The recent news Aichi International Broadcasting Co. will terminate its FM radio service at the end of September because of a large deficit has sent shock waves through the industry in the Tokai region.
Nagoya-based Radio-i, as it is known, is the only FM station in Tokai offering programs in English, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish and Tagalog. It began airing in April 2000, serving Aichi, Gifu, Mie and Shizuoka prefectures, but it has suffered falling ad revenues.
Eri Sano, who hosts a program at the station, expressed dismay at the June 15 announcement. "I'm shocked by the news. As I work in the radio industry, I am worried and have no idea how the industry is going to be in the future."