Japan’s MIC Certification—formally known as the Technical Regulations Conformity Certification—is a mandatory approval required under Japan’s Radio Wave Act for all radio equipment sold or used in the Japanese market.
The certification ensures that devices using radio frequencies comply with Japan’s technical, electromagnetic, and safety regulations.
It is governed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) and visually represented by the Ⓡ mark.
| Certification Dimension | Core Content & Latest Requirements (2025) |
|---|---|
| egal Basis | Radio Wave Act supervised and enforced by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) |
| Mandatory Nature | Required for all radio equipment before entering the Japanese market |
| Regulatory Body | MIC – Testing and approval handled by Registered Certification Bodies (RCBs) |
| Certification Mark | Use the Ⓡ symbol (not “MIC”) on the product or nameplate |
Japan’s wireless landscape is evolving rapidly in 2025. Here are the most important updates manufacturers must know:
5G NR:
Stricter Out-of-Band Emission (OOBE) and Spectrum Mask limits for products using the n79 (4.8 GHz) band.
These updates aim to reduce interference with adjacent satellite and defense systems.
Wi-Fi 6E/7:
Japan has opened the 6 GHz band (5925 – 6425 MHz), accelerating adoption of next-generation Wi-Fi.
Since late 2024, MIC has required conformance testing under Article 49.20, with 2025 focusing on coexistence verification with existing services such as radar and satellite.
Wi-Fi 7 access points must now prove stable coexistence in dense urban RF environments.
Japan’s MIC is transitioning from recommendation to requirement for cybersecurity compliance.
Applies to critical infrastructure, industrial IoT, vehicle-to-everything (V2X), and smart-city devices.
Manufacturers must provide a Security Assessment Report following the IoT Security Standard Framework, covering:
Firmware tamper protection
Secure boot validation
Encrypted communication protocols (e.g., TLS 1.3/IPsec)
Vulnerability management and update policy
Starting 2025, failure to submit an IoT Security Report can delay or block certification.
MIC continues to broaden the low-power SRD (Short Range Device) catalog, adding:
Environmental sensors
Smart tags
Industrial wireless controllers
Devices listed as “Specified Radio Equipment” can follow a simplified “Technical Standards Conformity Declaration” process—avoiding RCB testing and saving up to 50 % of time and cost.
Understanding and planning your certification route correctly can shorten project cycles by weeks.
| Step | Key Action | Practical Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Determine Equipment Category & Standard | Identify applicable sections of the Radio Equipment Regulations based on frequency, power, and modulation. | Early classification defines test scope, cost, and certification path. |
| 2. Select a Registered Certification Body (RCB) | Choose a MIC-accredited RCB in Japan. | Evaluate not only price and lead time but also the lab’s specialization in your device type (Wi-Fi 6E, 5G NR, IoT). |
| 3. Choose Certification Path & Perform Testing | Two routes: Full Certification or Technical Standards Declaration. | Full Certification: Required for most radio devices (smartphones, routers, BT headsets). Involves RF + EMC + Safety tests. Self-Declaration: Available only for devices listed in the Specified Radio Equipment catalog (low-power BT, Zigbee). |
| 4. RCB Audit & Certificate Issuance | After tests pass, RCB audits reports and issues the Technical Conformity Certificate. | Affix the permanent Ⓡ mark on the device housing or nameplate. |
| 5. Market Surveillance & Compliance Maintenance | Post-approval, maintain conformity through re-testing after hardware/firmware updates. | Significant RF changes (antenna, power, modulation) require re-certification. |
Manufacturers holding FCC ID or CE-RED reports can submit them to Japanese RCBs for partial equivalence, reducing redundant testing.
Technical Regulation Conformity Certification: Applies to end products and modules.
Construction Design Certification: Applies to telecom infrastructure equipment such as base stations.
Mixing these two categories is a frequent cause of application rejection.
Japan’s authorities actively perform AI-assisted product sampling at import and retail levels.
Non-certified or non-compliant devices risk:
Sales prohibition or customs seizure
Mandatory recall and destruction
Penalties up to ¥100 million
Serious brand credibility damage
Foreign manufacturers must appoint a Japanese-registered company as their Domestic Representative, responsible for:
Liaison with MIC and RCBs
Market surveillance cooperation
Product recall or modification management
JP This representative must have a valid Japanese business license and compliance capability.
Start early with technical gap analysis.
Use CB/FCC reports to minimize duplicate RF tests.
Combine family models sharing the same RF module.
Implement cybersecurity architecture before submission.
Retain complete documentation for ≥ 5 years after production ends.
Blue Asia’s pre-evaluation service can help detect risks before formal testing, saving both cost and time.
At Blue Asia Technology (Shenzhen), we specialize in helping international manufacturers achieve Japan Radio Wave Act compliance quickly and accurately.
Our services include:
JP Full MIC Certification (RF / EMC / Security)
Wi-Fi 6E & 7, 5G NR, IoT device testing
Cybersecurity compliance documentation
Domestic Representative coordination
Cost & timeline optimization consulting
king.guo@cblueasia.com
+86 135 3422 5140
If you are developing 5G CPE, Wi-Fi 7 router, or IoT sensor products for Japan, contact Blue Asia to receive a customized certification roadmap and cost estimate.
Request a Free MIC Consultation →
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