November 27, 2024 Results of the Solicitation for Opinions on the Draft Ministerial Ordinance Partially Amending the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act and Other Related Regulations, and the Report from the Radio Regulatory Council

 The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) prepared the draft of ministerial ordinance and other related regulations to make institutional improvements related to the discontinuation of information services using 2.5 GHz band radio beacons and solicited opinions from Saturday, October 5, 2024, to Tuesday, November 5, 2024. As a result, one opinion was submitted.
 Based on the results of the opinion solicitation, the MIC consulted the Radio Regulatory Council, chaired by SASASE Iwao, Professor Emeritus of Keio University, regarding the appropriateness of the Draft Ministerial Ordinance.
 Based on the results of the opinion solicitation and the report from the Radio Regulatory Council, the MIC will promptly amend related regulations.

1. Background

 Road traffic information, such as traffic congestion and regulations, is delivered in real-time, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, by the Vehicle Information and Communication System (VICS) to car navigation systems. This information is used to find routes or avoid traffic congestion.
 Road traffic information from the VICS is delivered to car navigation systems through three media: FM multiplex broadcasts, optical beacons, and radio beacons. With the launch of the 5.8 GHz band information service in 2011, the existing 2.5 GHz band information service was discontinued on March 31, 2022. The radio beacons have since been integrated into the 5.8 GHz band information service.
 In light of this situation, the MIC makes necessary institutional improvements in response to the discontinuation of information services using 2.5 GHz band radio beacons.

2. Results of opinion solicitation and report from the Radio Regulatory Council

 The MIC solicited opinions on the draft of ministerial ordinance and other related regulations from Saturday, October 5, 2024, to Tuesday, November 5, 2024, and received one opinion.
 Based on the results of the opinion solicitation, the MIC consulted the Radio Regulatory Council regarding matters under the Radio Act (Act No. 131 of 1950) included in the Draft Ministerial Ordinance. Today, Wednesday, 27, we received a report stating that these matters are appropriate.

3. Upcoming schedule

 Based on the report and the results of the opinion solicitation, the MIC will promptly revise the relevant ministerial ordinances.