Development & Parts Import

From power-assisted bicycles to fully electric vehicles such as specified small motorized bicycles and mopeds, we support building vehicles to Japanese standards.

Much of the rework in type approval traces back to the planning and component selection stages. We get involved from planning and design with Japanese standards in mind, and support you from sourcing overseas parts through to mass production.

How we support development and parts import for e-bikes and electric vehicles

Planning, design and mass production management

We set specifications based on Japanese standards and manage quality and processes from prototype to mass production. After type approval, the control program that passed the test is written to the vehicles in every production run, components can be traced by frame number, and on request we carry out witness inspections at the factory during mass production. When components are changed, we also review the technical content of the required procedures and give advice.

Adjustment on test machines

Preliminary adjustment is done on the overseas factory's test machine, and final adjustment in Japan. The adjusted program is then used as is for mass production.

Overseas parts sourcing

We source parts from component makers in Taiwan, China and elsewhere, checking compliance with the standards along the way.

Contract assembly

We arrange assembly with partners in Japan and overseas.

Import arrangements

We help customers who import parts or complete vehicles arrange the import. We sort out the documents and steps required, and work with customs brokers and others.

Electrical system development

We study and develop the configuration of the battery, motor and control electronics on the premise that they meet the standards. As part of our type approval work, we have also worked on improving assist motors.

IoT, OTA and remote diagnostics

We can discuss monitoring vehicle status through connectivity, over-the-air (OTA) updates of control software, and remote diagnostics.

Motors and controllers

As a rule, we recommend units from reliable manufacturers. Where control tailored to the vehicle is needed, we work with control engineers at our partners to develop controllers and adjust programs. Because the controller's mounting position and wiring routes are decided at the frame design stage, the result is a clean-looking vehicle.

The partner factories and overseas partners that support design, components, control and mass production are introduced on our Factory Network page.

Three ways to bring an overseas vehicle to market in Japan

If you want to sell an overseas e-bike in Japan, the right approach depends on your business plan, sales volume and brand strategy.

Comparison of the three approaches
Item	1. Adapting an overseas brand's vehicle for Japan	2. An original brand built on existing components	3. An original vehicle with a new design
Overview	Modify an overseas brand's existing vehicle for Japan.	Create your own brand for Japan using existing, proven components.	Design a vehicle from scratch around your own concept.
Typical development time	Short to medium	Medium	Medium to long
Production lot	Depends on the lot size and production timing required by the overseas brand.	Depends on the minimum order quantities for Japan-specific parts.	Medium to large. Tooling and development costs need to be recovered.
Main advantage	You can keep the brand's recognition and design.	A good balance between practicality and originality.	You can design to Japanese standards from the start and differentiate more easily.
Main challenge	High dependence on the manufacturer; control details may not be disclosed.	The fit between components and frame must be verified.	Initial investment and securing sales volume.
Meeting the standards	Changes for Japan are needed. Surprisingly, this can turn out to be the hardest route.	Can be designed with compliance as a premise.	Can be designed for compliance from the start.
Best suited to	Bringing in a brand with an overseas track record quickly	Growing your own brand while running the business	Building your own brand over the long term

1. Adapting an overseas brand's vehicle for Japan

Overview: Modify an overseas brand's existing vehicle for Japan.
Typical development time: Short to medium
Production lot: Depends on the lot size and production timing required by the overseas brand.
Main advantage: You can keep the brand's recognition and design.
Main challenge: High dependence on the manufacturer; control details may not be disclosed.
Meeting the standards: Changes for Japan are needed. Surprisingly, this can turn out to be the hardest route.
Best suited to: Bringing in a brand with an overseas track record quickly

2. An original brand built on existing components

Overview: Create your own brand for Japan using existing, proven components.
Typical development time: Medium
Production lot: Depends on the minimum order quantities for Japan-specific parts.
Main advantage: A good balance between practicality and originality.
Main challenge: The fit between components and frame must be verified.
Meeting the standards: Can be designed with compliance as a premise.
Best suited to: Growing your own brand while running the business

3. An original vehicle with a new design

Overview: Design a vehicle from scratch around your own concept.
Typical development time: Medium to long
Production lot: Medium to large. Tooling and development costs need to be recovered.
Main advantage: You can design to Japanese standards from the start and differentiate more easily.
Main challenge: Initial investment and securing sales volume.
Meeting the standards: Can be designed for compliance from the start.
Best suited to: Building your own brand over the long term

1 can look easy, but may turn out to be the hardest.

If the controller or motor uses proprietary control, it may be difficult to change it to meet Japanese standards. Changes can cascade from controller to motor, battery and frame, until the work approaches the scale of new development.

2 balances practicality and originality.

If you can make use of a vehicle produced for overseas markets or a shared platform, you can sometimes create your own brand in a relatively short time while keeping risk down. However, if component changes require a frame redesign, it can come close to new development.

3 requires larger lots and investment, but can open up new markets.

It offers the most freedom in meeting the standards, and the potential to create a new category with new designs or technology. In the premium e-bike markets of Europe and North America, some vehicles are chosen as fashion or lifestyle products. However, because every component is chosen anew, the order quantity (lot) for each component may increase, so keep in mind that the initial investment tends to be larger.

We work out which approach suits you together, as part of our consultation. Where we can contribute most is approach 3, an original vehicle with a new design. Depending on your budget and timing, we also propose approach 2.

We can also introduce Japanese businesses to new brands from European countries, the United States, Canada, China, Taiwan and elsewhere that are considering entering Japan or looking for distributors in Japan.

Check the standards during development.

If you find out the vehicle doesn't meet the standards only after the components are fixed and a prototype is built, you will need design changes or to source parts again. Checking the regulations at the planning and component selection stages makes this kind of rework easier to avoid.

We check component specifications and test data at an early stage, working directly with manufacturers in Taiwan and China in Chinese, without an interpreter. A distinctive feature of our work is that the same team can stay involved all the way from development to type approval.

PlanningRegulatory check
Component selection & sourcingRegulatory check
PrototypeRegulatory check
TestingRegulatory check
Mass productionRegulatory check

Type Approval Support

For development inquiries, too, use the type approval form.

Even at the vehicle planning or parts sourcing stage, please contact us through the type approval inquiry form.

Go to the inquiry form