October 25, 2022 Organizing the Study Group on Enhancement of Broadcasting for People with Audiovisual Disabilities, etc.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has decided to organize the Study Group on Enhancement of Broadcasting for People with Audiovisual Disabilities, etc., for the purpose of contributing to policy making and proposals for the enhancement of broadcasting for people with audiovisual disabilities, etc., by discussing their information acquisition, including conducting review on the Guidelines on Information Accessibility in the Broadcasting Sector formulated in February 2018, in light of technology trends.

1. Background and purpose

Pursuant to the provisions of Article 4, Paragraph 2 of the Broadcasting Act (Act No. 132 of 1950), MIC has formulated administrative guidelines that prescribe the dissemination goal for broadcasts with captioning, audio description or sign language interpretation (hereinafter referred to as "broadcasts with captioning, etc."), and is encouraging terrestrial, satellite and cable broadcasters to make efforts to disseminate broadcasts with captioning, etc.
The Study Group on Broadcasting for People with Audiovisual Disabilities, which consisted of experts, disability organizations, broadcasters and other entities, held meetings from September to December 2017. Based on the discussion at the study group, MIC formulated the Guidelines on Information Accessibility in the Broadcasting Sector (hereinafter referred to as the "Guidelines") in February 2018. The Guidelines set the dissemination goal for broadcasts with captioning, etc. by FY 2027. They are subject to review in light of technology trends after about 5 years from the formulation, and the review is scheduled to be conducted in FY 2022.
Accordingly, MIC has decided to organize the Study Group on Enhancement of Broadcasting for People with Audiovisual Disabilities, etc., for the purpose of contributing to policy making and proposals for the enhancement of broadcasting for people with audiovisual disabilities, etc., including conducting the review of the Guidelines.

2. Subjects to be discussed at the Study Group

1. (1)
   Current situation and challenges of broadcasting for people with audiovisual disabilities, etc.
2. (2)
   Progress status of ICT relating to broadcasting for people with audiovisual disabilities, etc.
3. (3)
   Others

3. Period of meetings

From November 2022 to February 2023 (tentative)

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  The published material is in Japanese only.