Comments on Radio Law Order Amendment
Overview
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications invited comments on a draft partial amendment to the Radio Law Enforcement Order (Cabinet Order No. 245 of 2001) from September 5 to October 9, 2026. It received 21 comments and published them together with its views. In light of the diversification of communication methods and the difficulty local governments and others face in quickly securing personnel with higher-level qualifications, the operator qualification for the relevant equipment will be relaxed. The amended order takes effect on November 6, 2026.
Key points
- The operator qualification for relevant equipment at temporary disaster broadcasting stations and other facilities will be relaxed to Class 2 Terrestrial Special Radio Operator or higher.
- The public comment period received 21 submissions.
- The amended order takes effect on November 6, 2026.
Overview
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications invited comments on a draft partial amendment to the Radio Law Enforcement Order (Cabinet Order No. 245 of 2001), then compiled and published the submissions together with its views.
The published document is organized into “1. Background and Overview,” “2. Results of the Public Comment Process,” and “3. Promulgation of the Cabinet Order.” It explains the background and outline, the comment results, and promulgation and enforcement, with the comments and the ministry’s views provided in an appendix.
Impact
The document explains that as communication methods have diversified, the social role of temporary disaster broadcasting stations and similar services has shifted from being a core means of communication to serving a role in combination with other methods.
Local governments and others noted that it can be difficult to quickly secure personnel qualified as Class 2 Terrestrial Radio Engineers or higher when needed, which may make it difficult to open a station.
Details
Under the current rules, technical operation of radio stations broadcasting on very high frequency (VHF) for temporary and short-term purposes, namely temporary disaster broadcasting stations and event broadcasting stations, requires a radio operator qualified as a Class 2 Terrestrial Radio Engineer or higher.
It is considered reasonable for temporary disaster broadcasting stations and similar services opened using radio equipment with functions equivalent to those of community broadcasting stations to have the same qualification requirement as those stations: Class 2 Terrestrial Special Radio Operator or higher. The Cabinet Order will be amended to relax the operator qualification for that equipment.
The submissions and the ministry’s views on them were compiled in an appendix, and the amended order was promulgated.