The JAMCO Online International Symposium for the 2018 fiscal year, the 27th in the series, on the theme of the “Future of Television: Japan and Europe” attracted reports from researchers in both Japan and abroad and produced rich discussions. We were able to view the present state of Japanese broadcasting and other media from diverse perspectives and also delve into issues now confronting public broadcasting in Europe.

　Valuable observations have also been received from those in Japan and abroad who accessed those reports and discussions on the JAMCO website, where they were posted in Japanese and English. With various media now seeking to reconfigure their respective roles in society, it is my hope that this international symposium has provided useful insights regarding the future of television.

　In Japan, with the launch of 4K and 8K satellite broadcasts in December last year and entry of diverse operators to content distribution, television is being transfigured by moves towards higher picture quality and the fusion of broadcasting and telecommunications. I understand that parallel trends are happening in other countries, too.

　These environmental changes hold deep significance for JAMCO’s own activities. JAMCO’s objectives in distributing international versions of Japanese TV programs are to promote cultural exchange and mutual understanding between Japan and other countries, and contribute to the development of broadcasting services in the developing world. We shall continue to make full use of the results and findings of these annual international symposiums in order to achieve these goals.