October 26, 2023 Re-licensing of Terrestrial Basic Broadcasting Stations

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) decided to re-license terrestrial basic broadcasting stations, the current licenses of which would expire on Tuesday, October 31, 2023. MIC issued new licenses dated Wednesday, November 1, to each terrestrial basic broadcaster today. In addition, a written request was made to each basic terrestrial broadcaster for the re-licensing.

1. Overview

MIC decided to re-license terrestrial basic broadcasting stations (excluding terrestrial basic broadcasting stations that conduct community broadcasting), the current licenses of which would expire on Tuesday, October 31, 2023. MIC issued new licenses dated Wednesday, November 1, to each terrestrial basic broadcaster today. (The basic terrestrial broadcasters subject to re-licensing are listed in Attachment 1).
In addition, in accordance with the provisions of Article 104-2, Paragraph 1 of the Radio Act (Act No. 131 of 1950), the conditions(*) in Attachment 2 are attached to the subject basic terrestrial broadcasters for the re-licensing. A written request was made to each basic terrestrial broadcasting operator (the items requested are shown in Attachment 3).
(*) Regarding the special measures for the suspension of AM station operation, a webpage regarding the special measures is scheduled to be opened on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at the following URL.
• Special measures for AM station operation suspension

2. Breakdown of basic terrestrial broadcasters subject to re-licensing

Terrestrial basic broadcasters

• Japan Broadcasting Corporation
• Private terrestrial basic broadcasting service providers
  - Medium wave broadcasters (in single operation): 16 companies
  - Shortwave broadcasting operator: One company
  - Ultrashortwave broadcasting operator: 50 companies
  - Television broadcasters (in single operation): 96 companies
  - Medium wave and television broadcasting operator (in concurrent operation): 31 companies
  - Ultrashort-wave character multiplex broadcast operator: One organization

*The published material is in Japanese only.