nances in effect in April 2015. Under the system, registered repair businesses with proper repair methods and repair locations are permitted to verify independently that repaired wireless equipment remains in compliance with technical standards established under the Radio Act.

### b. Registration system for low-power radio devices

Devices are being sold illegally as low-power radio equipment that, in fact, emit stronger radio waves than permitted under the criteria for low-power radio stations stipulated in the Radio Act. These devices have been causing an increasing amount of interference and obstruction with legitimate radio spectrum uses. In view of this situation, the Radio Policy Vision Panel, in its final report (December 2014), recommended that a mechanism be established so that users can easily determine whether a radio equipment conforms with the technical standards stipulated in the Radio Act at the time of purchasing a low-power radio equipment.

In response to this recommendation, the Japan Auto Accessories Manufacturers' Association (JAAMA) started a registration system for low-power radio equipment in June 2015 as a voluntary initiative to counter this problem.

## (4) Preventing radio interference and obstruction

MIC has been implementing, since FY 2013, radio equipment trial purchase tests. The purpose is to safeguard ordinary consumers from violating the Radio Act (illegally establishing a radio station) by purchasing and using radio equipment that are not compliant with technical standards and to prevent these equipment from interfering or otherwise obstructing other radio stations. For the tests, MIC purchases radio equipment from the market sold as emitting very low power radio waves and measures the actual strength of emissions to see whether they are in conformity with the technical standards stipulated in the Radio Act. MIC publishes the test findings as consumer protection information.

## Section 4 Developments in Broadcasting Policy

### 1. Encouraging distribution of broadcast content

## (1) Encouraging overseas expansion of broadcast content

The overseas expansion of broadcast content goes beyond just exporting broadcast programs; Japanese broadcast content is expected to have large spillover effects in terms of boosting exports of regional products and services, including agricultural, forestry, and marine products, and attracting more overseas visitors to Japan. The Broadcast Program Export Association of Japan (BEAJ) was established in August 2013. With a broad range of participating stakeholders, including broadcasters, rights organizations, trading companies, and ad agencies, BEAJ is a joint public-private cross-industry organization that supports the overseas expansion of broadcast content. MIC works closely with BEAJ

### 2. Advancements in broadcast services

## (1) 4K and 8K

The Next-Generation Broadcasting Promotion Forum, consisting of broadcasters, receiver manufacturers, communications carriers, and other stakeholders, was established in May 2013. (The Forum merged with the Digital Broadcasting Promotion Association in April 2016 to form the Association for Promotion of Advanced Broadcasting Services.) The Forum has been the central player in promoting verifications of transmission technologies and the study of content production technologies for the early rollout of 4K and 8K broadcast services. MIC launched the Follow-up Meeting on the 4K / 8K Roadmap in February 2014, which released an interim report (roadmap) in September 2014.

The second interim report of the Follow-up Meeting on the 4K / 8K Roadmap, released in July 2015, provided a revised roadmap containing the future prospects of to enhance initiatives to export broadcast content to overseas markets.

## (2) Proper production and trade of broadcast content

MIC established the Guidelines on Proper Production and Trade of Broadcast Content in 2009 in the interest of improving the production environment in the broadcast content field and adding incentives to produce broadcast content. The Guidelines aim to correct production transactions between broadcasters and program production houses. As part of this effort, MIC conducts regular follow-up studies on the Guidelines to determine the current state of broadcast content production transactions.

4K / 8K and extended the roadmap’s timeframe to around 2025.

## (2) Smart TVs

In July 2013, the IPTV Forum set up the Advanced Smart Television Promotion Center to promote next-generation smart TVs, which differ from smart TVs to date in that they enable new broadcast and communications-linked services. The Center also works to create new business models and stimulate the market. Between January and March 2015, MIC conducted demonstration tests of application transmissions that communicated important public and social information in keeping with regional needs. The transmissions included public and regional information, including emergency and disaster information and tourism information. Based on the results of these demonstration tests, the IPTV Fo-