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Japan: Updates Radio Regulations to Enable 5GHz Drone Applications 

APRIL 2025 - ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS

In force (since Apr 07, 2025)

On April 7, 2025, Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications announced revisions to key radio regulations, including the Radio Act Enforcement Regulations (1950 Ordinance No. 14), Radio Equipment Regulations (1950 Ordinance No. 18), and Technical Standards Conformity Certification for Specified Radio Equipment (1981 Ordinance No. 37). These amendments aim to expand the use of 5.2GHz high-power wireless communication systems for aerial applications, particularly to support growing drone operations relying on 5GHz wireless LAN technology.  

The updated regulations authorize mobile base stations and mobile stations to operate within the 5.2GHz band (5,150–5,250 MHz) in airborne environments. Such systems are typically used for data transmission between base stations, land mobile stations, or mobile stations. Under the revised rules, these aerial devices must meet the same technical standards as existing ground-based 5.2GHz low-power systems.  

Key technical specifications include:  

Carrier frequency requirements:  

• ≤20 MHz bandwidth: 5,180 MHz, 5,200 MHz, 5,220 MHz, or 5,240 MHz  
• 20–40 MHz bandwidth: 5,190 MHz or 5,230 MHz  

• 40–80 MHz bandwidth: 5,210 MHz  

Regulatory updates further integrate these systems into Japan’s legal framework:  

1. Radio Act Enforcement Regulations:  

• Added to Article 16 (radio stations requiring registration) and Article 17 (equipment standards for registered stations).  
• Simplified license-free operations under Article 33 now cover 5.2GHz high-power system equipment. 

2. License-free stations (Article 6): Expanded to include systems with antenna power ≤0.2 watts.  

3. Certification rules: 5.2GHz high-power mobile stations and base stations are now classified as “specified radio equipment” under Article 2 of the Technical Standards Conformity Certification ordinance, applicable to small-scale radio stations as defined by Radio Law Article 38-2-2.  

The revisions take effect immediately upon publication on April 7, 2025. Pre-amendment certifications for radio equipment under Article 49-20 of the Radio Equipment Regulations will remain valid post-implementation.

Draft amendment to Japan’s Radio Law to allow 5.2GHz drone communication

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