March 7, 2025
Results of the Solicitation for Opinions on the Draft Ministerial Ordinance Partially Amending the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act and Other Rules, and the Report from the Radio Regulatory Council
- Institutional Enhancements for Over-the-Air Use of 5.2 GHz Band Wireless LAN (hereinafter referred to as the "5.2 GHz Institutional Enhancements") -
To promote the 5.2 GHz Institutional Enhancements, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) solicited opinions on the draft ministerial ordinance partially amending the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act (Radio Regulatory Commission Rules No. 14 of 1950) (hereinafter referred to as the "Draft Ministerial Ordinance"). The opinion solicitation was conducted from Saturday, February 1, 2025, to Monday, March 3, 2025. The MIC received five opinions.
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 received a report stating that the Draft Ministerial Ordinance is appropriate.
Based on the results of the opinion solicitation and the report from the Radio Regulatory Council, the MIC will promptly amend related regulations.
1. Background and outline
In recent years, wireless LAN technology has been increasingly used for drones and other applications, raising the demand for over-the-air use of 5 GHz band frequencies. The 5 GHz band wireless LAN, capable of transmitting and receiving high-resolution images, is expected to be utilized in inspecting infrastructure, such as bridges and other structures, as well as in creating images through aerial photography.
Against this background, the Information and Communications Council has deliberated on the "Technical Requirements for Over-the-Air Use of 5 GHz Band Wireless LAN" since 2024. The MIC received a partial report from the Information and Communications Council in December 2024. In response, the MIC prepared the Draft Ministerial Ordinance and solicited opinions from February 1, 2025, to March 3, 2025.
2. Subject of solicitation for opinions
| (1) | The Draft Ministerial Ordinance |
| (2) | The draft notice partially amending MIC Notice No. 108 of 2049, which specifies the frequencies and locations separately notified by the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications pursuant to Article 6, Paragraph 4, Item 4(3) of the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act |
| (3) | The draft notice specifying the coverage area of a radio station that uses radio waves in the frequency range from more than 5,150 MHz and up to 5,250 MHz, pursuant to Article 18, Paragraph 1, Item 3 of the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act |
| (4) | The draft notice partially amending MIC Notice No. 31 of 2019, which specifies radio equipment notified separately by the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, pursuant to Article 14-2, Paragraph 1, Item 2, etc. of the Radio Equipment Regulations |
3. Report from the Radio Regulatory Council
Based on the results of the opinion solicitation, the MIC consulted the Radio Regulatory Council regarding the Draft Ministerial Ordinance. Today, it received a report from the Council stating that the Draft Ministerial Ordinance is appropriate.
4. Future plans
Based on the results of the opinion solicitation and the report, the MIC will amend related regulations.
Contact
For further information about this press release, please fill in the inquiry form and submit it to MIC on the website
https://www.soumu.go.jp/common/english_opinions.html
Global Strategy Division, Global Strategy Bureau, MIC
TEL: +81 3 5253 5920
FAX: +81 3 5253 5924