January 13, 2026 Results of the Solicitation for Opinions on the Draft Notice Partially Amending the Frequency Allocation Plan (hereinafter the "Draft Notice"), and Report from the Radio Regulatory Council

- Establishment of Institutional Framework for Frequency Changes in the 5.9 GHz Band for the Realization of Automated Driving -

　To ensure a communication environment that supports the realization of automated driving, it is necessary to change frequencies in the 5.9 GHz band as part of the frequency change operation specified under the Radio Act. To this end, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) prepared the Draft Notice and solicited opinions on it. The opinion solicitation period ran from Saturday, November 15, 2025, to Monday, December 15, 2025. As a result, the MIC received 14 opinions. The MIC will make the submitted opinions publicly available along with its position on them.
　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 Draft Notice. Today, the MIC has received a report stating that it is appropriate.
　Based on the results of the opinion solicitation and the report from the Radio Regulatory Council, the MIC will partially amend the frequency allocation plan promptly.

Note: The published materials are in Japanese only.

1. Background and outline

　Against the background of a declining population, a falling birthrate, and an aging society, it is imperative to ensure stable and efficient local public transportation and logistics. The Japanese government is currently working collaboratively to promote the realization of automated driving, making it an urgent priority to establish the communication environment and infrastructure that support these efforts.

　As part of these efforts, the MIC is progressively implementing frequency changes of existing radio stations, primarily in the Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka areas, to introduce V2X*1 communication systems in the 5.9 GHz band to support automated driving. This initiative is carried out in accordance with the National Comprehensive Development Plan for Digital Lifelines, adopted by the Digital Society Promotion Council in June 2024, and is supported by the FY2023 supplementary budget for the Digital Infrastructure Improvement Project for Social Implementation of Autonomous Driving.

　The nationwide frequency change in the 5.9 GHz band will be implemented by the MIC in accordance with the frequency change operation. The operation is based on Article 71-2 of the Radio Act (Act No. 131 of 1950), as amended by the Act for Partial Revision of the Radio Act and the Broadcasting Act (Act No. 27 of 2025), which was passed at the 217th session of the Diet. Carrying out the frequency change as part of the frequency change operation requires the establishment of an institutional framework under the Radio Act. This framework includes designating the expiration date for the use of existing radio stations and specifying the radio stations to be introduced.

　In light of the above, the MIC solicited opinions on the Draft Notice and a draft notice specifying radio stations to be introduced as a result of the frequency change operation. The opinion solicitation period ran from Saturday, November 15, 2025, to Monday, December 15, 2025.

　*1 V2X (Vehicle-to-everything): A generic term for communications between vehicles and various objects, such as vehicle-to-infrastructure and vehicle-to-vehicle communications.

2. Report from the Radio Regulatory Council

　Based on the results of the opinion solicitation, the MIC consulted the Radio Regulatory Council regarding the appropriateness of the Draft Notice. Today, on Tuesday, January 13, the MIC received a report stating that it is appropriate.

3. Upcoming schedule

　Based on the results of the opinion solicitation and the report from the Radio Regulatory Council, the MIC will partially amend the frequency allocation plan promptly.