What is NAB?

The National Association of Commercial Broadcasters in Japan (NAB) is an incorporated organization whose membership consists of 201 commercial broadcasters in Japan. The NAB was established as a voluntary organization on July 20 in 1951 by 16 commercial radio companies that were granted provisional licenses as the first commercial broadcasters. In March 1952 the NAB applied to the Radio Regulatory Commission for approval of its status as public-interest corporation, and on April 21, it was officially granted the status as an incorporated association. The NAB members comprise all the Japanese commercial radio and television broadcasters including, *BS-TV,and **CS***PCM broadcasters.
(*BS=Broadcasting Satellite **CS=Communication Satellite ***PCM=Pulse Code Modulation)

• Broadcasting ETHICS
• Members Directory

OBJECTIVES †

The NAB aims to improve broadcasting ethical standards, promote the public welfare through broadcasting services, anticipate its progress and development and settle common issues among the commercial broadcasters, while facilitating mutual friendship and understanding. In order to attain these purposes, following activities are undertaken:

1. To establish and enhance broadcasting ethics
2. To share information relating to the members and solve the common issues
3. To conduct research and study of broadcasting programs, technologies and management
4. To report various issues relating to the industry to the Diet, the Government bureaus and the other agencies
5. To maintain the operations of TV Network Management
6. To maintain Official Archives in accordance with the copyright law
7. To familiarize the commercial broadcasting industry to the public
8. To publish newspapers, magazines and the other materials
9. To provide the necessary services to enhance welfare, mutual friendship and harmony among the commercial broadcasters
10. To undertake other projects deemed necessary to achieve NAB's objectives

STRUCTURE †

1. NAB's Board of Directors comprises a President, up to 8 Vice Presidents, an Executive Director, up to 3 Senior Directors, 36 to 42 Directors (including President, Vice Presidents, Executive Director and Senior Directors) and up to 4 Auditors. Board of Directors is held once a month and adopts important policies.
2. The General Assembly is the highest decision-making body whose ordinary meetings are held twice a year, in March and May, and is attended by all the members registered as representatives to resolve the important issues such as the amendment of the statute, annual budget and accounting, the appointment of board members and the like.
3. The Extraordinary General Assembly may also be called whenever needed. The General Council is held by all the representatives at least quarterly to discuss the fundamental issues regarding the management of the NAB.
4. The Committee for Emergency Measures was established to deal with critical issues that arise and require urgent resolution, such as those regarding broadcasting ethics, and the management of commercial broadcasting and the NAB. Sessions are held whenever necessary to discuss specific strategies to be taken. It directly reports to the President.
5. The advisory body under the Board of Directors consists of 10 Standing Committees and 3 Special Committees which perform further study and research of the issues inquired by the Board of Directors.
6. The Broadcast Standard Review Board was established in 1971 to enhance broadcasting ethics and directly respond to the inquiries made by the President.
7. The Secretariat executes decisions made by NAB's executive bodies. It consists of 9 divisions such as President's Office, General Administration Division, Planning Division, Program Code Division, Digital Broadcasting Promotion Division, Business Operations Division, TV Network Management Division, Research Institute and Official Archives.

BUSINESS PLAN OF NAB 2008 †

NAB business plan of this year includes the imminent issues such as maintenance of trunk circuit for digital programs preparing for the execution of the digital terrestrial television broadcasting nationwide in December, promotion of prevalence of digital television, practical awareness campaign concerning the termination of analog broadcasting in July 2011, and puts stress on the wide range of deliberation for the matter of intellectual property rights keeping the convergence of broadcasting and telecommunication in sight. In order to earn firmer reliance from the public audience the NAB applies the compliance policy along with the various actions for further enhancement of broadcast ethics and thorough abidance by the broadcast standards. In addition, it is also examines the ways to enhance the media value of radio and television.

• Broadcasting Ethics:　One of the most important roles of the NAB is to maintain broadcasters' self-regulation in programming by establishing a set of the NAB Broadcasting Standards for both programs and commercials, and to bring it to all the producers' and journalists' attention through seminars and publications. Constant efforts are made to grasp the audience's opinions. The NAB works closely with NHK in this effort by jointly establishing the consultative body, Broadcasting Ethics & Program Improvement Organization(BPO) with its subordinate organizations such as Broadcast and Human Rights Committee, and Broadcasters Council for Youth Programming to address this issue effectively.
• Planning:　The Broadcast Planning Committee covers the activities concerning the Government's policymaking and legislative changes, closely watching over the latest media developments.
• Technology:　The Engineering Committee keeps an eye on the Government policies on the technical aspect, and also conducts studies and surveys on the latest technological developments. To establish and revise the NAB Technical Standards is its another important task.
• Digital Broadcasting Promotion:　The Special Committee for Digital Terrestrial Broadcasting handles issues concerning the digitization of terrestrial broadcasting and its system. It also covers the functions of research study and measure for the technologies of digital terrestrial broadcasting.
• News:　The News Reporting Committee works on issues regarding political campaign broadcasting and the coverage of election, as well as various news reporting agreements.
• Sales:　The Business & Sales Committee works to promote the effectiveness of television as an advertising medium, and also conducts general studies and surveys on all media concerned. The Radio Committee promotes the effectiveness of radio. It undertakes a full-scale annual campaign and various surveys to attract more listeners and advertisers to radio.
• Copyright:　The Committee for Intellectual Property Rights not only handles legislative issues on copyright affecting broadcasters' interests but also communicates and negotiates with other right-holders' associations on behalf of NAB members. The NAB is designated as one of the Official Archives according to the Copyright Law.
• Management and Labor Relations:　The NAB keeps an eye on the Government's taxation policies and trends in labor related legislation. It provides legal advisory service to members, and conducts various studies and surveys on corporate management, labor conditions, etc.. The Management Committee handles these issues.
• Operations of NAB:　The General Affairs Committee handles the fundamental issues related to NAB's operations and planning of the Annual Convention.
• Study and Documentation:　The NAB conducts comprehensive studies on broadcasting management and its prospects, forecast of advertising expenditures for radio and television industry, etc.. It collects and preserves information and materials considered necessary and related to the broadcasting industry.
• Publications:　The NAB issues newspapers, monthly magazines and a yearbook etc. following and recording the trends and events in the broadcasting industry.
• International Relations:　The NAB is an Associate Member of ABU (Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union) and EBU (European Broadcasting Union), and an Institutional Member of IIC (International Institute of Communications). The NAB organizes and participates in various international conferences and events.
• Events:　The NAB organizes Annual Convention in autumn (the General Affairs Committee/the Annual Convention Committee), NAB Awards contests for programs, commercials, and technical achievements, seminars for the staff and executives of member companies, and the Japan Broadcast Culture Awards to encourage the members to broadcast high-quality Radio and TV programs along with the other necessary events for the development of the broadcasting industry.
• Television Network Management:　The TV Network Management Committee examines the nationwide expansion of digital television broadcasting, handling the migration of Analogue Networks to the digitized TV Networks. It also covers the operation of TV Networks and calculates the contribution for the Network lines' use. It conducts research of the status of the Networks.

ORGANIZATION CHART OF NAB †

BOARD OF DIRECTORS †

SECRETARIAT †

The National Association of Commercial Broadcasters in Japan
3-23 Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8577