December 13, 2024 Approval of Changes to Japan Broadcasting Corporation's Implementation Standards on Operations Utilizing Internet

 The Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK), chaired by INABA Nobuo, applied to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) for approval of changes to the standards for implementing the operations set forth in Article 20, Paragraph 2, Items 2 and 3 of the Broadcasting Act (Act No. 132 of 1950). The MIC consulted the Radio Regulatory Council, chaired by SASASE Iwao, professor emeritus of Keio University, regarding the approval of these changes. Today, we received a report from the Council stating that it is appropriate to approve the changes as consulted.
 In response to this report, the MIC will promptly approve the application.

Overview

 On Tuesday, November 5, 2024, NHK submitted the attached application for authorization of changes to the implementation standards for operations prescribed in Article 20, Paragraph 2, Items 2 and 3 of the Broadcasting Act (Implementation Standards on Operations Utilizing Internet), pursuant to the provisions of Article 20, Paragraph 10 of the Broadcasting Act. MIC summarized and published its own views on the application for authorization, and solicited opinions on those views from Friday, November 8, 2024, to Monday, December 2, 2024. As a result, 11 opinions were submitted.
 MIC submitted an inquiry today to the Radio Regulatory Council concerning authorization with the addition of the condition described below, and received a report from the Council stating that authorization as per the inquiry is appropriate.
 In response to this report, the MIC will promptly approve the application.

Conditions of authorization

 1. Regarding the method for calculating costs, direct costs should be charged directly in principle. For items that require cost allocation, the cost allocation method should be reviewed based on actual results to ensure more appropriate cost allocation, as needed.
 2. Operations funded by receiving fees, as set forth in Article 20, Paragraph 2, Items 2 of the Broadcasting Act, must be continuously reviewed to assess their necessity and the appropriateness of using receiving fees to fund them, with the goal of minimizing costs as much as possible.
 3. Based on the enforcement of a law amending part of the Broadcasting Act, (Act No. 36 of 2024) to focus on ensuring a smooth transition from the user's perspective. When offering voluntary distribution operations after the Act's enforcement, care should be taken to provide appropriate display and sufficient information to prevent damage to the receiving fees system and avoid user misunderstandings.