September 14, 2020 Appeal for Opinions on Draft Ministerial Ordinance, Notices, and Directive for Partial Revisions to Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act

With consideration of the recommendations (June 2, 2020) of the Beyond 5G Promotion Strategy Roundtable, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has drafted a ministerial ordinance, notices, and directive for partial revisions to the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act to simplify the procedure for obtaining experimental radio station licenses.
Accordingly, MIC will make an appeal for opinions on the drafts from Tuesday, September 15 through Friday, October 16, 2020.

1. Overview

In the recommendations made in June this year, the Beyond 5G Promotion Strategy Roundtable stated that the procedures for obtaining and changing experimental radio station licenses should be relaxed and that prompt measures should be taken in sequence from what is possible to promote technological development for Beyond 5G.
In response to the recommendations, MIC has drafted the ministerial ordinance, etc., for partial revisions to the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act to simplify the procedures for obtaining experimental radio station licenses. Accordingly, MIC has decided to make the appeal for opinions on the drafts from Tuesday, September 15 through Friday, October 16, 2020. The main revisions are specified below.

• 1.
  Applying a simplified license procedure (with the omission of preliminary license and inspection procedures) to experimental radio stations using radio equipment bearing conformity markings (excluding those for outer space radio communication).
• 2.
  Eliminating the lower limit of the allowable deviation of antenna power in the technical standards of experimental radio stations
• 3.
  Making it possible to omit the inspection items of comprehensive tests conducted by the business operators, such as registered inspectors, on experimental radio stations (excluding those for outer space radio communication).
• 4.
  Expanding frequencies above the millimeter-wave band for the uses of specified experimental stations.

2. Subjects of appeal for opinions

Draft ministerial ordinance

• 1.
  Draft ministerial ordinance that partially revises the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act

Draft notice

• 2.
  Draft notice that partially revises MIC Notice No. 278 of 2011 (Matters that determine a method of conducting inspections, such as registration inspections, performed by registered inspectors, and a method of confirming specific tests for comprehensive testing of wireless equipment)
• 3.
  Draft notice that partially revises MIC Notice No. 279 of 2011 (Matters that determine a method of conducting inspections, such as registration inspections, performed by registered inspectors, and a method of confirming specific tests for comprehensive testing of wireless equipment)
• 4.
  Draft notice that partially revises MIC Notice No. 180 of 2020 (Matters that determine the range of frequencies that can be used as specific experimental stations, based on the provisions of Article 7, item 5 of the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act)

Directive

• 5.
  Draft directive that partially revises the Examination Standards related to the Radio Act

3. Submission period

From Tuesday, September 15 through Friday, October 16, 2020 (Opinions submitted by mail will be accepted if postmarked by the deadline date.)

4. 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 a report from the Radio Regulatory Council.

5. Method for obtaining references

references Reference information will be also be posted on the public comment page of the e-Gov (https://www.e-gov.go.jp/en/ ).