September 22, 2023 Results of Solicitation for Opinions on Draft Ordinance, etc. Partially Amending Ordinance Concerning Technical Regulations Conformity Certification etc. of Specified Radio Equipment and Report from Radio Regulatory Council Correspondence to the New Globalstar System

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) solicited opinions from Thursday, July 20 through Wednesday, August 23, 2023, on a draft ministerial ordinance and other related matters aimed at partially amending the Ordinance Concerning Technical Regulations Conformity Certification etc. of Specified Radio Equipment to accommodate the new Globalstar System. As a result, three opinions were submitted, and MIC has decided to open the submitted opinions and MIC’s views on them to the public.
Based on the results of the solicitation for opinions, MIC sent an inquiry to the Radio Regulatory Council (chaired by SASASE Iwao, Professor Emeritus at Keio University) on the matters to be consulted based on the Radio Act (Act No. 131 of 1950) in the draft ministerial ordinance, etc. concerned, and received a report to the effect that it is appropriate to adopt the draft as proposed.
MIC plans to promptly make institutional development based on the results of the solicitation for opinions and the report from the Radio Regulatory Council.

1. Overview

In Japan, the radio equipment of the Globalstar system, which is used for satellite telephony and other applications, has been utilizing the code division multiple access (CDMA) method. At the same time, a single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) method is also used overseas. Furthermore, there are examples overseas where the Globalstar system with an SC-FDMA method is incorporated into the same chassis as mobile phones, and a similar use is also expected in Japan.
MIC prepared the draft ministerial ordinance to partially amend the Ordinance Concerning Technical Regulations Conformity Certification etc. of Specified Radio Equipment to accommodate the new system (SC-FDMA method) and solicited opinions on the draft amendments from Thursday, July 20 through Wednesday, August 23, 2023.

2. Report from Radio Regulatory Council

Based on the results of the solicitation for opinions, MIC consulted the Radio Regulatory Council (chaired by SASASE Iwao, Professor Emeritus at Keio University) regarding the said draft ministerial ordinance, etc., and received a report that the draft was appropriate.

3. Future plans

Based on the results of the solicitation for opinions and the report from the Radio Regulatory Council, MIC plans to amend the ministerial ordinances and other related matters promptly.

*The published materials are in Japanese only.