February 7, 2024 Results of Solicitation for Opinions on Draft Ministerial Ordinance for Partial Amendments to the Regulations for Enforcement of the Broadcasting Act, etc., and Report from the Radio Regulatory Council

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) solicited opinions from Friday, December 15, 2023 through Thursday, January 18, 2024, on the Ministerial Ordinance for Partial Amendments to the Regulations for Enforcement of the Broadcasting Act, etc., as part of the necessary regulatory developments for the enforcement of the Act to Partially Amend the Broadcasting Act and the Radio Act (Act No. 40 of 2023), which was enacted during the 211th session of the Diet. As a result, 18 opinions were submitted, and MIC has decided to open the submitted opinions to the public, along with MIC’s views on the opinions.
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) today on the draft of this Ministry Order and the draft Notices below and received a report to the effect that the drafts are appropriate.
With consideration of the results of the solicitation for opinions and the report from the Radio Regulatory Council, MIC plans to develop the relevant ministerial ordinance, etc. promptly.

1. Results of solicitation for opinions

The Act to Partially Amend the Broadcasting Act and the Radio Act (Act No. 40 of 2023, hereinafter referred to as the “Amendment Act”) promulgated on Friday, June 2, 2023, shall come into effect on the day specified by a Cabinet Order within a period not exceeding one year from the date of promulgation. In order to develop relevant regulations for enacting the Amendment Act, MIC has prepared the drafts of the Ministerial Ordinance for Partial Amendments to the Regulations for Enforcement of the Broadcasting Act, the Official Directive for Partial Amendment to the Examination Standards related to the Broadcasting Act, the Official Directive for Partial Amendments to the Examination Standards related to the Radio Act, and Revision of Guidelines on the Business Operation of the Subsidiary companies ofJapan Broadcasting Corporation. The solicitation for opinions on the drafts was held for 35 days from Friday, December 15, 2023, through Thursday, January 18, 2024.

2. Report from the Radio Regulatory Council

Based on the results of the solicitation for opinions, MIC sent an inquiry to the Radio Regulatory Council today on the following drafts and received a report stating that the drafts are appropriate.

1. 1.
   Draft Ministerial Ordinance Partially Revising the Regulations for Enforcement of the Broadcasting Act, etc.
2. 2.
   Draft Notice of Specifying Designated Basic Terrestrial Broadcasting Region pursuant to the provisions of Article 20-2, Paragraph (1), Item (i) of the Broadcasting Act
3. 3.
   Draft Notice of Designation of Designated Broadcasting Regions

3. Future plans

Based on the results of the solicitation for opinions and the report from the Radio Regulatory Council, MIC will promptly develop the relevant ministerial ordinances, etc.

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