Japan Updates Radio Equipment and Telecommunications Equipment Standards

Japan has expanded its regulatory oversight of radio equipment and telecommunications equipment through a series of partial amendments and revisions

Regulation Analysis: Japan’s Expanded Oversight of Radio and Telecommunications Equipment

Japan has systematically expanded its regulatory framework for radio equipment and telecommunications equipment through a series of partial amendments to the Radio Act (Act No. 131 of May 2, 1950) and its implementing ordinances. These revisions primarily aim to accommodate the growing demand for 5th generation (5G) mobile communication systems by securing additional frequency bands and updating technical standards for radio equipment. Below is a structured breakdown of the key amendments, their objectives, and compliance requirements.

1. Key Amendments and Their Objectives

The amendments focus on two primary areas:

• Expansion of frequency bands for 5G mobile communication systems (TDD-NR).
• Technical updates to the Regulation for Radio Equipment and related ordinances to align with evolving telecommunications needs.

Amendment 1: Addition of the 26GHz Band to TDD-NR Systems

• Objective: Address the surge in mobile communications traffic by securing additional bandwidth for 5G systems¹.
• Key Requirement: The Ordinance on Radio Equipment was amended to include the 26GHz band for Time Division Duplex-New Radio (TDD-NR) systems, enabling wider deployment of 5G infrastructure¹.
• Authority: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC).
• Effective Date: The amendment was published and entered into force on 22 December 2023².

Amendment 2: Partial Revision of the Regulation for Radio Equipment (2023)

• Objective: Update technical standards for radio equipment to support advanced mobile communication systems².
• Key Requirement: The Ministerial Ordinance No. 94 of 2023 revised the Regulations for Radio Equipment, introducing new specifications for radio stations operating in the expanded frequency bands².
• Authority: MIC.
• Effective Date: 22 December 2023².
• Document: Available in Japanese at³(https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_content/000918607.pdf)².

Amendment 3: Partial Revision of the Ordinance for Enforcement of the Radio Act (2025)

• Objective: Further refine technical and operational requirements for radio equipment to ensure compatibility with updated frequency allocations³.
• Key Requirement: The Ministerial Ordinance No. 41 of 2025 amended the Ordinance for Enforcement of the Radio Act, introducing additional compliance criteria for radio equipment used in mobile communication systems³.
• Authority: MIC.
• Effective Date: 7 April 2025³.
• Document: Available in Japanese at³(https://www.soumu.go.jp/menu_hourei/s_shourei.html)³.

Proposed Amendment (2026): Partial Amendment of the Regulation for Radio Equipment

• Objective: Future-proof the regulatory framework by incorporating additional technical standards for emerging radio technologies¹.
• Key Requirement: The proposed amendment (expected adoption in February 2026) will introduce new specifications for radio equipment, though specific details are not yet finalized¹.
• Comment Period: Closed on 30 September 2025¹.
• Authority: MIC (comments handled via the Japan Enquiry Point at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)¹.

2. Compliance Requirements for Businesses

Businesses manufacturing, importing, or operating radio equipment in Japan must comply with the following:

A. Frequency Band Compliance

• Radio equipment operating in the 26GHz band must adhere to the technical specifications outlined in the Ordinance on Radio Equipment, as amended in December 2023^{1, 2}.
• Equipment must be certified under the Radio Act to ensure it does not interfere with existing frequency allocations¹.

B. Certification and Registration

• All radio equipment used in mobile communication systems (including TDD-NR) must undergo type approval by the MIC or a designated certification body¹.
• Importers and manufacturers must submit technical documentation demonstrating compliance with the updated Regulations for Radio Equipment².

C. Timeline for Compliance

3. Enforcement and Penalties

• Non-compliance with the Radio Act or its implementing ordinances may result in:
  • Fines or suspension of operations for unauthorized use of radio frequencies¹.
  • Revocation of certification for equipment failing to meet technical standards².
  • Legal action under the Radio Act, including potential criminal penalties for severe violations¹.

Summary Answer

Japan has expanded its regulatory oversight of radio and telecommunications equipment through a series of amendments to the Radio Act and its implementing ordinances, primarily to support the deployment of 5G mobile communication systems. Key changes include:

1. The addition of the 26GHz band for TDD-NR systems, effective 22 December 2023^{1, 2}.
2. Technical updates via Ministerial Ordinance No. 94 (2023) and No. 41 (2025), which introduced new compliance requirements for radio equipment^{3, 2}.
3. A proposed amendment (expected in February 2026) to further refine technical standards¹.

Businesses must ensure their equipment complies with the updated frequency allocations and certification requirements, with immediate enforcement for amendments already in force. Non-compliance may result in fines, operational suspension, or legal action under the Radio Act^{1, 2}. For further details, stakeholders may consult the official documents published by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications^{3, 2}.

Sources

1. ↩ Partial Amendment of the Regulation for Radio Equipment, etc https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/SS/directdoc.aspx?filename=Q:/G/TBTN25/JPN873.pdf&Open=True
2. ↩ Partial revision of Regulations for Radio Equipment etc. https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/SS/directdoc.aspx?filename=q:/G/TBTN23/JPN783A1.pdf&Open=True
3. ↩ Partial revision of Regulation for Radio Equipment, etc. https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/SS/directdoc.aspx?filename=Q:/G/TBTN24/JPN846A1.pdf&Open=True