Discussions are currently being held at an international level concerning the strengthening of the rights of broadcasting organisations. In accordance with this trend, it has recently been proposed in Japan that copyright in broadcasts should be recognised in place of the rights of broadcasting organisations. This article looks at the transformation of the rationale for the protection of the rights of broadcasting organisations in Japan. In addition, it clarifies that the rights of broadcasting organisations, as opposed to the 'copyright in broadcasts' being proposed in Japan, is equivalent to copyright in broadcasts in Australia.