May 14, 2021 Appeal for Opinions on Draft Revisions, including Draft Ministerial Ordinance to Partially Revise Ministerial Ordinance Regulating Radio Equipment

Institutional development related to the diversification of radio equipment that uses radio waves at frequencies in the 60 GHz band

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has drafted a set of revisions, including a ministerial ordinance to partially revise the current Ministerial Ordinance Regulating Radio Equipment, in response to the diversification of radio equipment and devices that use radio waves at frequencies in the 60 GHz band. These revisions will enable to introduce broadband pulse sensor systems that use radio waves at frequencies in the 60 GHz band and to use low-power data communication systems for multicasting.
Accordingly, MIC will make an appeal for opinions on the drafts from Saturday, May 15 through Monday, June 14, 2021.

1. Background

In recent years, with the spread of millimeter-wave devices, there is increasing need for systems that use millimeter waves as low-power sensors. The 60 GHz band, in particular, is license-free, and a very wide frequency range can be used. Therefore, the use of wideband sensors with high-precision positioning functions is expected. Motion sensors that detect the motion of fingertips and biometric information sensors that measure heart rate and heart rate interval by capturing slight motion on the surface of the human body are examples. With consideration of these situations, the technical requirements for the frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) system were examined by the Land Radiocommunication Subcommittee (hereafter referred to as the “Subcommittee”) under the Information and Communications Council in FY2019, and institutional development for system was completed in January 2020.
The FMCW type sensor has advantages that the detection distance can be relatively long and that the distance and speed can be detected simultaneously. On the other hand, there are drawbacks, such as susceptibility to interference from other sensors and relatively high power consumption for wireless devices. For further expansion of the application of wideband sensors, the Committee continued studying the technical requirements for introducing broadband sensors operating in pulse modulation mode, which have the advantages of excellent coexistence of sensors and relatively low power consumption for wireless devices. Then MIC received a partial report from the Information and Communications Council on March 30, 2021, on the technical requirements.
With consideration of the content of the report, MIC has prepared the draft revisions to the current Ministerial Ordinance Regulating Radio Equipment, relevant notices, etc. related to the Radio Act. These revisions will enable institutional development to introduce broadband sensors operating in pulse modulation mode that use radio waves in the 60 GHz band. In addition, in response to new services and applications of low-power data communication systems, such as wireless LANs, the revisions will allow data communications systems to multicast to enable the simultaneous transmission of information to multiple terminals. Furthermore, since there is a demand to establish carrier sense regulations for wireless telephones as specified low-power wireless systems and additional digital frequencies for communication radios in motorsports, the revisions will also prompt institutional development. Accordingly, MIC will make this appeal for opinions on the drafts from Saturday, May 15 through Monday, June 14, 2021.

2. Procedure of appeal for opinions

1. Subjects

Draft ministerial ordinance

  • Draft ministerial ordinance to partially revise the Ministerial Ordinance Regulating Radio Equipment

Draft notices

  • Draft notice to partially revise MPT Notice No. 42 of 1989 (Notice to define the use, modulation type, frequencies, and antenna power of specified low-power radio stations)
  • Draft notice to partially revise MPT Notice No. 49 of 1989 (Notice to define the technical requirements of specified low-power radio stations for devices that do not need to be housed in the casing of radio equipment, along with technical requirements for transmission time-limiting devices and carrier sense functions)
  • Draft official directive to partially revise the Examination Standards related to the Radio Act

2. Submission period

From Saturday, May 15 and no later than Monday, June 14, 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 the revision of the ministerial ordinances, etc., subject to MIC’s receipt of a report from the Radio Regulatory Council.

Contact

For further information about this press release, please fill in the inquiry form and submit it to MIC on the website
https://www.soumu.go.jp/common/english_opinions.html

International Policy Division, Global Strategy Bureau, MIC

TEL: +81 3 5253 5920

FAX: +81 3 5253 5924