The 61st National Commercial Broadcasters Convention Opens ~ 1,300 Attendees Gather

The National Association of Commercial Broadcasters in Japan (NAB) held its 61st National Commercial Broadcasting Convention at the Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa in Minato Ward, Tokyo, on November 6. The event featured a ceremony, commemorative lectures, two symposiums, and special exhibitions, with approximately 1,300 guests and invitees in attendance.

At the opening ceremony, Chairman Hiroshi Inoue (Chairman of TBS Television) delivered an address. Referring to the decision to host the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, he stated, "We will spare no effort to convey the spirit of the Olympics—the images of top athletes and the ideals of peace and coexistence—to our viewers. Through broadcasting, we aim to showcase the appeal of Japan and Tokyo to the entire world. At that time, new broadcasting technologies, such as '4K/8K' surpassing current HD quality and smart TVs, will likely be showcased." He also outlined his stance on NHK relations, overseas expansion of broadcast content, efforts regarding freedom of reporting and coverage, improving broadcasting ethics, and creating programs that meet viewer expectations.

 

Following video messages from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, congratulatory remarks from Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Yoshitaka Shindo, and NHK Vice Chairman Naomichi Ono, Hiroshi Hayakawa, Chairman of the Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association (President of TV Asahi), stated: "Even in a society where information and communication technology is highly advanced, broadcasting enjoys great trust from the public as a reliable source of information during major earthquakes and emergencies. We pledge to pursue further possibilities in broadcasting by building networks that function stably even during disasters and by providing attractive content and new services utilizing new technologies. Private radio and television broadcasters vow to fulfill their responsibilities as core media and to strive for creative program production."

Following the Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association Awards ceremony, the 9th Japan Broadcasting Culture Awards were announced to honor programs that have contributed to the advancement of broadcasting culture. The Grand Prix in the TV category went to WOWOW's "Nonfiction W: The Day We Crossed Borders Through Film - The Life of Filmmaker Yang Young-hee," with Kansai TV Broadcasting's "The Document: Everyone's School" receiving the Runner-up Grand Prix. In the Radio category, the Grand Prix was awarded to Hokushin Broadcasting's "In My Life: Caregiving Work and the Beatles," and the Runner-up Grand Prix went to Yamagata Broadcasting's "The Interrupted 119 Call: Yuei-san and the 6 Minutes and 20 Seconds of Emergency Care." The winning programs are scheduled to be broadcast nationwide at a later date.