For any wireless device manufacturer planning to enter the Japanese market, the "Technical Conformity Certification" (often referred to as TELEC Certification) of Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) is a statutory threshold that must be crossed. The core purpose of this mandatory certification is to ensure that all radio devices comply with the strict technical standards of Japan’s Radio Law, prevent harmful interference to the country’s sophisticated communication networks (such as air traffic control and disaster prevention radio), and safeguard radio wave order.

Unlike many certification systems, MIC certification has no fixed validity period; its validity is based on the product’s "continuous compliance". Once the product design changes or Japanese regulations are updated, the certification status may be invalidated. Therefore, accurately understanding its standard items and product scope from the beginning of R&D is key to controlling costs and ensuring a smooth market launch.

2025 Core MIC Certification Standards and Test Items

The technical evaluation of MIC certification is a systematic project, and its test items are completely based on Japan’s unique frequency band planning and RF parameter requirements. The following are the latest core test categories:

1.Basic Mandatory Test Items: Common Barriers for All Wireless DevicesThis is the cornerstone of certification testing, mainly evaluating the most basic RF characteristics and electromagnetic compatibility of devices.

·RF Performance Testing: This is the top priority, including frequency error, transmit power (especially Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power (EIRP), with strict upper limits), occupied bandwidth, modulation characteristics, and receiver sensitivity. Laboratories will strictly verify that the device operates within the approved frequency band and power range.

·Spurious Emission Testing: Detects whether the device generates harmful radiation in non-essential frequency bands during operation. The test range usually covers 30MHz to 1GHz and above, and must meet the strict limits of Japanese standards (e.g., -36dBm/MHz).

·Electromagnetic Compatibility Testing: Ensures that the device can work stably in complex electromagnetic environments and does not cause interference to other devices. It mainly includes conducted disturbance and radiated disturbance testing.

2.Special Function Testing: Additional Items for Specific ProductsDepending on the frequency band and use of the device, one or more of the following special tests must also be passed:

·Dynamic Frequency Selection Testing: This is a mandatory test for Wi-Fi devices operating in the 5GHz band (e.g., routers). The device must have the ability to detect and automatically avoid priority signals such as meteorological radar within 200 milliseconds. It should be noted that since 2025, the requirements for DFS response time in the 5.6GHz band have become more stringent.

·Specific Absorption Rate Testing: All devices used close to the human body, such as smartphones, tablets, smart watches, and Bluetooth headsets, must evaluate the rate of electromagnetic wave energy absorption by the human body, which must meet the standard limit of 1.6W/kg.

·Automatic Frequency Coordination Testing: For Wi-Fi 6E/7 devices using the newly opened 6GHz band (5925-7125MHz), this function verification must be passed to ensure that they can automatically avoid existing fixed services in this band.

3.2025 New Regulatory Test Items: Compliance Dynamics to Pay Attention ToJapan’s technical regulations are fine-tuned every year, and the following points are particularly worth paying attention to this year:

·Additional Testing for USB-C Interface Devices: Since February 14, 2025, all wireless devices with USB-C interfaces (such as mobile phones and tablets) must conduct additional evaluations of potential RF interference during charging or data transmission, which may increase testing costs and cycles.

·Activation of the 433MHz Band: In February 2025, MIC officially approved the use of the 433.795-434.045 MHz band for automotive TPMS and RKE systems, opening new channels for related products.

·Smartphone Emergency Roaming Function: According to the new regulations issued in May 2025 and taking effect in October, IP-enabled mobile phone terminals (such as smartphones) must have the ability to roam across operators in emergencies. Although this may not be directly reflected in the initial certification testing, it is already a new requirement that device designs must meet.

  Scope of MIC-Certified Products

Clarifying whether a product falls within the scope of mandatory certification is the first step to avoiding compliance risks.

1.Products Requiring MIC Certification:In short, any device that "intentionally transmits radio waves" requires certification unless explicitly exempted. It mainly covers the following categories:

·Short-Range Communication Devices: This is the most common category, including Bluetooth headsets/speakers/keyboards, Wi-Fi routers, ZigBee smart home devices, RFID devices using 2.4GHz/920MHz, UWB devices, and wireless microphones.

·Cellular Network Devices: All terminals accessing public mobile networks, such as 2G/3G/4G/5G mobile phones, tablets, IoT CPE terminals, and communication modules.

·Specialized Wireless Devices: Drone remote control systems, walkie-talkies, telemeters, vehicle-mounted wireless terminals (such as CarPlay modules), etc.

·Wireless Modules and Components: Independent Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or cellular communication modules can be certified separately. If a whole-machine product integrates a certified module for the same purpose, the whole-machine certification process can be greatly simplified.

2.Products Exempt from MIC Certification:The following products are usually not within the scope of mandatory certification, but their exemption conditions should be noted:

·Purely Receiving Devices: Such as FM/AM radios and TV receivers (without transmission functions).

·"Weak Wireless Devices": Very low-power devices that meet the requirements of Japan’s Weak Wireless Device Catalog. Typical examples include some 13.56MHz NFC tags with only receiving functions or extremely low transmit power (e.g., ≤1mW). Please note that NFC devices with active transmission functions are not exempt.

·Specific-Purpose Devices: Currently, pure wireless chargers (without other communication functions) are not included in the scope of radio frequency certification.

Responding to Japan MIC certification requires precise compliance management throughout the product life cycle. From initial design to final market launch, and even subsequent regulatory tracking, a clear understanding of standards and scope is required at every step. Only by deeply integrating compliance into the product’s DNA can we achieve long-term success in this rigorous market. BLUEASIA (+86 13534225140) provides professional certification consulting services.