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
30/07/2026
Premiere date revealed for SBS Original drama The Airport Chaplain, starring Hug...
29/07/2026
SBS Appoints Chief Commercial Officer and Director of Marketing and Audiences
29 July, 2026
Media releases
SBS is pleased to announce the appointment of Ni...
29/07/2026
Applications open for IFFI/WAVES Film Bazaar in Goa - Producer Delegation 28 July 2026
Image credit: Four Years Later
Screen Australia has opened applications...
23/07/2026
NITV launches new By Mob For Mob series in partnership with NRMA Insurance
23 July, 2026
Media releases
National Indigenous Television (NITV) has launched ...
23/07/2026
Screen Australia announces new national documentary accelerator program 23 July 2026
Screen Australia has today announced the Above the Line Documentary Accel...
21/07/2026
SBS scores biggest ever FIFA World Cup Reach as Spain triumph in the final
21 July, 2026
Media releases
Spain v Argentina attracted a Total TV reach of al...
17/07/2026
Legendary presenter Anton Enus to sign off from SBS World News after 27 years wi...
17/07/2026
Millions rise before dawn to watch FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals on SBS
17 July, 2026
Media releases
England v Argentina attracted a Total TV reach of a...
16/07/2026
NITV and SBS bring Australians to the heart of Garma
16 July, 2026
Media releases
The Garma Festival returns from 31 July-3 August, with NITV and SBS deliv...
14/07/2026
Techtel Successfully Relocates AICD Broadcast Studio to New Sydney Headquarters
BroadcastBroadcast EquipmentLive StreamingBroadcast Studio2026
14 July Writ...
13/07/2026
Millions tuned in for quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on SBS
13 July, 2026
Media releases
Norway v England attracted a Total TV reach of 3.7 mil...
09/07/2026
SBS statement Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion
9 July, 2026
Media releases
SBS acknowledges the gravity of the matters before the Roy...
08/07/2026
Well over half of Australia have tuned in to watch the FIFA World Cup on SBS
7 July, 2026
Media releases
Australia's Round of 32 match against Egypt a...
08/07/2026
SBS and Koorie Heritage Trust announce three-year partnership to celebrate First...
08/07/2026
The right team. The right time.' How The Killings at Parrish Station stuck t...
08/07/2026
Australians in Film and Screen Australia launch FUTURE VISION Forward to elevate...
07/07/2026
New appointments to Screen Australia board 7 July 2026
The Albanese Labor Government has made new appointments to the Screen Australia board.
Dr Tania Chamber...
07/07/2026
The right team. The right time.' How The Killings at Parrish Station stuck t...
06/07/2026
Techtel debuts insyght: making ST 2110 media discovery easy
intellisphereinsyght2026
6 July Written By Suzanne Costello
Sydney, Australia - 06 July 2026 T...
03/07/2026
Caden Pearson appointed new Commissioning Editor for NITV
3 July, 2026
Media releases
National Indigenous Television (NITV) has strengthened its commitment...
02/07/2026
Screen Australia backs audience-led filmmaking with new insight-driven initiativ...
02/07/2026
Screen Australia refines guidelines for Narrative Content Development and Docume...
01/07/2026
Groundbreaking First Nations Screen Business Accelerator launched through nation...
30/06/2026
Statement regarding GetUp Save Our SBS' campaign
30 June, 2026
Media releases
The GetUp Save Our SBS' campaign is an independent initiative. SBS ...
27/06/2026
A record 4.84 million Australians choose SBS as the Socceroos advance at FIFA Wo...
25/06/2026
The Name You Know, The Lineup You'll Love - SBS2 Returns
25 June, 2026
Media releases
SBS Viceland rebrands as SBS2 on Friday 21 August, bringing the c...
23/06/2026
Australians in Film and Screen Australia's talent development initiative UNT...
22/06/2026
FIFA World Cup 2026 fever grows, as more than one third of Australians tune in ...
18/06/2026
Techtel delivers Haivision live streaming system for TAFE NSW St Leonards, enabl...
16/06/2026
Australians place growing trust in SBS News
16 June, 2026
Media releases
SBS has been recognised as one of Australia's most trusted news providers, ran...
16/06/2026
Share your views on Screen Australia and the future of the industry 15 June 2026
Your feedback matters.
Following the instrumental insights provided in 2025,...
16/06/2026
Techtel Supports T-Motion RCCP-2A Controller Upgrade for Major Australian Broadc...
15/06/2026
4.78M AUSSIES TUNE IN FOR SOCCEROOS WIN OVER T RK YE ON SBS
15 June, 2026
Media releases
Match had a Total TV average audience of 3.035 million, with over ...
15/06/2026
SBS Head of Commissioning John Godfrey to depart after 18 years
15 June, 2026
Media releases
SBS Head of Commissioning John Godfrey will depart the broadca...
15/06/2026
Techtel Completes Media Production Setup for a major AFL sporting organisation
Sports
15 June Written By Suzanne Costello
(Sydney, Australia 15 June 2026)...
12/06/2026
How Aussie indie games and screen are levelling up with IP 11 June 2026
Ari Harrison, Pro Jank Footy
Head of Games Joey Egger and Ari Harrison of Umbrella sha...
11/06/2026
Australian Games Industry Glossary of Terms 10 June 2026
From DAU and EULA to COT and QADE, here's a list of game industry terms, industry jargon and their...
10/06/2026
Alone Australia Season 4: Meet the Cast
10 June, 2026
Media releases
WATCH THE TRAILER
Smash-hit survival series Alone Australia drops its highly anticipa...
10/06/2026
DEADLY THEN, DEADLY NOW, DEADLY ALWAYS: SBS & NITV IGNITE NAIDOC WEEK 2026 WITH ...
04/06/2026
Is Your Job Making You Work this June?
4 June, 2026
Media releases
SBS Launches the World Cup Watchers' Rights Association to Stand Up For Australians&...
04/06/2026
Statement regarding unauthorised use of SBS logos on third party social content
4 June, 2026
Media releases
SBS has become aware of social media posts in c...
03/06/2026
Clarification: SBS's position on definitions of antisemitism
3 June, 2026
Media releases
Statement by Mandi Wicks, SBS Director of News and Current Aff...
03/06/2026
Do not read this media release! Andy Lee's smash-hit show returns to ABC thi...
01/06/2026
SBS confirms its broadcast sponsors for FIFA World Cup 2026
1 June, 2026
Media releases
SBS has secured Hyundai, Hisense, Macca's, Rexona, bet365, Com...
28/05/2026
Get fit for the FIFA World Cup 2026 with new SBS On Demand features for the ult...
28/05/2026
Six films, one unmissable collection. First Facts documentaries debut on 10 Stre...
28/05/2026
Emma Watkins brings all-new Emma's Dance Club to ABC Kids 28 May 2026
Emmas Dance Club. Image credit: Sarah Wilson.
The ABC, Screen Australia and Screen N...
26/05/2026
Three new kids' digital series set to hatch from ACTF and Screen Australia i...
25/05/2026
SBS announces exclusive TV broadcast schedule for FIFA World Cup 2026
21 May, 2026
Media releases
Luke Wilkshire, Tommy Oar, Andrew Redmayne, Sarah Walsh ...
Three key areas where Japans national interests and citizens lives could be negatively impacted 
