Japan Giteki (MIC) certification for radio equipment: routes and bodies

Specified radio equipment used in Japan, such as cellular telephones, is checked against the technical regulations of Japan's Radio Act before it is installed. A registered certification body certifies the equipment or, for some low-interference equipment, the manufacturer or importer confirms conformity itself. Certified equipment makes the radio licence simpler, and some equipment needs no licence at all.

Checked against official sources: 2026-10

At a glance

LawRadio Act of Japan; the system is run by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC)

Certification of each unitTechnical regulations conformity certification (Article 38-2-2)

Certification of a typeConstruction design attestation (Article 38-2-24): one sample of each type is tested; introduced in May 1998 for mass-produced equipment

Self-confirmationArticle 38-33: for special specified radio equipment that rarely causes serious interference; the manufacturer or importer confirms conformity and may notify the Minister

Who certifiesRegistered certification bodies registered by the Minister, each for specific categories (e.g. TELEC, RCB 001)

Foreign bodiesRegistered foreign conformity assessment bodies under Article 33 of Act No. 111 of 2001 (CAB IDs 201–223)

Mutual recognitionEC (January 2002), Singapore (November 2002), United States (January 2008), United Kingdom (October 2023)

Test proceduresMIC Notification No. 88 (2004)

What the certification is for

The system streamlines radio licence applications and reduces the burden on applicants. A registered certification body certifies that specified radio equipment, such as cellular telephones used in small-scale radio stations, meets the technical regulations before it is installed (Article 38-2-2(1)).

Depending on the type of equipment, certified equipment may qualify for a simplified licence application with no inspection after construction, for a blanket licence covering specified radio stations, or for no licence at all.

Four routes to conformity

Technical regulations conformity certification (Article 38-2-2): each individual unit is tested and certified.
Construction design attestation (Article 38-2-24): one sample of each type is tested, which suits mass-produced equipment.
Self-confirmation (Article 38-33): for special specified radio equipment, such as digital cordless telephone terminals and cellular telephone terminals, the manufacturer or importer confirms conformity itself.
Recognized certification bodies (Article 38-31): the Minister recognizes foreign certification bodies that test equipment under foreign laws for compliance with the Radio Act's standards.

Equipment categories

Article 38-2-2(1) groups equipment into three categories, and each registered certification body is registered for specific categories.

(i) Equipment for which no licence is required, e.g. PHS terminals
(ii) Equipment for Article 27-2(i) stations, e.g. cellular terminals
(iii) Other equipment, e.g. amateur radio equipment

Step by step

Check whether your product is radio equipment covered by the Radio Act's technical regulations and which Article 38-2-2(1) category it belongs to.
Choose the route: certification of each unit, construction design attestation for a mass-produced type, or self-confirmation for special specified radio equipment.
Pick a registered certification body that is registered for your category or, under the mutual recognition agreements, a registered foreign conformity assessment body in the EU, the US, the UK or Singapore.
Have the equipment tested under the procedures in MIC Notification No. 88 (2004).
Make sure the equipment carries the mark stipulated in the MIC ordinance; equipment certified by a registered foreign body is treated as conforming when it bears that mark.

Documents you usually need

Certificate from a registered certification body (unit certification or construction design attestation)
Test results under the MIC Notification No. 88 (2004) procedures
Self-confirmation notification to the Minister (special specified radio equipment)

Common problems and how to avoid them

The certification body is not registered for the product's category.

What to do: Check the body's scope: for example, TELEC (RCB 001) covers all categories, while JARD (RCB 002) covers only Article 38-2-2(1)(iii) equipment.

Every unit of a mass-produced product is sent for certification.

What to do: Use construction design attestation, which tests one sample of each type.

A test report from an ordinary EU, US or UK lab is treated as Japanese approval.

What to do: Use a body on MIC's list of registered foreign conformity assessment bodies and make sure the equipment bears the mark stipulated in the MIC ordinance.

A foreign body on the list is no longer operating.

What to do: Check MIC's current list before you choose; DERYCOM (CAB ID 222) is shown as having suspended operations.

Sources

What is the Technical Regulations Conformity Certification System? Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan

Rules change often. This note is practical guidance based on the sources above, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the authority, your importer or a licensed customs broker before you ship.

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Common questions

What is Giteki?

Giteki is the common Japanese short name for technical regulations conformity certification under the Radio Act: a registered certification body certifies that radio equipment meets the technical regulations.

Who can certify radio equipment for Japan?

Registered certification bodies registered by the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC's page lists 16), and registered foreign conformity assessment bodies under the mutual recognition agreements (17 listed, CAB IDs 201–223).

Can the testing be done in Europe or the US?

Yes, through a registered foreign conformity assessment body. Japan's mutual recognition agreements are in force with the EC (January 2002), Singapore (November 2002), the United States (January 2008) and the United Kingdom (October 2023).

What is self-confirmation?

Under Article 38-33, the manufacturer or importer of special specified radio equipment, which rarely causes serious interference, may confirm conformity itself and then notify the Minister.

Does certified equipment still need a radio licence?

It depends on the type: a simplified licence application with no inspection after construction, a blanket licence, or no licence at all, as for Article 38-2-2(1)(i) equipment such as PHS terminals.

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