Japan 433 MHz TPMS & Keyless Entry Band Expansion (MIC 2026)
Japan Expands 433 MHz TPMS and Keyless Entry Band: MIC Amends Radio Equipment Regulations and Eases Giteki Certification for Automotive Radio Equipment
Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has completed the second phase of its alignment with the global 433 MHz standard for automotive short-range devices. On July 24, 2026, MIC promulgated amendments to the Radio Equipment Regulations, the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act and the Certification Rules for Specified Radio Equipment, expanding the permitted frequency range for tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) and remote keyless entry (RKE) to 433.05–434.79 MHz. The amendments entered into force on the same day.
Alongside the band extension, MIC removed the enclosure (anti-tampering) requirement from the technical standards and designated a broad group of in-vehicle radio equipment as eligible for Giteki self-confirmation, a faster route to market that allows manufacturers and importers to declare conformity themselves.
Background: From 315 MHz to the Global 433 MHz Standard
Japan first authorized TPMS and RKE in 2007 as licence-exempt specified low-power radio stations in the 315 MHz band. Internationally, however, 433 MHz (centred on 433.92 MHz) has become the de facto global frequency for these systems, used across Europe, Korea and many other markets.
To support international frequency harmonization, MIC introduced a narrow 433 MHz allocation in 2025, limited to 433.795–434.045 MHz (250 kHz). Following further study, the Information and Communications Council delivered a revised technical report in April 2026 recommending a wider band to match foreign standards more closely. MIC consulted the public from April 3 to May 7, 2026 (48 comments received), and on May 28, 2026 the Radio Regulatory Council found the draft appropriate to adopt as proposed.
The reform is part of a wider MIC policy to respond to the international expansion of automotive trade and to help the industry adjust quickly to supply-chain and production-site changes.
Key Changes to Japan 433 MHz TPMS and Keyless Entry Requirements
1. Frequency band expansion
Parameter | Before (2025 rules) | After (July 24, 2026) |
Designated frequency band | 433.795–434.045 MHz | 433.05–434.79 MHz |
Centre frequency | 433.92 MHz | 433.92 MHz |
Permissible occupied bandwidth | 250 kHz | 1,740 kHz |
2. Main technical conditions (revised)
Item | Requirement |
Antenna power (EIRP) | 1 mW |
Antenna power tolerance | Upper limit +20% |
Communication method | Simplex, one-way, duplex |
Transmission time limit | Total ≤ 360 seconds per hour; for periodic transmissions, stop within 1 second of starting and maintain a pause of at least 1 ms |
Spurious emissions (EIRP, transmitting) | ≤ 1 GHz (outside 433.05–434.79 MHz): 250 nW/100 kHz; > 1 GHz: 1 µW/1 MHz |
Receiver spurious emissions (EIRP) | ≤ 1 GHz: 4 nW/100 kHz; > 1 GHz: 4 nW/1 MHz |
Carrier sense | Not specified |
Enclosure / anti-tampering requirement | Removed from the technical standards (Art. 49-14, Radio Equipment Regulations) |
3. Independent equipment categories
The amendment reorganizes the 433 MHz provisions for specified low-power radio stations and establishes TPMS and keyless entry as independent categories of radio equipment. Article 6-2 of the Enforcement Regulations also defines the functions required to avoid causing interference to other radio stations.
4. Giteki self-confirmation opened to automotive radio equipment
MIC added the following in-vehicle radio equipment to the list of specially specified radio equipment (特別特定無線設備) eligible for technical-standard self-confirmation (技術基準適合自己確認):
System | Equipment / band |
Keyless entry / smart key | RKE 312–315.25 MHz; RKE 433.05–434.79 MHz; microwave-band UWB 7.587–8.4 GHz |
Tire pressure sensors | TPMS 433.05–434.79 MHz |
Millimetre-wave radar | 60–61 GHz, 76–77 GHz, 77–81 GHz; 26 GHz UWB (24.25–29 GHz) |
In-vehicle sensors | 57–64 GHz motion-detection sensors |
In-vehicle Wi-Fi / data | 2.4 GHz and 5.6 GHz low-power data; 5.2 GHz in-vehicle low-power data; 6 GHz low-power data (≤ 25 mW) |
Because keyless entry and UWB smart-key systems work as two-way links, the key fob (operating device) communicating with the in-vehicle unit is also covered.
Under self-confirmation, the manufacturer or importer verifies compliance with the technical standards, notifies the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, and may then affix the Giteki mark — without a Registered Certification Body issuing a certificate. The notifying party remains bound by the obligation to ensure every unit produced conforms to the declared construction design.
Certification Impact Summary
Scenario | Certification impact |
Existing Giteki-certified TPMS/RKE operating in 433.795–434.045 MHz, unchanged | Approval remains valid; no recertification required |
Certified product modified to operate in the newly opened range (433.05–434.79 MHz) | Treated as a design change → new Giteki certification (or self-confirmation, where eligible) required |
Firmware update enabling frequency hopping or wider-band operation | Treated as a design modification → new certification required |
New 433 MHz TPMS/RKE product | May be certified under the expanded band and revised technical conditions |
In-vehicle radio equipment on the new eligibility list | May use self-confirmation as an alternative to construction-design certification |
Products relying on the enclosure requirement | Enclosure/anti-tampering construction no longer mandated by the technical standards |
315 MHz TPMS/RKE | Remains permitted; 312–315.25 MHz RKE now also eligible for self-confirmation |
What This Means for Manufacturers
Global platform harmonization. The 433.05–434.79 MHz range closely mirrors the band widely used in Europe and other markets. Automotive OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers can now move toward a single 433 MHz TPMS sensor and key fob design for Japan and other regions, reducing SKU complexity and regional hardware variants.
More design freedom. The jump in permissible occupied bandwidth from 250 kHz to 1,740 kHz allows wider-band modulation and channel strategies that were previously not allowed in Japan. The removal of the enclosure requirement also gives designers more flexibility in mechanical layout.
Faster time to market. Self-confirmation is a significant procedural change. For TPMS, RKE, UWB smart keys, automotive radar and in-vehicle Wi-Fi, suppliers can declare conformity themselves rather than waiting for a certification body, useful when relocating production or switching suppliers.
Greater responsibility. Self-confirmation shifts compliance accountability to the manufacturer or importer. Companies need robust test evidence, technical documentation and production conformity controls, as MIC can act against non-conforming equipment.
No forced transition. Products already certified under the narrower 433 MHz band can stay on the market. Only those that are modified to use the wider band need new approval.
Timeline and Required Actions
Regulatory timeline
Date | Milestone |
2007 | TPMS/RKE introduced in Japan at 315 MHz as specified low-power radio stations |
Nov 2024 – Jan 2025 | ICT Council report, consultation and Radio Regulatory Council review for initial 433 MHz introduction |
2025 | 433 MHz band introduced at 433.795–434.045 MHz |
Feb 2026 | Draft notified to the WTO (G/TBT/N/JPN/840); comments accepted until April 14, 2026 |
Apr 2026 | ICT Council partial report on revised 433 MHz technical conditions |
Apr 3 – May 7, 2026 | MIC public consultation (48 opinions submitted) |
May 28, 2026 | Radio Regulatory Council approves the draft as proposed |
Jul 24, 2026 | Amendment promulgated and enters into force |
Required actions for manufacturers
Priority | Action |
1 | Audit your Japan portfolio — list all TPMS, RKE and in-vehicle radio products with Giteki approvals and confirm their operating bands |
2 | Keep existing approvals for unchanged 433.795–434.045 MHz products; no action is needed unless the design changes |
3 | Assess firmware roadmaps — any update extending operation into 433.05–434.79 MHz or enabling frequency hopping requires new certification before deployment in Japan |
4 | Re-test new designs against the revised technical conditions: bandwidth, 1 mW EIRP, 360 s/hour transmission limit, spurious emission limits |
5 | Evaluate the self-confirmation route for eligible in-vehicle equipment, comparing speed and cost against Registered Certification Body certification |
6 | Strengthen compliance documentation and production conformity controls if using self-confirmation |
7 | Consider global harmonization — consolidate Japan, EU and other 433 MHz variants where technical conditions allow |
8 | Verify final text — confirm clause-level requirements against the official Gazette (Kanpō) and MIC Radio Use website |
Conclusion
The July 2026 amendment marks the full alignment of Japan's 433 MHz TPMS and keyless entry rules with international practice. By expanding the band to 433.05–434.79 MHz, removing the enclosure requirement and extending self-confirmation to automotive radio equipment, MIC has lowered both technical and procedural barriers for the automotive supply chain. Manufacturers should review their Japanese certification strategy now to take advantage of the wider band and faster approval route, while ensuring that any modification to certified products is properly re-approved.
