conclusion of contracts concerning the provision of telecommunications services, such as mobile phone services and FTTH services, etc., must notify the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications before commencing their duties. In addition, all existing distributors are required to make a notification by December 31, 2019.
In addition, MIC is publishing a list of distributors who have submitted the notification, while taking this opportunity to notify users of new initiatives related to the notification system and points to be noted.

2. Publication of list of distributors who have submitted the notification

MIC has completed processing distributors (24,739) that submitted the notification between October 1, 2019 and February 29, 2020. The name, notification number, corporation number (only in the case of corporations), the notification date^*, the location of the head office, etc., and the Regional Bureau of Telecommunications that has jurisdiction over the area where the head office is located, have been published at the following URL on the MIC website.
This will continue to be updated as necessary as soon as certain notification information is collected.

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  When an amendment is needed after receiving the notification, the date on which the amendment was accepted is treated as the date of the notification.

List of distributors who submitted the notification

https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_sosiki/joho_tsusin/d_syohi/135414.html

3. Notification for all users of Telecommunications Services

1. Commencement of obligation to include the distributor’s notification number in telecommunications services explanatory documents

Starting April 1, 2020, when a distributor provides an explanation of the terms of service at the conclusion of a contract for a telecommunications service, the distributor is henceforth obliged to enter their notification number in all written documents used for providing an explanation.
This will permit an understanding of the notification information of distributors who have given an explanation by comparing the notification number that all users have understood from explanatory documents, with notification information on the MIC homepage. Furthermore, if a problem arises between distributors, it is expected that the handling of complaints and queries will be facilitated by providing notification numbers at public contact windows.
In addition, even when the telecommunications carrier gives an explanation about terms of service to a user directly, there is an obligation to enter the telecommunications carrier’s registration number and notification number.

2. Cautionary notes regarding the positioning of “notification"

It has been seen on occasion that some distributors have submitted a “notification,” and have explained this as meaning that they have obtained "permission" or "authorization" from the MIC, and are operating with MIC approval.
The distributor notification system has been introduced in order to ensure the appropriateness of distributor operations, for MIC to directly understand the status of distributors, and to enable a swift response if there is a violation of laws or regulations. Therefore, please be aware of the fact that when the MIC receives a notification, this does not indicate that a judgement has been made as the approval or note of implementing business operations.