April 19, 2021 Appeal for Opinions on Draft Ministerial Ordinance for Partial Revisions to Regulations for Operating Radio Stations

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has drafted a ministerial ordinance for partial revisions to the Regulations for Operating Radio Stations in response to the government’s consideration of reviewing headquarters for emergency disaster control). In this connection, MIC will make an appeal for opinions from Tuesday, April 20 through Monday, May 24, 2021, as specified below.

1. Background

In response to frequent natural disasters, the government considers amending the Basic Act on Disaster Control Measures (Cabinet decision on March 5, 2021). The amendment will ensure smooth and prompt evacuation in times of disaster and strengthen the implementation system for disaster countermeasures, including the establishment of new specific disaster countermeasures headquarters.
In Article 129 of Regulations for Operating Radio Stations, the transmission order of wireless communications in times of emergency is stipulated according to Article 74, Paragraph 1 of the Radio Act (Act No. 131 of 1950). Under the current regulations, emergency calls sent and received between headquarters for emergency disaster control are ranked seventh. Based on the purpose of the revision of the Basic Act on Disaster Control Measures, which is currently under study, it is considered appropriate to include emergency calls sent and received by the specific disaster countermeasures headquarters to be newly added in the same rank. Accordingly, MIC has drafted the ministerial ordinance for partial revisions to the Regulations for Operating Radio Stations and decided to make an appeal for opinions. (Besides, technical corrections related to the clarification of expressions, etc., are also made.)
This ministerial ordinance is premised on approval to the Bill for Partial Revision of Basic Act on Disaster Control Measures, etc., submitted to the 204th Session of the National Diet. MIC has decided to make this appeal for opinions before the enactment of the bill to promulgate and enforce the ministerial ordinance promptly. Therefore, it should be kept in mind that the implementation of the content of the draft is subject to change according to the passage of the bill.

2. Subject and procedure of appeal for opinions

1. Draft Ministerial Ordinance for Partial Revisions to Regulations for Operating Radio Stations

2. Submission period

From Tuesday, April 20, and no later than Monday, May 24, 2021.
(Opinions submitted by postal mail will be accepted if postmarked the same day.)

3. Future plans

With consideration of opinions submitted, MIC will make the required revision promptly, subject to approval to the Bill for Partial Revision of Basic Act on Disaster Control Measures, etc., submitted to the 204th Session of the National Diet