The Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications would include the proposal in a telecoms legislation reform package it hopes will receive cabinet approval later this month.
The ministry will also propose an easing of regulations on the two fixed-line regional service providers in the Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp (NTT) group to allow them to enter long-distance, Internet access and international services, the paper said.
The proposals are part of an effort to encourage competition and lower rates in Japan’s telecoms sector, which has come under attack from foreign trade partners and many domestic business leaders for restrictive practices that are thwarting the growth of information technology in Japan.
The Nihon Keizai is expected to propose designating NTT DoCoMo, which holds a 60% share of Japan’s market for mobile phone services
