January 19, 2024 Establishment of Working Groups in the Special Subcommittee on Telecommunications Policy

The Special Subcommittee on Telecommunications Policy (hereafter referred to as the “Special Subcommittee,” headed by Chief Investigator YAMAUCHI Hirotaka, Project Professor, Faculty of Business Administration, Musashino University) under the Telecommunications Business Policy Committee of the Information and Communications Council has decided to establish three working groups―the Universal Service Working Group (hereafter the “Universal Service WG”), the Fair Competition Working Group (hereafter the “Fair Competition WG”), and the Economic Security Working Group (hereafter the “Economic Security WG”) in order to deepen the discussion in the Special Subcommittee.

1. Background

The current challenges encompass developments such as the proliferation of IP and broadband technologies, mobile technologies, virtualization, and cloud computing, as well as the diversification and increasing complexity of competitive structures between businesses. In view of these challenges, the Special Subcommittee is conducting a study on the ideal state of telecommunications policy in response to changes in the market environment (Inquiry No. 28, dated August 28, 2023) to enable swift and flexible responses to evolving market conditions and to enhance the quality of life for the public while stimulating economic growth.

In order to facilitate smooth and effective deliberations by the Special Committee, it was decided to establish the Universal Service WG, the Fair Competition WG, and the Economic Security WG.

2. Matters for consideration

(1) Universal Service WG
1) Basic concept of universal service
2) Ideal state of universal service for telephones
3) Ideal state of broadband universal service
4) Ideal state of the affordability of universal service fees
5) Ideal state of ensuring the stable and efficient provision of universal service
6) Other matters deemed necessary

(2) Fair Competition WG
1) Basic policy on ensuring fair competition
2) Ideal state of telecommunications infrastructure in Nippon Telegraph and
Telephone East Corporation / Nippon Telegraph and Telephone West Corporation
3) Ideal state of business operations in Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East
Corporation / Nippon Telegraph and Telephone West Corporation
4) Ideal state of ensuring fair competition with respect to the NTT Group
5) Other matters deemed necessary

(3) Economic Security WG
1) Ideal state of foreign investment regulations
2) Ideal state of foreign officers regulations
3) Other matters deemed necessary

3. Members

See the attachment.

4. Schedule

The first meeting of each WG is scheduled to be held in late January 2024 or later, followed by successive meetings.

＊The published materials are in Japanese only.