March 8, 2023 Results of Solicitation of Opinions on Provisions Concerning Relicensing of Terrestrial Basic Broadcasting Stations and Report from the Radio Regulatory Council

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) solicited opinions from January 24 through February 22, 2023, on provisions regarding relicensing and other matters, with a view to the 2023 licensing and relicensing of basic broadcasting stations and approval for terrestrial basic broadcasting operations. As a result, 6 opinions were submitted. Accordingly, MIC discloses the submitted opinions along with MIC's views on the opinions.
After considering the results of the solicitation of opinions, MIC today submitted an inquiry to the Radio Regulatory Council (chaired by SASASE Iwao, Professor Emeritus, Keio University) about those consultation matters in the draft ministerial order for partial amendments to the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act based on the provisions of Article 99-11, Paragraph 1, Item 1 of the Radio Act (Act No. 131 of 1950), and has received a report from the Council, approving the draft as appropriate.
MIC will promptly carry out the institutional development of the ministerial order, based on the results of opinions submitted and the report from the Radio Regulatory Council.

1. Background to the amendment

The validity period of licenses for basic broadcasting stations is five years, as a general rule. Given that currently valid licenses will expire on October 31, 2023 (except in the case of community broadcasting stations), MIC will carry out the institutional development of the requisite provisions, with a view to accepting and screening the next set of applications.

2. Results of solicitation of opinions

After considering the results of the solicitation of opinions, MIC today submitted an inquiry to the Radio Regulatory Council about those consultation matters in the draft ministerial order for partial amendments to the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act based on the provisions of Article 99-11, Paragraph 1, Item 1 of the Radio Act, and has received a report from the Council, approving the draft as appropriate.

3. Future plans

MIC will carry out the institutional development of the draft ministerial order for partial amendments to the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act, based on the report from the Radio Regulatory Council and the results of opinions submitted. In addition, based on the results of the solicitation of opinions, MIC will publish a document entitled "Screening for Relicensing of Terrestrial Basic Broadcasting Stations."

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