November 1, 2024 Publication of the Results of the Solicitation for Opinions on the Draft Partial Revision of the Basic Policy on Facilitation of the Use of Telephones for the Persons with Hearing Impairments, etc. (hereinafter referred to as the "Basic Policy"), and the Promulgation and Enforcement of the Notice.

 The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) formulated a draft notice to partially amend the Basic Policy (MIC Ordinance No. 370), established in accordance with the provisions of Article 7, Paragraph 1 of the Act on Facilitation of the Use of Telephones for Persons with Hearing Impairments, etc. The MIC solicited opinions on the draft notice from Thursday, August 1, 2024, to Monday, September 9, 2024. The results will now be made available.
 Based on the results of the opinion solicitation, the notice has been promulgated and has come into effect today.

1. Background

 The Nippon Foundation Telecommunications Relay Service was designated as a telephone relay service provider under Sokiji No. 2, dated January 13, 2021, as stipulated in Article 8, Paragraph 1 of the Act on Facilitation of the Use of Telephones for Persons with Hearing Impairments, etc. (Act No. 53 of 2020). The Nippon Foundation Telecommunications Relay Service has decided to launch a text display telephone service, enabling users to communicate in their own voices while reading the other party's voice as text. This requires an amendment to the Basic Policy. In response, the MIC solicited opinions on change proposals from Thursday, August 1, 2024, to Monday, September 9, 2024. As a result, four comments were submitted.

2. The results of the opinion solicitation

 The submitted opinions and the MIC's views on them will be made available for inspection and distribution at the Information Utilization Support Office, Advanced Information Systems and Software Division, Information and Communications Bureau, MIC (11F, Chuo Godo Chosha Building No. 2).
 They will also be posted in the "Public opinions" section on the e-Government General Contact Point [e-Gov] website (https://www.e-gov.go.jp, a separate window opens).

3. Promulgation and enforcement of the notice

 Based on the results of the solicitation for opinions, we have promulgated and enforced the notice that partially amends the Basic Policy today.