November 22, 2023 Approval of the Amount and Method of Granting of the Type 1 Subsidy and Approval of the Amount and Method of Collection of the Type I Contribution under Universal Telecommunications Service System―Report from the Information and Communications and Posts Administrative Council and Results of solicitation for opinions

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) received a report today from the Information and Communications and Posts Administrative Council (chaired by AIDA Hitoshi, professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo) stating that it is appropriate to approve the amount and granting method of the Type 1 subsidy under the provisions of Article 109, Paragraph 1 of the Telecommunications Business Act (Act No. 86 of 1984) and the amount and collection method of the Type 1 contribution under the provisions of Article 110, Paragraph 2 of the same Act (Inquiry No. 3172 dated September 19, 2023).
Based on this report, MIC will promptly carry out the necessary procedures, including approval, for this matter.

1. Background, etc.

On Monday, September 11, 2023, an application was filed with the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications by the Telecommunications Carriers Association (hereafter referred to as “the Association”) for approval of the amount and method of granting of the Type 1 subsidy under the provisions of Article 109, Paragraph 1 of the Telecommunications Business Act (hereafter referred to as the “Act”) and for approval of the amount and method of collection of the Type 1 contribution under the provisions of Article 110, Paragraph 2 of the Act.

2. Report and results of solicitation for opinions

• 1.
  On Tuesday, September 19, 2023, MIC sent an inquiry to the Information and Communications and Posts Administrative Council regarding the approval of the amount and method of granting of the Type 1 subsidy and approval of the amount and method of collection of the Type 1 contribution under the Universal Telecommunications Services System. Today, MIC received a report stating that it is appropriate to approve.
• 2.
  The Council solicited opinions from Wednesday, September 20, through Thursday, October 19, 2023, to which one opinion was submitted. The opinion submitted and the Council’s view on the opinion are shown in Attachment 3.

3. Future plans

Based on this report, MIC will promptly carry out the necessary procedures, including approval, for this matter.

4. Related press releases

Attachments 1, 2, and 3 will be posted in the Public Comment section of the e-Government (e-Gov) portal (https://www.e-gov.go.jp).

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  The published materials are in Japanese only.