August 21, 2023 Inquiry to the Information and Communications Council on the Ideal State of Telecommunications Policy in Response to Changes in the Market Environment

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has decided to send an inquiry to the Information and Communications Council (chaired by ENDO Nobuhiro, Executive Advisor of NEC Corporation) on the ideal state of telecommunications policy in response to changes in the market environment.

1. Outline of consultation

Article 5 of the Supplementary Provisions of the Act Partially Amending the Telecommunications Business Act and Act Concerning Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, Etc. (Act No. 30 of 2020, hereafter referred to as the “2020 Amended Act”) stipulates that the enforcement status of the amended provisions shall be reviewed when three years have passed since the enforcement of the 2020 Amended Act, and necessary measures shall be taken based on the results of the review if deemed necessary.
In the field of information and communications, the market environment is undergoing significant changes due to the advancements in IP and broadband technologies, mobilization, virtualization, and cloud computing, as well as the diversification and increasing complexity of competitive structures between businesses. Additionally, there is a decline in the international competitiveness of the information and communications industry.
To respond quickly and flexibly to the above changes, improve people’s lives, and revitalize the economy, MIC will send the inquiry to the Information and Communications Council, which is scheduled to meet on Monday, August 28, 2023, on the ideal state of telecommunications policy in response to changes in the market environment, including the implementation status of the 2020 Amended Act.

1. Outline of consultation

• (1)Future vision of information and telecommunications infrastructure and basic policy directions to be pursued around 2030
• (2)Ideal state of development and maintenance of information and telecommunications infrastructure to support Japan’s social and economic activities
• (3)Ideal state of development of competition rules, etc., to ensure low-cost, diverse, safe, and secure services
• (4)Ideal state of promoting international expansion for the development of Japan’s information and telecommunications industry
• (5)Ideal state of promoting research and development, disseminating the results of advanced and fundamental technologies to enhance international competitiveness, etc.
• (6)Ideal state of the relevant legal institutions based on (1) through (5) above
• (7)Other matters deemed necessary

3. Desired timeframe for submitting the report

Around the summer of 2024