August 29, 2025 Results of the Solicitation for Opinions on the Draft Ministerial Notification, etc., Stipulating Other Reasons to be Announced by the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications as Set Forth in Article 22, Paragraph 1, Item 4 of the Rules for the Calculation of Category 2 Subsidy and Category 2 Contribution for the Provision of Item (ii) Universal Telecommunications Services, etc.

　The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) solicited opinions from Saturday, July 5, 2025 to Monday, August 4, 2025, on a draft ministerial notification stipulating other reasons to be announced by the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications as set forth in Article 22, Paragraph 1, Item 4 of the Rules for the Calculation of Category 2 Subsidy and Category 2 Contribution for the Provision of Item (ii) Universal Telecommunications Services, etc., a draft ministerial notification under Article 24, Paragraphs 1 and 2 of the same rules, and a draft ministerial instruction partially amending the examination standards related to the Telecommunications Business Act. As a result, one opinion was submitted, so the MIC is therefore publishing the submitted comment along with its views on it.

Note: The published materials are in Japanese only.

1. Background and overview of the amendment

　This matter arises from the enforcement on April 1, 2025, of the Rules for the Calculation of Category 2 Subsidy and Category 2 Contribution for the Provision of Item (ii) Universal Telecommunications Services, etc. (MIC Ordinance No. 16 of 2025). In line with this, necessary arrangements are being made for calculating the amounts of Category 2 subsidies and contributions under the Telecommunications Business Act (Act No. 86 of 1984). Accordingly, the Ministry intends to establish a ministerial notification stipulating other reasons to be announced by the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications as set forth in Article 22, Paragraph 1, Item 4 of the said rules, a ministerial notification under Article 24, Paragraphs 1 and 2 of the said rules, and to partially amend the examination standards related to the Telecommunications Business Act (MIC Instruction No. 75 of 2001).

2. Subjects of opinion solicitation

3. Future plans

　Based on the results of the solicitation of opinions, the MIC plans to promptly prepare the necessary ordinances.