January 31, 2025 Announcement of the Interim Report (Second Round) on the FY2024 Test Purchases of Wireless Communications Devices

 The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has started the initiative (test purchases of wireless communication devices) to purchase wireless devices distributed through internet shopping sites, etc., to verify their compliance with the conditions of the Radio Act.
 MIC has compiled an interim report (second round) for FY2024.

1. Overview of test purchases of wireless communications devices

 In the Radio Act, one type of radio equipment that can be treated as a radio station that does not require a license for use is radio equipment with extremely low-power emission (hereinafter referred to as “Extremely Low-power Radio Equipment”). Such equipment is generally used within the criteria for Extremely Low-power Radio Equipment in situations where a long transmission distance is not required, but there are also radio equipment on the market that exceed the criteria for Extremely Low-power Radio Equipment, and causing interference and other disruptions to other radio stations.
 In order to prevent consumers from inadvertently violating the Radio Act (by unlawfully establishing radio stations) or causing interference to other radio stations by purchasing and using wireless communication devices that do not meet the criteria, MIC purchases such devices widely available in the market, measures the power and characteristics of the emission from these devices to verify their compliance with the criteria and publishes information on devices that do not meet the criteria.

2. Results of the interim report (second round) on the FY2024 test purchases of wireless communication devices

 Measurement of the purchased radio equipment revealed that 58 models emit power that do not conform to the Extremely Low-power Radio Equipment criteria, and the results were posted on the Radio Use Portal.
 https://www.tele.soumu.go.jp/j/adm/monitoring/illegal/result/index.htm
 Additionally, there are some efforts as a voluntary initiative in the private sector to display a certification mark on wireless communication devices that comply with the Extremely Low-power Radio Equipment criteria.

3. Future plans

 The MIC will request retailers of the announced wireless communication devices found to emit power that do not comply with the Extremely Low-power Radio Equipment criteria to refrain from selling such equipment.
 The MIC will work to secure an appropriate radiocommunication environment by continuing to conduct test purchases of wireless communication devices, announcing the results, cooperating with related institutions, and proactively reaching out to retailers and platform provider of internet shopping sites.