nels. MIC is looking to make effective use of these frequencies, such as assigning mobile phones and other

### 3. Developments in radio policy

## (1) Overview of radio policy

a. Promoting effective radio spectrum use

(i) Studies on how to encourage effective radio spectrum use

MIC is looking to drastically overhaul radio policies to eliminate radio spectrum congestion. MIC held meetings of the Radio Policy Vision Panel starting in January 2014 to have more concrete debates about the desired form of new radio spectrum applications and other matters, and, thus, pave the way to realizing and maintaining the world's leading wireless (mobile) nation. The Panel is studying (1) the desired form of new radio spectrum applications, (2) setting new targets and implementation policies for the realization of new radio spectrum applications, and (3) approaches to the industries that support radio spectrum applications.

## (ii) Revising radio spectrum usage fees

MIC held meetings of the Study Group on the Review of Radio Spectrum Usage Fees starting in March 2013 to study radio spectrum usage fees for the next term (from FY 2014 through FY 2016), given the rapid growth of radio communication systems, the rapid expansion of new radio spectrum applications, and the need to further stimulate Japan's radio spectrum business and strengthen its international competitiveness. The Study Group examined (1) ideas on the size of annual expenditures from radio spectrum usage fees over the next term and (2) basic policies on revising radio spectrum usage fee amounts. The Study Group completed the Basic Policies on the Review of Radio Spectrum Usage Fees report in August 2013.

MIC, based on these policies and other information, submitted in February 2014 to the National Diet a bill to partially amend the Radio Act that will revise usage fee amounts as well as exempt temporary radio stations (authorized by the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications), set up in emergencies and disasters to assist lifesaving and disaster-relief operations, from radio spectrum usage fees and handling fees related to license applications and other procedures. The bill was passed in April 2014.

## (iii) Establishing digital ICT disaster-management systems

Disaster administration wireless communications and fire prevention, emergency wireless communications play a critical role for municipalities in determining the extent of disasters and directing emergency aid and life-saving operations. MIC is moving these radio systems that currently use the 150 MHz band and 400 MHz band to digital formats on the 260 MHz band to enable these radio systems, which previously only carried analog voice communications, to communicate much more information, including data transmissions and low-frame-rate video.

devices to the empty frequency bands.

### (2) Radio usage advancement and diversification initiatives a. Advancements in mobile communications systems

In response to an inquiry from MIC, the Committee on Mobile Phone Advancement, under the Information and Communications Technology Subcommittee, Information and Communications Council, in April 2012 began studying the technical requirements for the introduction of a fourth-generation mobile communications system, given the directions of global technological progress and the requirement for more effective usage of the radio spectrum. MIC received a partial report from the Information and Communications Council in July 2013. Based on this report, MIC began in December 2013 practical system arrangements, such as revising the necessary radio equipment regulations to introduce technology for LTE-Advanced—a fourth-generation mobile communications system that can provide faster communication speeds than 3.9G mobile communications systems (LTE)—on existing mobile phone frequency bands.

### b. Approaches to the deployment of mobile phone base stations

MIC held meetings of the Study Group on the Ideal Development of Mobile Phone Base Stations from October 2013 to March 2014 to ascertain the current state of and issues with base station installations as well as to study approaches to the deployment of base stations in the future and specific implementation methods to achieve these approaches.

Regarding the problem of a lack of personnel to review and make decisions on the results of regular base station inspections, the Study Group gave a recommendation to relax the qualification requirements on such personnel at registered inspection businesses. In response, MIC submitted a bill to partially amend the Radio Act to the National Diet in February 2014. The bill was passed in April 2014.

### c. Promoting Intelligent Transport Systems

To realize the safe and convenient movement of people and goods, initiatives are ongoing to reduce traffic accidents and resolve traffic congestion with Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS).

From FY 2014 onward, MIC will identify and verify the necessary examination issues for early implementation of driving-assistance systems using the 700 MHz band. The Ministry will run demonstration tests to establish the reliability of communications, interconnectivity, and security functionality so that actual applications will function properly.

### d. Advancements in disaster-management radio

Disaster administration wireless communications systems are an important means of conveying information from disaster-management administration to evacuation