May 7, 2021 Appeal for Opinions on Draft Ministerial Ordinance and Relevant Notice 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 will partially revise the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act and a relevant notice for a frequency band expansion for the outdoor use of the microwave ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless system. These drafts aim to meet a growing demand for the outdoor use of the microwave UWB wireless system and a need for applications in more advanced systems and radiolocation applications.
Accordingly, MIC will make an appeal from Saturday, May 8 through Monday, June 7, 2021, for opinions on the draft ministerial ordinance etc.

1. Background

The outdoor use of the microwave UWB wireless system has already been legalized in a frequency range equivalent to that allocated for the indoor use of the same system in other countries, including Europe and the United States. In Japan, however, the use of the system was limited to indoor use. Meanwhile, in recent years, wireless communications applications for IoT and sensor networks became more diversified. At the same time, the miniaturization of wireless devices made technological progress. As a result, there was an increasing need for the UWB wireless system for applications, such as high-precision positioning and object detection, to be installed in mobile devices and automobiles. In 2018, the Land Radiocommunication Subcommittee (hereafter referred to as the “Subcommittee”) under the Department on Information and Communications Technology of the Information and Communications Council examined the technical conditions for enabling the outdoor use of the system. On May 20, 2019, institutional development was made to enable the outdoor use of the system in a frequency range from 7.587 GHz to 8.4 GHz.
Recently, there has been a growing demand for the outdoor use of the UWB wireless system and a need for applications in more advanced systems and wireless location applications. Accordingly, the Subcommittee started studies in May 2020 on the technical conditions necessary for expanding the frequency band to enable the outdoor use of the system and for radiolocation applications. In this connection, MIC received a partial report on the results of the studies from the Information and Communications Council on February 16, 2021.
Considering the content of the report, MIC has drafted the ministerial ordinance etc. for the necessary institutional development for expanding the frequency band to enable the outdoor use of the system and for radiolocation applications. In this connection, MIC has decided to make this appeal for opinions from Saturday, May 8 through Monday, June 7, 2021.

2. Procedure of appeal for opinions

1. Subjects

1. Draft ministerial ordinance

• Draft Ministerial Ordinance for Partial Revisions to Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act

2. Draft notice

• Draft Notice on Partial Revisions to MIC Notice No. 507 of 2011 (Matters to determine the designated band of frequencies for radio equipment, such as premises radio stations)

2. Period of appeal for opinions

From Saturday, May 8 and no later than Monday, June 7, 2021

3. Future plans

Considering the results of opinions submitted, MIC will consult with the Radio Regulatory Council and promptly proceed with necessary procedures for revising the ministerial ordinance etc. upon MIC’s receipt of a report from the Radio Regulatory Council.