What the Half-Price Part Left Out
■ The reason it was cheap was on the back
Makihara happily showed off a small wireless module (a part that adds wireless capability to the robot) he had bought from an overseas online store. It was half the price it sells for in Japan. Shiraishi turned it over, looked through a loupe, and asked, "Where's the Giteki mark?" Japan's radio certification mark (Giteki) shows that a device has been certified as meeting Japan's radio rules. They looked closely, but the mark was nowhere to be found.
■ Just switching it on may break the law
In principle, any device that transmits radio waves in Japan needs the Giteki mark. Parts sold cheaply overseas often lack it. As Shiraishi said, an unmarked radio device may violate Japan's Radio Act the moment it is powered on and transmits in Japan. Even if you don't know, the signal still goes out. The low price tag does not include the cost of this check.
■ Conclusion: Check every add-on part, one by one
Makihara put the module back in its box and bought a certified one again from a domestic distributor. "Not half price after all…" Hakobukun replied, "The price includes safety, too." Even if the robot itself is certified, any part added later must be checked separately. Make checking each new part a fixed step in the workflow.
The price of a part includes proof that it may be used in Japan.
