August 27, 2024 Results of the Solicitation for Opinions on the Draft Ministerial Ordinance Partially Amending the Regulations for Enforcement of the Broadcasting Act etc., and the Report from the Radio Regulatory Council

 The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) must prepare ministerial ordinances etc. required to enforce Act No. 36 of 2024, which partially amends the Broadcasting Act and was enacted during the 213th Diet session. These drafts include the "Draft Ministerial Ordinance Partially Amending the Regulations for Enforcement of the Broadcasting Act" and the "Draft Guidelines for Approving the Implementation Standards for Voluntary Distribution Operations of the Japan Broadcasting Corporation," which revises the existing Guidelines for Approving the Implementation Standards for Internet-related Operations of the Japan Broadcasting Corporation. The MIC solicited opinions for these drafts from Wednesday, July 10, 2024 to Thursday, August 8, 2024. As a result, 12 opinions were 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. Today, the MIC has received a report stating that the draft is appropriate.
 Based on the results of the opinion solicitation and the report from the Radio Regulatory Council, the MIC will promptly amend the ministerial ordinance and guidelines.

1. Results of solicitation for opinions

 The aforementioned Act No. 36 of 2024—"Act Partially Amending the Broadcasting Act" (hereinafter referred to as the "Revised Act")—was promulgated on Friday, May 24, 2024. It stipulates that the Revised Act will come into effect on a date specified by a cabinet order, within a period not exceeding one year and six months from the date of promulgation. To prepare the regulations necessary for enforcing the Revised Act, the MIC solicited opinions on the "Draft Ministerial Ordinance Partially Amending the Regulations for Enforcement of the Broadcasting Act" and the "Draft Guidelines for Approving the Implementation Standards for Voluntary Distribution Operations of the Japan Broadcasting Corporation" during a 30-day period from Wednesday, July 10, 2024 to Thursday, August 8, 2024.

2. Report from the Radio Regulatory Council

 Based on the results of the public solicitation, the MIC consulted the Radio Regulatory Council regarding the “Draft Ministerial Ordinance Partially Amending the Regulations for Enforcement of the Broadcasting Act.” Today, the MIC has received a report from the Council stating that the draft is appropriate.

3. Future plans

 Based on the results of the public solicitation and the report, the MIC will promptly develop the ministerial ordinance and guidelines.