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Is Meshtastic Legal in Japan?

· 3 min read

The short answer is yes. You can use Meshtastic legally in Japan, as long as your device has Giteki certification.

What is Giteki?​

Giteki (技適) is Japan's certification system for radio equipment. You may also see it referred to as TELEC or MIC certification. Any device that transmits radio signals in Japan needs to pass this certification before it can be used legally. Think of it as an approval stamp: the device has been tested and confirmed to work on the right frequencies at the right power levels for Japan.

When a device passes, it receives a Giteki mark (技適マーク). This small symbol is usually printed on the device or shown in its settings. No Giteki mark, no legal transmission.

Close-up of a Giteki mark on a certified radio device

What does this mean for Meshtastic?​

Meshtastic itself is open-source software. Software is not regulated. What matters is the radio hardware it runs on. If your hardware is Giteki-certified for Japan's frequency band, you can use Meshtastic on it legally.

At Karida, we have been carefully testing various Meshtastic devices, and we will soon be able to offer our favorite device with Giteki certification for all users in Japan. Keep an eye on our shop for new devices as they become available.

What to watch out for​

Not every Meshtastic-compatible device is certified for Japan. Many popular devices sold internationally are designed for other countries and use different frequency bands. Importing one and turning it on in Japan would be illegal.

A few simple rules to stay safe:

  • Buy devices that are specifically certified for Japan with a valid Giteki mark.
  • Do not change the frequency or power settings. The certification covers the device as it was tested. Changing radio parameters can make it non-compliant.
  • Keep your purchase records. If anyone ever asks, you want to be able to show that your device is certified.

The easy path​

If this sounds complicated, it does not have to be. Buy a Giteki-certified device, leave the radio settings as they are, and you are ready to go.

This article is general guidance, not legal advice. For detailed information about radio regulations, check the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (総務省) website.

Questions about Giteki or which devices are certified? Get in touch any time.