The 65th "Commercial Broadcasters' Tournament" Opens

The National Association of Commercial Broadcasters in Japan (NACB) held the 65th National Commercial Broadcasting Convention at the Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa International Hall Pamir in Minato Ward, Tokyo, on November 7. Approximately 1,200 attendees participated, including commercial broadcasting professionals, guests, and invitees. The event featured the convention ceremony, two symposiums, and a commemorative lecture. During the ceremony, the Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association Awards and the 13th Japan Broadcasting Culture Awards were presented.

Opening the event, Chairman Hiroshi Inoue (Honorary Chairman of TBS Television) stated: "The media environment surrounding commercial broadcasting has undergone drastic changes, ushering in an era where numerous devices deliver various information alongside broadcasting. Regardless of shifting circumstances, commercial broadcasters have a mission to deliver accurate information and high-quality programming. We must firmly commit to verifying each news source ourselves and conducting proper reporting, without being swayed by fake news or unverified information. While challenges remain, such as further expanding broadcast content overseas, we will tackle them one by one with the cooperation of our member companies."

Guests presented congratulatory messages, including a video letter from Prime Minister Abe, and greetings from Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Seiko Noda and NHK President Ryoichi Ueda.

Shinji Takeda, Chairman of the Convention (President of TBS Television), read the "Convention Declaration," which was adopted.

Conference Declaration

Amidst the turmoil of the global situation, the role of media in accurately and promptly disseminating information both domestically and internationally is becoming increasingly important. We, as commercial broadcasters, have strived to realize a prosperous life for the people as a trusted media outlet that has always stood by the public. We pledge to continue our tireless efforts to deliver diverse and high-quality programming to our viewers and listeners.

　

Next, the 2017 Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association Awards were presented. A total of 94 programs representing the commercial broadcasting industry over the past year were honored in four categories, and trophies and shields were awarded to representatives of the winning companies.

At the announcement and awards ceremony for the 13th Japan Broadcasting Culture Awards, the Grand Prix was awarded to Yamaguchi Broadcasting's "Memory Sediment" (TV category) and FM Tokyo's "Music Document: Yosui Inoue x Robert Campbell 'Sailing Out into the Sea of Words'" (radio category).

Following the awards ceremony, Mr. Shinichi Abe, Representative Director of Google Cloud Japan, delivered a commemorative lecture titled "The Value of Proactive Innovation in the AI Era."

Additionally, the following two symposiums and related programs were held during this conference.

Symposium / TV

◇Theme
"The Current State of Online Advertising Business and the Future of Commercial TV Stations"

◇Panelists
　Mr. Takahiro Iizuka (Deputy Director, Video Business Division, and Director, TV Strategy Department, Hakuhodo DY Media Partners)
　Mr. Yoshitake Katayama (General Manager, Advertising & Promotion Group, General Affairs Department, Daikin Industries)
　Ms. Midori Owada (Director, Communication Design Department, Lion Corporation)
　Masaharu Sato (Director, Sales Planning & Strategy Department, Nippon Television Network Corporation)

◇Coordinator
　Takeshi Natsuno (Specially Appointed Professor, Graduate School of Policy and Media Studies, Keio University)

Symposium / Radio

◇Theme
"NO MUSIC, NO RADIO: Rethinking the Role of Music"

◇Panelists
　Masanori Ito (Music Critic / Disc Jockey)
　Mr. Masaaki Saito (Vice Chairman, Recording Industry Association of Japan / President, JVC Kenwood Victor Entertainment)
　Mr. Hikaru Kuribana (President, FM802)

◇Moderator
　Tanoshi Irie (Media Producer)