August 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 Regarding the Draft Ministerial Ordinance
- Introduction of 90 GHz Band Radar for Detecting Foreign Object Debris on Airport Runways -

 To improve a system for introducing a 90 GHz band radar for detecting foreign object debris on airport runways, etc., the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) solicited opinions regarding a draft ministerial ordinance partially amending the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act and related regulations. The opinion solicitation was conducted from Friday, June 28, 2024 to Monday, July 29, 2024, and two 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 partially amending the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act and related regulations. Today, the MIC has received a report stating that the draft is appropriate.

1. Background

1. Introduction of 90 GHz band radar for detecting foreign object debris on airport runways

 In recent years, a 90 GHz band radar for detecting foreign object debris (FOD) on airport runways has been developed. The radar features a combination of optical fiber technology with millimeter wave imaging technology. This enables the accurate and rapid detection of minute FOD on airport runway surfaces. For this reason, the MIC has prepared a revision draft of the relevant ministerial ordinance to facilitate the introduction of a 90 GHz band radar system capable of detecting FOD on airport runway surfaces.

2. Compliance of aircraft emergency locator transmitters (ELTs) with next-generation standards

 The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has mandated that all new aircraft with a gross weight of 27 tons or more must be equipped with an emergency locator transmitter with distress tracking (ELT-DT) that complies with a new standard for aircraft ELTs with the DT function, starting from January 1, 2025. In response, the MIC has prepared a revision draft of the relevant ministerial ordinance in order to facilitate the introduction of ELT devices that comply with the new standard.

3. Response to the introduction of electrically powered aircraft, including Advanced Air Mobility

 In recent years, alongside advancements in sophisticated multi-rotors and storage batteries used in unmanned aircraft, there has been a growing effort to introduce electrically powered aircraft, including Advanced Air Mobility (AAM).
 It is stipulated that storage batteries used in aircraft stations must be chargeable during flight. However, for electrically powered aircraft, including AAM, the storage batteries are recharged with the power necessary for navigation and radio communications on the ground prior to flight. Therefore, it is considered unreasonable to apply the provision requiring in-flight charging. To facilitate the introduction of AAM, we have prepared a draft revision of the relevant ministerial ordinance to exclude such provision.

 We solicited opinions from Friday, June 28, 2024 to Monday, July 29, 2024 regarding the draft ministerial ordinance partially amending the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act and related regulations concerning the above matter.

2. Report from the Radio Regulatory Council regarding the draft ministerial ordinance partially amending the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act

 Based on the results of the public solicitation on the draft ministerial ordinance partially amending the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act and related regulations, we consulted the Radio Regulatory Council about the draft. Today, we have received a report stating that the draft is appropriate.

3. Future plans

 The MIC plans to promptly improve the relevant provisions based on the results of the public solicitation on the draft ministerial ordinance and the report from the Radio Regulatory Council.