JAPAN TO UP FOREIGN BROADCAST EQUITY ALLOWANCE

Japan’s Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications will eliminate restrictions on the amount of equity foreign investors can hold in communications satellite digital broadcasters, according to reports from Japan.

Currently, foreign firms are not allowed to own more than a 20 per cent stake in broadcasters providing programming for communications satellites, said the Nihon Keizai Shimbun.

The government is expected to approve the regulatory changes early next month and the revised regulations, following the approval of a related bill, will take effect as early as next year, the report said.

The ministry will also change the approval process for communications satellite and cable broadcasters, allowing, in principle, any firms to receive approval to air programmes.