August 30, 2024 Specification of “Support Areas” Under the Universal Service System for Broadband Services

 The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), in preparation for the operations of the Universal Service System for Broadband Services, has designated approximately 30,000 areas out of approximately 230,000 areas nationwide as support areas based on criteria such as expected deficit in revenue and expenditure for broadband services.

 Pursuant to the provisions of Article 110-2 of the Telecommunications Business Act (Act No. 86 of 1984), the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications has designated ^{Note 2}, ^{Note 3} approximately 30,000 areas ^{Note 1} out of approximately 230,000 areas throughout Japan as support areas based on criteria such as towns and villages expected to incur a deficit in revenue and expenditure for broadband services considering reports from telecommunications carriers providing broadband services.

• Note 1:
  The areas used as basic unit wards in the 2020 national census. Even if the administrative zoning of the areas changes, the designation of the support areas will remain the same.

• Note 2:
  Total 29,288 areas (15,831 general support areas and 13,457 special support areas)

• Note 3:
  The Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications will designate or cancel the designation by the end of August each year, based on reports from telecommunications carriers as of March end of the same year.

Applications for Category II Eligible Telecommunications Carriers under Article 110-3 of the Telecommunications Business Act will be accepted by setting a specified application period. The details will be announced separately.