10th Anniversary of Digital Terrestrial Broadcasting, Commemorative Ceremony Held for "Digital Broadcasting Day"

The Digital Broadcasting Promotion Association (Dpa) held a commemorative ceremony for "Terrestrial and BS Digital Broadcasting Day" on December 1st at Hotel Floracion Aoyama in Minato Ward, Tokyo. Terrestrial digital broadcasting marked its 10th anniversary that same day.

First, Dpa Chairman Toshio Fukuda (Senior Managing Director, TV Asahi) stated: "Thirteen years have passed since the start of BS digital broadcasting, and ten years since terrestrial digital broadcasting began. We will strive to eliminate poor reception areas by March 2015 and achieve Dpa's mission of complete terrestrial digitalization. We are also working to adapt to the convergence of broadcasting and communications, as well as next-generation television. We aim not only to promote digital broadcasting but also to contribute to the evolution of television."

Dpa Chairman Fukuda

Following this, Director Fukuoka of the Information and Communications Bureau at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications offered congratulations: "It has been 10 years since the start of terrestrial digital broadcasting, and we have reached the 60th anniversary of television broadcasting. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications will work together with all stakeholders to ensure no one is left unable to view terrestrial digital broadcasts. We are now entering an era of evolving digital broadcasting. We look forward to cutting-edge services and products leveraging advanced technology."

Director Fukuoka of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

Hiroshi Inoue, Chairman of the National Association of Commercial Broadcasters in Japan (NACB) and Chairman of TBS Television, stated: "The widespread adoption of terrestrial digital broadcasting owes much to viewers purchasing compatible receivers. Television remains the optimal medium for broadcasting sporting events. We anticipate that new broadcasting technologies will expand and make television an even more familiar medium by the time of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The presence of BS broadcasting is also growing. We want terrestrial and BS broadcasting to cooperate and showcase the strength of television."

Nippon Hoso Renmei Chairman Inoue

Other guests delivering remarks included NHK Chairman Masayuki Matsumoto, JEITA Chairman Norio Sasaki (Vice Chairman of Toshiba), and NexTV-F Chairman Osamu Sudo (Professor at the University of Tokyo).

Following the ceremony, Shuichi Inada, Specially Appointed Professor at the University of Tokyo, delivered a commemorative lecture titled "New Broadcasting Business Trends Through Network Collaboration: The Key is Big Data Utilization." Additionally, at Omotesando Hills in Shibuya Ward, an exhibition and reception consultation on next-generation television, including 4K/8K and Hybridcast, was held under the theme "See the Future: Evolving Television."