June 25, 2024 Announcement of the Final Report on FY 2023 Test Purchases of Wireless Communications Devices

 The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) is purchasing wireless communications devices from online shopping sites and other sources to check compliance with the standards of the Radio Act (test purchases of wireless communications devices).
 We have compiled the results of the FY 2023 implementation and the status of efforts based on them, and we are now publicizing them.

1. Outline of the initiative

 There are wireless communications devices considered as radio stations that do not require a license under the Radio Act and other regulations (hereinafter referred to as "license-free stations"), because the strength of the emitted radio waves is extremely weak (hereinafter referred to as "weak wireless communications devices"). Unfortunately, wireless communications devices that exceed the radio wave strength of weak wireless communications devices are available on the market, resulting in causing interference or other disturbances to other radio stations.
 Under these circumstances, consumers may purchase or use wireless communications devices that do not conform to these standards for weak wireless communications devices, leading to violations of the Radio Act (illegal establishment of radio stations) or causing interference or disturbances to other radio stations. To prevent this, the MIC purchases wireless communications devices that are widely available on the market, measures their radio wave strength and characteristics, checks compliance with the standards for weak wireless communications devices, and publicizes information about those devices that do not comply with these standards.
 We have compiled the results of the FY 2023 test purchases of wireless communications devices and the status of efforts based on the test results.

2. Overview of the results of FY 2023 test purchases of wireless communications devices

 We purchased and measured wireless communications devices widely available on the market, including online, that were presumed not to conform to the standards for weak wireless communications devices. These devices do not undergo the licensing procedure or are not marked as conforming to technical standards. A total of 400 units (2 units from each of 200 models) were tested.
 Please note that we excluded wireless communications devices that comply with standards other than those for weak wireless communications devices, such as those certified for construction design. Out of 334 units (167 models), excluding the aforementioned devices, 330 units (165 models) were found to exceed the standards for weak wireless communications devices and cannot be considered license-free stations.

3. Status of response to dealers of wireless communications devices that do not comply with the standards

 Based on the results of the test purchases, we have been urging dealers, manufacturers, and importers of wireless communications devices that do not comply with the standards for weak wireless communications devices to refrain from selling them in order to prevent interference and jamming. In FY 2023, we confirmed that approximately 92.5% of the dealers and importers took remedial measures as of June 13, 2024. These remedial measures included ceasing to sell them or clearly stating that the wireless communications devices did not meet the standards for weak wireless communications devices under the Radio Act and therefore require a radio station license before use.

4. Trends in the distribution market for weak wireless communications devices

 We are already aware that wireless communications devices emitting radio waves that exceed the scope of weak wireless communications devices are available on the market. The Japan Auto Accessories Manufacturers' Association (JAAMA) and the Electromagnetic Compatibility Conference Japan (EMCC) are implementing an initiative to verify through testing that the strength of radio waves emitted by products is within the range permitted for weak wireless communications devices. They also register and disclose such devices through the weak wireless communications devices registration system to ensure that consumers can confidently choose devices that meet the standards.

5. Future plans

 The MIC will continue conducting test purchases of wireless communications devices in FY 2024.
 In addition, we will publicize wireless communications devices that do not comply with the standards for weak wireless communications devices on the MIC’s radio wave utilization website (see link below). We will continue to work to ensure appropriate radio wave usage environments are available through cooperation with related organizations and by engaging with dealers and other stakeholders.

<Reference>
Results of the test purchases of wireless communications devices (the MIC’s radio wave utilization website):
https://www.tele.soumu.go.jp/j/adm/monitoring/illegal/result/index.html