DTT switchover accomplished in most areas of Japan

Digital terrestrial television (DTT) broadcasting in Japan began in 2003. It was planned to accomplish total switchover on 24 July 2011, simultaneously throughout the country. DTT broadcasts have come to cover nearly 100 per cent of households in a rather short time, but the penetration of DTT receivers was very slow in the beginning. The Government then introduced various assistance systems to promote the sale of DTT receivers and the installation of aerials, and the prices of DTT receivers have dropped considerably. The penetration rate of DTT receivers was improved, but on 11 March 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake added a last hazard to the total switchover, and in the most affected three prefectures the switchover was postponed. In the other areas of the country switchover has been accomplished as scheduled without any major trouble.