TOKYO, Apr 7 (NNN-NHK) – Japanese Communications Minister, Ryota Takeda, said, all broadcasters will be required to confirm they are complying with foreign investment rules, after Fuji Media Holdings Inc. said, it may have violated the nation’s broadcast law, which limits foreign voting rights.
“We will send letters to request all certified broadcast holding companies and basic broadcasters, confirm their status of compliance,” Takeda told a press conference on the matter.
Takeda’s remarks came, as Fuji Media Holdings, the parent company of broadcaster Fuji Television Network, revealed that, foreign firms may have held 20 percent or more of its voting rights, from 2012 to 2014, due to a calculating error.
Fuji Media said, it became aware of the error in 2014, but decided not to disclose it, as it deemed the violation to be “minor” despite Japan’s broadcast law limiting foreign voting rights to less than 20 percent.
Takeda ordered a thorough investigation into the suspected violation, but said, he would not comment on whether the ministry will revoke its license.
Embattled Tohokushinsha Film Corp., the workplace of Prime Minister, Yoshihide Suga’s eldest son, Seigo Suga, previously admitted it violated the law, limiting foreign voting rights.
The satellite broadcaster is set to have its license for one of its channels revoked in May, by the ministry.– NNN-NHK
