April 9, 2025 Launching a Dedicated Website for the "Legal Counseling Hotline for Broadcast Content Production and Trading"

　The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) is pleased to announce the launch of a dedicated website that provides a legal counseling hotline for broadcast content production and trading in FY 2025. On the website, broadcasters and program production companies involved in the production and trading of broadcasting content can receive free legal consultations from attorneys on specific issues.

1. Background

　To promote the production and distribution of high-quality and engaging broadcast content, the MIC has implemented necessary measures, such as formulating and revising the "Guidelines for Improving the Production and Trading of Broadcast Content" (hereinafter referred to as the "Guidelines") and is promoting related initiatives.
　As part of these initiatives, the MIC is pleased to announce the launch of a dedicated website offering a legal counseling hotline for broadcast content production and trading, just as in FY 2024. Trading parties can receive free legal consultation from attorneys about various issues. These include, for example, specific matters related to the production and trading of broadcast content between broadcasters and program production companies*1, as well as questions regarding applicable laws and regulations, such as the Subcontract Act*2, as covered by the Guidelines.
　This website will be operated under the FY 2025 budget of the MIC.
*1 The trading includes transactions not only between broadcasters and program production companies but also between program production companies, as well as between program production companies and freelancers.
*2 The Act against Delay in Payment of Subcontract Proceeds, etc. to Subcontractors (Act No. 120 of 1956)

2. Outline of the website

Name: Legal Counseling Hotline for Broadcast Content Production and Trading
https://hosocontents-tekitori.go.jp/
Operating period: Wednesday, April 9, 2025 - Thursday, March 19, 2026

Consultation subjects: Issues related to the production and trading of broadcast content for television broadcasting (terrestrial television broadcasting, BS broadcasting, CS broadcasting, and cable television)

Consultation method: Please enter or select necessary information, such as consultation details, the desired time frame for a consultation, etc., in the consultation form on the aforementioned dedicated website, and submit it to us. An attorney commissioned by the MIC will contact individuals seeking consultation. The attorney will provide a free 30-minute legal consultation by phone at the time requested.