1.

Notifying Member: JAPAN

If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2):

2.

Agency responsible:

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)

3.

Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X], 2.10.1 [ ], 5.6.2 [ ], 5.7.1 [ ], 3.2 [ ], 7.2 [ ], Other:

4.

Products covered (HS codes or national tariff lines. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable): Instantaneous gas water heaters (excl. boilers or water heaters for central heating) (HS code(s): 841911); Instantaneous or storage water heaters, non-electric (excl. instantaneous gas water heaters, solar water heaters and boilers or water heaters for central heating) (HS code(s): 841919)

5.

Details of notified document(s) (title, number of pages and languages, means of access): Revisions of the Notification of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) under the Act on the Rational Use of Energy; (3 page(s), in English)

Link to notified document(s) and/or contact details for agency or authority which can provide copies upon request:

Japan Enquiry Point

International Trade Division,

Economic Affairs Bureau,

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Fax: (+81 3) 5501 8343

E-mail: enquiry@mofa.go.jp

6.

Description of content: Under the Act on the Rational Use of Energy, Japan will establish the energy consumption efficiency standards for the targeted fiscal year (FY2028), measurement method, labelling information, etc., of the products listed in Column 4.

7.

Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where applicable: To promote rationalization of energy use pertaining to gas water heaters in Japan, in order to cope with the recent increase of energy consumption in the household sector, climate change, and so forth.

8.

Relevant documents:

·_        The Act on the Rational Use of Energy:

https://elaws.e-gov.go.jp/search/elawsSearch/elaws_search/lsg0500/detail?lawId=354AC0000000049

·_        Report on New Energy Conservation Standards for Gas or Oil Water Heaters compiled by the Advisory Committee for Energy's working group (in Japanese):

https://www.meti.go.jp/shingikai/enecho/shoene_shinene/sho_energy/gas_sekiyu/pdf/20250421_1.pdf

These revisions are to be publicised in the Official Government Gazette (KAMPO) when adopted. Regulations before amendment are available at the following site (in Japanese):

https://www.enecho.meti.go.jp/category/saving_and_new/saving/enterprise/equipment/pdf/14_gasonsui.pdf

Relevant notifications:

·_        G/TBT/N/JPN/637

·_        G/TBT/N/JPN/637/Add.1

9.

Proposed date of adoption: Around April 2026

Proposed date of entry into force: April 1 2026* (except for the labeling requirement**)

*The target fiscal year for achieving the new standard is fiscal year 2028.

**The proposed date of entry into force of the labeling requirement is April 1, 2027.

10.

Provision of comments

Final date for comments: 21 February 2026

[X] 60 days from notification

Contact details of agency or authority designated to handle comments regarding the notification:

International Trade Division

Economic Affairs Bureau

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

2-2-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku

Tokyo 100-8919, Japan

Tel.: + (81) 3 5501 8344

Fax: + (81) 3 5501 8343

E-mail: enquiry@mofa.go.jp