Regulatory Issues

Are there any regulations set by the government on electromagnetic fields for electric power facilities?

In Japan, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry regulates the low-frequency electric and magnetic fields generated by power facilities through the "Ministerial Ordinance setting Technical Standards for Electrical Facilities."

For electric fields, the regulation was introduced in 1976 at 3 kV/m (kilovolts per meter) to prevent the perception of uncomfortable electric fields (tingling sensation) when passing under high-voltage transmission lines. This regulation value is stricter than the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) Guidelines’ limit value (5 kV/m).

For magnetic fields, the regulation was introduced in 2011 at 200 µT (microtesla). This value aligns with the latest ICNIRP Guideline’s limit value issued in 2010.

Are there any regulations set by the government on radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (radio waves) for mobile phones, mobile phone base stations, or wireless LANs?

In Japan, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications regulates radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (radio waves) emitted by mobile phones and mobile phone base stations. Similarly, regulations are in place for wireless LAN devices.

Mobile phones, mobile phone base stations, and wireless LAN equipment emit radio waves.
Very strong radio waves have thermal effect of heating biological tissues.
In the vast amount of research conducted over the past several decades worldwide, exposure levels have been elucidated at which adverse health effects could be induced by the thermal effects.
The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) has established the Guidelines based on these research findings, incorporating safety margins that are considered not to cause adverse health effects.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has also established "Radio Waves Protection Guidelines," which are equivalent to the ICNIRP Guidelines’ limit values and regulations for radio waves are enforced through the "Radio Equipment Regulations" and the "Radio Law Enforcement Regulations."

Are there any regulations set by the government on electromagnetic fields (radio waves) for microwave ovens?

In Japan, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications regulates high frequency electromagnetic fields (radio waves) emitted by microwave ovens through the "Radio Law Enforcement Regulations," while the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry regulates through the "Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act."

"Radio Law Enforcement Regulations", Article 46-7, Paragraph 1 (4): The power flux density* of leaked radio wave after durability testing of the microwave oven must be 5 mW/cm² (milliwatts per square centimeter) or less.
"Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act," Interpretation of the Ministerial Order to Provide Technical Standards for Electrical Appliances and Materials, Appendix Table 8-2 (95), item (To)”,: The power density of radio waves leaking from the outside of microwave ovens must be 1 mW/cm² or less at any point within 5 cm from the surface of the microwave oven while it is in operation with the door closed, and must be 5 mW/cm² or less just before the operation stops when the door is opened.

*Power density, power flux density: The radiative capability (energy of radio waves) per unit area perpendicular to the direction in which the radio waves propagate.

Are there any regulations set by the government on electromagnetic fields (radio waves) for induction heating (IH) cookers?

In Japan, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications regulates the high frequency electromagnetic fields (radio waves) emitted by induction heating (IH) cookers through the "Radio Law Enforcement Regulations."

Are there any regulations set by the government on electromagnetic fields (radio waves) for household appliances other than IH cookers and microwave ovens?

In Japan, there are no regulations electromagnetic fields (radio waves) for household appliances other than IH cookers and microwave ovens.

I've heard that in the United States, there are no houses under power lines. Isn't it because electromagnetic fields are considered dangerous?

In the United States, there's a concept called "right of way." Electricity is transmitted from power plants, and land under transmission lines is purchased as a pathway for transmitting public electricity, not because electromagnetic fields are considered harmful to health. Additionally, there are differences in the land use and geographical conditions between Japan and the United States. In Japan, there are cases where houses are built under power lines due to considerations of effective land use.

I've heard that there are particularly strict regulations on electromagnetic fields from power facilities in Sweden. Is this true?

In Sweden, there are recommended values for electric and magnetic fields based on the previous Guidelines of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP 1998), but there are no legally binding regulations.

It's often said that "Sweden has decided to regulate the magnetic fields generated from power lines" or "Sweden has decided to keep power lines away from schools," but such facts have not been confirmed.

What kind of regulations do foreign countries have regarding electromagnetic fields generated from electric power facilities?

Many countries have introduced legally binding regulations or non-binding recommendations based on the Guidelines established by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), either the previous version (set in 1998) or the current one (set in 2010), for electromagnetic fields generated from electric power facilities.

On the other hand, countries such as Switzerland, Italy, the Netherlands, and Norway have set lower limit values based on precautionary policies in addition to the limit values of the ICNIRP Guidelines. These lower limit values are set for places requiring special protection such as residences, hospitals, schools, as well as newly constructed buildings where children spend extended periods of time.

Should the regulation be set below 0.4 µT (microtesla) if the risk of childhood leukemia doubles or more at 0.4 µT or higher, shouldn’t they?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that adopting arbitrarily low exposure limit values is not endorsed.

Epidemiological studies have shown that children exposed to electromagnetic fields (low frequency magnetic fields) exceeding 0.4 µT (microtesla) in their living environment have a risk of childhood leukemia about twice as high as children exposed to less than 0.1 µT. However, animal studies do not find the evidence supporting these findings, and the mechanism linking exposure to low frequency magnetic fields and the onset of childhood leukemia has not been identified.

Therefore, WHO has stated that “the evidence related to childhood leukemia is not strong enough to be considered causal”, and “thus, if ELF (extremely low frequency) magnetic fields actually do increase the risk of the disease, when considered in a global context, the impact on public health of ELF EMF (electromagnetic fields) exposure would be limited”. WHO does not endorse the adoption of arbitrarily low exposure limit policies.

What is the basis for restricting the use of electronic devices during takeoff and landing of aircraft?

The use of devices emitting high-frequency electromagnetic fields (radio waves), such as mobile phones, onboard aircraft, may interfere with onboard radio navigation equipment and so on.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism stipulates in Article 164-16 (Prohibition of Acts Obstructing Safety) of the "Enforcement Regulations of the Aviation Act" that "the act of operating mobile phones or other electronic devices designated by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism by notification, which may interfere with the safe operation of aircraft, without justifiable reasons" is prohibited.

I'd like to know why it's no longer required to turn off mobile phones in hospitals. Could you also tell me about the rules for using mobile phones in hospitals?

Previously, the use of devices emitting radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (radio waves), such as mobile phones, were generally prohibited in hospitals due to the risk of interfering with electrically utilizing medical equipment like infusion pumps. However, with technological advancements, the output power of mobile phones has decreased. As a result, except for areas with critical medical equipment like operating rooms, the use of mobile phones is permitted in hospitals. This change is intended to allow hospitalized patients to communicate with their families using mobile phones, thereby improving their mental health and promoting recovery.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has conducted investigations into the impact of various radio wave-utilizing devices on implanted medical devices and those used in home medical care. Based on these investigations, the Ministry has released guidelines titled "Guidelines for Preventing the Impact of Radio Waves from Various Radio Wave-Utilizing Devices on Implanted Medical Devices, etc."