April 9, 2026 Results of Solicitation for Opinions on Drafts of Institutional Development, including Draft Ministerial Ordinance to Partially Revise Regulations for Enforcement of the Telecommunications Business Act (Revision of Provisions Concerning the Ensuring of Fair Competition), and Report from Information and Communications and Posts Administrative Council

　The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) recently solicited opinions on a draft ministerial ordinance and pertinent conditions to partially revise the Regulations for Enforcement of the Telecommunications Business Act and other regulations (Revision of Provisions Concerning the Ensuring of Fair Competition). MIC has received a report today from the Information and Communications and Posts Administrative Council in response to MIC’s inquiry (Inquiry No. 3209, February 20, 2026) on this draft ministerial ordinance and related matters. Therefore, MIC has decided to make public the report, the opinions received, and MIC’s views on the opinions. Considering the results of this solicitation for opinions, the report, and other relevant factors, MIC plans to promptly carry out institutional development, including the revision of the Regulations for Enforcement of the Telecommunications Business Act (MPT Ordinance No. 25 of 1985).

Note: The published materials are in Japanese only.

1　Background

　This matter is to partially revise the Regulations for Enforcement of the Telecommunications Business Act in order to revise necessary provisions for ensuring fair competition, following the enforcement of the Act for Partial Amendment of the Telecommunications Business Act and the Act on Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (Act No. 46 of 2025).

2　Results of Solicitation for Opinions and Report

　On Friday, February 20, 2026, MIC submitted an inquiry to the Information and Communications and Posts Administrative Council regarding the draft ministerial ordinance and pertinent conditions to partially revise the Regulations for Enforcement of the Telecommunications Business Act (Revision of Provisions Concerning the Ensuring of Fair Competition).

　The draft ministerial ordinance (including matters other than those inquired of the Information and Communications and Posts Administrative Council) was open for opinions from Saturday, February 21, 2026, to Monday, March 23, 2026. In response, 15 comments were submitted.

3　 Future Plans

　Regulations for Enforcement of the Telecommunications Business Act, etc. Based on the results of this solicitation for opinions and the report, MIC will promptly make institutional developments, including the partial revision of the Regulations for Enforcement of the Telecommunications Business Act, etc.