May 12, 2026 Future Initiatives Strengthening the Resilience of Broadcasting Networks

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has formulated and announced concrete initiatives (action plans) to strengthen the resilience of the broadcasting network to secure that broadcasting can continue to fulfill its social role during disasters, in preparation for future large-scale disasters and other emergencies.

Note: The published materials are available in Japanese only

1 Toward Strengthening the Resilience of Broadcasting Networks

　In recent years, natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons have become more frequent and severe and with the predicted occurrence of a massive earthquake in the future, Japan faces diverse and serious natural disaster risks. Under these circumstances, broadcasting plays a vital social role by providing essential lifestyle information and reliable basic social information necessary for safeguarding the public’s lives and property throughout peacetime, during disasters, and during the recovery and reconstruction phases, serving as a social foundation that contributes to the development of a healthy democracy.

　"Summary of the Study Team for the Enhancement and Strengthening of Measures for Maintaining and Securing Broadcasting Services in the Event of a Wide-Area Major Disaster" (September 2025) calls for the construction of a broadcasting network that not only withstands the massive human and material damage caused by large-scale natural disasters but also possesses both “strength and resilience” in peacetime.

　Furthermore, approximately 15 years have passed since the transition to digital terrestrial broadcasting, and as broadcasting facilities reach the end of their service life, efforts to improve the efficiency of broadcasting networks such as the shared use of relay stations and the utilization of broadband networks are currently underway.

　In light of these circumstances, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has compiled the status of implementation following "Summary of the Study Team for the Enhancement and Strengthening of Measures for Maintaining and Securing Broadcasting Services in the Event of a Wide-Area Major Disaster" and has formulated concrete initiatives (action plans) to secure that broadcasting maintains its social role with the next renewal period around 2040 as the immediate target.

2 Future Initiatives

　Based on concrete initiatives (action plans), the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications will work to support strengthening the resilience of broadcasting networks and other related efforts.