Our of recognition of the indispensable role of the public telephone as a common resource in the life of Japan's citizens, and the need for further improvements in service to meet the requirements of users as well as for high performance and versatility in communications services, NTT decides that it is necessary to provide separate accountability and stability for its public telephone business. On October 1, 1993, permission is obtained from the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications to revise calling charges for public telephones. This is followed by detailed announcements of plans for service improvements and rationalization.