Japan’s MIC certification, issued under the “Radio Wave Act” by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), is a mandatory approval for all products using radio frequencies or wireless communication technologies.
It ensures that devices comply with Japan’s technical regulations for radio spectrum management, EMC, and now — increasingly — cybersecurity.
As of 2025, the MIC framework has evolved to reflect Japan’s new focus on next-generation wireless technologies (Wi-Fi 6E, 5G RedCap, IoT security) and energy-efficient spectrum use.
| Certification Dimension | Core Content & 2025 Latest Requirements |
|---|---|
| Regulatory System | “Radio Wave Act” and “Radio Equipment Regulations” issued by MIC, defining Japan’s technical compliance rules for all radio devices. |
| Core Testing Standards | - RF Performance: per “Technical Standards” (e.g., Article 49-2 for 2.4GHz/5GHz wideband devices). - EMC: per “Radio Law Enforcement Regulations” Appendix 6 + VCCI standards. - Cybersecurity: per the IoT Device Security Baseline (mandatory for all connected devices). |
| Key Test Items | - RF Conformance Test: Frequency tolerance, output power, bandwidth, spurious emissions. - EMC Test: Conducted & radiated disturbance, immunity. - Cybersecurity: Access control, encryption, secure update mechanism. |
| Special Device Categories | - 5G NR: n79 band OOB emissions, UE positioning. - Wi-Fi 6E/7: 6GHz band (LPI) testing & AFC verification. - IoT Devices: Lightweight encryption, anti-tampering protection. |
RF testing ensures that a product’s radio signals are precise, stable, and interference-free.
Key tests include:
Frequency Tolerance & Output Power: Confirms device operation within Japan’s permitted spectrum and power limits.
Spurious Emissions: Verifies that emissions outside the designated band stay below regulatory thresholds.
For 5G NR (n79) devices, stricter spurious limits protect aviation and satellite communications.
Wi-Fi 6E/7: Japan now requires AFC (Automated Frequency Coordination) and LPI (Low Power Indoor) verification for the 5925–6425 MHz band, with planned expansion to 7125 MHz.
Ensures that the product does not emit excessive electromagnetic noise and can operate normally in typical interference environments.
Main test types:
EMI (Electromagnetic Interference):
Measures emissions through power lines (Conducted Disturbance) and radiated through space (Radiated Disturbance).
EMS (Electromagnetic Susceptibility):
Simulates environmental interference (ESD, surge, fast transients) to ensure stable performance.
EMC testing under MIC aligns with Japan’s VCCI standard, accepted globally.
In 2025, Japan made cybersecurity testing compulsory for all IoT and network-connected devices.
Manufacturers must demonstrate compliance with the IoT Device Security Baseline, covering:
Access Control: Authentication for local and remote device access.
Data Encryption: Secure communication via TLS 1.2/1.3, IPsec, or equivalent.
Secure Boot & Firmware Verification: Preventing unauthorized software modification.
Vulnerability Management: Proof of patch strategy and security update capability.
Cybersecurity documentation is now a required part of MIC technical file submission.
Japan’s 6GHz band has officially opened (5925–6425 MHz) for Wi-Fi 6E, with 6425–7125 MHz under review for Wi-Fi 7.
All new devices in these bands must comply with:
Article 49-20 of the Radio Wave Act
AFC system compatibility testing to prevent cross-channel interference
The new 5G RedCap (Reduced Capability) standard targets IoT and industrial devices, simplifying certain RF tests but adding:
Battery efficiency evaluation
Network access security compliance
UWB Devices: Must meet tight spectral mask and power control rules to avoid interference with critical services like GPS.
VLP (Very Low Power) Devices: Used in AR/VR and short-range sensors, can be exempted if transmission power remains below ultra-low thresholds.
| Category | Required Documents / Actions |
|---|---|
| Technical Documents | Circuit diagrams, user manuals (Japanese), block diagrams, antenna specs |
| Test Reports | RF + EMC + cybersecurity test results from MIC-accredited labs |
| Local Representation | Required: A Japanese entity or importer must act as the certification applicant |
| Marking | Devices must bear the official MIC mark and type approval number before sale |
MIC mark placement must be permanent, legible, and compliant with Japan’s Radio Equipment Labeling Rules.
Reuse International Reports:
MIC accepts partial data from FCC or CE reports if equivalent standards are demonstrated.
Pre-Test for 6GHz Wi-Fi Devices:
Early verification of AFC and coexistence performance prevents late-stage rejection.
Cybersecurity Design Integration:
Build compliance into firmware from the start—retrofitting at submission costs more time and money.
At Blue Asia Technology (Shenzhen), we specialize in multi-market wireless certification — helping you navigate Japan’s evolving MIC regulatory system.
Our expertise covers:
JP RF, EMC, and Cybersecurity testing for Wi-Fi 6E, 5G, and IoT devices
Local Japanese representative coordination
CB/FCC report conversion to shorten approval time
Full technical file preparation & Japanese translation support
king.guo@cblueasia.com
+86 135 3422 5140
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