July 15, 2022 Results of Solicitation of Opinions on Draft Ministerial Ordinance, Notices, and Directive for Partial Revisions to Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act and Report from the Radio Regulatory Council

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) solicited opinions from Saturday, June 4, through Monday, July 4, 2022, on a draft ministerial ordinance for partial revisions to Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act, in order to make institutional improvements towards the introduction of next-generation standards for EPIRB. As a result, seven opinions were submitted. Accordingly, MIC has decided to open the opinions to the public, along with MIC's views on the opinions.
Considering the results of the opinions received, MIC submitted an inquiry about the appropriateness of a finalized draft to the Radio Regulatory Council (Chaired by HIBINO Takashi, Chairman of the Members of the Board of Daiwa Securities Group Inc.) today. Then MIC received a report from the Council stating its approval regarding the appropriateness.

1. Background

1. Introduction of next-generation standards for EPIRB

Resolution was adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee under the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on June 14, 2019. According to the resolution, Automatic Identification System (AIS) and the new phase-shift keying method (offset quadrature phase-shift keying) are added to the standards for emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB). In response to this, MIC drafted the ministerial ordinance etc. to partially revise the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act etc., for the introduction of the new standards.

2. Relaxation of time limit for the test radio wave of aircraft ELT

The transmission of test signal using the frequency of 121.5MHz for aircraft ELT (emergency locator transmitter) is limited to 0 min to 5 min every hour. When an aircraft is struck by lightning, an operation test of the relevant facility is implemented by the time of the next flight. However, because it is causing difficulties with the on-time operation of aircraft due to the timing of test transmission, there is growing demand for the relaxation of limitation on test time. In response, MIC drafted the revision of the relevant Notice, MIC Notice No. 1096 of 2005.

MIC solicited opinions from June 4 through July 4, 2022, on a draft ministerial ordinance for partial revisions to Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act pertaining to the above.

2. Report from the Radio Regulatory Council

Considering the results of the opinions received, MIC submitted an inquiry about the appropriateness of a finalized draft to the Radio Regulatory Council today, and received a report from the Council stating its approval regarding the appropriateness.

3. Future schedule

MIC will promptly make the institutional development of relevant regulations based on the results of opinions submitted and the report from the Radio Regulatory Council.

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