rum establishes and oversees hybrid-cast technical specifications so that practical services based on the specifications and compatible receivers can be provided.

## (3) Cable platforms

Cable television is a key general-purpose ICT media for local regions, with subscribers surpassing a majority (about 29 million) of the nation’s households. Nevertheless, more advanced and efficient cable television services are required. Accordingly the Japan Cable and Telecommunications Association has, since FY 2013, led efforts to implement and expand shared cable platforms for cable television. Cable platform operators have been providing, since December 2015, practical 4K broadcasts (cable 4K) along with IP VOD and other services.

### 3. Strengthening the disaster resilience of broadcast networks

To support the efforts of broadcasters and local public organizations aiming to strengthen the disaster resilience of broadcast networks, MIC, in the FY 2016 budget, is implementing the Assistance Program for Broadcast Network Establishment and the Assistance Program to Eliminate Poor Reception Areas for Commercial Radio.

### 4. Developing new broadcast media in vacated frequency bands

With the switchover from analog to digital terrestrial TV broadcasts, several frequency bands became available after the termination of analog terrestrial TV broadcasts and the reorganization of digital broadcast channels. MIC is looking to make effective use of these frequencies, such as assigning mobile phones and other devices to the empty frequency bands.

### 5. Ensuring the safety and reliability of broadcast infrastructure

MIC has developed rules concerning technical standards on broadcasting equipment, reporting major incidents with broadcasting equipment, and other matters in keeping with the June 2011 revised Broadcast Act. The rules have been taken in the interest of preventing broadcast outages and ensuring the safety and reliability of broadcast infrastructure, so that broadcasting fulfills its public mandate. Based on these rules, MIC is now taking proactive measures, such as obliging broadcasters to maintain broadcasting equipment correctly and requiring them to thoroughly investigate the causes of any serious accidents and take effective steps to prevent reoccurrence.

### 6. Various issues concerning broadcasting policy

MIC set up the Study Group on Broadcasting Issues in November 2015. The purpose of the Study Group is to investigate various issues affecting broadcasting from a mid-to-long term perspective. Examples include: (1) future possibilities for the broadcasting market and services; (2) initiatives to ensure and broaden the interests of viewers; (3) approaches to securing regional media and regional information in broadcasting; and (4) addressing issues surrounding public broadcasting.

## Section 5 Handling Disputes between Businesses in the Information and Communications Field

### 1. Mediation and arbitration by the Telecommunications Dispute Settlement Commission

## (1) Overview of the Telecommunications Dispute Settlement Commission

The Telecommunications Dispute Settlement Commission is a specialized organization for quickly and fairly handling increasingly diverse conflicts in the telecom field. The Commission has three functions: (1) performing mediation and arbitration to resolve conflicts between carriers and other businesses; (2) deliberating on and issuing reports in response to inquiries from the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications when an order or ruling is to be issued; and (3) giving recommendations to the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications on improvements to competition rules or other matters as part of its mediation, arbitration, and inquiry responses.

## (2) Negotiation orders and rulings by the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications

In the telecom field, when negotiations between telecom businesses fall apart on matters such as interconnection or shared use of telecommunications equipment, shared use of structures for telecommunications equipment and installations, or the provision of wholesale telecommunications services, a telecom business, based on the provisions of the Telecommunications Business Act, may apply to the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications to issue an order to start or resume negotiations or to make a ruling on the matter.