May 29, 2020 Revision of Guidelines for Wireless LAN Security

  The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has developed guidelines to ensure the security of wireless LAN users and providers. MIC revised the guidelines in response to new technologies and the latest security trends.

1. Initiative overview

There are cases where radio equipment emitting radio waves that do not conform to the standards of “extremely low power of emission” as stipulated by the Radio Act are distributed in the market, causing interference with other radio stations.Therefore, MIC purchases radio equipment sold in the market, and measures whether the strength of the radio waves emitted complies with the relevant standards and opens information on the radio equipment to the public every year.This initiative prevents general consumers from purchasing and using wireless communications devices that do not conform to the standards, resulting in violation of the Radio Act (the illegal establishment of radio stations) and interference with other radio stations.
Recently, MIC summarized the results of the measurement test of purchased radio equipment in fiscal 2019, along with MIC’s initiative based on the results.

2. Trends in radio equipment with extremely low power of emission in the circulation market

In addition to MIC’s measurement test of purchased radio equipment, which has been conducted since 2013, the Japan Auto Accessories Manufacturers’ Association (JAAMA) and the Electromagnetic Compatibility Conference, Japan (EMCC) have been implementing an initiative since 2015. In their initiative, they evaluate and clarify whether the strength of radio waves emitted by radio equipment is within the range of “extremely low power of emission” and register and disclose the results.

3. Test result overview of FY2019 measurement test of purchased radio equipment

MIC measured 298 units of 149 models of radio equipment (two units per model) purchased from the market.

4. Requests to manufacturers, etc.

Based on the measurement results, MIC has makde a request to the manufacturer, seller, or importer of each model to take measures to prevent interference or other interference if both two units exceed the range of “extremely low power of emission.” Specifically, the competent Regional Bureau of Telecommunications (the Okinawa Office of Telecommunications in the case of Okinawa) required the parties concerned not to manufacture, import, or sell wireless communications devices that did not comply with the technical standards stipulated by the Radio Act. As a result of the request, 90% of the stores already stopped selling the equipment as of May 19, 2019.

5. Future plans

MIC will continue the measurement test of purchased radio equipment in fiscal 2020.
Furthermore, MIC will continue strengthening its cooperation with related organizations and work to ensure a safe and secure environment for using radio waves