6 Japanese commercial AM radio stations will switch to FM

From September 1, 2025, to October 31, 2026, the period designated by Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications as the "Second Phase of Special Measures Period for Suspension of AM Station Operations" begins. During this period, AM commercial stations can suspend their AM operations. If no significant issues happen, they will be permitted to switch to FM broadcasting starting in the autumn of 2026 or later. 22 commercial AM stations have applied for this phase. The details are shown at https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_content/001028011.pdf  in Japanese

In these 22 stations, 6 stations, shown below, have already declared the complete FM transition, by suspending all AM broadcasting. The date indicates the suspension of AM broadcasting.

1) Aomori Hoso (RAB), Aomori  JOGR 1233kHz 5kW +5 AM relay stations  February 1, 2026  to  91.7MHz 1kW + 3 FM relay stations

2) Tochigi Hoso (CRT), Utsunomiya  JOXF 1530kHz 5kW +2 AM relay stations  December 1, 2025  to  94.1MHz 1kW + 3 FM relay stations

3) Yamanashi Hoso (YBS), Kofu  JOJF 765kHz 5kW +1 AM relay station  March 1, 2026  to  90.9MHz 1kW + 4 FM relay stations

4) Fukui Hoso (FBC), Fukui  JOPR 864kHz 5kW +2 AM relay stations  March 16, 2026 to 94.6MHz 1kW +5 FM relays stations

5) Shikoku Hoso (JRT), Tokushima  JOJR 1269kHz 1kW +2 AM relay stations March 23, 2026 (reducing power from January 16, 2026) to  93.0MHz 1kW +3 FM relay stations

6) Nankai Hoso (RNB), Matsuyama  JOAF 1116kHz 5kW +5 AM relay stations  February. 10, 2026 (reducing power from December 1, 2025)  to 91.7MHz 1kW +11 FM relay stations

Most of other commercial stations will preserve AM broadcasting in parallel with FM broadcasting, suspending all or part of AM relay stations, and/or reducing AM transmitting power.

(Takahito Akabayashi, Tokyo, Japan via WOR List)

Japanese commercial MW stations will stop broadcasting by 2028

TBS Radio Inc. Chairman Kiyohiko Irie is seen during a news conference in Tokyo's Minato Ward, on June 15, 2021. 

(Photo courtesy of the Wide FM receiver promotion liaison via mainichi.jp/)

According to "Sports Hochi News" and other media, representatives of 47 Japanese commercial AM radio stations held online meeting on June 15, they announced 44 out of 47 broadcasters have decided to stop AM broadcasting by the year 2028 and change to FM. Only 3 broadcasters in Hokkaido and Akita have not decided yet. 3 AM broadcasters in Tokyo – TBS Radio(954 kHz 100 kW/90.5 MHz 7 kW), Bunka Hoso(1134 kHz 100 kW/91.6 MHz 7 kW), Nippon Hoso(1242 kHz 100 kW/93.0 MHz 7 kW) will take decision in 2025. 28 AM broadcasters will start the demonstration experiment to stop AM in 2023-2028.

The reasons are :

1) it is financially impossible to renew the old AM transmitter equipment

2) the simultaneous AM/FM broadcasting has been the severe burden for finance, they add the number of internet/mobile phone (using "radiko" site or App) listeners have exceeded that of radio listeners,especially in younger generation.

47 commercial AM broadcasters are, 16 MW only and 31 MW +TV broadcasters. Radio NIKKEI (SW only) is not included.

(Takahito Akabayashi, Tokyo, Japan via WOR)

Related :

44 of 47 AM radio stations in Japan to switch to FM by 2028

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20210616/p2a/00m/0na/013000c?fbclid=IwAR379S2HBlfHPUeQzhjdTdMNhxo-f6MQk8gmvk4N36byDiyriqHcH-WQjq4