Japan ‘on track’ to meet 4K/8K targets

Japan is on track to meet its target of take-up of UHD TV by 50% of the country’s viewers by 2020, according to Suga Masayuki.

The deputy director of Japan’s ministry of internal affairs and communications said that 4K and 8K full satellite licences were issued to 19 channels operated by 11 organisations in January this year.

Full broadcasting via satellite is now scheduled to start in December 2018, Masayuki told attendees at MIPTV in Cannes this morning. “We expect the launch of full broadcast next year will be a big step towards our 2020 target.”

Masayuki said government needed to collaborate with retailers and manufacturers to get the message about 4K and 8K migration across to consumers.

Japan has set a target of 2020 to complete the necessary steps to deliver UHD TV broadcasting for the Olympic Games, with a target of 50% of homes in Japan being able to watch 4K broadcasts by that year. The government expects penetration of 4K TVs to hit 50% by 2020 and 100% by 2025. “We are focusing on raising awareness,” said Masayuki. “We need to provide consumers with comprehensive information to avoid confusion.”

Masayuki said that private and public organisations were working together to further 4K and 8K. The ministry is to set up a forum to discuss how to take UHD TV forward and develop strategy.