Japan has opened 920 MHz wireless power transfer systems to outdoor use and introduced a new licence-exempt low-power option.
At a glance
- Japan has removed the indoor-only restriction for certain 920 MHz wireless power transfer systems.
- Qualifying low-power WPT equipment can now operate on 918 MHz and 919.2 MHz without an individual radio station licence.
- Manufacturers still need to meet the applicable technical conformity, power and RF exposure requirements.
What has Japan MIC changed for 920 MHz wireless power transfer?
Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has completed amendments to the regulatory framework for 920 MHz spatial wireless power transfer (WPT) systems.
The amendments were published on 23 June 2026 following two public consultation processes. They expand how 920 MHz WPT systems can be deployed in Japan and introduce a new specified low-power radio station category. public-comment.e-gov.go.jp
Japan introduced its original regulatory framework for spatial WPT systems in the 920 MHz, 2.4 GHz and 5.7 GHz bands in 2022. Under the earlier framework, these systems were generally restricted to indoor use.
The latest amendments remove the indoor-only condition for the 920 MHz category, allowing qualifying systems to be used outdoors under the applicable technical requirements. public-comment.e-gov.go.jp
Which 920 MHz WPT systems can operate without an individual licence?
MIC has also introduced a specified low-power radio station category for 920 MHz WPT systems.
Qualifying equipment can operate without an individual radio station licence using:
- 918 MHz
- 919.2 MHz
- N0N emission
- antenna power within the specified regulatory limits
The amendment was finalized and published on 23 June 2026 after consultation on the designated frequencies, emission type and antenna power requirements. public-comment.e-gov.go.jp
Licence-exempt operation does not mean that the equipment is exempt from Japan’s technical conformity requirements. Manufacturers still need to confirm that the product meets the applicable radio equipment and RF exposure conditions.
Is this a general expansion of Japan’s 900 MHz licence-exempt rules?
No. The regulatory change is specifically focused on 920 MHz spatial wireless power transfer systems.
The original reference describes the change broadly as an expansion of licence-exempt radio stations in the 900 MHz band. However, the MIC consultation and final regulatory documents specifically concern 920 MHz WPT systems and their outdoor use. public-comment.e-gov.go.jp
This distinction is important for manufacturers because the change should not be interpreted as a general relaxation of Japan’s rules for all 900 MHz wireless or RFID equipment.
What should manufacturers check?
Manufacturers developing 920 MHz WPT products for Japan should review whether their equipment falls under the new regulatory category and whether the intended use is indoor or outdoor.
Key points to check include:
- whether the product qualifies for the specified low-power WPT category;
- use of the designated 918 MHz or 919.2 MHz frequencies;
- applicable antenna power and EIRP conditions;
- technical conformity requirements; and RF exposure requirements where applicable.
For products originally designed only for indoor use, the new outdoor-use framework may create additional deployment opportunities, but the product configuration and compliance basis should still be reviewed before entering the Japanese market.
