Three key areas where Japans national interests and citizens lives could be negatively impacted
KDDI Corporation
SoftBank Corp.
Rakuten Mobile, Inc.
October 31,2023
-- (Reference Translation [
1])
KDDI Corporation, SoftBank Corp., and Rakuten Mobile, Inc. (the three companies) today announced their views on the The NTT Law: Our Perspective (NTTs Perspective) document issued by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) [
2] on October 19, 2023.
Currently, discussions are underway within the Liberal Democratic Party and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications regarding the future of the Act on Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (the NTT Law). Given its potential impact on Japans national interests and citizens lives, the three companies have highlighted the following three areas as especially significant.
Especially significant areasConcerns if each area is not upheld
Fair competition Risk of prices increasing and stagnation in the advancement and diversification of services due to a lack of new industry developments stemming from decreased competition.
Universal service obligations
(Services that should be guaranteed nationwide) Risk that NTT, which inherited special assets from its time as a public corporation, will no longer have universal service obligations, and thus have the ability to withdraw services freely, resulting in an inability to maintain services in disadvantaged areas, such as rural regions.
Foreign investment regulations for NTT Risk that NTT, which inherited special assets from its time as a public corporation, could sell the majority of its shares to non-Japanese individuals or foreign governments, potentially compromising the security of Japans telecommunications infrastructure.
There are certain descriptions in NTTs Perspective that may result in inadequate mentions of or misunderstandings regarding the factual circumstances of the current legal framework related to the above areas, as outlined below.
Shared view of the three companiesNTTs claims
Fair competition The provisions regarding fair competition function through a combination of the Telecommunications Business Act (equipment leasing rules) and the NTT Law (regulations on organization). Mentions only the Telecommunications Business Act (equipment leasing rules), while there is no reference to the provisions of the NTT Law (regulations on organization).
Universal service obligations Telephone users interests are to be guaranteed due to the obligation to provide services throughout Japan which implies the inability to withdraw services.
(Disadvantages users due to the abolition of the NTT Law) Without mentioning its obligation to provide services throughout Japan, NTT argues this obligation can be integrated into the Telecommunications Business Act.
Foreign investment regulations for NTT
The NTT Law is the most effective means for regulating foreign ownership to protect NTT and its special assets.
Strengthening foreign ownership regulation through the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act contradicts the policy of promoting investment from overseas.
Protection against foreign investment is possible without relying on the NTT Law.
NTT advocates strengthening foreign ownership regulation through the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act.
While NTTs Perspective is said to be identical to the document submitted to the Liberal Democratic Partys Project Team on the Future of the Act on Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation meeting that was held on October 19, 2023, considering the potential for misunderstandings regarding its content, it is crucial that discussions on the NTT Law be conducted in a manner that avoids any potential harm to Japans national interests and its citizens lives.
Discussion on NTT Law (2.9MB) (in Japanese only)
(Reference)
180 Entities Submit Request to Oppose Abolition of NTT Law, Call for Careful Policy Discussions
[1]
This press release has been translated from the Japanese original for reference purposes only. In the event of any discrepancy between this translated document and the Japanese original, the original shall prevail.
[2]
For more information, please refer to
NTTs press release dated October 19, 2023 (in Japanese only).
Company, product and service names in this press release are registered trademarks or trademarks of the respective companies.
The information contained in the news releases is current at the time of publication. Products, service fees,service content and specifications, contact information, and other details are subject to change without notice.
Asia, Australia & Oceanic Stories
15/10/2024
Statement on the passing of George Negus
15 October, 2024
Media releases
We are deeply saddened by the passing of George Negus, a giant of Australian journ...
11/10/2024
SBS announces appointment of Nakul Legha as Head of Scripted
11 October, 2024
Media releases
SBS has announced that Nakul Legha has been appointed Head of ...
10/10/2024
Ernie Dingo, Mark Coles Smith, Aaron Fa'Aoso, Bianca Hunt and Rae Johnston s...
10/10/2024
New AGL campaign highlights ways to be more energy efficient and save money
10 October, 2024
Media releases
The bespoke campaign, created by SBS CulturalCo...
10/10/2024
10 10 2024 - Media release Screen Australia announces $8.1 million of production funding for 15 projects
L-R: Love Adjacent director Louise Alston, Watching Y...
09/10/2024
The unmissable true crime event, The Jury: Death on the Staircase, premieres Wed...
24/09/2024
Don't miss the exclusive Australian premiere of Paris Has Fallen on SBS and ...
18/09/2024
Karmic lessons and laughs with new SBS podcast Comedy Karma'
18 September, 2024
Media releases
Join the ever-curious stand-up comedian Aditya Gautam a...
18/09/2024
Telespazio and ABS Partner to Deliver Enhanced Connectivity Services for the Bra...
17/09/2024
The $180 million mystery that reshaped music forever Red Flag: Music's Fai...
17/09/2024
16 09 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and Paramount Announce New Murder M...
13/09/2024
Azercosmos and ABS Forge Partnership to Boost Satellite Services in Africa...
12/09/2024
SBS reveals new landmark documentary-drama series ROBODEBT coming in 2025
12 September, 2024
Media releases
Award-winning producers CJZ secure major fundin...
12/09/2024
NITV and SBS to broadcast live from the Koori Knockout, one of the largest annua...
11/09/2024
10 09 2024 - Media release Endemol Shine Australia and Screen Australia announce...
10/09/2024
Don't miss the ABC News US Presidential Debate LIVE on SBS and stream free o...
04/09/2024
Can life give love a chance? SBS Original romantic drama series Four Years Later...
04/09/2024
04 09 2024 - Media release Screen Australia invests over $2 million in Australian Games Industry
Zodiac Mountain
Screen Australia has announced over $2 milli...
30/08/2024
Trailblazers: SBS's new vodcast series chronicles African-Australian migrant...
30/08/2024
SBS warms up for FIFA World Cup 2026 with new weekly show, exclusive qualifier ...
29/08/2024
SBS Board statement regarding SBS Non-Executive Director Mr Aaron Fa'Aoso
29 August, 2024
Media releases
SBS Non-Executive Director Mr Aaron Fa'Aos...
28/08/2024
Beat the Monday blues with SBS's new line-up of entertainment and comedy
29 August, 2024
Media releases
8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Never Mind th...
28/08/2024
28 08 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and ABC announce four new children's programs
Andy Lee at Richmond Primary School with his nephews Freddy Mile...
27/08/2024
Shaun Micallef Joins Australian Comedy Icons on the Adventure of a Lifetime in S...
22/08/2024
SBS and IMAA partnership unlocks new training for Australia's independent me...
22/08/2024
22 08 2024 - Media release Screen Australia announces $3 million for 13 documentaries
We Are Jeni
Screen Australia has announced 11 documentaries through the...
20/08/2024
Exclusive to SBS On Demand, watch LIVE coverage of the US Democratic National Co...
19/08/2024
19 08 2024 - Media release Production starts on RFDS season three
RFDS cast. Photo Credit John Platt.
Pre-production on the third season of the Seven Network...
15/08/2024
15 08 2024 - Media release Maggie and Arthur return to the ABC for a second season of Mother and Son
Denise Scott and Matt Okine in Mother and Son
Fans of t...
14/08/2024
2025 SBS Journalism Cadetship opens for applications
14 August, 2024
Media releases
Dedicated to the memory of late SBS journalist Bridget Munro.
Austral...
12/08/2024
Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift starts today, live and free on SBS Viceland and...
06/08/2024
Got a podcast idea? Australia's Podcaster of the Year is listening!
6 August, 2024
Media releases
The fourth annual call-out for distinctive podcasts i...
06/08/2024
06 08 2024 - Media release Bruce Beresford's Film Overture starts production in Western Australia
Overture cast (L-R) Susie Porter, Luke Bracey and Bryan ...
01/08/2024
SBS commits to 10-year renewable energy power purchase agreement with ZEN Energy
1 August, 2024
Media releases
The SBS-ZEN Energy wind power partnership pr...
01/08/2024
IBC 2024: 13-16 Sep 2024, RAI AmsterdamDelivering innovation and connecting communities, IBC2024 is where the future of the global media and entertainment indus...
31/07/2024
SBS names interim sales leadership as Adam Sadler steps down
31 July, 2024
Media releases
SBS Director of Media Sales Adam Sadler has announced he will ste...
31/07/2024
When: Tuesday 22 to Thursday 24 October 2024
Where: Queen Elizabeth II Grandstand, Royal Randwick Racecourse, Sydney
Booth: Techtel booth: 17
Registration: G...
25/07/2024
Julia Zemiro, Gina Chick and Susie Youssef team up to explore more Great Austral...
24/07/2024
NITV to share the culture, ceremony and critical conversations of the Garma Fest...
24/07/2024
More than 5.7 million viewers tune into SBS's coverage as Slovenian Tadej Po...
22/07/2024
Medical Misogyny: Unpacking Gender Bias in Healthcare with SBS News Hysterical&...
17/07/2024
17 07 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and YouTube Australia announce Onlin...
15/07/2024
Tour de France 2024: Viewership reach on SBS surpasses 5 million Australians
15 July, 2024
Media releases
More than 5 million Australians have tuned into t...
12/07/2024
12 07 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and ABC announce new comedy series Optics
Optics. Photo credit: Joel Pratley
ABC and Screen Australia have annou...
11/07/2024
Australia's beloved journalist takes a deep dive into one of the nation'...
10/07/2024
10 07 2024 - Media release Shipwreck Hunters Australia back on the water for Season 2
Shipwreck Hunters Australia
Screen Australia and The Walt Disney Compan...
09/07/2024
Three new ground-breaking dramas coming to screens with fresh collection of Digi...
09/07/2024
Tour de France 2024 captivates Australians with almost 4 million viewers tuning ...
09/07/2024
09 07 2024 - Media release Applications Open for Digital Originals, and three new dramas coming to screens
(L-R) Moonbird director, co-creator and co-writer N...
05/07/2024
New NITV Radio podcast: Ngiyang. Meet the people reclaiming the Wiradyuri langua...