Preface
Approximately 40 years have passed since cable TV was inaugurated in Japan. In the intervening years, it has evolved from the initial age of retransmission service to the era of multichannel services involving the distribution of programs via satellite. Moreover, as a result of advances in fiber-optics and digitalization, and the many other technological innovations in recent years, cable TV is now able to provide full service, including not only broadcasting but also communications services, through the use of large-capacity, interactive facilities. Accordingly, cable TV is expected to evolve into a new core info-communications infrastructure over the coming years.
Many businesses are taking note of the future potential of cable TV, and Japan's cable TV market has attracted widespread interest both at home and abroad.
The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MPT) has enacted a variety of promotional measures to support the diffusion of cable TV. In addition, along with the enactment of the Administrative Procedures Law, MPT also established and announced, in October 1994, examination standards and a standard processing period concerning applications for permission to install cable TV facilities.
Following up on those measures, this booklet has been created in accordance with the "Deregulation Action Program," as revised by a Cabinet decision made on March 29, 1996, for the purpose of further increasing the transparency of Japan's cable TV system. It summarizes the necessary procedures for entry into the cable TV business in Japan, particularly for those who wish to provide services by installing their own cable TV facilities.
This booklet is the second manual for market entry into the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors in Japan following the publication of the "Manual for Market Entry into Japanese Telecommunications Business" in January 1996.
Specifically, this booklet describes the procedures and documents to be submitted for obtaining permission to install cable TV facilities and for commencing cable TV service, along with the related laws and ordinances.
Excerpts of the Cable Television Broadcast Law and other related laws are appended for reference purposes only. A detailed description is given of regulations covering the ratio of foreign ownership and the assumption of officer positions that may be held by non-Japanese nationals, in view of the fact that these points are specifically mentioned in the "Deregulation Action Program." English versions of the Cable Television Broadcast Law and related examination standards are available for further details.
MPT has been actively providing information in English on the state of Japan's telecommunications market and on policy trends. Besides publishing the biweekly "MPT News," which presents related policy trends, MPT also provides information on the Internet at http://www.mpt.go.jp
This booklet should be helpful in understanding Japan„ęs cable TV system.
Please send your comments and suggestions to manual@mpt.go.jp