April 14, 2023 Approval of Certified Broadcasting Holding Company

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) submitted an inquiry today to the Radio Regulatory Council (chaired by SASASE Iwao, Professor Emeritus, Keio University) regarding an application from the Broadcasting System of Niigata Inc. for a certified broadcasting holding company. In response, MIC received a report from the Radio Regulatory Council stating that it was appropriate to give approval as per the consultation.

Based on this report, MIC plans to grant the certified broadcasting holding company approval dated June 1, 2023.

1. Background and Future Plans

The Broadcasting System of Niigata Inc. (hereafter referred to as the “Applicant,” headed by SATO Takao, president) applied for the approval of the certified broadcasting holding company. At the same time, the Broadcasting System of Niigata Demerger Preparatory Company, Inc. (headed by SATO Takao, president) for the Broadcasting System of Niigata Inc. also applied for the succession of the licensee status for specific terrestrial broadcasting stations belonging to the Applicant.

In this respect, MIC submitted the inquiry to the Radio Regulatory Council on the certified broadcasting holding company, which requires consultation with the Radio Regulatory Council. In response, the Council reported that it was appropriate to give approval as consulted. Based on this report, MIC plans to grant the certified broadcasting holding company approval dated June 1, 2023, and also to permit the succession of the licensee’s status on the same date.