[Home](/)/[Resources](/resources)/Japan Giteki Certification JapanWireless # Giteki Mark (技適): Japan Radio Law Certification for Wireless Devices The Giteki mark (技適マーク) shows that a radio device conforms to the technical standards of Japan's Radio Act. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LPWA and cellular products need it before they can be lawfully used in Japan, and it is issued by MIC-registered bodies such as TELEC — or by recognised bodies in the EU, US, Singapore and UK under Japan's Mutual Recognition Agreements. This guide covers what is in scope, the three certification routes, when a certified module saves you a full certification, and how to mark the finished product. Copy Link[Share on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/?text=https%3A%2F%2Fkrono-labs.com%2Fguides%2Fjapan-radio-law-giteki-certification) At a glance Law Radio Act (電波法) Mark Giteki (技適マーク), "R" for radio Regulator MIC (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications) Issued by MIC-registered bodies (e.g. TELEC) or MRA-recognised bodies Main route Construction Type Certification ## Giteki scope and how the system works ### What the Giteki mark actually certifies Giteki (技適) is short for 技術基準適合 — conformity with technical standards. Under the Radio Act (電波法, Act No. 131 of 1950), most transmitters need a radio station licence. Low-power "specified radio equipment" (特定無線設備) — Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 920 MHz LPWA, cellular terminals and similar — is exempt from individual licensing only if it carries a valid Giteki certification. That is why an uncertified Wi-Fi product is not just unlabelled: using it in Japan means operating an unlicensed radio station. The same mark shape, with a "T" symbol instead of "R", is also used for telecom terminal equipment under the Telecommunications Business Act. ### Which products are in scope Anything that intentionally transmits on a frequency band designated for specified radio equipment: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi (and 6 GHz Wi-Fi where permitted), Bluetooth Classic and LE, Zigbee/Thread, 920 MHz specified low-power radio (LoRa, Wi-SUN, Sigfox), LTE and 5G terminals and modules, UWB, and many short-range remotes. Receive-only functions such as a GNSS receiver do not need Giteki on their own. If your product transmits, assume Giteki applies until you have confirmed the band and power class against MIC's ordinances. ### Registered and recognised certification bodies Certification is issued by bodies registered with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC). Registered Certification Bodies (登録証明機関) include TELEC (Telecom Engineering Center), JATE, and the Japanese arms of commercial labs such as Bureau Veritas and UL — MIC publishes the current list on its Radio Use Portal. Under Japan's Mutual Recognition Agreements with the EU, the US, Singapore and the UK, Recognised Certification Bodies (承認証明機関) located in those countries can also certify to Japanese technical standards. TELEC is a certification body, not the mark — "TELEC certification" and "Giteki certification" usually mean the same thing. ### Module certification vs end-product certification A pre-certified radio module can carry its Giteki certification into a finished product, provided the module is used exactly as certified — same antenna type and gain as listed in the certification, no changes to RF firmware or power settings, and no modifications to the RF circuit. Swapping to a higher-gain antenna or a different antenna type takes you outside the certification and needs a new or changed certification. If the module's label is hidden inside the enclosure, the end product must show the module's Giteki mark and number on the outside (or electronically, see below). ## Giteki certification routes compared Japan offers more than one way to show conformity. Which one you use depends on production volume and the type of radio. Route What is assessed Best for Technical Regulations Conformity Certification (技術基準適合証明) Each unit (or sample from a defined lot) is tested and certified Prototypes, small batches, one-off imports Construction Type Certification (工事設計認証) The design plus the manufacturer's quality-control method for producing it Mass production — the route almost every consumer and IoT product uses Self-confirmation / SDoC (技術基準適合自己確認) Manufacturer or importer verifies conformity and notifies MIC Only "special specified radio equipment" — mainly cellular terminals, cordless phones and BWA. Not available for Wi-Fi or Bluetooth Certification by an MRA body (承認証明機関) Same Japanese standards, assessed by a recognised body in the EU, US, Singapore or UK Teams that want to work with their existing FCC/CE certification body ## Giteki certification process step by step 01 List every transmitter in the product: technology, frequency band, maximum output power and antenna. Each one needs a Giteki route — a product with Wi-Fi, BLE and LTE needs all three covered. 02 For each radio, check whether a Giteki-certified module covers it. Get the module's certification number and the list of approved antennas from the module supplier, and confirm your antenna type and gain are on that list. If they are, you can usually reuse the module certification. 03 Where no usable module certification exists, choose a MIC-registered body (or an MRA-recognised body) and apply for Construction Type Certification. Expect to supply a block diagram, circuit diagrams, frequency and channel plan, modulation, output power, antenna specification, and a description of the quality-control method used in production. 04 Testing is performed to MIC's technical standards for the relevant band (for example ARIB STD-T66 is the common reference for 2.4 GHz low-power data systems). Data from FCC or ETSI testing can help you predict results but does not replace testing to the Japanese requirements. 05 Once certified, apply the Giteki mark with the "R" symbol and the certification number on the product. Devices with a screen can display the mark electronically instead of on a physical label, provided users can find it easily. The certification is published on MIC's searchable database, which buyers, marketplaces and inspectors use to check numbers. ## Common Giteki mistakes ### Changing the antenna after choosing a certified module The module certification lists specific antennas. A late switch to a higher-gain PCB or external antenna to fix range problems quietly invalidates the module route. Lock the antenna choice before the Japan launch plan. ### Hiding the module mark inside the enclosure If the module's Giteki label cannot be seen without opening the product, the mark and number must appear on the exterior or on the device screen. Marketplaces and inspectors look for it there. ### Assuming firmware updates are free of consequences Updates that change channels, power or radio behaviour can take the product outside its certification. MIC has been reviewing the rules so certified equipment can receive remote software updates without re-labelling. Check the current MIC guidance before you ship RF-affecting updates. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the Giteki mark? The Giteki mark (技適マーク) is the symbol that shows a radio device has been certified as conforming to the technical standards of Japan's Radio Act. It appears with an "R" symbol and a certification number for radio equipment, or a "T" for telecom terminal equipment. Without it, low-power devices like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth products cannot be lawfully used in Japan without a radio station licence. ### Can a device use a Giteki-certified module and skip separate certification? Yes, if the module is used exactly as certified: the same antenna type and gain listed in the module's certification, unchanged RF firmware and output power, and no modification to the RF section. Show the module's Giteki mark and number on the outside of the product or on its screen if the module label is not visible. A higher-gain or different antenna, or tuning the output power, takes you outside the certification. Confirm with the certification body before you rely on it. ### Is FCC or CE radio certification accepted in Japan? No. An FCC ID or a CE Declaration of Conformity does not satisfy the Radio Act. What does help is the Mutual Recognition Agreements Japan has with the EU, the US, Singapore and the UK: under them, recognised certification bodies in those countries can certify your product to Japanese technical standards. You still test to Japanese requirements, but you can often use a body you already work with. ### Can Wi-Fi or Bluetooth products use self-declaration (SDoC) in Japan? No. Japan's self-confirmation route (技術基準適合自己確認) is limited to a short list of "special specified radio equipment", mainly cellular terminals, cordless phones and broadband wireless access terminals. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 920 MHz devices need certification by a registered or recognised certification body. ### What is the difference between TELEC and Giteki? Giteki is the certification and mark. TELEC (Telecom Engineering Center) is one of the MIC-registered bodies that issues it. People say "TELEC certification" because TELEC was historically the best-known body, but a Giteki certificate from any MIC-registered or MRA-recognised body is equally valid. ### Can I use a device without the Giteki mark in Japan? Generally no. There are two narrow exceptions. Visitors can use devices such as phones and laptops that meet equivalent foreign standards for a limited period after entering Japan. And since 2019 MIC has run a notification scheme that allows experiments with uncertified Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and some other devices for up to 180 days, provided they meet standards equivalent to Japan's. Neither exception covers putting products on sale. ### How long does Giteki certification take? For a straightforward single-radio product with complete documentation, certification typically takes a few weeks once testing is done. Multi-radio products, cellular devices, and incomplete technical files take longer. Ask your certification body for a quote and lead time early in development, and plan antenna choices around available module certifications to avoid a full certification cycle. ### What happens if an uncertified radio device is used or sold in Japan? Using an uncertified transmitter is treated as operating an unlicensed radio station, which is a criminal offence under the Radio Act. MIC can also issue recommendations and orders to manufacturers, importers and sellers of radio equipment that does not meet the technical standards, and it publishes warnings about such products. Major marketplaces in Japan ask for Giteki numbers on wireless listings. Certify before you ship. **Disclaimer:** Educational resource only. Regulatory requirements change and vary by product category. Consult an accredited test laboratory or qualified compliance engineer before making certification decisions. 🇯🇵 Japan roadmap for your product Every standard, document, and test that applies — free, no account required. See your free roadmap[ Want an expert to take your product through 🇯🇵 Japan compliance for you? One consultant from Krono's compliance team takes your product from requirements to legal sale, with a fixed quote before any work starts. 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