July 17, 2025 Results of the Solicitation for Opinions the Draft Ministerial Ordinances Partially Amending the Regulations for Enforcement of the Broadcasting Act, and the Report from the Radio Regulatory Council

　The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) must prepare draft ministerial ordinances necessary to enforce Act No. 36 of 2024, which partially amends the Broadcasting Act and was enacted during the 213rd Diet session. These include the "Draft Ministerial Ordinance Partially Amending the Regulations for Enforcement of the Broadcasting Act" (hereinafter referred to as the "Enforcement Regulations Draft") and the "Draft Ministerial Ordinance Specifying Technical Standards for Mandatory Quality of Distribution" (hereinafter referred to as the "Technical Standards Draft"). The MIC solicited opinions on these drafts from Tuesday, May 27, 2025, to Wednesday, June 25, 2025. As a result, five opinions were submitted. These, along with the MIC’s responses, will be made available.
　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 appropriateness of the drafts. Today, the MIC has received a report stating that they are appropriate.
　Based on the results of the opinion solicitation and the report from the Radio Regulatory Council, the MIC will promptly develop the relevant ministerial ordinances.

Note: The published materials are in Japanese only.

1. Results of opinion solicitation

　The Revising Act, which partially amends the Broadcasting Act, will come into effect on Wednesday, October 1, 2025—a date specified by cabinet order within a period not exceeding one year and six months from the date of promulgation.
　As part of efforts to develop the necessary regulations for enforcing the Revising Act, the MIC must establish technical standards and other related provisions to make the distribution of broadcast programs and program-related information over the Internet a mandatory service of NHK. To this end, the MIC prepared the Enforcement Regulations Draft and the Technical Standards Draft. The MIC then solicited public opinions on the drafts over a 30-day period, from Tuesday, May 27, 2025, to Wednesday, June 25, 2025.

2. Report from Radio Regulatory Council

　Based on the results of the public solicitation, the MIC consulted the Radio Regulatory Council regarding the Enforcement Regulations Draft and the Technical Standards Draft. Today, the MIC received a report from the Council stating that both drafts are appropriate.

3. Future schedule

　Based on the result of the public solicitation and the report, the MIC will promptly develop the relevant ministerial ordinances.