The 64th "Commercial Broadcasters' Convention" Opens

The National Association of Commercial Broadcasters in Japan (NACB) held its 64th "National Commercial Broadcasting Convention" on November 9 at the Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa International Hall Pamir in Minato Ward, Tokyo, gathering approximately 1,200 attendees. The event featured the convention ceremony, two symposiums, a commemorative lecture, and related programs. During the ceremony, the NACB Awards and the 12th Japan Broadcasting Culture Awards were presented.

 

Opening the event, Chairman Hiroshi Inoue (Honorary Chairman of TBS Television) delivered remarks outlining his views on the role of broadcasting during disasters, local stations' initiatives, internet utilization, relations with NHK, responses to new technologies and services, radio initiatives, ensuring broadcasting autonomy, and enhancing broadcasting ethics. He appealed, "Broadcasters are by no means giant corporations, but their influence on society is immense. With this awareness, and the understanding that you work for such an organization, I urge you to view matters not with a single lens but with multiple perspectives, and to report accordingly."

From the guests, a video message from Prime Minister Abe was presented, a message from Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Sanae Takaichi was read aloud by Vice Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Jiro Akama, and a congratulatory address was given by Katsuhito Momi, President of the Japan Broadcasting Corporation.

Chairman Yoshio Okubo (President of Nippon Television Network Corporation) read the "Conference Declaration" aloud, and it was adopted.

Conference Declaration
"We, the private broadcasters, have consistently delivered accurate information promptly since our inception, building trust with our viewers and listeners and serving as a vital lifeline. We pledge to continue being an indispensable media for daily life by embracing new, diversifying technologies, delivering high-quality programming, and meeting the expectations and trust of the public. We declare this on the occasion of the 64th National Private Broadcasting Convention."

Next, the 2016 Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association Awards were presented. A total of 93 programs across four categories, representing the best of commercial broadcasting over the past year, were honored. Trophies and shields were presented to representatives of the winning companies.

For the 12th Japan Broadcasting Culture Awards, the Grand Prix was awarded to Tokai Television Broadcasting's "Life Fruits: The Story of an Architect and a Woodland Grove" (TV category) and Nippon Broadcasting System's "Nippon Broadcasting System News Special: 'Children's Earthquake Experience - It's Okay to Talk'" (Radio category).

Following the awards ceremony, Rio Paralympics silver and bronze medalist Atsushi Yamamoto delivered a commemorative lecture titled "Challenge: Toward the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games."

Additionally, the following two symposia and related events were held during this conference.

Symposium ①

◇Theme
  "Proposals for Commercial Television in the ICT Era"
◇Coordinator
　Naomi Ushio (Vice President for Public Relations, Meiji University; Professor, School of Information and Communication)
◇Panelists
　Tetsuya Sakurai (Managing Executive Officer, Hakuhodo DY Media Partners)
　Osamu Suzuki (Broadcast Writer)
　Toshiyuki Takahashi (Director, Production Bureau, Nippon Television Network Corporation)
　Ms. Kinuko Yano (General Manager, Advertising Department, KDDI Communications Division)

Symposium ②

◇Theme
 "The Potential of Radio in the SNS Era: Between Calm and Flaming"
◇Moderator
　Kazuhiko Tanaka (President, Nankai Broadcasting)
◇Panelists
　Yuta Ishikura (Video Research Ltd. Hito Research Institute)
　Tetsuya Sugimoto (President, Glider Associates)
　Ms. Manabe Kaori (Talent)

Related events "Seeing is believing! A deep dive into the winning projects from the technical division!" and "All-Japan Radio Stations Web Page" held simultaneously