Article 5(1)National parks are to be designated by the Minister of the Environment by specifying their boundaries after hearing the opinions of the prefectures concerned and the central environment council (hereinafter referred to as the "council").

(2)quasi-national parks are to be designated by the Minister of the Environment, based on a request by the prefectures concerned, by specifying their boundaries after hearing the opinion of the council.

(3)If the Minister of the Environment designates a national park or quasi-national park, the Minister must make public in the official gazette of that designation and the boundaries of that national park or quasi-national park.

(4)The designation of a national park or quasi-national park will take effect upon public notice under the preceding paragraph.

Article 6(1)If the Minister of the Environment intends to withdraw the designation or change the boundaries of a national park, the Minister must hear the opinions of both the prefectures and council concerned.

(2)If the Minister of the Environment intends to withdraw the designation or change the boundaries of a quasi-national park, the Minister must hear the opinions of the prefectures concerned and the council; provided, however, that the expansion of the boundaries of a quasi-national park must be based on a request by the prefectures concerned.

(3)The provisions of paragraphs (3) and (4) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to the withdrawal of the designation and the changes to the boundaries of a national park or quasi-national park.

Article 7(1)Park plans concerning national parks are to be established by the Minister of the Environment after hearing the opinions of both the prefectures and council concerned.

(2)Park plans concerning quasi-national parks are to be established by the Minister of the Environment based on a request by the prefectures concerned after hearing the opinions of the council.

(3)If the Minister of the Environment establishes a park plan, the Minister must give public notice of an outline of that park plan in the official gazette and make that park plan available for public inspection.

Article 8(1)If the Minister of the Environment intends to abolish or change a park plan concerning a national park, the Minister must hear the opinions of both the prefectures and council concerned.

(2)If the Minister of the Environment intends to abolish or change a park plan concerning a quasi-national park, the Minister must hear the opinions of the prefectures and council concerned; provided, however, that any addition to a park plan must be based on a request by the relevant prefecture.

(3)The provisions of paragraph (3) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to an abolishment of or change to a park plan by the Minister of the Environment.

Article 9(1)Park facility projects concerning national parks (hereinafter referred to as a "national park facility project") are to be established by the Minister of the Environment after hearing the opinions of the council.

(2)Park facility projects concerning quasi-national parks (hereinafter referred to as a "quasi-national park facility project") are to be established by a prefectural governor.

(3)If the Minister of the Environment decides a national park facility project, the Minister must give public notice of an outline of that project.

(4)If a prefectural governor establishes a quasi-national park facility project, the Minister must make public the outline of that project.

(5)The provisions of paragraphs (1) and (3) apply mutatis mutandis to any discontinuance of or change to a national park facility project by the Minister of the Environment, and the provisions of the preceding paragraph apply mutatis mutandis to any discontinuance of or change to a quasi-national park facility project by a prefectural governor.

Article 10(1)National park facility projects are to be implemented by the State.

(2)A local public entity or another public entity specified by Cabinet Order (hereinafter referred to as "public entity") may, after consulting with the Minister of the Environment, implement part of a national park facility project as provided by Order of the Ministry of the Environment.

(3)A person other than the State or a public entity may implement part of a national park facility project as provided by Order of the Ministry of the Environment after obtaining approval from the Minister of the Environment.

(4)A person seeking consultation under paragraph (2) or a person seeking authorization under the preceding paragraph must submit a written request for consultation or a written application with a description of the following particulars to the Minister of the Environment as provided by Order of the Ministry of the Environment;

(5)A written request for consultation or written application under the preceding paragraph must be submitted together with a drawing showing the location of the park facilities and other documents specified by Order of the Ministry of the Environment.

(6)If a person that has consulted under paragraph (2) or obtained authorization under paragraph (3) (hereinafter referred to as a "national park facility project operator") intends to change any particulars listed in the items of paragraph (4), the person must consult with the Minister of the Environment if it is a public entity, and that person must obtain authorization from the Minister of the Environment if it is a person other than the State or a public entity; provided, however, that this does not apply to minor changes specified by Order of the Ministry of the Environment.

(7)A person seeking consultation or authorization under the preceding paragraph must submit the written request for consultation or a written application with a description of the particulars pertaining to that change to the Minister of the Environment as provided by Order of the Ministry of the Environment.

(8)The provisions of paragraph (5) apply mutatis mutandis to any written request for consultation or written application under the preceding paragraph.

(9)If a national park facility project operator makes a minor change specified by Order of the Ministry of the Environment under the proviso of paragraph (6), that operator must notify the Minister of the Environment of that change without delay.

(10)Conditions may be attached to an authorization under paragraphs (3) or (6) to the extent required for the protection or utilization of a national park.

Article 11If the Minister of the Environment considers it necessary to ensure the proper implementation of a national park facility project, the Minister may issue an order to a person who has obtained authorization under paragraph (3) of the preceding Article to implement necessary measures to improve the facilities pertaining to that national park facility project or to otherwise improve the implementation of that national park facility project.

Article 12(1)If a corporation that is a national park facility project operator has effected a merger (except when that corporation that is a national park facility project operator merges with a corporation that is not a national park facility project operator and the former is the surviving corporation) or a split (limited to where the entire national park facility project is to be succeeded) and if the surviving corporation after the merger, the corporation established in the merger, or the corporation to succeed to the entire national park facility project after the split (hereinafter referred to as "merging corporation, etc." in this paragraph) is a public entity, and that merging corporation, etc. has consulted with the Minister of the Environment, or if the merging corporation, etc. is a corporation other than the State or a public entity and that merging corporation, etc. has obtained approval from the Minister of the Environment, that merging corporation, etc. will succeed to the position of the national park facility project operator.

(2)If a national park facility project operator dies and the heir (if there are two heirs or more and if the heirs have selected the heir to succeed to the national park facility project by the unanimous consent of the heirs, that relevant person will be the heir, hereinafter the same applies in this Article) intends to continue that national park facility project, the succeeding heir must submit an application to the Minister of the Environment and obtain that approval within 60 days from the death of the decedent.

(3)If an heir has applied for approval under the preceding paragraph, the authorization under Article 10, paragraph (3) provided to the decedent will be deemed to have been provided to that heir from the date of the death of the decedent, until that heir receives notice of whether the approval will be given.

(4)An heir who has obtained approval under paragraph (2) succeeds to the position of national park facility project operator pertaining to the decedent.

Article 13If a national park facility project operator intends to suspend or discontinue a national park facility project in whole or in part, the operator must notify the Minister of the Environment to that effect in advance as provided by Order of the Ministry of the Environment.

Article 14(1)If a project to be implemented as a national park facility project requires the permission, authorization, or other measures by an administrative agency pursuant to the provisions of any other law or regulation and that measure is revoked or otherwise ceases to be effective, the authorization under Article 10, paragraph (3) pertaining to that project will cease to be effective.

(2)If an authorization under Article 10, paragraph (3) ceases to be effective pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the person with respect to which that authorization has ceased to be effective must notify the Minister of the Environment to that effect within 30 days from the date on which that authorization ceases to be effective.

(3)If a person that has obtained authorization under Article 10, paragraph (3) falls under any of the following items, the Minister of the Environment may revoke the authorization under that paragraph;

Article 15(1)If a person that has obtained authorization under Article 10, paragraph (3) discontinues the national park facility project, or if authorization under that paragraph ceases to be effective or is revoked, the Minister of the Environment may, if it is considered necessary for the protection of the national park, order the person that discontinued that project or the person with respect to which that authorization has ceased to be effective or has been revoked to restore that national park to its original state or if the restoration to the original state is extremely difficult, to take necessary alternative measures within a reasonable period to the extent necessary for that protection.

(2)If the Minister of the Environment intends to give a restoration order or take necessary alternative measures pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph (hereinafter referred to as "restoration, etc." in this Article) and it is impossible to ascertain the person to which that order of restoration, etc. is to be made, the Minister of the Environment may carry out that restoration, etc. or have a person ordered or delegated by the Minister of the Environment carry out that restoration, etc. at the expense of the person to which that order of restoration, etc. is to be made.In this case, the Minister of the Environment must give public notice in advance that the restoration, etc. will be carried out within a reasonable period and that the Minister of the Environment or a person ordered or delegated by the Minister of the Environment will carry out that restoration, etc. if that restoration, etc. is not carried out within that period.

(3)A person that intends to carry out restoration, etc. pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph must carry identification and present it at the request of a relevant person.

Article 16(1)Quasi-national park facility projects are to be implemented by prefectures; provided, however, that the State is not precluded from implementing projects pertaining to roads or any other projects in accordance with the Road Act (Act No. 180 of 1952) or any other law.

(2)A public entity other than a prefecture may implement part of a quasi-national park facility project after consulting with the prefectural governor as provided by Order of the Ministry of the Environment.

(3)A person other than the State or a public entity may implement part of a quasi-national park facility project after obtaining authorization from the prefectural governor as provided by Order of the Ministry of the Environment.

(4)The provisions of Article 10, paragraphs (4) and (5) apply mutatis mutandis to consultation under paragraph (2) and authorization under the preceding paragraph. The provisions of Article 10, paragraphs (6) through (9), Article 12, paragraph (1), and Article 13 apply mutatis mutandis to persons that have carried out consultation under paragraph (2). The provisions of Article 10, paragraphs (6) through (10), Articles 11 through 13, Article 14, paragraph (3), and the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to persons that have obtained authorization under the preceding paragraph. The provisions of Article 14, paragraphs (1) and (2) apply mutatis mutandis to authorization under the preceding paragraph.In this case, the phrase "the Ministry of the Environment" in those provisions is deemed to be replaced with "a prefectural governor," the phrase "national park" in Article 10, paragraph (10) is deemed to be replaced with "quasi-national park," the phrase "national park facility project" in Article 11, Article 14, paragraph (1), and paragraph (1) of the preceding Article is deemed to be replaced with "quasi-national park facility project," the phrase "that national park facility project" in Article 12, paragraphs (1) and (2) is deemed to be replaced with "that quasi-national park facility project," the phrase "public entity" in paragraph (1) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "public entity other than a prefecture," the phrase "of the national park facility project" in Article 13 is deemed to be replaced with "of the quasi-national park facility project," and the phrase "of the national park" in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article is deemed to be replaced with "of the quasi-national park."

Article 17(1)The Minister of the Environment may request a person that has obtained authorization under Article 10, paragraph (3) and a prefectural governor may request a person that has obtained authorization under paragraph (3) of the preceding Article, to the extent required for enforcement of the provisions of this section, to report on the status of the implementation of that national park facility project or quasi-national park facility project and other necessary matters, or have an official of that ministry or prefecture to enter the facilities pertaining to that national park facility project or quasi-national park facility project and inspect equipment, books, documents, and other items or question relevant persons.

(2)An official who carries out an on-site inspection pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph must carry proof of identity and present it to persons concerned.

(3)The authority under the provisions of paragraph (1) must not be interpreted as being granted for a criminal investigation.

Article 18Beyond the provisions in this Section, necessary matters concerning the implementation of park facility are to be specified by Cabinet Order.

Article 19The State and local public entities, when considered necessary, are to maintain the cleanliness of roads, open spaces for public uses, camping grounds, ski slopes, swimming areas, and other public use sites in national parks or quasi-national parks in cooperation with the managers of those public use sites.

Article 20(1)The Minister of the Environment, in regard to a national park, and prefectural governors, in regard to quasi-national parks, may designate special areas within the boundaries of those parks (excluding marine areas) based on park plans for the purpose of preserving the scenic beauty of those parks.

(2)The provisions of Article 5, paragraphs (3) and (4) apply mutatis mutandis to the designation of special areas, the withdrawal of designations of special zones, and changes to the boundaries of special zones.In this case, the phrase "the Minister of the Environment" in Article 5, paragraph (3) is deemed to be replaced with "the Minister of the Environment or a prefectural governor" and the phrase "official gazette" in that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "in the official gazette or a prefectural bulletin, respectively."

(3)The acts listed in the following items must not be carried out within a special area(with the exception of a special protection zone; hereinafter the same applies in this Article) without the permission of the Minister of the Environment in the case of a national park or the permission of a prefectural governor in the case of a quasi-national park; provided, however, that this does not apply to acts to be carried out as emergency measures necessitated by an extraordinary disaster and acts set out in item (iii) to be implemented for the preservation and conservation of forests;

(4)The Minister of the Environment or a prefectural governor must not grant permission under the preceding paragraph if any activity listed in the items of the preceding paragraph fails to conform to the standards specified by Order of the Ministry of the Environment.

(5)If a prefectural governor intends to grant permission under paragraph (3) for a quasi-national park and an act pertaining to that permission constitutes an activity prescribed by Order of the Ministry of the Environment in view of its impact on the scenic beauty of that quasi-national park or other conditions, the governor may consult with the Minister of the Environment.

(6)A person that has already commenced activities listed in any of the items of paragraph (3) when the relevant act becomes restricted, may continue to conduct that act notwithstanding the provisions of that paragraph.In this case, that person is to give notice to that effect to the Minister of the Environment in the case of a national park or the relevant prefectural governor in the case of a quasi-national park within three months from the day of the start of that restriction.

(7)A person that has conducted any act listed in the items of paragraph (3) within a special area as a necessary emergency measure for an extraordinary disaster must give notice to that effect to the Minister of the Environment in the case of a national park or the relevant prefectural governor in the case of a quasi-national park within 14 days from the day on which it conducted that act.

(8)A person that intends to plant trees or bamboo or to graze livestock (excluding acts that fall under item (xii) or (xiv) of paragraph (3)) within a special area must give advance notice to that effect to the Minister of the Environment in the case of a national park or the relevant prefectural governor in the case of a quasi-national park.

(9)The provisions of paragraph (3) and the preceding three paragraphs do not apply to the acts listed in the following items:

Article 21(1)The Minister of the Environment, in regard to a national park, and a prefectural governor, in regard to a quasi-national park, may designate a special protection zone within a special area based on a park plan if it is particularly necessary for preserving the landscape of that park.

(2)The provisions of Article 5, paragraphs (3) and (4) apply mutatis mutandis to the designation of special protection zones, the withdrawal of designations of special protection zones, and changes to the boundaries of special protection zones.In this case, the phrase "the Minister of the Environment" in Article 5, paragraph (3) is deemed to be replaced with "the Minister of the Environment or a prefectural governor" and the phrase "official gazette" in that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "in the official gazette or a prefectural bulletin, respectively."

(3)The acts listed in the following items must not be carried out within a special protection zone without the permission of the Minister of the Environment in the case of a national park or the permission of a prefectural governor in the case of a quasi-national park; provided, however, that this does not apply to acts carried out as emergency measures necessitated by an extraordinary disaster:

(4)The Minister of the Environment or a prefectural governor must not grant permission under the preceding paragraph if any activity listed in the items of the preceding paragraph fails to conform to the standards prescribed by Order of the Ministry of the Environment.

(5)If a prefectural governor intends to grant permission under paragraph (3) for a quasi-national park and an act pertaining to that permission constitutes an activity prescribed by Order of the Ministry of the Environment in view of its impact on the landscape of that quasi-national park or other circumstances, the governor must consult with the Minister of the Environment.

(6)A person that has already commenced activities listed in the items of paragraph (3) at the time that act becomes restricted may continue to conduct that act notwithstanding the provisions of that paragraph.In this case, that person must give notice to that effect to the Minister of the Environment in the case of a national park or the relevant prefectural governor in the case of a quasi-national park within three months from the day of the start of that restriction.

(7)A person that has conducted an act listed in any of the items of paragraph (3) within a marine special zone as a necessary emergency measure for an extraordinary disaster must give notice to that effect to the Minister of the Environment in the case of a national park or the relevant prefectural governor in the case of a quasi-national park within 14 days from the day on which it conducted that act.

(8)The provisions of paragraph (3) and the preceding two paragraphs do not apply to the acts listed in the following items:

Article 22(1)The Minister of the Environment, in regard to a national park, and a prefectural governor, in regard to a quasi-national park, may designate a marine special zone in the marine area of that park based on a park plan for the purpose of preserving the marine landscape of that park.

(2)The provisions of Article 5, paragraphs (3) and (4) apply mutatis mutandis to the designation of marine special zones, the withdrawal of designations of marine special zones, and changes to the boundaries of marine special zones.In this case, the phrase "the Minister of the Environment" in Article 5, paragraph (3) is deemed to be replaced with "the Minister of the Environment or a prefectural governor" and the phrase "official gazette" in that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "in the official gazette or a prefectural bulletin, respectively."

(3)The acts listed in the following items must not be carried out within a marine special zone without the permission of the Minister of the Environment in the case of a national park or the permission of a prefectural governor in the case of a quasi-national park; provided, however, that this does not apply to acts to be carried out as emergency measures necessitated by an extraordinary disaster and acts set out in item (i), item (iv), item (v), and item (vii) that are necessary for fishery operations such as setting up fishing gear:

(4)The Minister of the Environment or a prefectural governor must not grant permission under the preceding paragraph if any activity listed in the items of the preceding paragraph fails to conform to the standards prescribed by Order of the Ministry of the Environment.

(5)If a prefectural governor intends to grant permission under paragraph (3) for a quasi-national park and an act pertaining to that permission constitutes an activity prescribed by Order of the Ministry of the Environment in view of its impact on the landscape of a marine area in that quasi-national park or other circumstances, the governor must consult with the Minister of the Environment.

(6)A person that has already committed any act listed in the items of paragraph (3) at the time such act becomes restricted may continue to conduct that act notwithstanding the provisions of that paragraph.In this case, that person must give notice to that effect to the Minister of the Environment in the case of a national park or the relevant prefectural governor in the case of a quasi-national park within three months from the day of the start of that restriction.

(7)A person that has committed any act listed in items of paragraph (3) within a marine special zone as a necessary emergency measure for an extraordinary disaster must give notice to that effect to the Minister of the Environment in the case of a national park or the relevant prefectural governor in the case of a quasi-national park within 14 days from the day on which the act was conducted.

(8)The provisions of paragraph (3) and the preceding two paragraphs do not apply to the acts listed in the following items:

Article 23(1)The Minister of the Environment, in regard to a national park, and a prefectural governor, in regard to a quasi-national park, may designate a utilization management zone within a special area or a marine special zone based on a park plan when particularly necessary for preserving the scenic beauty or landscape of that park and promoting the proper use of that park.

(2)The provisions of Article 5, paragraphs (3) and (4) apply mutatis mutandis to the designation of utilization management zones, the withdrawal of designations of utilization management zone, and changes to the boundaries of utilization management zone.In this case, the phrase "the Minister of the Environment" in Article 5, paragraph (3) is deemed to be replaced with "the Minister of the Environment or a prefectural governor" and the phrase "official gazette" in that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "in the official gazette or a prefectural bulletin, respectively."

(3)A person must not enter a regulated utilization zone during a period designated by the Minister of the Environment without certification under paragraph (1) or paragraph (7) of the following Article; provided, however, that this does not apply to any case listed in the following items:

Article 24(1)If a user of a national park or a quasi-national park intends to enter a utilization management zone during a period stipulated in paragraph (3) of the preceding Article, the user must obtain certification from the Minister of the Environment in the case of a national park or the relevant prefectural governor in the case of a quasi-national park with respect to compliance with both of the following items; provided, however, that this does not apply to a user who enters an area after obtaining certification under paragraph (7):

(2)A person who intends to obtain certification under the preceding paragraph, as provided by Order of the Ministry of the Environment, must apply for a certification to the Minister of the Environment in the case of a national park or the relevant prefectural governor in the case of a quasi-national park.

(3)The Minister of the Environment or a prefectural governor is to grant certification under paragraph (1) if the minister finds that the entry for which an application has been made for that certification under paragraph (1) complies with both of the items of that paragraph.

(4)The Minister of the Environment or a prefectural governor must issue an entry certification as provided by Order of the Ministry of the Environment upon granting of a certification under paragraph (1).

(5)If a person who has obtained certification under paragraph (1) loses or destroys the entry certificate under the preceding paragraph, as provided by Order of the Ministry of the Environment, the person may apply for reissuance of that certificate to the Minister of the Environment in the case of a national park, or to the relevant prefectural governor in the case of a quasi-national park.

(6)A person who has obtained certification under paragraph (1) must carry the entry certificate issued under paragraph (4) when entering the relevant utilization management zone.

(7)If a person who is a user of a national park or a quasi-national park and who complies with the requirements specified by Order of the Ministry of the Environment intends to have another user enter a utilization management zone under their supervision during the period stipulated in paragraph (3) of the preceding Article, the user may obtain certification from the Minister of the Environment in the case of a national park or the relevant prefectural governor in the case of a quasi-national park with respect to compliance of entry by that person and any person who enters a utilization management zone under their supervision with the items of paragraph (1).

(8)The provisions of paragraphs (2) through (6) apply mutatis mutandis to certification under the preceding paragraph. In this case, the phrase "loses" in paragraph (5) is deemed to be replaced with "that person and any person who enters a utilization management zone under a users supervision loses," and the phrase a "person who has obtained certification" in paragraph (6) is deemed to be replaced with "person who has obtained certification and any person who enters a utilization management zone under a user's supervision."

Article 25(1)The Minister of the Environment, in regard to a national park, and a prefectural governor, in regard to a quasi-national park, may have a designated person (hereinafter referred to as a "designated certification agency") perform all or part of the governor's affairs stipulated in the preceding Article (hereinafter referred to as "certification-related affairs").

(2)Designation of a designated certification agency (hereinafter referred to simply as "designation" in this Article through Article 29) will be made upon application by a person that intends to perform certification-related affairs.

(3)A person that falls under any of the following items will not receive a designation:

(4)If the Minister of the Environment or a prefectural governor makes a designation, the minister is not to perform certification-related affairs concerning the utilization management zone pertaining to that designation.

(5)If the Minister of the Environment or a prefectural governor makes a Designation, the minister is to give public notice to that effect in the official gazette or a prefectural bulletin, respectively.

(6)With respect to the application of the provisions of the preceding Article if certification-related affairs are performed by a designated certification agency, the phrase "the Minister of the Environment in the case of a national park or the relevant prefectural governor in the case of a quasi-national park" in paragraphs (1) and (7) of that Article, the phrase "the Minister of the Environment in the case of a national park or the relevant prefectural governor in the case of a quasi-national park" in paragraphs (2) and (5) of that Article (including where those provisions are applied mutatis mutandis under paragraph (8) of that Article), and the phrase "The Minister of the Environment or a prefectural governor" in paragraphs (3) and (4) of that Article (including where those provisions are applied mutatis mutandis under paragraph (8) of that Article) are deemed to be replaced with "a designated certification agency."

Article 26The Minister of the Environment or a prefectural governor must not make a designation unless no other person has been designated as a designated certification agency for the utilization management zone pertaining to an application under paragraph (2) of the preceding Article and that application conforms to the following standards:

Article 27(1)Before a designated certification agency starts to implement certification-related affairs, as provided by Orders of the Ministry of the Environment, the agency must stipulate the rules for the implementation of those Certification-Related Affairs and obtain authorization for those rules from the Minister of the Environment or the relevant prefectural governor. The same applies if a designated certification agency intends to amend any such rules.

(2)A designated certification agency must prepare a business plan and an income and expenditure budget for each business year before the beginning of that business year (without delay after the designation, for the business year during which the date of designation falls), and obtain authorization for that plan and budget from the Minister of the Environment or the relevant prefectural governor. The same applies if a designated certification agency intends to amend any such plan or budget.

(3)A designated certification agency, within three months after the end of each business year, must prepare a business report and statement of accounts for that business year and submit those to the Minister of the Environment or the relevant prefectural governor.

(4)A designated certification agency must not suspend or discontinue all or part of its certification-related affairs without the permission of the Minister of the Environment or the relevant prefectural governor.

(5)If a designated certification agency suspends all or part of its certification-related affairs with permission under the preceding paragraph, or it becomes difficult for that designated certification agency to implement all or part of those certification-related affairs due to a natural disaster or other reason, when considered necessary, the Minister of the Environment or the relevant prefectural governor is to implement all or part of those certification-related affairs.

(6)If the Minister of the Environment or a prefectural governor implements all or part of the certification-related affairs under the preceding paragraph, if a designated certification agency discontinues all or part of its certification-related affairs with permission under paragraph (4), or if the Minister of the Environment or a prefectural governor revokes a designation under Article 29, paragraph (2) or (3), the transfer of the certification-related affairs and other necessary matters will be specified by Order of the Ministry of the Environment.

Article 28(1)A designated certification agency (if it is a corporation, its officials, the same applies in the following paragraph), and its employees, and persons formerly in such positions must not disclose any confidential information they come to know in connection with the certification-related affairs or use that information for their personal benefit.

(2)A designated certification agency and its employees who engage in the certification-related affairs are deemed officials engaged in public service under laws and regulations with respect to the application of the Penal Code (Act No. 45 of 1907) and other penal provisions.

Article 29(1)The Minister of the Environment or a prefectural governor may issue to a designated certification agency an order necessary for supervision of certification-related affairs to the extent required for the enforcement of the provisions of Articles 24 through 31.

(2)If a designated certification agency falls under any of the items (except item 4) of paragraph (3) of Article 25, the Minister of the Environment or the relevant prefectural governor must revoke the designation issued to that designated certification agency.

(3)If a designated certification agency violates the provisions of Article 27, implements the certification-related affairs in a manner that is not in accordance with the rules in paragraph (1) of that Article, violates an order issued under the provisions of paragraph (1), or is otherwise considered to be unable to implement the certification-related affairs properly and reliably, the Minister of the Environment or the relevant prefectural governor may revoke the designation issued to that designated certification agency.

(4)The provisions of Article 25, paragraph (5) apply mutatis mutandis to the revocation of a designation under the preceding two paragraphs.

Article 30(1)The Minister of the Environment or a prefectural governor, to the extent required for the enforcement of the provisions of Article 24 to the following Article, may request a designated certification agency to report on the certification-related affairs concerned, or cause an official of that ministry or prefecture to enter the offices of a designated certification agency and inspect books, documents, and other necessary items or question relevant persons.

(2)An official who carries out an on-site inspection pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph must carry identification and present it at the request of a relevant person.

(3)The authority under the provisions of paragraph (1) must not be interpreted as being granted for a criminal investigation.

Article 31(1)A person that intends to obtain certification under Article 24, paragraphs (1) or (7) or receive reissuance of an entry certificate under paragraph (5) of that Article (including where that is applied mutatis mutandis under paragraph (8) of that Article) with respect to a national park must pay to the State (if a designated certification agency is implementing the certification-related affairs, that designated certification agency) a charge in an amount specified by Cabinet Order taking into consideration the actual costs.

(2)If a prefecture collects a charge for a certification under Article 24, paragraphs (1) or (7) or reissuance of an entry certificate under paragraph (5) of that Article (including when that is applied mutatis mutandis under paragraph (8) of that Article) based on the provisions of Article 227 of the Local Autonomy Act (Act No. 67 of 1947), it may cause the person that intends to receive that certification or reissuance of the entry certificate made by a designated certification agency pursuant to the provisions of Article 25 to pay that charge to that designated certification agency as provided by Prefectural Ordinance.

(3)Charges paid to a designated certification agency pursuant to the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs are treated as income of that agency.

Article 32Conditions may be attached to a permission under Article 20, paragraph (3), Article 21, paragraph (3), Article 22, paragraph (3), or Article 23, paragraph (3), item (vii) to the extent necessary for the protection of the scenic beauty or landscape of a national park or a quasi-national park.

Article 33(1)A person who intends to undertake the following acts in an area within a national park or a quasi-national park that is not a special area or a marine special zone(hereinafter referred to as "ordinary area"), as provided by Order of the Ministry of the Environment, must notify the Minister of the Environment in the case of a national park or the relevant prefectural governor in the case of a quasi-national park of the matters specified by Order of the Ministry of the Environment such as the type of acts, place, implementation method and scheduled date of commencement; provided, however, that this does not apply to a person who intends to conduct the acts listed in items (i), (iii), (v) and (vii) that are necessary for engaging in fishery such as setting up fishing gear in a marine area:

(2)The Minister of the Environment, in regard to a national park, and a prefectural governor, in regard to a quasi-national park, when either the minister of governor consider it necessary to protect the scenery of that park, may give an order to a person that intends to conduct or has conducted an act in an ordinary area that requires notification and is set out in any of the items of the preceding paragraph prohibiting or restricting the specific act or to take necessary measures to the extent necessary for the protection of the scenery of that park.

(3)A disposition under the preceding paragraph may be made against a person that has given notification under paragraph (1) only within 30 days from the date of that notification.

(4)If a notification is given under paragraph (1) and an on-site inspection is required or there are any other reasonable grounds to make an issuance of a disposition impossible under paragraph (2) within the period prescribed in the preceding paragraph, the Minister of the Environment or the relevant prefectural governor may extend the period prescribed in the preceding paragraph during the time those grounds exist.In this case, a person that has given a notification under paragraph (1) must be notified of that extension and the grounds for that extension within the period prescribed in the preceding paragraph.

(5)A person that has given a notification under paragraph (1) must not conduct an act pertaining to that notification unless a period of 30 days has passed after the date of the relevant notification.

(6)The Minister of the Environment, in regard to a national park, and a prefectural governor, in regard to a quasi-national park, may shorten the period prescribed in the preceding paragraph if either the minister or governor considers that there is no risk that shortening the duration will impair the protection of the scenery of the relevant park.

(7)The provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2) do not apply to the following acts:

Article 34(1)The Minister of the Environment, in regard to a national park, and a prefectural governor, in regard to a quasi-national park, if the minister and governor consider the protection of that park necessary, the minister may order a person that has violated the provisions of Article 20, paragraph (3), Article 21, paragraph (3), Article 22, paragraph (3), or Article 23, paragraph (3), the conditions attached to a permission under Article 32, or a disposition issued under paragraph (2) of the preceding Article to discontinue that act or order any such person or another person that has succeeded to the rights to that relevant land, building, or other structure or item from any such person to restore that zone to its original state or take necessary alternative measures within a reasonable period if restoration to its original state is extremely difficult, to the extent necessary for that protection in both cases.

(2)If the Minister of the Environment or a prefectural governor intends to give a restoration order or take necessary alternative measures pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph (hereinafter referred to as "restoration, etc." in this Article) and it is impossible to ascertain without fault the person to which that order of restoration, etc. is to be made, the minister or the governor may carry out the relevant restoration, etc. or have a person ordered or delegated by the minister or the governor to carry out the relevant restoration, etc. at the expense of the person to which the relevant order of restoration, etc. is to be made.In this case, the Minister of the Environment or the governor must make public in advance that the relevant restoration, etc. will be carried out within a reasonable period and that the Minister of the Environment or a person ordered or delegated by the Minister of the Environment or prefectural governor will carry out the relevant restoration, etc. if the relevant restoration, etc. is not carried out within that period.

(3)A person that intends to carry out restoration, etc. pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph must carry identification and present it at the request of a relevant person.

Article 35(1)If the Minister of the Environment, in regard to a national park, and a prefectural governor, in regard to a quasi-national park, considers it necessary for the protection of that park, the minister or governor may request a person that has obtained permission under the provisions of Article 20, paragraph (3), Article 21, paragraph (3), Article 22, paragraph (3), or Article 23, paragraph (3), item (vii) or a person whose activities have been restricted or that has been ordered to take necessary measures under Article 33, paragraph (2) to report on the implementation status of those activities and other necessary matters.

(2)If the Minister of the Environment, in regard to a national park, and a prefectural governor, in regard to a quasi-national park, considers it necessary for a disposition issued in accordance with the provisions of Article 20, paragraph (3), Article 21, paragraph (3), Article 22, paragraph (3), Article 23, paragraph (3), item (vii), Article 33, paragraph (2), or the preceding Article, to the extent necessary therefor, the minister or governor may have an official of that ministry or prefecture to enter land or a building within the boundaries of that park and inspect the implementation status of the acts listed in each item of Article 20, paragraph (3), each item of Article 21, paragraph (3), each item of Article 22, paragraph (3), Article 23, paragraph (3), item (vii), or each item of Article 33, paragraph (1), or investigate the impact of those acts on the scenery of that park.

(3)An official who carries out an on-site inspection or an on-site investigation under the provisions of the preceding paragraph must carry identification and present it at the request of a relevant person.

(4)The authority under the provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2) must not be construed as extending to criminal investigations.

Article 36(1)The Minister of the Environment, in regard to a national park, and the prefectural governor, in regard to a quasi-national park, is to designate a facility complex zone within the boundaries of that park based on a park plan for the purpose of collectively developing facilities for the utilization of that park.

(2)The provisions of Article 5, paragraphs (3) and (4) apply mutatis mutandis to the designation of facility complex zones, the withdrawal of designations of facility complex zones, and changes to the boundaries of facility complex zones.In this case, the phrase "the Minister of the Environment" in Article 5, paragraph (3) is deemed to be replaced with "the Minister of the Environment or a prefectural governor" and the phrase "official gazette" in that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "in the official gazette or a prefectural bulletin, respectively."

Article 37(1)A person must not conduct without due cause any act listed in the following items within a special area, a marine special zone, or a facility complex zone of a national park or a quasi-national park:

(2)If there is a person conducting any act listed in item (ii) of the preceding paragraph within a special area, marine special zone, or facility complex zone, an official of the State or the relevant prefecture may instruct that person to stop that act.

(3)An official referred to in the preceding paragraph must carry identification and present it at the request of a relevant person.

Article 38(1)The Minister of the Environment and the head of a national government organ that is to implement an ecosystem preservation and restoration program (hereinafter referred to as the "Minister of the Environment, etc.") will formulate a plan concerning an ecosystem preservation and restoration project (hereinafter referred to as "ecosystem preservation and restoration project plan") in a national park based on a park plan after hearing the opinion of the council for the purpose of contributing to the proper and effective implementation of an ecosystem preservation and restoration project in that national park.

(2)A prefectural governor may formulate an ecosystem preservation and restoration program plan in a quasi-national park based on a park plan for the purpose of contributing to the proper and effective implementation of an ecosystem preservation and restoration program in that quasi-national park.

(3)An ecosystem preservation and restoration program plan must prescribe the following information:.

(4)After formulating an ecosystem preservation and restoration program plan, the Minister of the Environment, etc. or the relevant prefectural governor must give public notice of an outline of that plan.

(5)If the Minister of the Environment, etc. intends to abolish or change an ecosystem preservation and restoration program plan, they must hear the opinion of the council.

(6)The provisions of paragraph (4) apply mutatis mutandis to the abolishment of or change to an ecosystem preservation and restoration program plan by the Minister of the Environment, etc. or a prefectural governor.

Article 39(1)If it is considered necessary to preserve or restore an ecosystem in order to protect a natural scenic area within a national park, the State is to implement an ecosystem preservation and restoration program in accordance with an ecosystem preservation and restoration program plan in that national park.

(2)A local public entity, as provided by Order of the Ministry of the Environment, may implement an ecosystem preservation and restoration program in accordance with an ecosystem preservation and restoration program plan in a national park after obtaining confirmation from the Minister of the Environment to the effect that the relevant ecosystem preservation and restoration program is in compliance with that ecosystem preservation and restoration program plan.

(3)A person other than the State or a local public entity, as provided by Order of the Ministry of the Environment, may implement an ecosystem preservation and restoration program in accordance with an ecosystem preservation and restoration program plan in a national park after obtaining certification from the Minister of the Environment to the effect that the person is able to properly and reliably implement the relevant ecosystem preservation and restoration program and that the relevant ecosystem preservation and restoration program is in compliance with the relevant ecosystem preservation and restoration program plan.

(4)A person intending to obtain confirmation under paragraph (2) or certification under the preceding paragraph must submit a written application with a description of the following particulars to the Minister of the Environment as provided by Order of the Ministry of the Environment:

(5)A written application prescribed in the preceding paragraph must be submitted together with a drawing showing the areas to be covered by the ecosystem preservation and restoration program and other documents specified by Order of the Ministry of the Environment.

(6)If a person that has obtained confirmation under paragraph (2) or certification under paragraph (3) intends to change any particulars listed in the items of paragraph (4), that person must obtain confirmation from the Minister of the Environment if it is a local public entity and that person must obtain certification from the Minister of the Environment if it is a person other than the State or a local public entity; provided, however, that this does not apply to minor changes prescribed by Order of the Ministry of the Environment.

(7)A person intending to obtain confirmation or certification under the preceding paragraph must submit a written application with a description of the matters pertaining to that change to the Minister of the Environment as provided by Order of the Ministry of the Environment.

(8)The provisions of paragraph (5) apply mutatis mutandis to any written application under the preceding paragraph.

(9)If a person that has obtained confirmation under paragraph (2) or certification under paragraph (3) makes a minor change prescribed by Order of the Ministry of the Environment under the proviso of paragraph (6), that person must notify the Minister of the Environment of that change without delay.

Article 40If a person that has obtained certification under paragraph (3) of the preceding Article falls under any of the following items, the Minister of the Environment may revoke the certification under that paragraph:

Article 41(1)If it is considered necessary to maintain or recover an ecosystem in order to protect a natural scenic area within a quasi-national park, the relevant prefecture may implement an ecosystem preservation and restoration program in accordance with an ecosystem preservation and restoration program plan in that quasi-national park.

(2)A local public entity other than the State or a prefecture, as provided by Order of the Ministry of the Environment, implement an ecosystem preservation and restoration program in accordance with an ecosystem preservation and restoration program plan in a quasi-national park after obtaining confirmation from the relevant prefectural governor to the effect that that ecosystem preservation and restoration program is in compliance with that ecosystem preservation and restoration program plan.

(3)A person other than the State or a local public entity, as provided by Order of the Ministry of the Environment, implement an ecosystem preservation and restoration program in accordance with an ecosystem preservation and restoration program plan in a quasi-national park after obtaining certification from the relevant prefectural governor to the effect that it is able to properly and reliably implement the relevant ecosystem preservation and restoration program and that the relevant ecosystem preservation and restoration program is in compliance with the relevant ecosystem preservation and restoration program plan.

(4)The provisions of Article 39, paragraphs (4) and (5) apply mutatis mutandis to confirmations under paragraph (2) and certification under the preceding paragraph, the provisions of paragraphs (6) through (9) of that Article apply mutatis mutandis to persons that have obtained confirmation under paragraph (2), and the provisions of paragraphs (6) through (9) of that Article and the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to persons that have obtained certification under the preceding paragraph.In this case, the phrase "the Minister of the Environment" in those provisions is deemed to be replaced with "the relevant prefectural governor," and the phrase "national park" in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article is deemed to be replaced with "quasi-national park."

Article 42The Minister of the Environment may request a person that has obtained certification under Article 39, paragraph (3), and the relevant prefectural governor may request the person that has obtained certification under paragraph (3) of the preceding Article, to report on the implementation status of that ecosystem preservation and restoration program and other necessary matters.

Article 43(1)The Minister of the Environment, a local public entity, or a park management agency designated under Article 49, paragraph (1) that conducts acts related to management of a natural scenic area based on a scenic area protection agreement from among the operations set out in Article 50, item (i), if it is considered necessary to protect that natural scenic area within a national park or a quasi-national park, may manage the natural scenic area within the boundary of land within the relevant park by concluding an agreement prescribing the following matters (hereinafter referred to as a "scenic area protection agreement") with an owner of land or trees and bamboo within the boundary (excluding marine areas) of that park or a person with the right (except when that right has clearly been established for temporary facilities or other temporary use) to use and earn profits from that land or trees and bamboo (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "owners of land, etc."):

(2)A scenic area protection agreement must have the consent of all the owners of land, etc. within the scenic area protection agreement zone.

(3)The contents of a scenic area protection agreement must conform to the following standards:

(4)If a local public entity intends to conclude a scenic area protection agreement, it must, in advance, consult with and obtain consent from the Minister of the Environment in the case of a national park or the relevant prefectural governor in the case of a quasi-national park; provided, however, that this does not apply if a prefecture concludes a scenic area protection agreement with respect to land within that prefecture with respect to a quasi-national park.

(5)If a park management agency referred to in paragraph (1) intends to conclude a scenic area protection agreement, it must obtain authorization in advance from the Minister of the Environment in the case of a national park or the relevant prefectural governor in the case of a quasi-national park.

Article 44(1)If the Minister of the Environment, a local public entity, or a prefectural governor intends to conclude a scenic area protection agreement or intends to submit an application for authorization of a scenic area protection agreement under paragraph (5) of the preceding Article, that person must give public notice to that effect in accordance by Order of the Ministry of the Environment and make that scenic area protection agreement available for public inspection by relevant persons for two weeks from the date of that public notice.

(2)If a public notice is given pursuant to the preceding paragraph, a relevant person may submit a written opinion about that scenic area protection agreement to the Minister of the Environment, the relevant local public entity, or the relevant prefectural governor on or before the date of expiration of the inspection period under that paragraph.

Article 45If an application for authorization for a scenic area protection agreement under Article 43, paragraph (5) falls under all of the following items, the Minister of the Environment or the relevant prefectural governor must grant authorization for that scenic area protection agreement:

Article 46If the Minister of the Environment, a local public entity, or a prefectural governor concludes a scenic area protection agreement or gives authorization under the preceding Article, that person, as provided by Order of the Ministry of the Environment, give public notice to that effect, make a copy of that scenic area protection agreement available for public inspection, and explicitly indicate the relevant area is a scenic area protection agreement zone.

Article 47The provisions of Article 43, paragraphs (2) through (5) and the preceding three Articles apply mutatis mutandis to any change to a matter prescribed in a scenic area protection agreement.

Article 48A scenic area protection agreement with respect to which a public notice has been given under Article 46 (including where that is applied mutatis mutandis under the preceding Article) will also be effective for a person that becomes an owner of land, etc. within the boundary of that scenic area protection agreement zone after that public notice.

Article 49(1)The Minister of the Environment, in regard to a national park, and a prefectural governor, in regard to a quasi-national park, upon application, may designate as a park management agency for the purpose of protecting and promoting the proper use of a natural scenic area within that national park or quasi-national park a person that is a general incorporated association, a general incorporated foundation, a specified nonprofit agency under Article 2, paragraph (2) of the Act on Promotion of Specified Nonprofit Activities (Act No. 7 of 1998), or another corporation specified by Order of the Ministry of the Environment and is acknowledged as being capable of properly and reliably performing the operations listed in the items of the following Article.

(2)If the Minister of the Environment or a prefectural governor makes a designation under the preceding paragraph, the minister must make public, the name and address of the relevant park management agency and the location of its office.

(3)If a park management agency intends to change its name or address or the location of its office, it must give advance notification to that effect to the Minister of the Environment in the case of a national park or the relevant prefectural governor in the case of a quasi-national park.

(4)If notification is given under the preceding paragraph, the Minister of the Environment or the relevant prefectural governor must make public, the matters pertaining to that notification.

Article 50A park management agency will perform the following operations:

Article 51A park management agency must perform the operations listed in item (i) of the preceding Article in close coordination with the Minister of the Environment and any relevant local public entity.

Article 52If the Minister of the Environment or a prefectural governor considers that it is necessary to improve the management of operations by a park management agency, the minister may order that park management agency to take measures necessary to make those improvements.

Article 53(1)If a park management agency violates an order under the provisions of the preceding Article, the Minister of the Environment or the relevant prefectural governor may revoke the designation issued to that park management agency.

(2)If the Minister of the Environment or a prefectural governor revokes a designation under the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the minister must make public the fact.

Article 54The State and local public entities are to provide a park management agency with information and provide guidance and advice necessary for that park management agency to perform its operations.

Article 55The expenses necessary for the implementation of a park facility project are to be borne by the person that implements the park facility project.

Article 56The State, within the limits of the budget, may provide a subsidy for part of the expenses necessary for the implementation of a park facility project to the prefecture that is implementing that park facility project, as provided by Cabinet Order.

Article 57(1)If the State implements a national park facility project and a local public entity significantly benefits from the implementation of the relevant national park facility project, the State may cause that local public entity to bear part of the expenses necessary for that implementation to the extent of that benefit.

(2)If the State intends to cause a local public entity to bear part of the expenses necessary for the implementation of a national park facility project under the provisions of the preceding paragraph, it must hear the opinion of that local public entity.

Article 58If there is a person who significantly benefits from the implementation of a park facility project, the State or a local public entity may have that person to bear part of the expenses necessary for the implementation of that park facility project to the extent that the person benefits.

Article 59If it becomes necessary to implement a park facility project due to construction or another act, the State or a local public entity may have the person bear expenses for the construction or act which is the cause of the relevant implementation necessary to bear all or a part of those expenses to the extent to which the implementation of the relevant park facility project has become necessary.

Article 60The method of collecting expenses to be borne under the provisions of the preceding three Articles and other necessary matters concerning expenses to be borne are to be specified by Cabinet Order.

Article 61The provisions of this Section do not apply to any park facility project that is a project pertaining to roads under the Road Act or another project with respect to which there are separate provisions in another law regarding the expenses necessary for the implementation of that project.

Article 62(1)If an on-site investigation is necessary, the Minister of the Environment, in regard to the designation of a national park or a quasi-national park, the decision of a park plan, the implementation of a park facility project, or the decision of a park facility project of a national park, a prefectural governor, in regard to the designation of a quasi-national park or application for expansion of the boundaries of that park, the decision of a park plan or offer for addition to a park plan, or the decision or implementation of a park facility project, and a national government organ other than the Minister of the Environment, in regard to the implementation of a park facility project, may have the relevant officials enter the land of another person, install signs, survey the land, and fell or remove trees or bamboo, or hedges or fences, etc. that pose an impediment to that on-site investigation; provided however, that if there are provisions concerning an on-site investigation in the Road Act or any other law, that on-site investigation must be conducted in accordance with those provisions.

(2)If a national government organ or a prefectural governor intends to have relevant officials conduct acts pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, that person must give notice in advance to that effect to the owner (if the address of the owner is unknown, the possessor of the land; hereinafter the same applies in this Article) and possessor of that land and the owner of the trees and bamboo or the hedges, fences, etc., and give that owner or possessor an opportunity to submit a written opinion.

(3)An official referred to in paragraph (1) must not enter residential land or land enclosed with hedges, fences, etc. before sunrise or after sunset.

(4)An official referred to in paragraph (1) must carry identification and present it at the request of a relevant person.

(5)An owner or possessor of land or an owner of trees and bamboo or hedges or fences must not deny or interfere with an entry, installation of signs, or other acts conducted pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) without reasonable justification.

Article 63(1)A person that is dissatisfied with a disposition by the Minister of the Environment or a prefectural governor pursuant to the provisions of Article 20, paragraph (3), Article 21, paragraph (3), Article 22, paragraph (3), or Article 33, paragraph (2) may apply to the Environmental Dispute Coordination Committee for a ruling if the reason for that person's complaint concerns adjustment in relation to mining, stone quarrying, or gravel quarrying. In this case, the person may not make a request for administrative review.

(2)The provisions of Article 22 of the Administrative Appeal Act (Act No. 68 of 2014) apply mutatis mutandis to cases when an administrative authority that has made a disposition under the preceding paragraph erroneously instructs that the person may make a request for administrative review or re-investigation with respect to that disposition.

Article 64(1)The State, in regard to a national park, and the relevant prefectural governor, in regard to a quasi-national park, is to compensate for losses that would ordinarily incur to a person that suffers losses due to an inability to obtain permission under Article 20, paragraph (3), Article 21, paragraph (3), or Article 22, paragraph (3), due to conditions attached to a permission under the provisions of Article 32, or due to a disposition pursuant to the provisions of Article 33, paragraph (2).

(2)A person that intends to claim for compensation pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph must make a request for that compensation to the Minister of the Environment with respect to compensation to be paid by the State, and to the relevant prefectural governor with respect to compensation to be paid by the prefecture.

(3)If the Minister of the Environment or a prefectural governor receives a request pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the minister or the governor must determine the amount of compensation and notify the requestor of that amount.

(4)The State or the relevant prefecture is to compensate for losses that would generally be incurred to a person that suffers losses due to an act by an official of the State or that prefecture under the provisions of Article 62, paragraph (1).

(5)The provisions of paragraphs (2) and (3) apply mutatis mutandis to compensation for losses under the provisions of the preceding paragraph.In this case, the phrase "the Minister of the Environment" in paragraphs (2) and (3) are deemed to be replaced with the "minister with jurisdiction over affairs concerning on-site inspections prescribed in Article 62, paragraph (1)."

Article 65(1)A person that is dissatisfied with a decision under the provisions of paragraph (3) of the preceding Article (including if it is applied mutatis mutandis under paragraph (5) of that Article) may request an increase of the amount of compensation by filing an action within six months from the date on which that notice is received.

(2)The State or the relevant prefecture will be the defendant in any action filed under the preceding paragraph.

Article 66(1)If there is a person that has not paid expenses that are to be paid to the State pursuant to the provisions of this Act, the Minister of the Environment must issue a demand in the form that specifies the deadline by which the person must pay.

(2)In the case of the preceding paragraph, the Minister of the Environment may charge a delinquency charge as provided by Order of the Ministry of the Environment; provided, however, that the delinquency charge must not be more than an amount calculated at an annual rate of 14.5%.

(3)If a person that has received a written demand under the provisions of paragraph (1) does not pay the amount to be paid by the specified due date, the Minister of the Environment may charge expenses to be borne and the delinquency charge pursuant to the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs pursuant to national tax delinquency procedures. In this case, the order of the statutory lien on the expenses to be borne and the delinquency charge will come after national taxes and local taxes.

(4)The delinquency charge will be collected prior to the expenses to be borne.

Article 67(1)If the Minister of the Environment intends to make a designation of or expand the boundaries of a national park or a quasi-national park, decide or change a park plan, or designate or expand the boundaries of a special zone, special protection zone, marine special area, or utilization management zone in a national park, the minister must consult with the head of the relevant administrative organs.

(2)If a prefectural governor intends to designate or expand the boundary of a special area, special protection zone, marine special zone or utilization management zone in a quasi-national park, the governor must consult with the head of the relevant administrative organs.

(3)If a national government organ other than the Minister of the Environment intends to implement a national park facility project pursuant to the provisions of Article 10, paragraph (1), it must consult with the Minister of the Environment.

(4)If a national government organ intends to implement a quasi-national park facility project pursuant to the provisions of the proviso of Article 16, paragraph (1), it must consult with the relevant prefectural governor.

Article 68(1)Permission under the provisions of Article 20, paragraph (3), Article 21, paragraph (3), Article 22, paragraph (3), or Article 23, paragraph (3), item (vii) is not required with respect to acts to be carried out by a national government organ.In this case, if that national government organ intends to conduct such an act, it must consult in advance with the Minister of the Environment in the case of a national park or with the relevant prefectural governor in the case of a quasi-national park.

(2)If a prefectural governor is consulted by a national government organ under the preceding paragraph with respect to a quasi-national park and an act pertaining to that consultation constitutes an act prescribed by Order of the Ministry of the Environment in view of its impact on the scenic beauty or landscape of that quasi-national park or other circumstances, the government organ must consult with the Minister of the Environment.

(3)If a national government organ has or intends to conduct an act for which a notification is required under the provisions of the second sentence of Article 20, paragraph (6), or Article 20, paragraph (7) or (8) , the second sentence of Article 21, paragraph (6), or Article 21, paragraph (7) of, the second sentence of Article 22, paragraph (6), or Article 22, paragraph (7) of, or Article 33, paragraph (1), it must inform the Minister of the Environment in the case of a national park or the relevant prefectural governor in the case of a quasi-national park to that effect pursuant to the procedures for notification set out in those provisions.

(4)If the Minister of the Environment or a prefectural governor receives a notice pursuant to the procedures for notification set out in Article 33, paragraph (1) and the minister considers it necessary for the protection of the scenery of that park, the minister may request that national government organ to consult on the measures to be taken for the protection of that scenery.

Article 69The authority of the Minister of the Environment prescribed in this Act may be delegated to the director of a Regional Environment Office pursuant to Order of the Ministry of the Environment.

Article 70The matter to be processed by a prefecture pursuant to the provisions of Article 20, paragraph (1), Article 5, paragraph (3) as applied mutatis mutandis under Article 20, paragraph (2), Article 21, paragraph (1), Article 5, paragraph (3) as applied mutatis mutandis under Article 21, paragraph (2), Article 22, paragraph (1), Article 5, paragraph (3) as applied mutatis mutandis under Article 22, paragraph (2), and Article 67, paragraph (2) (excluding the provisions pertaining to utilization management zones) are the Type 1 statutory entrusted functions prescribed in Article 2, paragraph (9), item (i) of the Local Autonomy Act.

Article 71Any natural wilderness conservation area designated pursuant to the provisions of Article 14, paragraph (1) of the Nature Conservation Act is excluded from the area of a national park or a quasi-national park.