April 1, 2020 FY2020 Request for Implementation of International Broadcasting and Response from NHK

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has today requested Japan Broadcasting Corporation (also called NHK, headed by President Terunobu Maeda) to implement FY2020 international broadcasting.
NHK has today responded that it would accept the request.

• Under the provisions of Article 65, Paragraph 1 of the Broadcasting Act (Act No. 132 of 1950), the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications may stipulate broadcasting district, broadcasting content, and other important matters, and request NHK to provide international broadcasting or international satellite broadcasting.
• MIC consulted the Radio Regulatory Council on March 11, 2020, regarding the request for the implementation of international broadcasting in FY2020, and received a report on the same day by return stating that it would be appropriate to make a request subject to approval from the Diet for the necessary budget.
  Accordingly, MIC notified NHK in advance on March 12 about the content of the request.
• The necessary budget was approved by the Diet on March 27. Therefore, MIC has today requested NHK to conduct international broadcasting for FY2020.
  NHK has today responded that it would accept the request.