was established in December 2005, comprising 211 members including universities, telecommunications carriers, manufacturers, and application production companies, which was led by the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology.

## (6) Mobile communications systems

With the aim of realizing the practical application of the so-called fourth generation mobile telecommunications systems around 2010, following the third generation mobile telecommunications system (IMT-2000: International Mobile Telecommunications-2000), MIC actively promotes efforts for R&D and international standardization with industry-academia-government cooperation.

## (7) Ultra Wide Band (UWB) radio systems

The Information and Communications Council conducted deliberations on the technical requirements for the UWB radio systems, while taking account of usage environment, impact analysis to other radiocommunication services needs of users, and international trends. As a result, the report was compiled partially in March 2006 on the technical requirements for the UWB radio systems using microwave bands for the purpose of communications. Based on the report, MIC revised the related ordinances in August 2006.

## (8) Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

The Information and Communications Council conducted deliberations continuously on technical requirements for frequency sharing technologies (carrier sense, transmission time control) which enables an effective use of frequencies and for a low-power passive tag system using 950MHz band (952-955MHz) which is used in relatively small areas and can be widely used by general users without requiring licenses. Then the Council compiled the report partially on October 12, 2005, followed by promulgation and enforcement of the revised related ordinances on January 25, 2006. A high-power passive tag system using 950MHz band has been equipped with frequency sharing technologies, which now satisfies the requirements as a registered station. Thus, institutional revision to deal with the system as a registered station has been carried out concurrently.

## (9) Wireless access system: realization of ultra high-speed wireless LAN

The 5GHz band frequency was newly allocated for wireless LAN internationally at the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-03) in July 2003. In response, MIC introduced 5.25-5.35 MHz bands in May 2005, in addition to the existing 5.15-5.25GHz bands for wireless LAN.

## (10) Promotion of the ITS (Intelligent Transportation System)

As the second stage for the ITS which is expected to be greatly advanced in the near future, MIC has been making efforts to implement measures for promotion, advancement, R&D, and standardization of ITS, while working with industry and academia, including related private organizations and government agencies. The objectives of these measures are to establish a ubiquitous environment in the ITS field and to realize safe and secure road and transport society where anyone can move comfortably and freely.

## 2 Promoting the broadcasting advancement

## (1) Promoting the transition to the digital terrestrial broadcasting

Following CS broadcasting, BS broadcasting and cable television broadcasting, terrestrial digital TV broadcasting was launched in three largest metropolitan areas, Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka, in December 2003. Terrestrial digital TV broadcasting will gradually expand its coverage area. It is scheduled to start in every prefectural capital by the end of 2006, and analogue TV broadcasting will be terminated and digitization will be completed in 2011.

To surely implement a nationwide launch of digital terrestrial broadcasting by 2006 and complete digitization by 2011, examinations were made at “the Study Group on the Promotion of Terrestrial Digital Broadcasting,” which is the Information and Communications Policy Group of the Information and Communications Council, and the second interim report was compiled on July 29, 2005.

Toward a smooth transition to the digital broadcasting and the development of broadcasting that could accurately meet viewers' needs, MIC set up “the Study Group for the Development of Digitization and Broadcasting Policy” in July 2004 to conduct deliberations on the progress of digitization, the development of new broadcasting services, public broadcasting in the digital broadcasting era, and broadcasting contents in the digital era. The Study Group issued the interim report in August 2005.

## (2) Responding to environmental changes surrounding satellite broadcasting

Based on the report issued in February 2005 by “the Study Group on Protecting Personal Information in the Field of Broadcasting and Satellite Broadcasting in the IT Era,” MIC partially amended the Enforcement Regulation of Law concerning Broadcast on Telecommunications Services in June 2005 to widen the scope of the regulation and include the broadcasting using left-hand circular polarization at the east longitude 110 degrees wide band communication satellite.

Furthermore, with a view to the future direction of satellite broadcasting, MIC has convened “the Study Group on the Future Direction of Satellite Broadcasting” since October 2005 to discuss policies to improve users’