tion measures quickly and fluidly. Collecting information from the air using highly maneuverable helicopters is a very effective means of doing this. The Satellite Communication Systems Committee, set up in July 2008 under the Telecommunications Technology Sub-Council of the Information and Communications Council, examined the technical requirements for a Ku-band helicopter satellite communication system and submitted a report in February 2011. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications is now arranging the related regulations based on this report.

In parallel with this, the Ministry is engaged in efforts to achieve progress in 3G mobile communication systems and broadband mobile wireless access systems.

## (3) Development of a radio usage environment

### A. Impact of radio waves on humans and medical equipment

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has been studying the effect of radio waves on medical devices and equipment since FY 2000. Based on the findings of these studies, it has revised the Guidelines to Prevent Effects of Electromagnetic Waves from Various Types of Equipment on Implantable Medical Equipment (established in August 2005, revised in May 2011).

In order to ensure a safe environment for the use of radio waves, the Ministry has introduced regulations stipulating signal level tolerances up to 3 GHz (partial body absorption guidelines) with respect to the specific absorption rate in the head region of radio waves emitted by cellular phones and other radio devices. In the future, frequencies above 3 GHz are anticipated to be used with advances in wireless LAN and 4G cellular phones. Consequently, the Ministry revised its partial body absorption guidelines so that they apply to radio devices using frequencies up to 6 GHz.

### B. Measures for protection from unwanted radio waves

As electrical and electronic equipment become more widespread, there are mounting concerns that wireless applications will be adversely affected by electromagnetic interference caused by unwanted radio waves emitted from various types of devices and equipment. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications is engaged in international standardization discussions at CISPR while moving ahead with domestic standardization based on a report summarizing the findings of the Radio Wave Utilization Environment Committee, set up under the Telecommunications Technology Sub-Council of the Information and Communications Council.

### C. Monitoring and supervision of radio wave usage and assurance of correct radio station operation

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications investigates cases of radio interference caused by illegal radio stations at any hour to immediately eliminate the interference with respect to those radio communications deemed critical radio communications — specifically, radio communications for telecommunication businesses, broadcasting services, protection of lives or property, maintaining public order, meteorological services, electrical power businesses, and railroad businesses. The Ministry also investigates and prosecutes or takes other necessary measures against illegal radio stations that are set up and operated without a license.

Since FY 2006, the Ministry has publicized the Radio Law and radio usage rules to consumer electronics retailers and other retailers of radio devices. It has also raised public awareness that licenses are needed to use radio waves and that wireless devices must have a technical standards compliance label through a variety of measures including Internet banner ads.

## Section 3

## Ensuring Citizen’s Lives are Safe and Secure

### 1. Consumer administration in relation to telecommunications services

## (1) Promotion of user-centric ICT services

The emergence of new ICT-related services and the distribution of information using new technologies have prompted the need to arrange their relationships with various rights including intellectual property rights. In light of this necessity, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications established in April 2009 the Study Group on examining issues around ICT services from the user perspective. The Study Group compiled and released its first proposal in August 2009 and its second proposal in May 2010.

Since September 2010 and since the establishment of the second proposal, four working groups — the Working Group on the Internet for Young People, the Working Group on Verifying the Act on Restrictions on the Liability for Damages of Specified Telecommunications Service Providers, the Working Group on Telecommunications Service Users, and the Working Group on Approaches to Anti-Spam Measures — under the umbrella of the Study Group have been examining four respective issues: (1) establishing an Internet usage environment for young people, (2) verifying the outcomes of the Act on Restrictions on the Liability for Damages of Specified Telecommunications Service Providers, (3) approaches for initiatives to ensure the rights of different users, and (4) anti-spam measures.

## (2) Measures against illegal and harmful material on the Internet

With its remarkable growth, the Internet in Japan is