This 87 billion Yen investment into switching to digital, mostly from the national treasury debt, requires people to purchase a new TV or a tuner to be equipped for their analog TV. With the switchover, people will be able to receive advanced services such as High–Definition on 16:9 aspect ratio screens and high quality sound. Viewers can also check the program schedule a week ahead, receive data broadcasting to see practical information such as news and weather, enjoy the subtitles even on live broadcasts, and most importantly, they can receive a mobile service called ‘One–Seg’ which allows people to see the digital broadcasts on their phone, car TV, or personal computer. Chikara Iikura, Deputy Director of Ministry of International Affairs and Communications in Terrestrial Digital Media Broadcasting Department said, with this new technology, only two thirds of the previous frequency will be used and the rest of the frequency can be utilized for different services. Iikura said the Japanese terrestrial digital media system was developed by NHK Science and Technology Research Laboratories and standardized in 1999. The system is called ‘Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting.’ “Japanese system is technologically well advanced to send the signal to show images with lesser noise even in complex topography areas compared to the European or American systems,” Iikura said. He explained the unique speciality about the Japanese system is the One–Seg service for mobile devices and now, this technology is adopted in six countries in South America. The government is also trying to sell the system to countries where governments are still considering which standard to adopt. “I hope someday people in Africa use their mobile to watch television,” Iikura said. Akira Nakamura, Senior Associate Director of Public Relation Department of NHK, Japan Broadcasting Corporation said NHK is seeing this switchover “as going with the times.” Nakamura said when computer and mobile phone usage increased especially among young people, they stopped watching TV. “We are trying to make progress for those young people to relate to NHK programs through computer or mobile phone,” he said. Nakamura said the switchover included “huge cost” of 400 billion Yen to fully equip their facility and prepare for the change. “We hope that we can provide a better service to our viewers,” Nakamura said. The government is financially helping broadcasters that cannot afford to set up for the new system, but most of the costs for the switchover are being borne by the broadcasters themselves. Tokyo resident Risa Nishiyoshi, said it is “good” that the government is trying to keep up with the worldwide shift into the digital TV era. “However, it seems that the government is only explaining the positive side of the story, such as its clearer image or noise reduction,” Nishiyoshi said. “But since the switchover will need a large expense, I think it’s necessary for them to explain to us the cost that will be used on this, good and bad points as well.” The cost is not just their concern. In areas of the country geographically filled with mountains and buildings, it’s proving hard for people living “in between” the objects to receive the new broadcasting signal. Iikura said according to the government research, a maximum of 35,000 households will face the problem. According to Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications’ cost report this year, 4.34 billion Yen will be spent on establishing new digital relay station for those areas to receive the signal. Iikura said even though the government are doing their best to prepare for all Japanese household to receive the signal, some areas will not be able to receive the service even after July next year. So, for those households area, the government will be using satellites to transmit from Tokyo for them to watch the programs until the new digital relay stations are ready. For the technology issue, they are facing technical problems as well. With the new digital system, the signal will be sent in the environment where the frequency is squeezed. Thus, interference problems will occur. To solve the issue, broadcasters or the signal receivers have to take measures for which the government will financially support them. For this, 1.08 billion Yen will be used. Iikura said among many problems, the government’s main concern is if people can be ready for the switchover. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications’ research in September 2009, 69.5 percent households own the TV or the tuner to watch the digital broadcasting channels. “We are helping to provide the antenna for people who are financially not capable to purchase the device,” Iikura said. The government also started a system called ‘eco point’ to motivate people to buy home electronics. When people purchase a new digital TV which is helping to preserve the environment by saving energy for example, they will get eco points. Then, people can exchange the points for different items such as gift certificate. The Ministry of International Affairs and Communications’ November 2009 research, 89.6 percent people are aware of the termination of analog broadcasting. Yet, it is still difficult for the elderly and disabled people to understand the technology. Iikura said the government is conducting briefing sessions specifically aimed at the elderly and the disabled. This operation will cost 7.46 billion Yen. “It’s the government’s mission to spread the awareness and don’t let people to left behind,” Iikura said.