July 31, 2024
Telecommunications Bureau 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 - Institutional Improvements for Introduction of 5G Relay Stations, etc. and Introduction of 5G in the 4.9 GHz Band, etc. -

 The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) solicited opinions on the draft ministerial ordinance to partially amend the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act (Radio Regulatory Commission Rules No. 14 of 1950) and other related regulations, from Wednesday, June 12, 2024 to Monday, July 22, 2024. As a result, 22 opinions were submitted. The MIC will make the submitted opinions and the MIC’s position on them available.
 Based on the results of the opinion solicitation, the MIC consulted the Radio Regulatory Council, chaired by SASASE Iwao, Professor Emeritus, Keio University, regarding the draft ministerial ordinance and a draft notice that partially changes the frequency assignment plan. Today, the MIC received a report indicating that it is appropriate to amend the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act, etc. in line with the content of the draft.
 Based on the results of the opinion solicitation and the report from the Radio Regulatory Council, the MIC will promptly amend the related regulations.

1. Background and summary of the amendment

 Traffic for 5th-generation mobile communications systems (5G) is expected to increase in the future, necessitating nationwide institutional improvements and the securing of frequency assignment.
 The nationwide institutional improvements for 5G require effective means to cover wide areas, including interiors, due to the characteristics of the frequencies used for 5G. This issue was considered by the Information and Communications Council, chaired by ENDO Nobuhiro, Executive Advisor to NEC Corporation. In June 2023, the MIC received a partial report from the Information and Communications Council regarding "Technical Requirements for Relay Stations and High-Power User Equipment, etc., for Expanded Use of 5G, etc."
 To expand the allocated frequencies for 5G, the Council conducted technical studies. In March 2024, the MIC received a partial report on "Technical Requirements for 5th-generation Mobile Communications Systems in the 4.9 GHz Band."
 In response, to implement institutional improvements for introducing 5G relay stations, etc., and implementing 5G in the 4.9 GHz band, etc., the MIC solicited opinions on the draft ministerial ordinance to partially amend the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act, etc., from Wednesday, June 12, 2024 to Monday, July 22, 2024.
 A summary of the amendment is provided in the Appendix.

2. Report from the Radio Regulatory Council

 Based on the results of the opinion solicitation, the MIC consulted the Radio Regulatory Council on consultation matters regarding the Radio Act (Act No. 131 of 1950) included in the draft ministerial ordinance to partially amend the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act, etc. and the draft notice to partially amend the frequency assignment plan. Today, the MIC received a report indicating that it is appropriate to amend the Act in line with the content of the draft.

3. Future plans

 Based on the report from the Radio Regulatory Council and the results of the opinion solicitation, the MIC will promptly amend the relevant ministerial ordinances.