AFN Expands FM coverage in Japan . More to come ...

[RF101]

American Forces Network radio is expanding its FM reach in southern Japan

American Forces Network will officially launch FM radio service at Sasebo Naval Base.

www.stripes.com

 

[Mediafrog+]

This is made more practical by the recent expansion of the Japanese FM band up to 95 MHz, above its
longtime 76-90 MHz boundaries. AFN stations can be placed where that overlaps with the familiar CCIR band 88-108 MHz.

 

[Mediafrog+]

Just spotted this: Appears the Japanese telecommunications regulators have officially added the 95-99 MHz range to the FM band as of May 19, 2025. This will allow for more migration of AM stations to FM. Supposedly the remaining 99-108 MHz range will be considered later. So for now Japan’s FM band runs 76-99 MHz.

Brazil appears to be the only country presently using the entire 76-108 MHz range for FM. A recent posting on a DX forum included a bandscan in the São Paulo area and showed the 76-88 MHz extended band full of signals.

 

[Michi]

Just spotted this: Appears the Japanese telecommunications regulators have officially added the 95-99 MHz range to the FM band as of May 19, 2025. This will allow for more migration of AM stations to FM. Supposedly the remaining 99-108 MHz range will be considered later. So for now Japan’s FM band runs 76-99 MHz.

Brazil appears to be the only country presently using the entire 76-108 MHz range for FM. A recent posting on a DX forum included a bandscan in the São Paulo area and showed the 76-88 MHz extended band full of signals.

I am guessing that the 95~99 MHz section was (finally) added likely to accommodate some kind of transition of NHK Radio 1 and NHK Radio 2. (again, this is speculation)..

@Mediafrog+ , do you have a link to that article that discusses the MIC's expansion of the FM band to 99 MHz.

 

[Mediafrog+]

@Mediafrog+ , do you have a link to that article that discusses the MIC's expansion of the FM band to 99 MHz.

It was a posting in Glenn Hauser’s World of Radio forum. As Glenn allows reuse of posted information as long as full proper contributor credits are given, here it is:

“According to the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), the expanded FM band 95-99MHz is opened to the FM broadcasters from May 19, 2025.
Japanese FM band is originally 76-90MHz. Currently, 90-95 MHz has been opened to community broadcasting stations, temporary disaster broadcasting stations, and FM supplementary broadcasting of AM stations, but 95-99 MHz will also be opened to NHK and commercial prefectural FM stations.
This is in response to the shortage of frequencies when converting from AM to FM. According to the 2022 survey, 70 stations from 19 broadcasters (63 AM broadcasters and 7 FM broadcasters) have expressed the hope to use this frequency band.
The use of remaining 99-108MHz band will be considered later.
For more information, see https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_content/000982862.pdf and https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_content/000982861.pdf

Takahito Akabayashi
Tokyo, Japan”

 

[RF101]

The story about the AFN Sasebo upgrade via Dallas Express:

AFN Launches First New FM Radio Station In Japan In 70 Years

AFN launches its first FM station in Japan in 70 years, enhancing communication for U.S. military and locals.

dallasexpress.com

"Japan’s Ministry of Internal Communications conducted monthly inspections as AFN gradually increased broadcasting power. The team started at 50 watts and reached 300 watts by March 2025."