February 3, 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

- Development of a Regulatory Framework for Space Applications of 920 MHz Band Active Low-Power Radio Systems -

　To enable space applications of specified low-power radio stations* with a transmission power of 20 mW or less in the 920 MHz band active low-power radio system, it is necessary to partially amend the frequency allocation plan. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) therefore prepared the Draft Notice and solicited opinions from Saturday, December 20, 2025, to Friday, January 23, 2026. As a result, four opinions were received. The submitted opinions, along with the MIC's position on them, 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 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.

(*) These low-power radio stations do not require a license and are widely used in applications requiring long-distance, low-power operation, such as sensor networks, smart meters, and remote monitoring.

Note: The published materials are in Japanese only.

1. Background and outline

　The recent proliferation of low earth orbit satellites and the enhanced performance of receiving equipment are making it technically feasible for satellites to receive radio waves (faint radio waves reaching space) transmitted from 920 MHz band specified low-power radio stations operated on the ground. There is a growing need to actively utilize this capability for communications in order to enable wide-area and efficient ground sensing.
　In response to this growing need, a report, published on August 30, 2024, by the "Radio Policy Advisory Panel for Expanding Digital Business" recommended that it would be appropriate to consider developing the regulatory framework. In addition, the “Regulatory Reform Implementation Plan,” approved by the Cabinet on June 13, 2025, sets out the basic direction of the Government’s response—namely, to proceed with technical studies and take necessary measures by the end of FY2025.
　Against this background, the MIC has been studying the approval of satellite reception of radio signals from specified low-power radio stations (license-exempt stations) in the 920 MHz band active low-power radio system in space. In October 2025, the MIC reported to the ICT Subcommittee of the Information and Communications Council as follows: This matter concerns the reception by satellites of radio waves transmitted in space from ground terminals in their ordinary manner. This does not create any new impact on other radio systems, including those of other countries. Therefore, it is possible to additionally allocate the relevant frequency band to the mobile satellite services (from earth to space) in accordance with the Radio Regulations (RR).
　In response, the MIC will prepare the Notice partially amending the frequency allocation plan in order to establish the necessary regulatory framework.

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, Tuesday, February 3, 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.