international broadcasting using a specified signal range and contents. The Enforcement Order (April 2006) of fiscal 2006 was issued for international audio broadcasting, requiring broadcast of current events, important national policy, news reports and explanations for governmental opinions regarding international affairs as broadcasting contents.

Then, since the North Korean abduction of Japanese was determined to be a task that the entire nation must tackle, the government started to leverage audio international broadcasting more positively, and in November 2006, decided to include special notes on the North Korea abduction program in its broadcasting contents. This was also included in the FY 2007 Enforcement Order of international audio broadcasting (April 2007).

### C. Revision of Broadcast Law

Based on the “Agreement between the government and the ruling parties on regulatory frameworks for communications and broadcasting” (June 2006) etc., the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has been promoting reform in communications and broadcasting fields, and conducted a revision of the broadcasting system, focusing on NHK related programs. The Ministry just submitted a law bill for partial amendments of the Broadcast Law, etc to the 166th Diet, including critical reforms such as establishing the procedure to enable prompt and flexible use of radio waves.

Amendments to the Broadcast Law suggested in this law bill include the followings:

(1) NHK … 1. Enhancement of governance, 2. Provision of program archives using broadband services, 3. Building a system for new international broadcasting, and 4. Review on enforced broadcasting system (2) Commercial broadcasters … 1. Introduction of authorized broadcasting holding company system, 2. institutionalization of pay-TV management, 3. Independent use of one-segment broadcasting, 4. development of regulations which are required when a consignment broadcaster is transferred, 5. easing of regulations on pay-TV fees, and 6. Introduction of a system to require submission of recurrence prevention plan.

## (2) Promoting the advancement of broadcast

### A. Promoting the transfer of terrestrial broadcasting from analog to digital format

Terrestrial digital TV broadcasting was launched in the three largest metropolitan areas, Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya, in December 2003, and gradually expanded its coverage area. By December 2006, service was started in all prefecture capitals. The current analog broadcast television will be fully converted to digital format by July 24, 2011. In January 2004, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications consulted with the Information and Communications Council for “appropriate usage of terrestrial digital broadcasting in the future and the role of the administration in its penetration” to examine issues and solutions regarding future usage of terrestrial digital TV in various fields and a complete conversion to digital broadcasting by 2011. The Council issued the third report in August 2006.

Working with the Association for Promotion of Digital Broadcasting, broadcasters, and local public entities, the Ministry is actively promoting concrete benefits for users and social meaning for digitalization of terrestrial broadcasting to the public by posting advertisements in newspapers, announcing via television commercials, creating leaflets and posters, and providing information at various events.

Furthermore, in December 2006, the “National Council for Promotion of Terrestrial Digital Broadcasting” consisting of top leaders from a wide range of fields such as broadcasters, manufactures, dealers, consumer groups, mass media and business groups, and concerned government ministries including the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications issued the “Action Plan for the Promotion of Digital Broadcasting (No. 7)”, documenting the penetration target of terrestrial digital broadcasting receivers, and detailed items to be conducted by concerned parties.

### B. Promotion of satellite broadcasting policy

BS analog Hi-Vision broadcasting on Channel 9 will be terminated on November 30, 2007. From December 1, the three commercial broadcasters authorized for consignment broadcasting (December 2005) are to start digital Hi-Vision broadcasting using this frequency band. To facilitate the transition to digital broadcasting and promotional activities to viewers, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has been holding a “Liaison Committee concerning preparation for the termination of BS analog Hi-Vision broadcasting and the launch of new BS digital broadcasting” since September 2005. The committee is now conducting preparations for a smooth transition.

Also, responding to the changing environment surrounding satellite broadcasting, the Ministry had been holding “Study Group on Future Images of Satellite Broadcasting” from October 2005 to October 2006, to discuss mid- and long-term issues to be addressed for sound development of satellite broadcasting. Based on proposals from this study group, the Ministry is now looking into the usage of new frequency bands for BS broadcasting, promoting a shift from CS-digital broadcasting to High-Vision broadcasting, and discussing the platform for satellite broadcasting.

### C. Advancement of cable television

While the environment surrounding cable television has drastically changed in recent years, including the digitization of terrestrial and satellite broadcasting and advancement of broadbandization of communications services, some issues are increasingly recognized as needing attention. In February 2006, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications set up the Study