Under Japan’s Radio Wave Act, the MIC (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications) certification ensures that all wireless products entering the Japanese market meet strict technical, safety, and cybersecurity standards.
As of 2025, the process has become more streamlined — but also more technically demanding — especially for next-generation Wi-Fi 6E/7, 5G, and IoT devices.
Understanding the right certification path, required documents, and testing sequence can save weeks of project time and thousands in testing costs.
The MIC certification process can be divided into five main stages.
Each stage affects both the timeline and the total cost of your certification.
| Stage | Main Activities | Estimated Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ Preparatory Phase & Path Determination | Identify product type, applicable regulations, and certification route (Path A or Path B). | 1–2 weeks |
| 2️⃣ RCB Selection & Laboratory Testing | Select a MIC-registered body and complete RF/EMC/Cybersecurity tests. | 3–6 weeks |
| 3️⃣ RCB Audit & Certificate Issuance | Review of all reports and technical documentation by RCB. | 2–4 weeks |
| 4️⃣ Declaration & Marking | Affix “Ⓡ” mark or sign the Technical Standards Conformity Declaration. | 1 week |
| 5️⃣ Market Surveillance & Maintenance | Ongoing post-market monitoring and re-certification for changes. | Continuous |
This is the strategic foundation of the entire process.
The first decision: which path applies to your product?
Path A: Full Certification
For most wireless devices — phones, routers, Bluetooth headsets.
Requires testing and approval by a Registered Certification Body (RCB).
Path B: Technical Standards Conformity Declaration
For low-power devices listed in the “Specified Radio Equipment” catalog (e.g., Zigbee or short-range Bluetooth).
Self-declared by the manufacturer, no RCB testing required, saving significant time and cost.
Choosing the correct path early can cut your timeline by up to 50%.
This stage is the technical core of the process.
Products under Path A must undergo testing in a MIC-accredited laboratory.
Key test categories include:
RF Conformance Testing – Frequency, power, bandwidth, spurious emissions
EMC Testing – Conducted & radiated emissions
Cybersecurity Architecture Assessment (New 2025 requirement for IoT devices)
Testing complexity varies by technology: Wi-Fi 6E/7 and 5G require extended RF spectrum and AFC verification.
After all test reports are completed, the Registered Certification Body (RCB) reviews:
Test results
Technical documentation
Device schematics & product labeling
Once approved, the Conformity Certificate is issued under the Radio Wave Act.
Ensure all documents — especially Japanese manuals — are complete to avoid audit delays.
Path A:
Affix the official “Ⓡ” mark (Registered Conformity Mark) on the product and user manual.
Path B:
Sign and retain the Technical Standards Conformity Declaration, then mark the product accordingly.
Marking must be permanent, legible, and compliant with MIC labeling rules.
Post-certification, all manufacturers are subject to MIC market surveillance.
Key requirements include:
Document retention for inspection (minimum 10 years)
Change notification for hardware, firmware, or frequency design modifications
Periodic audits for compliance confirmation
Major product changes may trigger re-testing or certificate re-issuance.
The total certification time depends heavily on the product’s wireless complexity and selected path.
| Path Type | Typical Device Examples | Estimated Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Path A — Full Certification | Wi-Fi 6E/7 routers, 5G CPEs, Bluetooth headsets | 6–10 weeks (standard) / up to 12–16 weeks (complex) |
| Path B — Self-Declaration | Low-power Bluetooth, Zigbee, short-range IoT sensors | 2–4 weeks |
Path B saves roughly 50–70% of the time compared to Path A.
First-Pass Test Success Rate
Each failed test and retest can delay the project by 2–4 weeks.
Early pre-testing reduces this risk.
Document Completeness
Missing Japanese technical manuals or incomplete schematics can delay RCB audits.
RCB Workload
Some RCBs have longer review queues — selecting an efficient partner lab can accelerate issuance.
✅ 1. Conduct Pre-Compliance Testing
Identify potential RF/EMC failures early using internal or partner labs.
✅ 2. Choose RCBs with Target Product Experience
Experienced RCBs can provide faster feedback on new technologies like Wi-Fi 7 and 5G RedCap.
✅ 3. Utilize International Reports (FCC/CE/CB)
MIC allows partial report reuse, significantly shortening testing cycles.
✅ 4. Integrate Cybersecurity Early
For IoT devices, prepare a security architecture document (encryption, OTA update strategy) during R&D to avoid last-minute revisions.
At Blue Asia Technology (Shenzhen), we provide complete Japan market access solutions, including:
JP MIC Radio Wave Act certification (Path A & B)
RF / EMC / Cybersecurity testing for Wi-Fi 6E, 5G, Bluetooth, and IoT devices
Local Japanese representative coordination
CB/FCC report conversion to shorten certification time
king.guo@cblueasia.com
+86 135 3422 5140
Whether you’re preparing a Wi-Fi 7 router, Bluetooth sensor, or 5G RedCap module, Blue Asia can help you design a compliant roadmap that meets Japan’s latest standards.
Request Your Free MIC Certification Assessment →
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