The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has notified NHK that it will request that NHK's international broadcasts in the new fiscal year, 2024, include reporting and commentary on matters related to the protection of the lives and property of Japanese people.
Under the Broadcasting Act, the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications can request NHK to conduct international broadcasting by specifying necessary matters.
On the 15th, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications notified NHK that it will submit requests for international broadcasting in the new fiscal year, 2024, as of the 1st of next month.
According to this, international television and radio broadcasts must include matters related to the protection of the lives, bodies, and property of Japanese people, matters related to important national policies, and matters related to important national culture, tradition, and social economy. We request that you report on and provide explanations on matters.
We also ask them to keep an eye on the international situation and keep in mind that disinformation and misinformation are a problem.
Furthermore, international radio broadcasts request that special attention be paid to the issue of abductions by North Korea.
While the Broadcasting Act states that NHK must endeavor to comply with requests, the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications must respect NHK's editorial freedom.
NHK said, ``We will respond after carefully considering the contents of this request.''