About High-frequency Utilization Equipment
Definition
A general term for equipment that uses high-frequency currents of 10 kHz or above, as regulated by the Radio Act.
This includes telegraph, telephone, and other communications equipment that conveys high-frequency currents of 10 kHz or above through wirelines, as well as industrial heating equipment, medical equipment, and various other equipment using such currents. To prevent interference with radio communications, in principle an individual installation permit must be obtained from the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications (Article 100 of the Radio Act).
CATEGORY 01
Communications Equipment
Power Line Communication (PLC) / Inductive Read/Write Communication (RFID) / Other high-frequency communications equipment
CATEGORY 02
Non-communications Equipment
Industrial heating equipment (high-frequency induction heating / high-frequency dielectric heating) / Medical equipment / Other high-frequency application equipment
Communications Equipment
Telegraph, telephone, and other communications equipment that conveys high-frequency currents of 10 kHz or above through wirelines must obtain an installation permit.
However, equipment such as inductive read/write communication equipment that has received a type designation does not require an individual installation permit.
Communications Equipment Requiring a Permit
| Power Line Communication (PLC) | Equipment that performs communication by superimposing a high-frequency current of 10 kHz or above onto power lines. It uses frequencies from 10 kHz to 450 kHz, or from 2 MHz to 30 MHz on the load side of the distribution board at the user's service entrance, with a high-frequency output of 10 W or less. |
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| Inductive Communication Equipment | Equipment that performs communication using induced radio waves generated by passing a high-frequency current of 10 kHz or above through a line. Frequencies must be from 10 kHz to 250 kHz (excluding the frequencies in MIC Public Notice No. 521 of October 4, 2006 / Article 59 of the Radio Equipment Regulations; AM radio retransmission frequencies are permitted by public notice). |
| Inductive Read/Write Communication Equipment | Equipment that reads from and writes to recording media using induced radio waves at a frequency of 13.56 MHz. |
Equipment Not Requiring a Permit
The following communications equipment, when it meets certain requirements, does not require an installation permit.
- Cable carrier communication equipment
- Balanced two-wire bare-line carrier equipment
- Power line carrier communication equipment using a single-phase AC power line rated at 100 V or 200 V and 50 Hz or 60 Hz, that has received a type designation from the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications
- Power line communication equipment intended for reception only
- Inductive communication equipment whose field strength at a distance of λ/2π from the line is 15 μV/m (≈ 23.5 dBμV/m) or less
- Inductive read/write communication equipment whose field strength at a distance of 3 m from the equipment is 500 μV/m or less
- Equipment that has received a type designation from the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications (carrier-type intercoms, general / special carrier-type digital transmission systems, broadband power line communication equipment, inductive read/write communication equipment, ultrasonic cleaners / processing machines / welders, document copying/printing machines using electromagnetic induction heating, electrodeless discharge lamps, and general / EV wireless power transfer systems)
Non-communications Equipment
Equipment other than radio or communications equipment that uses a high-frequency current of 10 kHz or above to generate high-frequency energy with a high-frequency output exceeding 50 W must, in principle, obtain an installation permit.
Examples Requiring an Individual Installation Permit
| Medical Equipment | Equipment that generates high-frequency energy and uses that energy for medical purposes, with a high-frequency output exceeding 50 W. |
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| Industrial Heating Equipment | Equipment that generates high-frequency energy and uses that energy for industrial production — such as drying wood and plywood, drying cocoons, melting or heating metal, and evacuating vacuum tubes — with a high-frequency output exceeding 50 W. |
| Various Other Equipment | Equipment that applies high-frequency energy directly to a load, or uses it for heating, ionization, or similar purposes, with a high-frequency output exceeding 50 W. |
* These are reference categories, published by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, for understanding the classification of high-frequency utilization equipment (non-communications) that requires a permit. Representative product groups are divided into medical equipment, industrial heating equipment, and various other equipment based on the names in the Japan Standard Commodity Classification.
Equipment Not Requiring a Permit
Even among the equipment listed above, an individual installation permit is not required for any of the following.
- Equipment that does not use high-frequency energy
- Equipment with an operating frequency below 10 kHz
- Equipment with a high-frequency output of 50 W or less
- Equipment that has received a type designation, or for which a type confirmation has been carried out
Overview of Regulation
Conformance with the technical standards is required to obtain an installation permit.
To obtain an installation permit, conformance with the technical standards prescribed in Article 65, Paragraph 1 of the Radio Equipment Regulations and Public Notice No. 207 (June 11, 2015) must be verified by testing. We provide comprehensive support — from carrying out testing in accordance with these laws and regulations to preparing and submitting application documents on your behalf.
View our Services→| Applicable Law | Radio Act, Article 100 |
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| Technical Standards | Radio Equipment Regulations, Article 65, Paragraph 1 |
| Public Notice | Public Notice No. 207 (June 11, 2015) |
| Authority | Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications / Regional Bureau of Telecommunications |