February 3, 2025 Consultation with the Information and Communications Council on How to Promote Effective Use of Radio Waves to Adapt to Changes in the Social Environment

　The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) will consult the Information and Communications Council, chaired by ENDO Nobuhiro, special advisor to NEC Corporation, on how to promote effective use of radio waves to adapt to changes in the social environment.

1. Outline of consultation

　Japan is currently facing a declining population, a decreasing birthrate, and an aging population, making productivity improvement imperative for achieving sustainable economic growth. Under such circumstances, radio waves have the potential to make people's lives more convenient, safe, and secure anytime—both at normal situations or at times of disaster—by promoting the full utilization of automated driving, smart agriculture, telemedicine, and other services. Additionally, they also serve as a potential source of economic growth through the solution of regional issues and the creation of new markets.
　On the other hand, radio waves are a limited resource, necessitating the appropriate and efficient allocation, transition, reorganization, and sharing of frequencies based on the current status of radio wave usage, needs, and the latest technological trends. In other words, ensuring fair and efficient use of radio waves is becoming increasingly important.
　The aforementioned consultation on how to promote effective use of radio waves to adapt to changes in the social environment with the Information and Communications Council will be conducted in order to respond quickly and flexibly to changes in the social environment as described above and to improve the convenience of people's lives, address regional problems, and achieve sustainable economic growth through the fair and efficient use of radio waves.

2. Matters that should be included in the report

　(1) Basic direction for promoting the effective use of radio waves
　(2) The radio station licensing system
　(3) Frequency allocation
　(4) The promotion of business through wireless technologies
　(5) The state of the radio wave usage environment
　(6) Other matters deemed necessary

3. Preferred timing for reporting

　Around the summer in 2025