### F. Consideration for enhancement of platform collaboration

The MIC set up the Study Group on Communications Platform in February 2000 with the aim of considering issues involved in developing a market environment and future visions to enhance collaboration of platform functions (authentication/billing) essential for smooth distribution of contents applications through the broadband network and to create new business, and a report was compiled in January 2009.

## (2) Advancement of network

### A. Promotion of network advancement

IPv4 has been used for IP addresses that identify computers connected to the Internet. In order to respond to the exhaustion of IPv4, possibly in early 2011, it is necessary to shift to IPv6. The MIC has held the Study Group on High Level Utilization of the Internet through IPv6 since February 2009 and formulated the Basic Guidelines concerning Advance Utilization of the Internet Service, etc.

### B. Developing regulations concerning telecommunication numbers

IMSI that internationally and uniquely identifies terminals, such as mobile phones, and conducts authentication of contractors, had been assigned to mobile phone operators under Article 8 of the regulations concerning telecommunication numbers. With the revision of ITU-T Recommendation E.212 of May 2008, the conditions for the use of IMSI have been made more flexible. Since IMSI is expected to be used for BWA, XGP and WiMAX in Japan, the provisions concerning IMSI in the rules concerning telecommunications numbers were revised in December 2008. This enabled IMSI to be used for services other than mobile phones, and allowed telecommunications operators without a wireless station license for their base station to use IMSI when they install facilities that identify terminal devices connected to telecommunication line facilities.

### C. Proper management of IP address/domain name

Currently, the international management and coordination of Internet resources has been conducted by a private non-profit organization named ICANN, and the MIC, as an official member of the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) of ICANN, has been working on creating an international cooperation system. With regard to domain names, in 2001 it became possible to use Japanese characters as part of the domain name, except for the top domain: for example, it is now possible to use domain names such as “総務省.jp”. Since June 2008, discussions started at ICANN about specific ways to introduce country-specific multilingual top domains, which is expected to be introduced as early as the end of 2009. In response, discussions are now under way about new top domains in Japan at the Internet Infrastructure Group, Information and Communications Policy sectional meeting of the Information and Communications Council.

## (3) Dispute settlement between telecommunications business operators

The Telecommunication Business Dispute Settlement Commission is endowed with the following three functions: (1) to implement mediation and arbitration procedures, (2) to conduct investigation and submit reports on orders and awards made by the prime minister when consulted, and (3) to make the necessary recommendations to the MIC on the development of rules, etc. concerning the items within its vested powers. Besides these functions, the Commission has set up a consultation desk for telecommunication business operators to offer advice and answer questions on connections and issues among telecommunication business operators.

### 2. Development of broadcast policy

## (1) Summary of broadcast policy

### A. Revision of Broadcast Law

A drastic revision was made in 2008 with respect to broadcasting. In response to this, NHK on-demand services were launched on December 1, 2008. This is a range of fee-paying on-demand services such as a Missed Program Service and Special Selection Library Service, which allows viewers to watch via the Internet programs that have already been broadcasted on NHK.

International programs for foreigners started under a new system under the amended Broadcast Law in February 2009.

### B. Re-licensing of broadcast stations

The MIC re-issued a license dated November 1, 2008, to broadcast stations and broadcast satellite stations whose license expires as of October 31, 2008.

At the time of reissuance, the MIC requested the following of all broadcast operators, including NHK: (1) compliance with Broadcasting Law and program standards, (2) setting up of as many closed-caption and audio description programs as possible, (3) enhancement of disaster broadcasting and (4) active efforts for digitization.