Administrative documents Interviews with related parties Announcement of results Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

Regarding administrative documents concerning the interpretation of "political impartiality" stipulated in the Broadcasting Law, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has announced the results of interviews with related parties. While it is said that there was a meeting between the Prime Minister Isozaki and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications at that time, many of the attendees testified that they had not changed their interpretation.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has been conducting interviews with the relevant parties mentioned in the documents in order to confirm the accuracy of the contents of administrative documents regarding the interpretation of "political impartiality" stipulated in the Broadcasting Law, and announced the results of the investigation so far on the 17th.

Regarding the meeting with Mr. Isozaki, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister at the time, Mr. Isozaki said, "It is true that we made inquiries to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications regarding the interpretation of the Broadcasting Act and exchanged views several times," and concluded that "interviews were conducted" because the officials who are said to have been present also exchanged opinions.

Also, regarding the statement that Mr. Isozaki said, "This matter is for me and the Prime Minister to decide," Mr. Isozaki said, "The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications told me that I should talk to the Chief Cabinet Secretary as well, so I remember telling him, 'That is not my job, but the work of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.'"

And from the testimony of a witness, "it was confirmed that Mr. Isozaki never coerced him to change his interpretation."

On the other hand, regarding the description of Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Takaichi at the time, although it was highly likely that there was an explanation to the minister, no person concerned expressed the recognition that he had given an explanation that "the interpretation of the Broadcasting Law will be changed."

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications will continue to interview those involved.