#Japan #Tokyo #Ministry of Internal Affairs #Effective Use #Evaluation Policy

Revised Policy on Effective Use Evaluation Released

On May 28, 2023, the Radio Regulatory Council, led by Chairman Iwao Sasase, an emeritus professor at Keio University, announced a revision to its Effective Use Evaluation Policy. This revision comes after a public comment period that lasted from March 12 to April 10 of this year, where contributions from citizens were solicited regarding the proposed changes to the policy.

Background of the Revision

The revision process is conducted under the auspices of Article 26-3 of the Radio Law, which mandates an assessment of the effective use of radio waves (hereinafter referred to as 'Effective Use Evaluation'). The evaluation is an essential activity carried out to determine the adequacy of radio spectrum utilization in Japan. To facilitate this evaluation, the council must establish and publish a standard for evaluating effective use, including methods and other necessary elements.

As part of this revision, the council received a total of 14 public comments from various stakeholders, which were thoroughly reviewed and discussed. The feedback provided valuable insights, ensuring that the new policy aligns with both public and industry needs.

Summary of the Public Input

The opinions collected during the indicated period were documented, along with the Radio Regulatory Council's responses to the feedback. Key themes from the comments included suggestions for improving the evaluation methods and ensuring greater transparency in the evaluation process. The complete record of comments and the council's analyses can be found in Appendices 1 and 2, respectively, as part of the announcement.

The new Effective Use Evaluation Policy is laid out in detail in Appendix 2 of the report, providing clearer guidelines and enhanced criteria for evaluating radio wave utilization.

Implementation and Accessibility

Interested parties can access the updated policy documentation and related materials through the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications’ website as well as at the headquarters of the General Communications Bureau. The public comment results and the revised policy will also be published on e-Gov’s public comment page, ensuring transparency and easy accessibility for everyone.

This revision of the Effective Use Evaluation Policy represents a crucial step towards optimizing the utilization of radio frequencies in Japan, facilitating improved communication technologies and services for the general public and industries reliant on efficient spectrum use.

Contact Information

For more information regarding the Effective Use Evaluation Policy, the press contact from the General Communications Bureau includes the following:

• - Kashiwazaki, Deputy Chief,
• - Ogata, Section Chief,
• - Iwanami, Principal Investigator

You can reach them at: Phone: 03-5253-5988, Email: denpa-hyouka_atmark_soumu.go.jp (replace _atmark_ with @ to send your inquiry).

This update signifies the ongoing commitment of the ministry to adapt to the evolving needs of society while fostering an environment of responsible and effective use of radio spectrum.

For further historical context and information on earlier drafts and discussions, refer to the previous documents available on the Ministry's site.