PMDA / MHLW
Japan — PMDA / MHLW
PMSD Act + MHLW Cybersecurity Notifications (2023–24)
Authority
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency / Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Enforced
Apr 2024 (cybersecurity notification)
Legal framework
Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Act + MHLW Notifications + IMDRF N60 alignment
Scope
Programmed medical devices (PMD) and SaMD with network connectivity. Applies at marketing authorization (Shonin) and certification.
Pre-market
Cybersecurity documentation in STED, JIS T 81001-5-1 application, threat analysis, SBOM submission.
Post-market
Incident reporting to PMDA, lifetime support obligations, periodic safety updates.
SBOM
RequiredSBOM expected at submission since 2023 MHLW notification; format flexibility but machine-readable preferred.
Vulnerability disclosure
Required, IPA (Information-technology Promotion Agency) coordination.
Penalty
Approval suspension; recall orders; criminal penalties for misleading data.
Unique requirements
- 01Japanese-language documentation (STED)
- 02Marketing Authorization Holder (MAH) must be Japan-based
- 03JIS T 81001-5-1 (Japanese adoption of IEC 81001-5-1)
Highlights
- Closely tracks IMDRF N60
- SBOM expected from 2024
- Lifetime support clause
Aligns with
Timeline
-
2014
PMSD Act revised
-
Mar 2023
MHLW cybersecurity notification issued
-
Apr 2024
Enforcement of updated requirements
Key documents
PMDA head-to-head
Related markets
Frequently asked about Japan
Is SBOM required for medical devices in Japan?
Required. SBOM expected at submission since 2023 MHLW notification; format flexibility but machine-readable preferred.
What does PMDA / MHLW require for pre-market cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity documentation in STED, JIS T 81001-5-1 application, threat analysis, SBOM submission.
What are the post-market cybersecurity obligations under PMDA / MHLW?
Incident reporting to PMDA, lifetime support obligations, periodic safety updates.
What is the penalty for non-compliance with PMDA / MHLW cybersecurity rules?
Approval suspension; recall orders; criminal penalties for misleading data.
How much of my FDA cybersecurity package is reusable in Japan?
Roughly 70% — an editorial estimate based on overlapping evidence requirements (threat model, SBOM, security risk assessment, pen-test report).