June 4, 2021 Holding Study Group on the Ideal State of Foreign Investment Restrictions in the Information and Communications Field

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) will hold a Study Group on Foreign Investment Restrictions in the Information and Communications Field to study the ideal state of foreign investment restrictions in the information and communications field.

1. Background and purpose

The law, including the Radio Act (Act No. 131 of 1950), stipulates foreign investment restrictions in the information and communications field. These restrictions are based on the prioritization of the people of Japan because of the finite scarcity of radio frequencies and considering a great social influence when radio frequencies are used for broadcasting and the public nature of radio broadcasting.
However, recently, some broadcasters violated the restriction on foreign investment restrictions. Accordingly, ensuring the effectiveness of foreign investment restrictions and reviewing the ideal state of foreign investment restrictions are urgent issues. In 2019, the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act (Act No. 228 of 1949) was amended to revise regulations on inward direct investment from the perspective of strengthening measures to deal with investments that may undermine national security.
Considering this situation, MIC has decided to hold the Study Group on Foreign Investment Restrictions to discuss how to regulate foreign investment in the information and communications field.

2. Main considerations

• 1.
  Businesses and fields to which foreign investment restrictions apply
• 2.
  Specific details of foreign investment restrictions
• 3.
  Collateral measures for foreign investment restrictions
• 4.
  Ensuring the effectiveness of foreign investment restrictions
• 5.
  Examination system for foreign investment restrictions
• 6.
  Others

3. Schedule

The first meeting will be held in June 2021, and successive meetings will be held sequentially after that.