(from fiscal 2008 to fiscal 2010), and the Study Group compiled recommendations concerning a review of usage and the amount of spectrum user fees. Based on these recommendations and an additional resolution passed at the 163rd Diet concerning the previous session for the review of the spectrum user fee system, the MIC has submitted a B I won't query this again below ill for the partial amendment of the Radio Law to the 169th Diet session.

### C. Establishing a procedure to facilitate a quick and flexible radio usage

In response to the recommendations made in January 2007 to establish processes aiming to use the radio spectrum more promptly and smoothly, which is the common infrastructure for communications and broadcasting, in the deliberations at the “Study Group on Comprehensive Legal System Governing Communications and Broadcasting”, the Radio Law and the Telecommunications Business Law have been partially amended and the amendments contain the following four provisions: (1) expansion of a test radio station system, (2) introduction of mediation and arbitration concerning the establishment of radio stations, (3) introduction of a change system for radio station operators and (4) review of items to be consulted on by the Radio Regulatory Council. These amended laws entered into effect on April 1, 2008 (on December 28, 2007 for item (4)).

In order to eliminate areas with poor reception for mobile phones, such as high-rise buildings, condominiums, houses and underground malls into which licensees are not easy to enter, super small-sized femto cell base stations have been developed. The MIC has submitted a Bill for the partial amendment of the Radio Law to the 169th Diet session with the aim of establishing a system that allows building managers and users to operate recovery and facility transfers of such super-small sized base stations for mobile phones.

## (2) Approach to advancement and diversification of radio usage

### A. Advancement of mobile communication system and wireless access system

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has been making efforts toward the introduction of a wide-area mobile wireless access system, such as WiMAX and the next-generation PHS, and the advancement of a third-generation mobile communication system. With the aim of realizing the practical application of so-called fourth generation mobile telecommunications systems (IMT-Advanced), the one that follows the third generation mobile telecommunications systems (IMT-2000: International Mobile Telecommunications-2000), in and around 2011, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications is actively promoting efforts for research and development and international standardization with industry-academia-government cooperation.

Also, with respect to a high output wireless access system that uses 5GHz band, the MIC introduced a register system in December 2007 in a number of metropolitan areas (Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka and surrounding areas) where high demand is expected, prior to nationwide installation. The period of use for the fixed station for telecommunications service expired at the end of November 2007, and then use of the wireless access system has become possible. Thus, the MIC has developed the relevant regulations and expanded the eligible areas for a nationwide registration system from December 1, 2007.

### B. Promotion of ITS

At meetings of the ITS Promotion Council, which have been held since April 2006, the MCI, together with the Cabinet Secretariat, National Police Agency, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Nippon Keidanren and ITS Japan, has been conducting deliberations on the implementation of large-scale demonstration tests for a support system for safe driving in FY2008. Also, with the aim of realizing ubiquitous ICT under a three-year plan from FY2005, the MIC has been promoting the Research and Development of Ubiquitous ITS. Furthermore, the MIC has been conducting demonstration tests on technologies for supporting safe driving toward the realization of Road-to-Vehicle Communications/Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communications.

## (3) Development of radio usage environment

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has conducted research on the effect of the radio spectrum on the human body to protect the human body from the effect of the radio spectrum. Using the research results and international guidelines as a reference, the MIC has established safety standards to be applied in Japan. Furthermore, the use of radio waves has rapidly expanded along with the penetration of mobile phone services and concerns about the effects of radio waves on implantable medical devices, such as cardiac pacemakers, have increased in recent years. In response, the MIC has conducted the Study on the Effect of Radio Waves on Medical Equipment since 2000.

Recently, with the expansion of radio usage, inappropriate use of radio frequencies by unlicensed radio stations has increased and a number of failures in radio usage have been reported. In response to these circum-