EUROMEDIA
UHD Special
SPRING 2017
J
Japan: Fully UHD by 2025
recognised as one of the most important
“In 2016 there were test broadcasts via satellite
apanese TV households will be fully
topics for Japanese economic growth. “So, the
with a large number of viewers,” he advised,
UHD by 2025, according to Masayuki
promotion was incorporated into the national
adding that 2018 would see a full service
Suga, Deputy Director, Ministry of
growth plan called the Japan Revitalisation
available. “So far, 4K and 8K promotion has
Internal Affairs and Communications.
Strategy. In that strategy, it is stated that
progressed in accordance with the Road Map,”
Delivering a Keynote address on ‘Japan’s
approximately 50 per cent of households in
he added.
Road Map for 4K Ultra HD and Beyond’ at
Japan will watch through 4K and
MIPTV’s Sony 4K Ultra HD
8K in 2020. The government
Theatre, Suga told delegates
4K TV in Japan Market
will promote 4K and 8K by
that in 2012, a study group had
Number of installed 4K TVs (Thousand)
Household penetration (%)
99%
100,000
100%
starting broadcasts by satellite in
been held on the advancement
100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
89%
90,000
90%
2018. The penetration rate was
of broadcasting services, leading
78%
set as a target, with 100 per cent
to the creation of the Road Map
80,000
80%
in 2025.”
in 2013. “In Japan, public and
70,000
70%
65%
He said that to reach the
private sectors are working
60,000
60%
67,671
2020 target, the Ministry was
together to promote 4K and
51%
65,207
50,000
50%
62,785
focusing on raising awareness
8K. We have formulated the
60,465
58,131
40,000
40%
37%
among people. “The start
Road Map as a common goal
55,310
51,350
of full commercial satellite
for the stakeholders such as
30,000
30%
46,370
23%
40,421
broadcasting in December next
broadcasters and equipment
33,634
20,000
20%
13%
26,335
year will enhance the spread of
manufacturers and government.”
18,943
10,000
10%
6%
the 4K system,” he predicted,
12,019
Follow-up meetings held by the
2%
1%
0%
6,840
3,268
314 1,172
0
0%
55
0
adding that before that, viewers
Ministry had seen two revisions
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030
4KTVs Number of installed
4KTVs Household penetration
Source : JEITA, MRI estimates
needed to be provided with
to the Road Map, with the latest
Source: Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc.
comprehensive information
version setting 2020 as the target
on 4K and 8K to avoid confusion. One of
Suggesting that this represented major
year for the promotion of 4K and 8K as Japan
the concerns is that viewers may need to
progress since the last MIPTV, Suga reported
will be hosting the Olympic and Paralympic
purchase new equipment in order to enjoy
that in January 2016, 19 channels, operated
Games that year. “We hope the enthusiasm for
4K services, such as monitors, tuners and
by 11 broadcasters, had been licensed to
the Olympics and Paralympics to be shared
antenna, set-top box. Accordingly, the Ministry
commence commercial broadcasting in 4K
nationwide through 4K and 8K broadcasting.”
was planning to set up a forum involving
from December 2018. “Free-to-air channels
Towards that 2020 target, the Ministry had
broadcasters, manufacturers and retailers to
will be offered. The launch of full broadcasts
planned a number of steps, such as in test
share information and discuss the awareness
will be a big step towards our goal in 2020.”
broadcasts of 4K in 2014 via cable, satellite and
strategy.
He said that promotion of 4K and 8K was
IPTV, with full broadcasts the following year.
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