Japan mandates cybersecurity certification for China's power grid equipment

Japan is set to implement a new cybersecurity certification system, JC-STAR, for all equipment connected to its national power grid. Starting in fiscal year 2027, any device linking to Japan's transmission network must obtain this certification, a move aimed at bolstering the security of critical infrastructure.

The JC-STAR system, established by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Information-technology Promotion Agency (IPA), is designed to prevent hacking and remote control of power systems. This includes control systems for large-scale energy storage, power conditioners for solar power generation, and other essential grid components.

Notably, several major Chinese manufacturers, including Huawei, Sungrow, BYD, and CATL, which hold significant market share in Japan for energy storage and solar equipment, have yet to acquire the JC-STAR certification. This comes as Japan and China engage in escalating economic security disputes, with China recently imposing export controls on certain materials.

Experts suggest that China's 2017 National Intelligence Law may be a factor, raising concerns that Chinese companies could be compelled to share sensitive Japanese grid data with their government, posing a national security risk. Similar cybersecurity initiatives are underway in the European Union and the United States, indicating a global trend toward stricter security standards for connected devices.