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
09/07/2025
Explore Love Without Limits in a bold, funny and unapologetic SBS Audio podcast ...
08/07/2025
SBS strengthens commitment to inclusion with new commissioning guidelines
8 July, 2025
Media releases
SBS has launched new Commissioning Inclusion Guidelin...
08/07/2025
Secrets, Spies and Sabotage: 40 years on, SBS podcast investigates historic bomb...
07/07/2025
SBS Farewells Chair George Savvides AM
7 July, 2025
Media releases
Born of Greek Cypriot parents, Mr Savvides joined the SBS Board as Deputy Chair in Febru...
30/06/2025
SBS On Demand boosts global news offering with launch of France 24 FAST Channel
30 June, 2025
Media releases
SBS is expanding its international news offeri...
27/06/2025
27 06 2025 - Media release Game, set, action! Screen Australia and ABC announce new mini-series Goolagong
Marton Csokas and Lila McGuire of Goolagong. Image c...
26/06/2025
Buckle up for Great Australian Road Trips launching 31 July on SBS and SBS On De...
20/06/2025
Hit, run, oh sh#t: NITV and SBS get RECKLESS with filming underway in Western Au...
13/06/2025
Pure Drama and Fierce Rivalries set to dominate the world's most iconic spor...
12/06/2025
50 Years Strong: SBS and NITV Supercharge NAIDOC Week 2025 in a joint 50th celeb...
06/06/2025
06 06 2025 - Media release Award-Winning TV Creators Richard Gadd, Sally Wainwri...
03/06/2025
Stories of love, loyalty and self-discovery among six shortlisted Digital Origin...
28/05/2025
SBS celebrates 50 years of reflecting a diverse and contemporary Australia
28 May, 2025
Media releases
Marking 50 years of broadcasting on 9 June 2025, SBS...
28/05/2025
ABS and Verticloud announce a Strategic Partnership to accelerate Digital Transf...
22/05/2025
SBS and Screen Australia showcase the next wave of Australian storytellers with ...
22/05/2025
Rune Pedersen unpacks How Humans Talk in new SBS Audio podcast
22 May, 2025
Media releases
Ever caught yourself using baby talk with your pet and wondered ...
19/05/2025
Eurovision delivers strong Total TV audiences for SBS, dazzling more than 2.21 m...
16/05/2025
Proper Loved Up Stage One Recipients Announced
16 May, 2025
Media releases
Screen Australia's First Nations Department, the Australian Broadcasting Cor...
15/05/2025
Australia's boldest network SBS launches new brand campaign: We Go There...
15/05/2025
We Go There SBS On Demand's new Hub is entirely bold and unmistakably SBS
15 May, 2025
Media releases
The We Go There Hub brings together over 300 ti...
14/05/2025
ABS and SpaceBridge to Join Forces to Strengthen Managed Services Across Europe,...
13/05/2025
Alone Australia Season 3: The Reunion
13 May, 2025
Media releases
As the latest season nears its end, SBS's hit series brings full cast together for re...
13/05/2025
Teletimes interviews ABS CEO, Mark Rigolle...
12/05/2025
And They're Off! The Pure Drama of the Cycling Grand Tours Continues on SBS,...
12/05/2025
10 05 2025 - Media release Australian Filmmaker Lucy Mckendrick Set For Directin...
07/05/2025
SBS and NITV mark National Reconciliation Week with compelling premieres recogni...
07/05/2025
SBS commences search for a new Western Sydney production hub location
7 May, 2025
Media releases
SBS has today launched a Request for Expressions of Intere...
02/05/2025
SBS On Demand achieves stellar month on the back of Alone Australia and The Hand...
01/05/2025
01 05 2025 - Media release Screen Australia empowers 100 distinctive Australian narratives
All The Boys Are Here writer/director Goran Stolevski and It s All...
30/04/2025
Slam poet Huda the Goddess wins 2025 Les Murray Award
30 April, 2025
Media releases
Australia for UNHCR and SBS are proud to announce that Huda Fadlelmawla...
30/04/2025
SBS, NITV and NIDA partner to empower the next generation of screen creatives
30 April, 2025
Media releases
SBS, National Indigenous Television (NITV) and ...
23/04/2025
We heard that you could use a little pick-me-up, so get ready to sh-sh-shake it ...
22/04/2025
McAvaney takes the lead for SBS' Coverage of the World Athletics Championshi...
16/04/2025
Finalists announced! Five stand-out brands shortlisted for SBS Media's Susta...
15/04/2025
Claudia Karvan, Tom Gleeson, and Mark Coles Smith join in the adventure of a lif...
15/04/2025
SBS and Volleyball World sign landmark deal for Beach Volleyball World Champions...
14/04/2025
SBS becomes first Australian broadcaster to have near-and long-term carbon reduc...
11/04/2025
Isn't that Insightful? Kumi Taguchi dives deeper into Insight's taboo to...
09/04/2025
SBS On Demand partners with Euronews to extend network news offering
9 April, 2025
Media releases
SBS is expanding its international news offering with the...
09/04/2025
SBS announces TV's hottest new couple, Tony Armstrong and Courtney Act, as E...
09/04/2025
09 04 2025 - Media release Screen Australia and ACTF Kids IP Incubator Initiative enters next phase
Kids IP Incubator recipients in Melbourne for the workshop...
07/04/2025
Olympic Gold medallist and World Time Trial Champion Grace Brown joins SBS comme...
07/04/2025
Female focus: New season of Living Black highlights women in Federal Election ye...
07/04/2025
SBS News' Cost of Living Secrets podcast returns to tackle one of the key is...
04/04/2025
SBS announces initiatives to provide all Australians with trusted news and infor...
01/04/2025
01 04 2025 - Media release Bus Stop Films' first feature Boss Cat to begin production in June
Boss Cat cast (L-R): Olivia Hargroder, Penny Downie and Juli...
31/03/2025
Ready, set, Party Time!' SBS News empowers young voters with a new politica...
28/03/2025
Marion Grasby's Flavours of Heart & Home is a celebration of culture and fam...
28/03/2025
SBS delivers Federal Election news to Australians in over 60 languages
28 March, 2025
Media releases
As Australia heads to the polls on 3 May, Australia...
Three key areas where Japans national interests and citizens lives could be negatively impacted 
