Act No. 106 of July 16, 1999 Basic Act on Food, Agriculture, and Rural Areas Chapter I General Provisions (Articles 1 through 16) Chapter II Basic Policy Measures Section 1 Basic Plan for Food, Agriculture, and Rural Areas (Article 17) Section 2 Policy Measures for Ensuring Food Security (Articles 18 through 25) Section 3 Policy Measures on Sustainable Development of Agriculture (Articles 26 through 42) Section 4 Policy Measures for Promoting Development of Rural Areas (Articles 43 through 49) Chapter III Administrative Organs and Organizations (Articles 50 and 51) Chapter IV Council for Policies on Food, Agriculture, and Rural Areas (Articles 52 through 56) Supplementary Provisions Chapter I General Provisions
(Purpose) Article 1 The purpose of this Act is to comprehensively and systematically advance policy measures on food, agriculture and rural areas and thereby stabilize and improve the lives of the people and achieve sound development of the national economy, through providing the basic principles for ensuring food security and the matters that serve as the basis for realizing those principles and clarifying the responsibilities of the national government and local governments concerning those policy measures on food, agriculture and rural areas.
(Ensuring Food Security) Article 2 (1) In consideration of the fact that food is essential for sustaining human life, and, important for humans as the basis for a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle, food security (meaning a situation in which high-quality food is supplied at a reasonable price, and, each citizen can obtain such food; the same applies below) must be secured continuously into the future. (2) In consideration of the fact that the world's food supply and demand, and trade is unstable, a stable supply of food to the people must be maintained based on increase of domestic agricultural production, and at the same time secure stable imports and stockpiles of food. (3) Food supply must be made by comprehensively advancing the sound development of agriculture and the food industry while promoting the improvement of agricultural productivity, and in line with the public demand that is sophisticated, and, diversified. (4) For providing a stable supply of food to the people, in consideration of the fact that it is important to secure supply capacity of food, such as agricultural production infrastructure and business foundation of the food industry, as a decline in domestic food demand is expected due to a decrease in the domestic population, supply capacity of food must be maintained through the development of agriculture and food industry by exporting food overseas in addition to supplying food in Japan. (5) The reasonable costs required for sustainable food supply must be taken into account by farmers, business operators in the food industry, consumers, and other stakeholders in the food systems (meaning the whole series of activities that fulfill the function as a whole through the stakeholders at each stage from the stage of production to consumption of food organically cooperating with each other; the same applies below) so that the supply and demand situation and quality evaluation will be appropriately reflected, and a sustainable food supply will be provided for the formation of reasonable prices of food. (6) A minimum food supply required by the people must be secured so that the stability of the lives of the people and the smooth operation of the national economy will not be hindered even when a domestic food supply shortage occurs or is likely to occur for a considerable period of time due to contingent factors such as poor harvest or interrupted imports.
(Establishment of Environmentally Harmonized Food Systems) Article 3 In consideration of the fact that the food systems have an aspect of placing a burden on the environment at each stage of supplying food, the food systems must be harmonized with the environment by reducing that burden.
(Fulfillment of Multifunctionality) Article 4 The multifunctionality of the food systems other than the functions of supplying food and other agricultural products produced by conducting agricultural production activities in rural areas, such as the conservation of national land, conservation of water resources, preservation of the natural environment, development of good landscapes, and cultural transmission (referred to as "multifunctionality" below) must be appropriately and sufficiently fulfilled while reducing environmental burden continuously into the future by taking into account the role the food systems play in stabilizing the lives of the people and the national economy.
(Sustainable Development of Agriculture) Article 5 (1) In consideration of the importance of the agriculture's function of supplying food and other agricultural products, and its multifunctionality, the sustainable development of agriculture must be ensured by securing necessary farmland, agricultural water, and other agricultural resources as well as the agricultural workforce, and establishing a desirable agricultural structure that combines these elements in accordance with the characteristics of each region, as well as improving the productivity of agriculture and increasing the added value of agricultural products, and reducing environmental burden of agricultural production activities, so that these functions will be fulfilled even in a situation in which there are changes in the circumstances surrounding agriculture, such as decrease in number of farmers due to the population decline and climate change. (2) The reduction of environmental burden by agricultural production activities must be made in consideration of maintenance and improvement of the natural circulation function of agriculture (meaning the function of agricultural production activities which rely on circulation of substances intermediated by living things in nature, and, which advance this; the same applies below).
(Promoting the Development of Rural Areas) Article 6 In consideration of the fact that rural areas play an important part in the sustainable development of agriculture because farming is practiced in places for daily lives of local residents including farmers, development of rural areas must be promoted by improving the production conditions of agriculture, and improving the living environment and enhancing other welfare, so that local communities are maintained and agriculture's function of supplying food and other agricultural products and its multifunctionality are appropriately and sufficiently fulfilled, even in a situation where there is a change in circumstances surrounding agriculture such as declining population in rural areas.
(Consideration Given to Fisheries and Forestry) Article 7 When taking policy measures on food, agriculture, and rural areas, necessary consideration is to be given for promoting the development of fisheries and forestry, taking into account the fact that those policy measures are closely related to the fisheries and forestry.
(Responsibility of the National Government) Article 8 (1) The national government is responsible for comprehensively formulating and implementing policy measures on food, agriculture, and rural areas, in accordance with the basic principles for policy measures on food, agriculture, and rural areas prescribed in Article 2 through Article 6 (referred to as the "basic principles" below). (2) The national government must endeavor to deepen the understanding of the basic principles of the people by providing them with information on food, agriculture, and rural areas.
(Responsibility of Local Governments) Article 9 The local governments are responsible for formulating and implementing policy measures on food, agriculture, and rural areas in accordance with the natural, economic, and social conditions of the areas of the local government taking into account the appropriate division of roles with the national government, in accordance with the basic principles.
(Efforts of Farmers) Article 10 The farmers are to endeavor to proactively work on realizing the basic principles, when conducting farming and activities related to farming.
(Efforts of Business Operators) Article 11 The business operators in the food industry are to endeavor to proactively work on realizing the basic principles, when conducting their business activities.
(Efforts of Organizations) Article 12 In consideration of the fact that the activities conducted by organizations related to food, agriculture, and rural areas for farmers, business operators in the food industry, local residents, or consumers play an important role in the realization of the basic principles, the organizations are to endeavor to actively engage in those activities.
(Support for Efforts of Farmers) Article 13 When taking policy measures on food, agriculture, and rural areas, the national government and local governments are to aim at providing support for the voluntary efforts made by farmers, business operators in the food industry and organizations related to food, agriculture, and rural areas.
(Role of Consumers) Article 14 The consumers are to deepen their understanding of food, agriculture, and rural areas, and play an active role in improving their consuming life of food when consuming food, by endeavoring to select items that contribute to reducing environmental burden and to a sustainable food supply.
(Legislative Measures) Article 15 The government must take legislative, fiscal, and financial measures necessary to implement policy measures on food, agriculture, and rural areas.
(Annual Reports) Article 16 Each year, the government must submit a report on the trends of food, agriculture, and rural areas, and the policy measures taken by the government for food, agriculture, and rural areas.
Chapter II Basic Policy Measures
Section 1 Basic Plan for Food, Agriculture, and Rural Areas
Article 17 (1) The government must establish a basic plan for food, agriculture, and rural areas (referred to as the "basic plan" below) in order to comprehensively and systematically advance the policy measures on food, agriculture, and rural areas. (2) The basic plan is to specify the following matters: (i) the basic policy for policy measures on food, agriculture, and rural areas; (ii) matters concerning trends in food security (iii) targets for matters relating to the food self-sufficiency rate and ensuring food security (iv) policy measures required to be comprehensively and systematically taken by the government concerning food, agriculture, and rural areas; and (v) beyond what is stated in the preceding items, matters necessary to comprehensively and systematically advance policy measures on food, agriculture, and rural areas. (3) The targets referred to in item (iii) of the preceding paragraph are to be established by identifying the issues required to be worked on by farmers and other relevant persons for improving the food self-sufficiency rate and other matters concerning securing of food security. (4) The part of the basic plan concerning measures on rural areas must be harmonized with the plan for comprehensive use, development, and conservation of national land formulated by the national government. (5) When seeking to establish a basic plan pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), the government must hear the opinion of the Council for Policies on Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas. (6) When a basic plan is established pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), the government must report that fact to the Diet and publicize the basic plan without delay. (7) The government must conduct research on the achievement of the targets referred to in paragraph (2), item (iii) at least once per year, and publicize the results using the internet or by other appropriate means. (8) The government is to amend the basic plan approximately every five years by taking into account the situation of global food supply and demand, changes in circumstances surrounding food, agriculture, and rural areas, and evaluation of the effect of policy measures on food, agriculture and rural areas. (9) The provisions of paragraphs (5) and (6) apply mutatis mutandis to the amendment of the basic plan.
Section 2 Policy Measures for Ensuring Food Security
(Enhancement of Policy Measures for Food Consumption) Article 18 (1) The national government is to ensure safety of food and improve quality of food, and to contribute to consumers to make rational choices, enhance management of manufacturing process of food products, enhance other sanitation management and quality management of food products, optimize labeling of food products, and take other necessary policy measures. (2) The national government is to take policy measures to formulate guidelines for healthy dietary habits, disseminate knowledge, and provide information on food consumption, and take other necessary measures in order to contribute to the improvement of food consumption and the effective use of agricultural resources.
(Ensuring Smooth Procurement of Food) Article 19 The national government is to promote securing transportation of food, develop an environment for the smooth donation of food, and take other necessary measures, so that smooth procurement of food will be possible through cooperating with local governments, business operators in the food industry, and other stakeholders regardless of geographical restrictions, economic situations, or other factors.
(Sound Development of the Food Industry) Article 20 In consideration of the importance of the role played by the food industry in supplying food, the national government is to promote business activities that contribute to the reduction of environmental burden and secure effective use of resources, or other business activities that contribute to sustainable supply of food, strengthen business infrastructure, promote smooth business succession, advance cooperation between the food industry and agriculture, streamline the distribution system, promote creation of new businesses in the food industry and other related industries which use advanced technology, promote development of businesses overseas, and other necessary measures, for aiming at the sound development of the food industry.
(Measures on Imports of Agricultural Products) Article 21 (1) To ensure stable import of agricultural products for which demand cannot be met through domestic production, the national government is to diversify import partner countries through cooperation between the national government and the private sector, promote investment in import partner countries, and take other necessary policy measures. (2) When imports of agricultural products cause or are likely to cause serious hindrance to the production of agricultural products that are in competition with those agricultural products, the national government is to adjust the tariff rate, restrict their imports, and take other necessary policy measures, if there is an urgent need. (3) To ensure the stable import of fertilizers and other agricultural materials, the national government is to diversify import partner countries through cooperation between the national government and the private sector, promote investments in import partner countries, and take other necessary measures.
(Promotion of Export of Agricultural Products) Article 22 To promote the export of agricultural products in response to overseas demand so as to contribute to the increase of the profitability of farmers and business operators in the food industry, the national government is to strengthen the competitiveness of agricultural products through developing the production areas that export agricultural products and promoting initiatives for exporting agricultural products by organizations organized by the stakeholders at each stage from the production stage to the sales stage of agricultural products, as well as develop a system to comprehensively support the cultivation of demand in the export partner countries, such as enhancing market research, providing information, and reinforcing dissemination and advertising, to protect intellectual property rights related to agricultural products to be exported, discuss conditions on the quarantine of animals and plants to be exported and other matters which are specified by those countries, and take other necessary policy measures.
(Consideration of the Costs Required for Sustainable Food Supply) Article 23 The national government is to enhance the understanding of the persons concerned with the food systems on the necessity of a sustainable food supply, clarify their reasonable costs, and take other necessary measures, so that the stakeholders with the food systems will take into consideration reasonable costs necessary for sustainable supply of food in the formation of food prices.
(Measures in Emergencies) Article 24 (1) To avoid the occurrence of situations in which there is a shortage of domestic supply of food and the stability of the lives of the people and the smooth operation of the national economy are hindered due to unforeseen factors such as poor harvests or decrease in imports as much as possible, or to minimize the hindrance of those situations on the lives of the people and the national economy, from the time the national government finds that there is a risk of those situations occurring, the national government is to strengthen the cooperation among the relevant administrative organs as well as supply the food stored against emergencies, increase food imports, and take other necessary measures,. (2) In the case prescribed in Article 2, paragraph (6), if the national government finds it necessary to secure a minimum food supply required by the people, it is to increase the production of food, restrict distribution, and take other necessary measures.
(Advancement of International Cooperation) Article 25 To contribute to ensuring a stable food supply in the world continuously into the future, and stable imports of agricultural products and agricultural materials to Japan through a stable food supply, the national government is to endeavor to advance international cooperation, such as technical and financial cooperation for the promotion of development of agriculture and rural areas in the developing regions and food aid to those regions.
Section 3 Policy Measures for Sustainable Development of Agriculture
(Establishing Desirable Agricultural Structures) Article 26 (1) To develop efficient and stable agricultural management and establish an agricultural structure in which agricultural management plays the main role in agricultural production, the national government is to advance the development of agricultural production infrastructure, expand the scale of agricultural management, and take other necessary policy measures to promote the reinforcing of the agricultural management framework in accordance with the type of farming, and characteristics of each region. (2) When establishing a desirable agricultural structure, the national government is to give consideration so that the farmland that forms the foundation of agricultural production through persons who conduct efficient and stable agricultural management and various other farmers performing agricultural production activities will be secured, based on deliberations conducted in the regions.
(Development of Agricultural Management by Persons Exclusively Engaged in Agriculture) Article 27 (1) In consideration of the fact that it is important to enable persons exclusively engaged in farming and other farmers motivated to manage agriculture to develop creative agricultural management, the national government is to provide conditions that contribute to streamlining of management of farms, development of other management, and its smooth succession, and revitalize family farming, as well as take necessary policy measures to advance the incorporation of farm management. (2) To strengthen the management foundation of a corporation that engages in agriculture, the national government is to improve the business management skills of persons engaged in the management of an agricultural business, develop a labor environment that contributes to securing employment, and promote the enhancement of equity capital, and take other necessary policy measures.
(Securing Farmland and Its Effective Use) Article 28 To secure the farmland required for domestic agricultural production and its effective use, the national government is to ensure the agricultural use of land that should be used for farming, accumulate use of farmland for persons who engage in efficient and stable agricultural management and collectivize those farmlands, and promote the appropriate and efficient use of farmland, and take other necessary policy measures.
(Development and Conservation of Agricultural Production Infrastructure) Article 29 To promote the improvement of agricultural productivity by securing farmland with favorable farming conditions and agricultural water and making effective use of them, and in order to have agricultural production activities continuously performed by preventing or mitigating disasters caused due to climate change or other factors, the national government is to take necessary policy measures for the development and conservation of agricultural production infrastructure, such as expanding the farmland lots, generalizing and converting paddy fields into vegetable fields, maintaining or improving the functions of irrigation and drainage facilities, for the aim of implementing efficient agricultural business based on the latest technical knowledge on the development and conservation of agricultural production infrastructure, taking into account agriculture in harmony with the environment, and compatibility with agricultural production systems that use advanced technology, in accordance with the characteristics of each region.
(Improvement of Productivity by Using Advanced Technology) Article 30 To contribute to the increase of agricultural productivity, the national government is to take policy measures to promote the adoption of production, processing, or distribution system utilizing information and communication technology, or other advanced technology, the development and introduction of new varieties that contribute to labor-saving or increase of crop yields, and other necessary policy measures.
(Improving the Added Value of Agricultural Products) Article 31 To improve and create added value of agricultural products, the national government is to promote the introduction of plant varieties with high quality and the creation of new agricultural business that utilizes agricultural products, advance protection and utilization of new plant varieties, genetic resources of livestock, geographical indications (meaning geographical indications defined in Article 2, paragraph (3) of the Act on Protection of Names of Specific Agricultural, Forestry, and Fishery Products and Foodstuffs (Act No. 84 of 2014)), and technical and business information useful for agricultural production and other intellectual properties, and take other necessary policy measures.
(Promotion of Reduction of Environmental Burden) Article 32 (1) To reduce environmental burden of agricultural production activities, the national government is to ensure the appropriate use of agricultural chemicals and fertilizers, to enhance soil fertility through effective use of livestock wastes, and the introduction of a production method that utilizes technology contributing to the reduction of environmental burden, and take other necessary policy measures, while giving consideration to the maintenance and improvement of the natural circulation function of agriculture. (2) The national government is to ensure the smooth distribution of agricultural products that contribute to the reduction of environmental burden, advance the appropriate provision of information to consumers, understand the status of reduction of environmental burden and develop their evaluation method, and take other necessary policy measures so that those agricultural products will be widely distributed and consumed.
(Training and Securing Human Resources) Article 33 (1) To train and secure human resources that are to conduct efficient and stable agricultural management, the national government is to improve the agricultural skills and business management ability of farmers, and promote acquisition of agricultural technology and management methods for persons who intend to newly engage in farming, and take other necessary policy measures. (2) The national government is to promote the development of education on agriculture and take other necessary policy measures, so that the people will deepen their understanding and interest in agriculture.
(Promoting Women's Participation in Agriculture) Article 34 In consideration of the fact that it is important to secure opportunities for men and women to participate in all kinds of activities as equal members of society, the national government is to properly evaluate women's roles in agricultural management, and advance the development of an environment for securing opportunities for women to voluntarily participate in agricultural management and activities related to agricultural management.
(Promotion of Activities by Elderly Farmers) Article 35 The national government is to advance the development of an environment that enables elderly farmers to participate in agricultural activities with a sense of fulfillment in accordance with their roles in agriculture in each region and their skills and abilities, and improve the welfare of elderly farmers.
(Promoting Activities of Agricultural Production Organizations) Article 36 To contribute to securing efficient agricultural production for agriculture in each region, the national government is to take necessary policy measures to promote the activities of organizations of farmers based on communities, other organizations of farmers that jointly conduct agricultural production activities, and organizations, etc. that are entrusted to perform farm work
(Promotion of Business Activities of Business Operators that Support Agricultural Management) Article 37 To contribute to the development of agricultural business and improvement of agricultural productivity, the national government is to take necessary policy measures for promoting the business activities of business operators that support agricultural management, such as entrustment of farm work, leasing agricultural machinery, sending personnel that performs farm work, analyzing information on agricultural management and providing advice.
(Development and Dissemination of Technology) Article 38 (1) To effectively advance research and development, and dissemination of technology concerning agriculture, food processing and distribution, the national government is to clarify the m for the research and development of the technology, strengthen the cooperation between experiment and research institutions of the national government, incorporated administrative agencies, prefectures and local incorporated administrative agencies, universities, and the private sector, etc., promoting business for disseminating technology related to agriculture in accordance with the characteristics of each region, accelerate the research and development, and dissemination of information and communication technology and other advanced technology made by the private sector, and take other necessary policy measures. (2) The national government is to take necessary policy measures to advance the development of an environment for the smooth sharing of information by the stakeholders in the food systems, so that information will be effectively utilized by using information and communication technology in the food systems.
(Price Formation of Agricultural Products and Stable Agricultural Management) Article 39 (1) In addition to taking the policy measures prescribed in Article 23 for price formation of agricultural products, the national government is to take necessary policy measures to advance agricultural production that meets consumer demands, so that the prices appropriately reflect the supply and demand situation and quality evaluation. (2) The national government is to take necessary policy measures to mitigate the impact of substantial fluctuations in prices of agricultural products on the agricultural management that should be developed.
(Compensation for Losses Caused by Agricultural Disasters) Article 40 To prevent agricultural reproduction from being impaired by disasters, and stabilize agricultural management, the national government is to provide reasonable compensation for losses caused by disasters, and take other necessary policy measures.
(Prevention of Outbreak of Infectious Diseases) Article 41 If an infectious disease in livestock outbreaks and spreads in Japan or animals or plants harmful to plants come into existence and spread in Japan, the national government is to take necessary policy measures to prevent the outbreak and spread, in consideration of the fact that this is likely to cause substantial damage to agriculture.
(Securing Production and Distribution of Agricultural Materials and Stable Agricultural Management) Article 42 (1) To secure a stable supply of agricultural materials, the national government is to advance a shift from agricultural materials and their raw materials that depend on imports to good quality alternatives that can be domestically produced, provide support for stockpiling, and take other necessary policy measures. (2) To contribute to the reduction of agricultural material costs in agricultural management, the national government is to promote streamlining of production and distribution of agricultural materials, and take other necessary policy measures. (3) The national government is to take necessary policy measures for mitigating the impact of substantial fluctuations in prices of agricultural materials on agricultural management that should be developed.
Section 4 Policy Measures on Promotion of Rural Areas
(Comprehensive Promotion of Rural Areas) Article 43 (1) The national government is to systematically advance policy measures on agriculture and other policy measures on comprehensive promotion of rural areas, taking heed of coordination between agricultural use of land and other uses of land in rural areas. (2) To promote the sound development of agriculture in each region and make the rural areas have beautiful landscapes and rich and comfortable to live in, the national government is to develop and conserve agricultural production infrastructure in accordance with the characteristics of each region, and take necessary policy measures to comprehensively advance the promotion of industries that contribute to the increase of persons who are connected to rural areas, and the improvement of living environment, such as disaster prevention, transportation, telecommunications, sanitation, education, and culture, and other improvements of welfare.
(Promotion of Joint Activities that Contribute to Farmland Conservation) Article 44 In consideration of the fact that joint activities that contribute to farmland conservation conducted by farmers and other persons connected with rural areas play an important role in continuing regional agricultural production activities and fulfilling multifunctionality by the activities, the national government is to take necessary policy measures to promote those joint activities.
(Promotion of Business Activities That Utilize Regional Resources) Article 45 To increase the number of persons connected with rural areas through business activities utilizing regional resources in cooperation between agriculture and industries other than agriculture, the national government is to promote those business activities and take other necessary policy measures.
(Development of Environment for Agricultural Activities by Persons with Disabilities) Article 46 To promote regional agriculture through increasing employment opportunities for persons with disabilities and other persons requiring support for their life in society, the national government is to take necessary policy measures for developing an environment in which those persons can conduct agricultural activities in accordance with their abilities.
(Promotion of Development of Hilly and Mountainous Areas) Article 47 (1) The national government is to increase employment opportunities through the introduction of new crops, the production and sale of local specialties, and promotion of development of agriculture and other industries in accordance with the characteristics of each region in mountainous areas and areas surrounding them and other areas where geographical conditions, such as natural features are not good, and conditions required for agricultural production are unfavorable (referred to as "hilly and mountainous areas, etc." below), by increasing employment opportunities, promoting permanent residency through developing the living environment, ensuring the convenience of daily life that contributes to maintaining local communities, and taking other necessary policy measures . (2) The national government is to take policy measures to secure multifunctionality in particular in hilly and mountainous areas, etc. by providing support to compensate for the disadvantages of the conditions required for agricultural production so that appropriate agricultural production activities will be conducted continuously.
(Countermeasures for Damage from Wildlife) Article 48 To prevent damage from wildlife to agriculture and the living environment in rural areas, the national government is to prevent wildlife from entering farmland, promote the use of wildlife captured as food, etc. and take other necessary policy measures.
(Social Intercourse Between Urban Areas and Rural Areas) Article 49 (1) To deepen the understanding and interest in agriculture and rural areas by the people, and to contribute to their healthy and comfortable life, the national government is to promote business activities that provide opportunities to stay in rural areas using people's leisure time, promote other social intercourse between urban areas and rural areas, develop an environment in which people can lead a life in which they have residences in both urban area and rural area, advance development of communal gardens, and take other necessary policy measures. (2) The national government is to take necessary measures to promote agricultural production that meets the demand of urban residents, and take advantage of being close to the consumption area, for agriculture in urban areas and the surrounding areas.
Chapter III Administrative Organs and Related Organizations
(Restructuring of Administrative Organizations) Article 50 The national government and local governments are to cooperate with each other and endeavor to restructure administrative organizations, and increase the efficiency and transparency of administrative operations, when taking policy measures on food, agriculture, and rural areas.
(Mutual Cooperation and Reorganization of Related Organizations) Article 51 The national government is to promote mutual cooperation with organizations concerning food, agriculture, and rural areas, and take necessary policy measures on their efficient reorganization, in order to contribute to the realization of the basic principles.
Chapter IV Council for Policies on Food, Agriculture, and Rural Areas
(Establishment of the Council) Article 52 The Council for Policies on Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas (referred to as "the Council" below) is established in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
(Authority of the Council) Article 53 (1) In addition to handling the matters placed under the authority of the Council pursuant to the provisions of this Act, the Council studies and deliberates the important matters for enforcing this Act in response to requests for consultation made by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, or relevant ministers. (2) The Council may state its opinions on the matters prescribed in the preceding paragraph to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, or relevant ministers. (3) Beyond what is provided for in the preceding two paragraphs, the Council handles matters placed under its authority pursuant to the provisions of the Land Improvement Act (Act No.195 of 1949), Act on Improvement and Increased Production of Livestock (Act No.209 of 1950), Act on Prevention of Infectious Diseases in Livestock (Act No.166 of 1951), Feed Supply and Demand Stabilization Act (Act No.356 of 1952), Act on the Promotion of Dairy and Beef Cattle Production (Act No.182 of 1954), Act on Special Measures Concerning Promotion of Fruit-Growing Industry (Act No.15 of 1961), Act on the Stabilization of Livestock Farming Management (Act No.183 of 1961), Act on Regulation of Housing Land Development and Specified Embankment (Act No. 191 of 1961), Act on Price Adjustment of Sugar and Starch (Act No.109 of 1965), Act on Establishment of Agricultural Promotion Regions (Act No.58 of 1969), Wholesale Market Act (Act No.35 of 1971), Act on Special Measures Concerning Beef Calf Production Stabilization (Act No.98 of 1988), Act on Rationalizing Distribution and Improving Transactional Propriety for Food and Other Products (Act No. 59 of 1991), Act on Stabilization of Supply, Demand, and Prices of Staple Food (Act No.113 of 1994), Act on Promotion of Recycling and Related Activities for Treatment of Cyclical Food Resources (Act No.116 of 2000), Act on Payment of Grants to Farmers for the Purpose of Stabilization of Farming Management (Act No. 88 of 2006), Act on Promotion of Organic Agriculture (Act No. 112 of 2006), Act on Promotion of Business Activities by Coordination Between Small and Medium Sized Enterprise Operators and Operators of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishery (Act No. 38 of 2008), Act on Promotion of Use of Rice for New Purposes (Act No. 25 of 2009), Basic Act on the Promotion of Urban Agriculture (Act No. 14 of 2015), Act on Promotion of Environmental Burden Reduction Business Activities for Establishing Environmentally Harmonized Food Systems (Act No. 37 of 2022), and Act on the Promotion of Smart Agricultural Technology Utilization to Improve Agricultural Productivity (Act No. 63 of 2024).
(Organization of the Council) Article 54 (1) The Council is comprised of not more than 30 members. (2) The members of the Council are appointed by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries from among persons with relevant expertise on the matters prescribed in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article. (3) The members of the Council serve on a part-time basis. (4) Beyond what is provided for in paragraph (2), members of the Council who are specified by Cabinet Order are appointed by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
(Request for Submission of Materials) Article 55 When the Council finds it necessary for conducting the affairs under its authority, it may request the heads of relevant administrative organs to submit materials, express their opinions, provide explanations, or request for other necessary cooperation.
(Delegation Provisions) Article 56 Beyond what is provided for in this Act, the necessary matters for the organization, affairs under the authority, and management of the Council are specified by Cabinet Order.
Supplementary Provisions
(Effective Date) Article 1 This Act comes into effect on the date of promulgation.
(Repeal of the Basic Act on Agriculture) Article 2 The Basic Act on Agriculture (Act No. 127 of 1961) is repealed.
(Transitional Measures) Article 3 (1) If the report referred to in Article 6, paragraph (1) of the Basic Act on Agriculture of 1999 before its repeal under the provisions of the preceding Article (referred to as "the former Basic Act" below) has not been submitted to the Diet at the time of enforcement of this Act, prior laws and regulations continue to govern the submission of the report referred to in that paragraph to the Diet. (2) If the report referred to in Article 6, paragraph (1) of the former Basic Act has been submitted to the Diet pursuant to the provisions of that paragraph before the enforcement of this Act, or the report referred to in that paragraph has been submitted to the Diet pursuant to the provisions of that paragraph which remain to be governed by prior laws and regulations pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, that report is deemed to have been submitted to the Diet as the report referred to in Article 14, paragraph (1), pursuant to the provisions of that paragraph. (3) If the document referred to in Article 7 of the former Basic Act of 1999 has not been submitted to the Diet at the time of the enforcement of this Act, prior laws and regulations continue to govern the submission of the document referred to in that Article to the Diet. (4) If the document referred to in Article 7 of the former Basic Act has been submitted to the Diet pursuant to the provisions of that Article before this Act comes into effect, or the document referred to in that Article has been submitted to the Diet pursuant to the provisions of that Article which continue to be governed by prior laws and regulations pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, that document is deemed to have been submitted to the Diet as the document referred to in Article 14, paragraph (2) pursuant to the provisions of that paragraph.
Supplementary Provisions
(Effective Date) Article 1 This Act comes into effect on the date on which the Act on Partial Amendment of the Cabinet Act (Act No. 88 of 1999) comes into effect; provided, however, that the provisions stated in the following items come into effect on the date specified in each of those items: (ii) the provisions of Article 10, paragraphs (1) and (5), Article 14, paragraph (3), and Article 23, Article 28, and Article 30 of the Supplementary Provisions: the date of promulgation
(Succession of Status as an Official) Article 3 A person is who was an official of the former Prime Minister's Office, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Construction or Ministry of Home Affairs (referred to as "the former Ministry or Office" below in this Article) at the time when this Act comes into effect (excluding the chairperson or member of the councils, etc. referred to in Article 8 of the National Government Organization Act (Act No. 120 of 1948), members of the National Disaster Management Council, the chairperson and members of the Japanese Industrial Standards Committee, and persons specified by Cabinet Order as those similar to them) is to assume the position of the corresponding official at the Cabinet Office, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, or Ministry of the Environment after this Act comes into effect (referred to as "the new Ministry or Office" below in this Article) or a department or an organ established in the new Ministry or Office specified by Cabinet Order as equivalent to the former Ministry or Office or the department or organ established in the former Ministry or Office to which that official belongs on the date on which this Act comes into effect, under the same working conditions, unless the official is issued a separate appointment letter.
(Transitional Measures Specified Separately) Article 30 Beyond what is provided for in Article 2 through the preceding Article, transitional measures necessary for the enforcement of this Act are specified separately by other laws.
Supplementary Provisions
(Effective Date) Article 1 This Act comes into effect on October 1, 2000.
Supplementary Provisions
(Effective Date) Article 1 This Act comes into effect on the day specified by Cabinet Order within a period not exceeding one year from the date of promulgation.
Supplementary Provisions
(Effective Date) Article 1 This Act comes into effect on April 1, 2003; provided, however, that the provisions of Article 9 through Article 18 and Article 20 through Article 25 of the Supplementary Provisions come into effect on October 1, 2003.
Supplementary Provisions
(Effective Date) Article 1 This Act comes into effect on the day specified by Cabinet Order, within a period not exceeding three months from the date of promulgation.
Supplementary Provisions
(Effective Date) Article 1 This Act comes into effect on the day specified by Cabinet Order within a period not exceeding six months from the date of promulgation (referred to as the "effective date" below); provided, however, that the provisions of the following paragraph and Article 27 of the Supplementary Provisions come into effect on the date of promulgation.
(Delegation to Cabinet Order) Article 27 Beyond what is provided for in these Supplementary Provisions, transitional measures necessary for the enforcement of this Act are specified by Cabinet Order.
Supplementary Provisions
(Effective Date) Article 1 This Act comes into effect on April 1, 2007; provided, however, that the provisions of the following Article, and Article 3 and Article 7 of the Supplementary Provisions come into effect on the date of promulgation, and the provisions of Article 4, paragraph (1) apply to income for target agricultural products after the fiscal year 2007.
Supplementary Provisions
(Effective Date) Article 1 This Act comes into effect on April 1, 2007; provided, however, that the provisions of Article 4, Article 7, and Article 9 of the Supplementary Provisions come into effect on the date of promulgation.
Supplementary Provisions (Effective Date) (1) This Act comes into effect on the date of promulgation. Supplementary Provisions
(Effective Date) Article 1 This Act comes into effect on the day specified by Cabinet Order within a period not exceeding six months from the date of promulgation.
Supplementary Provisions
(Effective Date) Article 1 This Act comes into effect on the day specified by Cabinet Order within a period not exceeding six months from the date of promulgation.
Supplementary Provisions (Effective Date) (1) This Act comes into effect on the date of promulgation. Supplementary Provisions
(Effective Date) Article 1 This Act comes into effect on the day when the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership comes into effect in Japan (referred to as the "effective date" below in item (iii)); provided, however, that the provisions stated in the following items come into effect on the date specified in each of those items. (i) and (ii) Omitted (ii)-2 The provisions of Article 18 of the Supplementary Provisions: the effective date of the provisions stated in Article 1, item (ii) of the Supplementary Provisions of the Act on the Stabilization in Livestock Farming Management and Act on the Partial Amendment of the Act on the Agriculture & Livestock Industries Corporation, Incorporated Administrative Agency (Act No. 60 of 2017)
Supplementary Provisions
(Effective Date) Article 1 This Act comes into effect on April 1, 2018; provided, however, that the provisions stated in the following items come into effect on the date specified in each of those items: (i) Omitted (ii) the provisions of Article 17 and Article 18 of the Supplementary Provisions: March 31, 2018
(Adjustment Provisions) Article 18 If the effective date falls on or after the effective date of the Act on Arrangement of Relevant Laws Incidental to Conclusion of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, the provisions of the preceding Article do not apply.
Supplementary Provisions
(Effective Date) Article 1 This Act comes into effect on the day specified by Cabinet Order within a period not exceeding six months from the date of promulgation.
Supplementary Provisions
(Effective Date) Article 1 This Act comes into effect on the date of promulgation.
Supplementary Provisions
(Effective Date) Article 1 This Act comes into effect on the day specified by Cabinet Order within a period not exceeding six months from the date of promulgation.
Supplementary Provisions
(Effective Date) Article 1 This Act comes into effect on the day specified by Cabinet Order within a period not exceeding one year from the date of promulgation.
Supplementary Provisions
(Effective Date) Article 1 This Act comes into effect on the date of promulgation.
(Transitional Measures) Article 2 If the documents referred to in Article 14, paragraph (2) before the amendment by this Act of 2024 has not been submitted to the Diet at the time of the enforcement of this Act, prior laws and regulations continue to govern the submission of the documents referred to in that paragraph to the Diet.