Article 9(1)An administrative agency with which a request for review has been filed pursuant to the provisions of Article 4 or the provisions of any other Act or Prefectural or Municipal Ordinance (including an administrative agency that has taken over the relevant documents and articles pursuant to the provisions of Article 14; hereinafter referred to as a "reviewing agency") must appoint a person who undertakes the procedures for proceedings prescribed in Section 3 (including procedures prescribed in this section) from among the officials belonging to the reviewing agency (when having prepared a name list prescribed in Article 17, those included in the relevant list), and give a notice to that effect to the requestor for review and the administrative agency, etc. reaching the disposition (limited to the administrative agency, etc. reaching the disposition other than the reviewing agency); provided, however, that this does not apply when any of the agencies set forth in the following items falls under the reviewing agency, when a Prefectural or Municipal Ordinance has specific provisions applicable to dispositions based thereon, or when the request for review is dismissed without prejudice pursuant to the provisions of Article 24:

(2)A person to be appointed by the reviewing agency pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph must be a person other than those set forth in the following items:

(3)When the reviewing agency falls under the agencies set forth in the items of paragraph (1) or when there are specific provisions as set forth in the proviso to the relevant paragraph, with regard to the application of the provisions set forth in the left-hand column of Appended Table 1, the terms in these provisions as set forth in the middle column of the relevant Table should be replaced with the terms set forth respectively in the right-hand column of the relevant Table, and the provisions of Article 17, Article 40, Article 42, and Article 50, paragraph (2) do not apply.

(4)In the case prescribed in the preceding paragraph, if it is found necessary, the reviewing agency may have its officials (limited to persons other than those set forth in the items of paragraph (2) (for members of the organs set forth in the items of paragraph (1), excluding item (i))) hear opinions stated by the requestor for review under Article 31, paragraph (1) as applied by replacing the terms in the preceding paragraph or the intervenors prescribed in Article 13, paragraph (4), hear opinions stated by the witnesses under Article 34 as applied by replacing the terms in the preceding paragraph, conduct observation under Article 35, paragraph (1) as applied by replacing the terms in the preceding paragraph, ask questions to the persons concerned with proceedings prescribed in Article 28 under Article 36 as applied by replacing the terms in the preceding paragraph, or hold a hearing of opinions under Article 37, paragraph (1) or (2) as applied by replacing the terms in the preceding paragraph.

Article 10An unincorporated association or foundation that has designated a representative or administrator may file a request for review in the name of the representative or administrator.

Article 11(1)When a large number of persons intend to jointly file a request for review, up to three representative members may be selected from among themselves.

(2)When joint requestors for review do not select any representative members from among themselves and when it is found necessary, a person who has been designated pursuant to the provisions of Article 9, paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as a "review officer") may order the joint requestors for review to select representative members from among themselves.

(3)Each of the representative members may undertake all acts for filing the request for review, except for the withdrawal of the request, on behalf of other joint requestors for review.

(4)When representative members have been selected, joint requestors for review may carry out the acts set forth in the preceding paragraph only through the representative members.

(5)Even if two or more representative members have been selected, it is sufficient for an administrative agency to give a notice or take other actions to only one of the representative members.

(6)Joint requestors for review may dismiss a representative member if they find it necessary.

Article 12(1)An agent for a requestor for review may file a request for review.

(2)The agent set forth in the preceding paragraph may undertake all acts for filing a request for review on behalf of the relevant requestor for review; provided, however, that the agent may undertake procedures for the withdrawal of the request for review only when having been specially entrusted.

Article 13(1)An interested person (meaning a person other than a requestor for review who found to have an interest in the disposition, for which the request for review is filed, or the disposition causing inaction in light of the laws and regulations that serve as the grounds for the relevant disposition; the same applies hereinafter) may participate in the relevant request for review by obtaining permission from the review officer.

(2)The review officer may request any interested persons to participate in the request for review when found necessary.

(3)The participation in the request for review may be entrusted to an agent.

(4)The agent set forth in the preceding paragraph may undertake all acts for participating in the request for review on behalf of the relevant person who participates in the request for review pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or (2) (hereinafter referred to as an "intervenor"); provided, however, that the agent may undertake procedures for the withdrawal of the participation in the request for review only when having been specially entrusted.

Article 14When an administrative agency that has received a request for review ceases to have the authority to make a determination on the relevant request due to the amendment or abolition of laws and regulations, the relevant administrative agency must turn over the written request for review prescribed in Article 19 or the written statement concerning the request for review prescribed in Article 21, paragraph (2), relevant documents, and other articles to the administrative agency that is newly vested with the authority to make a determination on the relevant request for review.In this case, the administrative agency that has taken over those documents and articles must promptly give a notice to that effect to the relevant requestor for review and intervenors.

Article 15(1)When a requestor for review dies, an heir or other person who has succeeded to the right pertaining to the disposition for which the request for review has been filed pursuant to laws and regulations is to succeed to the status of the requestor for review.

(2)When a requestor for review has gone through a merger or split (limited to a merger or split involving the succession of the right pertaining to the disposition for which the request for review has been filed), the corporation, or other association or foundation surviving the merger, the corporation, or other association or foundation established through the merger, or the corporation that has succeeded to the relevant right through the split is to succeed to the status of the requestor for review.

(3)In the cases referred to in the preceding two paragraphs, the heir or other person, the corporation or other association or foundation that has succeeded to the status of the requestor for review must notify the reviewing agency of that fact in writing. In this case, a document proving the fact of the succession of the right through the death or split or the fact of the merger must be attached to the written notification.

(4)In the cases referred to in paragraph (1) or (2), when a notice addressed to the deceased, the corporation or other association or foundation before the merger, or the split corporation arrives, before the notification is filed under the preceding paragraph, to the heir or other person that has succeeded to the status of the requestor for review, the corporation or other association or foundation after the merger, or the corporation that has succeeded to the status of the requestor for review through the split, the relevant notice is effective as a notice addressed to these persons.

(5)In the case referred to in paragraph (1), when there are two or more heirs or other persons that have succeeded to the status of the requestor for review, a notice addressed to, or other acts taken against that person is deemed to have been given to all of them.

(6)A person who has received the transfer of the right pertaining to the disposition, for which the request for review has been filed, may succeed to the status of the requestor for review by obtaining permission from the reviewing agency.

Article 16The administrative agency that is to be the reviewing agency pursuant to the provisions of Article 4 or the provisions of any other Act or Prefectural or Municipal Ordinance (hereinafter referred to as the "administrative agency to be the reviewing agency") must endeavor to establish standard periods of time typically needed for making a determination from the time when a request for review arrives at their offices; and upon establishing the standard periods of time, and make them available to the public by posting them at the offices of the administrative agency to be the reviewing agency and the relevant administrative agencies reaching the disposition (meaning administrative agencies vested with the authority to render a disposition subject to the request for review other than the administrative agency to be the reviewing agency; the same applies in the following Article) or by some other appropriate method.

Article 17The administrative agency to be the reviewing agency should endeavor to prepare a list of names of persons to be review officers; and upon preparing the name list, it must be made available to the public by posting it at the offices of the administrative agency to be the reviewing agency and the relevant administrative agencies reaching the disposition or by some other appropriate method.

Article 18(1)A request for review with regard to a disposition may not be filed after three months passed from the day following the day on which the relevant person comes to know that the disposition was reached (when a request for re-investigation has been filed with regard to the relevant disposition, after one month has passed from the day following the day on which the relevant person comes to know that the decision was made for the relevant request for re-investigation); provided, however, that this does not apply when there are any justifiable grounds.

(2)A request for review with regard to a disposition may not be filed after one year has passed from the day following the day on which the disposition was reached (when a request for re-investigation has been filed with regard to the relevant disposition, from the day following the day on which the decision was made for the relevant request for re-investigation); provided, however, that this does not apply when there are any justifiable grounds.

(3)When a written request for review prescribed in the following Article has been submitted by post or by corresponding delivery prescribed in Article 2, paragraph (2) of the Act on Correspondence Delivery by Private Business Operators (Act No. 99 of 2002) conducted by a general correspondence delivery operator prescribed in paragraph (6) of the relevant Article or a specified letter delivery operator prescribed in paragraph (9) of the relevant Article, the number of days required for the delivery is not included in the calculation of the period of time prescribed in the preceding two paragraphs (hereinafter referred to as the "period for filing request for review").

Article 19(1)A request for review, unless any other Act (or Prefectural or Municipal Ordinance in the case of a disposition under Prefectural or Municipal Ordinance) provides that a request may be filed orally, must be filed through the submission of a written request for review as provided for by Cabinet Order.

(2)A written request for review with regard to a disposition must contain the following matters:

(3)A written request for review with regard to inaction must contain the following matters:

(4)When a requestor for review is a corporation, or other association or foundation, when representative members have been selected from among requestors for review, or when a request for review is filed by an agent, the written request for review must contain the name and domicile or residence of the representative or administrator, the representative members, or the agent, beyond the matters set forth in the items of paragraph (2) or the items of the preceding paragraph.

(5)In the cases set forth in the following items, a written request for review with regard to a disposition must contain the matters specified respectively therein, beyond the matters prescribed in paragraph (2) and the preceding paragraph:

Article 20When orally filing a request for review, the person must orally state the matters prescribed in paragraphs (2) through (5) of the preceding Article.In this case, the administrative agency that has received the oral statement must record the details thereof, read them out to the person who made the oral statement to confirm that there is no error, and have the relevant person affix the seal on the record.

Article 21(1)When an administrative agency with which a request for review is to be filed is different from the administrative agency, etc. reaching the disposition, the request may be filed via the administrative agency, etc. reaching the disposition In this case, the requestor for review should submit a written request for review to the administrative agency, etc. reaching the disposition or orally state the matters prescribed in Article 19, paragraphs (2) through (5) to the administrative agency, etc. reaching the disposition

(2)In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, the administrative agency, etc. reaching the disposition must immediately send the written request for review or written statement concerning the request for review (meaning a document recording the details of the oral statement pursuant to the provisions of the second sentence of the preceding Article; the same applies in Article 29, paragraph (1) and Article 55) to the Administrative Agency to be the reviewing agency.

(3)With regard to the calculation of the Period for Filing Request for Review in the case referred to in paragraph (1), the request for review with regard to the disposition is deemed to have been filed as of the time of submitting the written request for review or orally stating the relevant matters to the Administrative Agency Reaching the disposition.

Article 22(1)With regard to a disposition for which a request for review may be filed, when the Administrative Agency Reaching the disposition has erroneously told the relevant person a wrong administrative agency as the administrative agency with which a request for review should be filed, and the person has filed a request for review in writing with the administrative agency thus instructed, the relevant administrative agency must promptly send the written request for review to the Administrative Agency Reaching the disposition or the Administrative Agency to be the reviewing agency and give a notice to that effect to the requestor for review.

(2)When the written request for review has been sent to the Administrative Agency Reaching the disposition pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Administrative Agency Reaching the disposition must promptly send it to the Administrative Agency to be the reviewing agency and give a notice to that effect to the requestor for review.

(3)With regard to the disposition set forth in paragraph (1) for which a request for re-investigation may not be filed, when the administrative agency reaching the disposition has erroneously instructed the relevant person that a request for re-investigation may be filed, and the person has filed a request for re-investigation with the relevant administrative agency reaching the disposition, the administrative agency reaching the disposition must promptly send the written request for re-investigation (meaning the written request for re-investigation prescribed in Article 19 as applied mutatis mutandis by replacing the terms in Article 61; hereinafter, the same applies in this Article) or written statement concerning the request for re-investigation (meaning a document recording the details of the oral statement pursuant to the provisions of the second sentence of Article 20 as applied mutatis mutandis in Article 61; hereinafter, the same applies in this Article) to the administrative agency to be the reviewing agency and give a notice to that effect to the requestor for re-investigation .

(4)With regard to a disposition for which a request for re-investigation may be filed, when the administrative agency reaching the disposition has erroneously failed to instruct the relevant person that a request for review may be filed, and the person has filed a request for re-investigation with the relevant administrative agency reaching the disposition and has filed a petition, the administrative agency reaching the disposition must promptly send the written request for re-investigation or written statement concerning the request for re-investigation, and the relevant documents and other articles to the administrative agency to be the reviewing agency.In this case, the administrative agency that has received these documents and articles must promptly give a notice to that effect to the requestor for re-investigation and persons who participate in the relevant request for re-investigation pursuant to the provisions of Article 13, paragraph (1) or (2) as applied mutatis mutandis by replacing the terms in Article 61.

(5)When the written request for review, written request for re-investigation or written statement concerning the request for re-investigation has been sent to the administrative agency to be the reviewing agency pursuant to the provisions of the preceding each paragraph, the request for review is deemed to have been filed with the administrative agency to be the reviewing agency from the beginning.

Article 23When a written request for review violates the provisions of Article 19, the reviewing agency must specify an appropriate period of time and order the correction of any defect within the relevant period of time.

Article 24(1)In the case referred to in the preceding Article, when a requestor for review does not correct the defect within the period of time set forth in the relevant Article, the reviewing agency may dismiss the relevant request for review without prejudice by its determination based on the provisions of Article 45, paragraph (1) or Article 49, paragraph (1) without going through the procedures for proceedings prescribed in the following section.

(2)The preceding paragraph also applies when it is clear that a request for review is unlawful and cannot be corrected.

Article 25(1)A request for review does not preclude the effect of the disposition, execution of the disposition, or continuation of procedures.

(2)The reviewing agency that falls under the higher administrative agency of the Administrative Agency Reaching the disposition or the administrative agency reaching the disposition itself may suspend the effect of the disposition, execution of the disposition, or continuation of procedures in full or in part or take other measures (hereinafter referred to as a "stay of execution"), when finding it necessary, upon a petition filed by the requestor for review or by its authority.

(3)The reviewing agency that does not fall under the higher administrative agency of the administrative agency reaching the disposition nor the administrative agency reaching the disposition itself may order a Stay of Execution, when finding it necessary, upon a petition filed by the requestor for review and after hearing opinions of the administrative agency reaching the disposition; provided, however, that the relevant reviewing agency may not take any measures other than suspending the effect of the disposition, execution of the disposition, or continuation of procedures in full or in part.

(4)When a petition has been filed by the requestor for review pursuant to the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs, and the reviewing agency finds it urgently necessary for avoiding serious damage to be caused by the disposition or through the execution of the disposition or the continuation of procedures, the reviewing agency must order a stay of execution; provided, however, that this does not apply when the stay of execution is likely to seriously affect public welfare or when the action on the merits seems groundless.

(5)When determining whether the serious damage prescribed in the preceding paragraph would be caused or not, the reviewing agency should consider the level of difficulty in recovering the damage and should also take into account the nature and extent of the damage and the details and nature of the disposition.

(6)In the cases referred to in paragraphs (2) through (4), the suspension of the effect of the disposition may not be ordered when the intended purpose can be achieved through any measures other than the suspension of the effect of the disposition.

(7)When a petition for a stay of execution has been filed or a written opinion to suggest the necessity to order a stay of execution as prescribed in Article 40 has been submitted by a review officer, the reviewing agency must promptly decide whether or not to order a stay of execution.

Article 26After ordering a stay of execution, if it has become clear that the Stay of Execution would seriously affect public welfare or when there have otherwise been any changes to the circumstances, the reviewing agency may revoke the stay of execution.

Article 27(1)A requestor for review may withdraw the request anytime until a determination therefor is made.

(2)The withdrawal of a request for review must be filed in writing.

Article 28A requestor for review, an intervenor, and the administrative agency , etc. reaching the disposition (hereinafter referred to as the "persons concerned with proceedings"), as well as a review officer must cooperate with one another in the proceedings and strive to facilitate well-organized progress of the procedures for proceedings for the purpose of achieving simple, fast and fair proceedings.

Article 29(1)When having been appointed by the reviewing agency, a review officer must immediately send a copy of the written request for review or written statement concerning the request for review to the administrative agency, etc. reaching the disposition; provided, however, that this does not apply when the administrative agency, etc. .reaching the disposition falls under the reviewing agency.

(2)A review officer is to specify an appropriate period of time and demand the administrative agency, etc. reaching the disposition to submit a written explanation.

(3)The administrative agency, etc. reaching the disposition must enter the matters specified in the following items in accordance with the categories set forth respectively therein in the written explanation set forth in the preceding paragraph:

(4)When the administrative agency reaching the disposition has any of the following documents, they should be attached to the written explanation set forth in item (i) of the preceding paragraph:

(5)When a written explanation has been submitted from the administrative agency, etc. reaching the disposition, a review officer must send it to the relevant requestor for review and intervenors.

Article 30(1)A requestor for review may submit a document containing a counterargument against the matters stated in the written explanation sent thereto pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (5) of the preceding Article (hereinafter referred to as a "written counterargument").In this case, when a review officer has specified an appropriate period of time during which a written counterargument should be submitted, the requestor for review must submit a written counterargument within the relevant period of time.

(2)An intervenor may submit a document containing opinions on the case wherein a request for review has been filed (hereinafter referred to as a "written opinion" except in Article 40 and Article 42, paragraph (1)).In this case, when a review officer has specified an appropriate period of time during which a written opinion should be submitted, the intervenor must submit a written opinion within the relevant period of time.

(3)When a written counterargument has been submitted by a requestor for review, a review officer must send it to the intervenors and the administrative agency, etc. reaching the disposition., and when a written opinion has been submitted by an intervenor, a review officer must send it to the relevant requestor for review and the administrative agency, etc. .reaching the disposition.

Article 31(1)When a petition has been filed by a requestor for review or an intervenor, a review officer must give the person who has filed the relevant petition (hereinafter referred to as a "petitioner" in this Article and Article 41, paragraph (2), item (ii)) an opportunity to orally state opinions on the case wherein the request for review has been filed; provided, however, that this does not apply when it is found difficult to give the petitioner an opportunity to orally state opinions in light of the whereabouts of the petitioner or other circumstances.

(2)Procedures for stating opinions orally pursuant to the provisions of the main clause of the preceding paragraph (hereinafter referred to as "stating an opinion orally") are to be undertaken on the date and at the venue designated by the review officer in participation of all of the persons concerned with proceedings.

(3)On the occasion of stating an opinion orally, the petitioner may, with the permission of the review officer, appear together with assistants.

(4)On the occasion of stating an opinion orally, if the statement being made by the petitioner extends to matters irrelevant to the case or is otherwise inappropriate, the review officer may limit the statement.

(5)On the occasion of stating an opinion orally, the petitioner may, with the permission of the review officer, address questions concerning the case wherein the request for review has been filed to the administrative agency, etc. reaching the disposition.

Article 32(1)A requestor for review or an intervenor may submit documentary evidence or articles of evidence.

(2)The administrative agency, etc. reaching the disposition may submit documents or other articles that prove the fact serving as the grounds for the disposition.

(3)In the cases referred to in the preceding two paragraphs, when a review officer has specified an appropriate period of time during which documentary evidence or articles of evidence, or documents or other articles should be submitted, such evidence, documents or articles must be submitted within the relevant period of time.

Article 33A review officer may specify an appropriate period of time and demand that the owner of the relevant documents or other articles submit them within the relevant period of time, upon a petition filed by a requestor for review or an intervenor or by its authority.In this case, the review officer may keep the articles thus submitted.

Article 34A review officer may demand a person found appropriate to state the facts that the person knows as a witness or seek expert opinions, upon a petition filed by a requestor for review or an intervenor or by its authority.

Article 35(1)A review officer may conduct an observation at places as necessary, upon a petition filed by a requestor for review or intervenor or by its authority.

(2)When a review officer intends to conduct an observation as set forth in the preceding paragraph upon a petition filed by a requestor for review or an intervenor, the review officer must give a notice in advance to inform the person who has filed the petition of the date and places of the observation and give the relevant person an opportunity to attend the observation.

Article 36A review officer may ask questions concerning the case wherein the request for review has been filed to the persons concerned with proceedings, upon a petition filed by a requestor for review or an intervenor or by its authority.

Article 37(1)With regard to the case wherein the request for review has been filed, if a review officer finds it necessary to pursue the procedures for proceedings specified in Article 31 to the preceding Article in a well-organized manner in order to ensure prompt and fair proceedings, in light of the complexity of the case due to the large number of matters to be examined being confusingly tangled or any other circumstances, the review officer may specify the date and venue to gather the persons concerned with proceedings and hear their opinions on the petition for the procedures for proceedings in advance.

(2)When a person concerned with proceedings resides in a remote area or when otherwise considered appropriate, a review officer may hear the opinions of the relevant person, as provided for by Cabinet Order, by a method that enables the review officer and the person concerned with proceedings to communicate with each other by audio transmissions.

(3)When having heard opinions pursuant to the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs, the review officer must decide the date and venue for the procedures for proceedings specified in Article 31 to the preceding Article, and the time when the procedures for proceedings are scheduled to be concluded pursuant to the provisions of Article 41, paragraph (1), and give a notice of these matters to the Persons Concerned with Proceedings without delay. The same applies when the scheduled time of concluding the procedures are altered.

Article 38(1)Until the procedures for proceedings are concluded pursuant to the provisions of Article 41, paragraph (1) or (2), the relevant requestor for review or intervenor may request the review officer to permit the inspection of submitted documents, etc. (meaning the documents set forth in the items of Article 29, paragraph (4), or the documents or other articles submitted pursuant to the provisions of Article 32, paragraph (1) or (2), or Article 33; the same applies in the following paragraph) (in the case of an electronic or magnetic record (a record made by an electronic method, magnetic method, or any other method not recognizable through the human senses, which is used in information processing by computers; the same applies hereinafter), the inspection of anything that indicates the matters recorded therein in the method specified by the reviewing agency), or to deliver copies of these documents or a document containing the matters recorded in the electronic or magnetic record.In this case, the review officer cannot refuse the inspection or delivery unless it is found that the inspection or delivery is likely to damage the interest of a third party or there are otherwise justifiable grounds for refusal.

(2)When intending to permit the inspection pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph or deliver the relevant documents pursuant to the provisions of the relevant paragraph, the review officer must hear the opinions of the persons who have submitted the relevant documents, etc. to be inspected or delivered; provided, however, that this does not apply when the review officer finds it unnecessary.

(3)With regard to the inspection pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), the review officer may specify the date and venue therefor.

(4)A requestor for review or an intervenor who receives the delivery pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) must pay the fees specified by Cabinet Order within an amount not exceeding the actual cost, as provided for by Cabinet Order.

(5)When financial difficulties or other special grounds are found, the review officer may reduce the amount of the fees set forth in the preceding paragraph or exempt the relevant person from paying the relevant fees, as provided for by Cabinet Order.

(6)When an administrative agency that belongs to a local public entity (limited to any of the prefectures, municipalities, and special wards, and associations of local public entities; the same applies hereinafter) falls under the reviewing agency, with regard to the application of the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs, the term "Cabinet Order" in these provisions are deemed to be replaced with "Prefectural or Municipal Ordinance," and when an administrative agency that does not belong to the national government or a local public entity falls under the reviewing agency, with regard to the application of these provisions, the term "by Cabinet Order" in these provisions are deemed to be replaced with "by the reviewing agency."

Article 39When finding it necessary, a review officer may consolidate procedures for proceedings for multiple requests for review or separate procedures for proceedings for consolidated multiple requests for review.

Article 40When finding it necessary, a review officer may submit a written opinion to suggest the necessity to order a Stay of Execution to the reviewing agency.

Article 41(1)When a review officer finds that necessary proceedings have been completed, the review officer is to conclude the procedures for proceedings.

(2)Beyond what is provided for in the preceding paragraph, a review officer may conclude the procedures for proceedings in any of the following cases:

(3)When a review officer has concluded the procedures for proceedings pursuant to the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs, the review officer should promptly give a notice to the Persons Concerned with Proceedings to inform them of the conclusion of the procedures for proceedings and the time when the review officer's written opinion prescribed in paragraph (1) of the following Article and the case record (meaning the written request for review, written explanation, and other documents and articles pertaining to the case wherein the request for review has been filed, which are specified by Cabinet Order; the same applies in paragraph (2) of the following Article and Article 43, paragraph (2)) are scheduled to be submitted to the reviewing agency. The same applies when the scheduled time of submission is altered.

Article 42(1)When having concluded the procedures for proceedings, a review officer must prepare a written opinion concerning the determination to be made by the reviewing agency (hereinafter referred to as a "review officer's written opinion") without delay.

(2)When having prepared a review officer's written opinion, the review officer must promptly submit it to the reviewing agency, together with the case record.

Article 43(1)When having received the submission of a review officer's written opinion, the reviewing agency that falls under any of the competent minister, the Grand Steward, or the head of any of the agencies prescribed in Article 49, paragraph (1) or (2) of the Act for Establishment of the Cabinet Office or Article 3, paragraph (2) of the National Government Organization Act must consult with the Administrative Complaint Review Board, and the reviewing agency that falls under the head of a local public entity (in the case of an association of a local public entity, the head, manager, or council thereof) must consult with the organ set forth in Article 81, paragraph (1) or (2), except in any of the following cases:

(2)The consultation pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph must be sought by attaching copies of the review officer's written opinion and case record.

(3)The reviewing agency that has consulted with the Administrative Complaint Review Board, etc. pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) must give a notice to the Persons Concerned with Proceedings (when the administrative agency , etc. reaching the disposition falls under the reviewing agency, to the relevant requestor for review and intervenors) to inform them of the fact of going through the consultation and send them a copy of the review officer's written opinion.

Article 44When the reviewing agency has received a report to its consultation from the Administrative Complaint Review Board, etc. (or when a review officer's written opinion has been submitted in the case where the consultation pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article is not necessary (excluding the cases falling under item (ii) or (iii) of the relevant paragraph), or when deliberations prescribed in item (ii) or (iii) of the relevant paragraph have been held in the cases falling under item (ii) or (iii) of the relevant paragraph), the reviewing agency must make a determination without delay.

Article 45(1)When a request for review with regard to a disposition has been filed after the elapse of the statutory period, or is otherwise unlawful, the reviewing agency is to dismiss the relevant request for review without prejudice by its determination.

(2)When there are no grounds for a request for review with regard to a disposition, the reviewing agency is to dismiss the relevant request for review with prejudice on the merits by its determination.

(3)When a disposition, for which a request for review is filed, is illegal or unjust but the revocation or elimination thereof would significantly harm public interest and the reviewing agency finds that the revocation or elimination of the disposition is not in line with public welfare in consideration of the level of damage to be sustained by the relevant requestor for review, the level and method of compensation for or prevention of the relevant damage, and other circumstances as a whole, the reviewing agency may dismiss the relevant request for review with prejudice on the merits by its determination. In this case, the reviewing agency must declare that the relevant disposition is illegal or unjust in the main text of the determination.

Article 46(1)When there are grounds for a request for review with regard to a disposition (excluding de facto acts; hereinafter, the same applies in this Article and Article 48) (excluding the cases to which the provisions of paragraph (3) of the preceding Article apply), the reviewing agency is to revoke the relevant disposition in full or in part or alter it by its determination; provided, however, that when the reviewing agency does not fall under the higher administrative agency of the administrative agency reaching the disposition nor the administrative agency reaching the disposition itself, the reviewing agency may not alter the relevant disposition.

(2)When revoking the disposition to dismiss with or without prejudice an application based on laws and regulations in full or in part, pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the reviewing agency set forth in the following items is to take the measures specified respectively therein when it finds the necessity to render a certain disposition for the relevant application:

(3)When there are any provisions to the effect that a certain disposition as prescribed in the preceding paragraph should be put under deliberations as prescribed in Article 43, paragraph (1), item (i), and the reviewing agency finds it necessary for the purpose of taking the measures specified in the items of the preceding paragraph, the reviewing agency may go through deliberations at the Council, etc. under such provisions.

(4)Beyond the cases where there are the relevant provisions as prescribed in the preceding paragraph, when any other laws and regulations provide that consultation with the relevant administrative agencies or other procedures should be undertaken with regard to a certain disposition as prescribed in paragraph (2), and the reviewing agency finds it necessary for the purpose of taking the measures specified in the items of the relevant paragraph, the reviewing agency may undertake the relevant procedures.

Article 47When there are grounds for a request for review with regard to de facto acts (excluding the cases to which the provisions of Article 45, paragraph (3) apply), the reviewing agency is to, by its determination, declare that the relevant de facto acts are illegal or unjust and take the measures specified in the following items in accordance with the categories of reviewing agencies set forth respectively therein; provided, however, that when the reviewing agency falls under anything other than the higher administrative agency of the administrative agency reaching the disposition, the reviewing agency may not order to alter the relevant de facto acts:

Article 48In the cases referred to in the main clause of Article 46, paragraph (1) or the preceding Article, the reviewing agency may not alter the relevant disposition, order to alter the relevant de facto acts, or alter them in a manner disadvantageous to the requestor for review.

Article 49(1)When a request for review with regard to Inaction has been filed before the elapse of the appropriate period of time after an application for the disposition causing the relevant Inaction, or is otherwise unlawful, the reviewing agency is to dismiss the relevant request for review without prejudice by its determination.

(2)When there are no grounds for a request for review with regard to Inaction, the reviewing agency is to dismiss the relevant request for review with prejudice on the merits by its determination.

(3)When there are grounds for a request for review with regard to inaction, the reviewing agency is to declare that the relevant inaction is illegal or unjust by its determination.In this case, when the reviewing agency set forth in the following items finds the necessity to render a certain disposition for the relevant application, the reviewing agency is to take the measures specified respectively therein:

(4)When there are any provisions to the effect that the disposition causing Inaction, for which a request for review is filed, should be put under deliberations as prescribed in Article 43, paragraph (1), item (i), and the reviewing agency finds it necessary for the purpose of taking the measures specified in the items of the preceding paragraph, the reviewing agency may go through deliberations at the Council, etc. under the provisions.

(5)Beyond the cases where there are the relevant provisions as prescribed in the preceding paragraph, when any other laws and regulations provide that consultation with the relevant administrative agencies or other procedures should be undertaken with regard to the disposition causing inaction, for which a request for review is filed, and the reviewing agency finds it necessary for the purpose of taking the measures specified in the items of paragraph (3), the reviewing agency may undertake the relevant procedures.

Article 50(1)A determination must be made with a written determination containing the following matters on which the reviewing agency has affixed its name and seal:

(2)When consultation with the Administrative Complaint Review Board, etc. pursuant to the provisions of Article 43, paragraph (1) is not necessary, the review officer's written opinion must be attached to the written determination set forth in the preceding paragraph.

(3)When making a determination for which a request for re- examination may be filed, the reviewing agency must enter the fact that a request for re-examination may be filed, administrative agencies with which a request for re-examination should be filed, and the period for filing a request for re-examination (meaning the period of time prescribed in Article 62) in a written determination to instruct the relevant persons on these matters.

Article 51(1)A determination comes into effect when it is served to the requestor for review (in the case of a determination made pursuant to the provisions of Article 46, paragraph (1) and Article 47 when the request for review has been filed by a person other than the parties subject to the disposition, when it is served to the relevant requestor for review and the parties subject to the disposition).

(2)A determination is to be served by sending a transcript of the written determination to the person to whom the determination is to be served; provided, however, that when the whereabouts of the person to whom the determination is to be served are unknown or otherwise it is impossible to send a transcript of the written determination to the relevant person, the service of the determination may be made by means of public notice.

(3)In the case of making the service of the determination by means of public notice, the reviewing agency should keep a transcript of the written determination, post a notice, on the notice board of the reviewing agency, to the effect that the reviewing agency will deliver the transcript to the person who is to receive the service thereof at any time, and also post the article of the same effect in the Official Gazette other bulletin or in a newspaper at least once.In this case, the transcript of the written determination is deemed to be served as of the time when two weeks passed from the day following the day on which the posting is commenced.

(4)The reviewing agency must send a transcript of the written determination to the intervenors and the administrative agency, etc. reaching the disposition (limited to the administrative agency, etc. reaching the disposition other than the reviewing agency).

Article 52(1)A determination binds the relevant administrative agencies.

(2)When a disposition reached based on an application has been revoked by a determination on the grounds of procedural illegality or unjustness, or a disposition to dismiss an application with or without prejudice has been revoked by a determination, the administrative agency reaching the disposition must render a disposition for the application anew in line with the purport of the determination.

(3)When a disposition publicly noticed pursuant to the provisions of laws and regulations has been revoked or altered by a determination, the administrative agency reaching the disposition must publicize the fact that the relevant disposition has been revoked or altered.

(4)When a disposition, a notice of which has been given to an interested person other than the parties subject to the disposition pursuant to the provisions of laws and regulations, has been revoked or altered by a determination, the administrative agency reaching the disposition must give a notice to the person who has received the notice (excluding the relevant requestor for review and intervenors) to inform of the fact that the relevant disposition has been revoked or altered.

Article 53When having made a determination, the reviewing agency must promptly return the documentary evidence or articles of evidence, or documents or other articles submitted pursuant to the provisions of Article 32, paragraph (1) or (2), and the documents or other articles submitted in response to a demand for submission under Article 33 to the persons who have submitted them.

Article 81(1)A local public entity establishes an organ for administering matters that have been brought under its jurisdiction pursuant to the provisions of this Act as an organ affiliated to its executive organ.

(2)Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, when it is inappropriate or difficult to establish an organ as set forth in the relevant paragraph in light of the situation of complaints having been filed, a local public entity may establish, for each case, an organ for administering matters that have been brought under its jurisdiction pursuant to the provisions of this Act as an organ affiliated to its executive organ as provided for by Prefectural or Municipal Ordinance.

(3)The provisions of Subsection 2 of the preceding section apply mutatis mutandis to organs set forth in the preceding two paragraphs.In this case, the term "Cabinet Order" in Article 78, paragraphs (4) and (5) is deemed to be replaced with "Prefectural or Municipal Ordinance."

(4)Beyond what are provided for in the preceding three paragraphs, necessary matters concerning the organization and operation of the organs set forth in paragraphs (1) or (2) are provided for by Prefectural or Municipal Ordinance of the relevant local public entity wherein the relevant organ is established (in the case of an organ jointly established pursuant to the provisions of Article 252-7, paragraph (1) of the Local Autonomy Act, by the constitution set forth in the relevant paragraph).