(Press Release)
The Pioneering High Definition Television System and
Emergency Warning Code Signal Broadcasting System
Receive IEEE Milestones
TOKYO, April 13, 2016- The IEEE* has formally recognized the High Definition Television, and
Emergency Warning Code Signal Broadcasting Systems developed by NHK as IEEE Milestones.
IEEE established the Milestones Program in 1983 to honor the historic landmarks of high
international acclaim which have made great contributions to social and industrial development in
the fields of electrical, electronic and computer engineering.
26 Japanese technologies received IEEE Milestones up until last year, including NHK’s R&D behind the
2011 award for the First Direct Broadcast Satellite Service for transmitting broadcasts straight to the
homes. The latest awards bring NHK’s IEEE Milestones to three.
Contributions of NHK were cited as follows:

Many years of R&D which led to the realization and inauguration of the high-definition
broadcasting system and brought viewers high-definition, wide-screen images with a strong
sense of reality.

Many years of R&D which led to the realization and inauguration of the world’s first emergency
code signal broadcasting system in 1985.
The IEEE Milestone plaques will be presented at a ceremony in Tokyo on May 11th.
*The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Based in the United States, this is the world’s
largest engineering body with 430,000 members in more than 160 countries in the fields of
electrical, electronic, computer and telecommunications engineering.
(Attachment)
High Definition Television System
 NHK commenced basic research on high-quality television in 1964, engaging in
wide-ranging studies from psychophysical experiments to system development.
 The basic technology was proven by the world’s first regular experimental broadcasting
via satellite, which was commenced in 1989 with a high definition, 1,125 scanning lines
on a 16:9 ratio screen.
 The 1,125 scanning line format was made the unified global standard in 2000 as
high-definition television spread worldwide.
Wide screen display
with 1,125 scanning lines
Testing the effects of viewing angle
on the sense of reality
Emergency Signal Code Broadcasting System
 NHK realized the emergency signal code broadcasting system, which turns on TV and
radio sets automatically and conveys warning signals when a major earthquake, tsunami,
or other disaster impends.
 The system has been incorporated to the global standards for both satellite and
terrestrial broadcasting.
 The emergency signal broadcasting system continues in current use in support of
disaster-related broadcasts.
Meteorological Agency
1) Announcement of
impending large
earthquake
2) Tsunami Warning
3) Instruction from
prefectural governor
Prefectural Office
Emergency
Broadcast,
Warning
Signal
Automatic
Operation
Activating
Signal
Broadcaster
Transmitting Station
(Reference)
Major Milestones
 Japan
Theme
Dedicated Year
TPC-1 Transpacific Cable System, 1964
2014
International Standardization of G3 Facsimile, 1980
2012
Development of Electronic Television, 1924-1941
2009
The First Word Processor for the Japanese Language,
1971-1978
2008
Development of VHS, a World Standard for Home Video
Recording, 1976
2006
Pioneering Work on Electronic Calculators, 1964-1973
2005
Tokaido Shinkansen (Bullet Train), 1964
2000
Mount Fuji Radar System, 1964
2000
 Overseas
Theme
Dedicated
Year
Country
Invention of Stereo Sound Reproduction, 1931
2015
UK
Birthplace of the Bar Code, 1948
2012
U.S.A
Grumman Lunar Module, 1962-1972
2011
U.S.A
Birthplace of the Internet, 1969
2009
U.S.A
Compact Disc Audio Player, 1979
2009
Netherlands
Volta's Electrical Battery Invention, 1799
1999
Italy
Manufacture of Transistors, 1951
1989
U.S.A