Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has announced the results of its public consultation on a proposed ministerial ordinance to amend key sections of the Radio Law Enforcement Regulations. The changes are aimed at enabling the rollout of RedCap and eRedCap—a new class of 5G-enabled IoT technologies that support low power consumption and low data rate use cases.
Next Steps Confirmed by Radio Regulatory Council
The MIC received six public comments during the consultation period, which ran from January 30 to February 28, 2025. These opinions, along with the Ministry’s responses, have now been published for public review.
Following the close of the public comment period, the MIC consulted the Radio Regulatory Council on the proposed amendments. The council reviewed the draft changes and formally reported that the revisions were appropriate as originally proposed. With this endorsement, the MIC now plans to move forward quickly with finalizing the relevant regulations and public notices.
Why RedCap and eRedCap Matter
As Japan’s IoT ecosystem grows, more devices are expected to rely on mobile communication networks. RedCap (Reduced Capability) and eRedCap (Enhanced Reduced Capability) are streamlined 5G standards developed by 3GPP to support IoT devices that don’t require high throughput but still need reliable connectivity. These technologies offer several advantages:
- Lower power consumption for improved device longevity
- Simplified hardware for cost-effective device production
- Compatibility with emerging 5G infrastructure
- Expanded use cases for industrial IoT, wearables, and smart meters
Japan’s move to institutionalize RedCap and eRedCap marks a key step in expanding 5G coverage beyond traditional smartphones and into everyday connected devices.
Future Implementation Plans
With regulatory backing in place, MIC intends to revise the Radio Law Enforcement Regulations and update the frequency assignment plan accordingly. These updates will create the legal foundation for manufacturers and operators to adopt RedCap/eRedCap devices under Japan’s 5G framework. The MIC has signaled its intent to finalize these changes promptly to support early adoption and further innovation in the broadband IoT space.
For this article’s source information and any product certification guidance, please contact Global Validity.
Quick Country Facts
Japan
Certification Body: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC)
Certification Type: Mandatory
License Validity: Indefinite
Application Language: English
Legal License Holder: Manufacturer
In-Country Testing Requirement: In-Country Testing
Access in-depth regulatory knowledge on over 200 countries and territories with Global Validity’s free proprietary product certification management software, Access Manager. Learn more about the platform here or fill our quick contact form!
Global Validity is your partner for global certification success
Want to learn more about regulatory compliance and how we can help? Simply fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch!