April 10, 2025 Results of Solicitation for Opinions on the Draft Ministerial Ordinance to Partially Amend the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act (hereinafter referred to as the "Draft Ministerial Ordinance") and on the Draft Notice, and the Report from the Radio Regulatory Council
- RedCap/Institutionalization for its introduction -

　The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) solicited opinions on the Draft Ministerial Ordinance that partially amends the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act (Radio Regulatory Commission Rules No. 14 of 1950) and on the draft notice. The solicitation period ran from Thursday, January 30, 2025, to Friday, February 28, 2025. Six opinions were submitted.
　Based on the results of the opinion solicitation, the MIC consulted the Radio Regulatory Council, chaired by SASASE Iwao, professor emeritus at Keio University, regarding the Draft Ministerial Ordinance and the draft notice that partially amends the Frequency Allocation Plan. Today, the MIC received a report stating that amending both documents in line with the content of the drafts is appropriate.
　Based on the results of the opinion solicitation and the report from the Radio Regulatory Council, the MIC will promptly amend the related regulations.

1. Background and summary of the amendment

　Amid the rapid increase in the number of IoT devices using mobile phone systems, the percentage of broadband IoT is expected to rise in the future. This trend is driving expectations for institutionalization that enables the early use of IoT devices for 5th-generation mobile communications systems (5G), just as it does for 4G IoT devices. The 5G IoT devices are characterized by low power consumption and low data rates.
　RedCap (Reduced Capability) and eRedCap (enhanced RedCap) whose technical specifications were established by the 3GPP were examined by the Information and Communications Council, chaired by ENDO Nobuhiro, special advisor to NEC Corporation. Following the examination, the Council issued a partial report entitled "Technical Requirements for Sophisticating 5th-Generation Mobile Communications Systems (5G)" in December 2024.
　With the goal of implementing institutional improvements for introducing RedCap and eRedCap, we solicited opinions on the Draft Ministerial Ordinance from Thursday, January 30, 2025, to Friday, February 28, 2025.

2. Report from the Radio Regulatory Council

　Based on the results of the opinion solicitation, the MIC consulted the Radio Regulatory Council regarding matters under the Radio Act (Act No. 131 of 1950) included in the Draft Ministerial Ordinance. Today, we received a report stating that the amendment in accordance with the Draft is appropriate.

3. Future plans

　Based on the report from the Radio Regulatory Council and the results of the opinion solicitation, the MIC will promptly amend the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act.