In recent years, Japan’s safety requirements for smart devices have become increasingly stringent. Many manufacturers initially thought that passing "traditional access certifications" such as JATE, Radio Law, and PSE would guarantee smooth shipments—only to discover when engaging in new projects that Japan has quietly introduced a standard focused on long-term cybersecurity: JC-STAR.

Though the name may sound unfamiliar, JC-STAR is emerging as a pivotal threshold for IoT products entering the Japanese market. If you manufacture smart hardware, smart home devices, gateways, cameras, sensors, wearables, or similar IoT products, take 5 minutes to master the key details of this standard.

I. What Is JC-STAR?

In one sentence: JC-STAR (Japan Cyber Security Standard for IoT) is a Japan-specific cybersecurity assessment standard for IoT devices, evaluating the end-to-end security of devices, cloud platforms, and mobile applications (APPs).

Unlike traditional certifications for radio wave compliance and hardware safety, JC-STAR is akin to a comprehensive IoT cybersecurity health check, covering four core dimensions:

• Device End: Firmware, interfaces, default configurations
• APP End: Login, network configuration, data flow
• Cloud Platform: Account systems, authentication, interface security
• Operations & Maintenance (O&M): Updates, key management, certificates, vulnerability response

Its sole objective: Ensure IoT devices cannot be easily compromised due to security vulnerabilities after launch.

II. Why Is JC-STAR Gaining Universal Attention Now?

Manufacturers across the board are feeling the impact of JC-STAR for three key practical reasons:

1. Japanese consumers are extremely sensitive to IoT cybersecurity

Japan is one of the few countries that explicitly includes "smart device security risks" in national policy action plans. A single security incident—such as a camera breach or remote tampering of a smart lock—can cause severe and lasting damage to a brand’s reputation in the Japanese market.

2. Distributors and large corporate buyers now reference JC-STAR as a core requirement

You will likely encounter these scenarios in the Japanese market:

• Distributors demand a JC-STAR test report for product entry;
• Major clients directly cite JC-STAR clauses in bidding documents;
• Smart home ecosystem platforms list JC-STAR compliance as a basic onboarding requirement.

Non-compliance with JC-STAR does not violate Radio Law or PSE rules, but it will effectively block your product from mainstream distribution and procurement channels.

3. JC-STAR is Japan’s enhanced, localized version of the EU’s EN 303645

EN 303645 is Europe’s pioneering IoT cybersecurity specification—and Japan has adopted and tightened its requirements for local market needs, including:

• Stricter rules for default passwords and device initialization;
• More detailed audits of cloud platform account systems;
• Rigorous requirements for certificate lifecycle management and OTA update processes;
• Greater emphasis on Threat Model documentation (a critical pain point for many manufacturers).

In short: Japan has raised the baseline cybersecurity bar set by Europe for IoT devices.

III. What Does JC-STAR Test? (Understand the Scope in 5 Minutes)

Most manufacturers care less about the standard itself and more about how detailed the testing is and what exactly is assessed. We break down the core testing scope into four most common modules:

(1) Device End: Audits start with default factory settings

Testing focuses on high-risk pain points where manufacturers most often fail:

• Secure default passwords (no weak or universal passwords allowed);
• Mandatory device initialization for first use;
• No exposed debug ports (e.g., UART/Telnet);
• No hardcoded keys or tokens in firmware;
• Secure BLE/WiFi network configuration (prevention of hijacking);
• Digitally signed firmware (anti-tampering measures);
• Integrity verification for OTA firmware updates.

In one sentence: Devices must not have "backdoor" features right out of the box.

(2) APP End: Key focus on binding, login, and network configuration

Typical inspection items include:

• Secure login and authentication flows;
• Reliable password reset mechanisms;
• Prevention of device takeover via only serial number (SN);
• Anti-man-in-the-middle (MITM) protection for APP-device pairing;
• Compliant processing of personal privacy data;
• Basic logging, interface encryption, and data security.

A common manufacturer failure: Over-simplified network configuration and device binding flows to improve user experience, at the cost of security.

(3) Cloud Platform: Japan’s special focus on account and permission management

JC-STAR includes in-depth audits of cloud infrastructure—an area where many manufacturers fail on their first attempt:

• Secure user account systems (strong passwords, account lockout, risk control);
• Authenticated API interfaces (Token, JWT, HMAC, etc.);
• Strict verification for firmware upload and release processes;
• No privilege escalation risks for user/device permissions;
• Comprehensive certificate management and revocation mechanisms;
• Retention of critical operational and security logs;
• Proper key management (no hardcoding in cloud systems).

(4) O&M System: Documentation is non-negotiable (Japan’s strict requirement)

Japan places extreme importance on formal, complete O&M documentation—missing documents mean near-certain failure. You must have at minimum:

• Product Threat Model (core requirement);
• Firmware/software update management processes;
• Cryptographic key management protocols;
• Vulnerability disclosure and response procedures;
• Official privacy policy (compliant with Japanese data protection laws);
• Version number management specifications.

IV. Is JC-STAR Related to JATE, Radio Law, or PSE?

No direct legal relationship.

JC-STAR is not a mandatory legal access certification (unlike JATE for radio equipment, Radio Law, or PSE for electrical safety). It is a voluntary cybersecurity capability assessment—for now.

However, the future trend is crystal clear:

• More Japanese platforms are making JC-STAR a basic onboarding requirement;
• Corporate buyers use JC-STAR as a core cybersecurity scoring criterion in procurement;
• The Japanese government has repeatedly stated its intention to strengthen IoT cybersecurity regulations (JC-STAR is widely seen as the foundation for future mandatory rules).

Simply put: JC-STAR is currently a recommended standard, but it will likely become the mainstream mandatory threshold for IoT devices in Japan.

V. When Should Manufacturers Obtain JC-STAR Compliance?

Initiate JC-STAR preparation as early as possible if your business meets any of the following criteria:

• Targeting Japan’s mid-to-high-end IoT market (e.g., premium smart home, industrial IoT);
• Serving high-risk industries with strict security demands (e.g., security, smart building, video surveillance);
• Proactively laying the groundwork for future Japanese IoT export standards;
• Already compliant with EU EN 303645/EN 18031 (JC-STAR allows for maximum reuse of existing cybersecurity designs).

Early preparation drastically reduces costs—most JC-STAR requirements are design-level, not post-production fixes.

VI. The Honest Truth: JC-STAR Is Not Hard, But Pitfalls Are Easy to Step Into

JC-STAR does not require complex cryptography implementations or high-cost security hardware modules. Its core focus is on practical, foundational cybersecurity:

• Secure product design;
• Closed-loop security processes;
• Rational default configurations;
• Cloud platform security;
• Complete documentation.

However, manufacturers without an existing IoT cybersecurity system will almost certainly stumble on these key points:

• Inadequate default password mechanisms;
• Over-simplified APP-device binding logic;
• Non-standard cloud platform API authentication;
• Unverified/unsigned OTA firmware updates;
• Missing critical documentation (especially the Threat Model).

This makes early understanding of JC-STAR requirements critical to successful compliance.

JC-STAR is not designed to "create trouble for manufacturers"—it aims to drive the development of more secure and trustworthy IoT devices in Japan. For R&D teams, architects, testers, PMs, and compliance specialists, mastering JC-STAR’s core focus areas presents a unique opportunity: elevate your product’s overall cybersecurity by multiple levels at a relatively low cost.