March 9, 2023 Results of Solicitation of Opinions on the Draft Basic Policy on Special Measures Concerning the Suspension of AM Station Operations and Publication of the Basic Policy

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) prepared a draft Basic Policy on Special Measures Concerning the Suspension of AM Station Operations, and solicited opinions on this draft from Wednesday, December 28, 2022 through Tuesday, January 31, 2023. As a result, 38 opinions were submitted. Based on these opinions, MIC has finalized the Basic Policy on Special Measures Concerning the Suspension of AM Station Operations and hereby publishes it along with the submitted opinions.

1. Background

MIC aims to minimize the social impact, particularly on listeners, when, for business reasons, private sector AM radio broadcasters consider switching their basic broadcasting station (primary station) from AM (medium wave) broadcasting to FM (very high frequency) broadcasting (hereinafter referred to as "switching to FM") and discontinuing basic broadcasting stations undertaking AM broadcasting (relay stations) without switching to FM. Accordingly, to enable such broadcasters to suspend AM station operations for a certain period ahead of the discontinuation, MIC has decided to establish special measures at the time of the relicensing of broadcasters, which is scheduled to take place in November 2023.
Accordingly, MIC prepared a draft Basic Policy on Special Measures Concerning the Suspension of AM Station Operations setting out the details of these special measures, and the requirements and procedures for being covered by them, and solicited opinions on this draft from Wednesday, December 28, 2022 through Tuesday, January 31, 2023. As a result, 38 opinions were submitted.
Based on these opinions, MIC has finalized the Basic Policy on Special Measures Concerning the Suspension of AM Station Operations and hereby publishes it along with the submitted opinions.

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