Article 3(1)A person who intends to engage in the Money Lending Business, where the person intends to engage in business and establishes business offices or other offices within two or more prefectural areas, must be registered by the Prime Minister, or where the person intends to engage in business and establishes a business office or other office within only one prefectural area, be registered by the prefectural governor who has jurisdiction over the locations of the business office or other office.

(2)The registration set forth in the preceding paragraph, unless it is renewed every three years, ceases to be effective upon the expiration of the relevant period.

(3)A person who wishes to be registered by the Prime Minister under paragraph (1) is to pay registration and licensing taxes pursuant to the provisions of the Registration and Licensing Tax Act (Act No. 35 of 1967), and a person who wishes to have their registration renewed by the Prime Minister under the preceding paragraph must pay the necessary fees pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Order.

Article 4(1)A person who wishes to be registered under paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, where the person intends to engage in business and establishes business offices or other offices within two or more prefectural areas, must submit a written application for registration stating the following matters to the Prime Minister, or where the person intends to engage in business and establishes a business office(s) or other office(s) within only one prefectural area, submit the written application for registration to the prefectural governor who has jurisdiction over the locations of the business office or other office:

(2)The following documents are to be attached to the written application set forth in the preceding paragraph as provided by a Cabinet Office Order:

Article 5(1)The Prime Minister or prefectural governor, where an application for registration has been filed under Article 3, paragraph (1), must register the matters listed in the following items in a money lenders' registry, except in the case where registration is refused pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the following Article:

(2)when the Prime Minister or the prefectural governor has carried out the registration under the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Prime Minister must notify the applicant to that effect without delay.

Article 6(1)The Prime Minister or prefectural governor must refuse to register a person who wishes to be registered under Article 3, paragraph (1) when the relevant person falls under any of the following items, or when a written application for registration or the documents attached thereto contain any false statement about important matters or lack statements about material facts:

(2)When the Prime Minister or prefectural governor has refused registration pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Prime Minister must notify the applicant to that effect and indicate the reason therefor without delay.

(3)The amount specified by a Cabinet Order as set forth in item (xiv) of paragraph (1) must not be less than 50 million yen.

(4)The amount of net assets prescribed in item (xiv) of paragraph (1) is to be calculated pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Office Order.

Article 7Where a Money Lender, after being registered under Article 3, paragraph (1), falls under any of the cases listed in the following items but intends to continue to engage in the Money Lending Business, and newly receives a registration from the Prime Minister or prefectural governor pursuant to the provisions of Article 3, paragraph (1), the registration pertaining to the Money Lender previously received from the Prime Minister or prefectural governor ceases to be effective:

Article 8(1)Where there has been a change to any of the matters listed in the items of Article 4, paragraph (1) (excluding item (v) and item (vii)) or where the Money Lender intends to make a change to any of the matters listed Article 4, paragraph (1), item (v) or item (vii) (except in any of the cases listed in the items of the preceding Article), the Money Lender must notify the Prime Minister or prefectural governor who registered the Money Lender to that effect within two weeks from the day on which the change took place in the former case or before making a change in the latter case.

(2)When the Prime Minister or prefectural governor has accepted the notification given under the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Prime Minister must register the matters reported in the notification in a money lenders' registry, except in the case where the matters to which the notification pertains are any of the matters listed in Article 6, paragraph (1), item (viii) through item (x), item (xiii), or item (xvi).

(3)The document specified by a Cabinet Office Order must be attached to the notification under the provisions of paragraph (1).

Article 9The Prime Minister or prefectural governor must make the money lenders' registry available for public inspection.

Article 10(1)Where a Money Lender has come to fall under any of the following items, the person prescribed in each item must notify the Prime Minister or prefectural governor who registered the Money Lender to that effect within 30 days from the day on which the event set forth therein took place (or in the case of item (i), within 30 from the day on which the person became aware of the event):

(2)Where the Money Lender has come to fall under any of the items of the preceding paragraph, the registration under Article 3, paragraph (1) ceases to be effective.

(3)Where the Money Lender has died, their heir (where there are two or more heirs and where an heir to succeed to the business has been selected by the consent of all heirs, the relevant person; hereinafter the same applies in this Article) may continue to conduct the Money Lending Business for 60 days after the death of the decedent (if registration has been refused pursuant to the provisions of Article 6, paragraph (1) within that period, the period up to the day when registration is refused). In the case where the heir has filed an application for registration under Article 3, paragraph (1) within that period and when such a period has elapsed, the same applies to the period until the registration or the refusal of the registration with regard to the relevant filing is determined.In this case, with regard to the business conducted during the relevant period, the heir is deemed to be the Money Lender.

Article 11(1)A person who does is not registered under Article 3, paragraph (1) must not engage in the Money Lending Business.

(2)A person who is not registered under Article 3, paragraph (1) must not conduct the following acts:

(3)A Money Lender must not engage in the Money Lending Business having established a business office or office other than those registered in the money lenders' registry.

Article 12A person who has been registered under Article 3, paragraph (1) must not have another person engage in the Money Lending Business under the Money Lender's name.

Article 12-2Pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Office Order, a Money Lender is to take the necessary measures to ensure the appropriate handling of information pertaining to Persons Seeking Funds, etc. obtained in the course of its money lending operations, the appropriate execution of money lending operations by third parties in the case of entrustment thereof, and must take other measures to ensure the appropriate management of money lending operations.

Article 12-2-2(1)A Money Lender must take the measures specified in the following items according to the category of cases set forth in the respective items:

(2)When a Money Lender has taken measures to conclude a Basic Contract for Implementation of Dispute Resolution Procedures pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, it is to make public the trade name or name of the Designated Dispute Resolution Organization that is the counterparty to the relevant Basic Contract for Implementation of Dispute Resolution Procedures.

(3)The provisions of paragraph (1) is not to apply for the periods specified in the following items according to the category of cases set forth in the respective items:

Article 12-3(1)As provided by a Cabinet Office Order, a Money Lender is to assign the number of Chiefs of Money Lending Operations specified by a Cabinet Office Order, in consideration of the size and other matters of its money lending operations, and must have them give the necessary advice or guidance to the Money Lender's employees and other workers who engage in money lending operations at the business office or other office so that these employees and workers carry out money lending operations properly in compliance with laws and regulations (including prefectural or municipal ordinances; the same is to apply in Article 20-2) concerning the Money Lending Business.

(2)A Money Lender are to give due consideration so as to enable a Chief of Money Lending Operations to properly perform their duties in relation to the advice or guidance set forth in the preceding paragraph, and the Money Lender's employees and other workers who engage in the money lending operations must respect the advice given by the Chief of Money Lending Operations under that paragraph as well as following the guidance given under that paragraph.

(3)When the number of Chiefs of Money Lending Operations assigned to a business office or other office has become lower than the number specified by a Cabinet Office Order set forth in paragraph (1) due to any unforeseeable reasons, a Money Lender must take the necessary measures to satisfy the provisions of that paragraph within two weeks.

(4)When requested by a Person Seeking Funds, etc. in the course of carrying out money lending operations, a Money Lender must disclose the name of the Chief of Money Lending Operations who carries out the business affairs at the business office or other office.

Article 12-4(1)As provided by a Cabinet Office Order, a Money Lender is not to allow its employees and other workers who engage in money lending operations to actually engage in operations without carrying identification cards that certify that they are the Money Lender's employees or workers.

(2)Pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Office Order, a Money Lender must prepare and preserve a roster of employees for each business office or other office that contains the employees' names, addresses, the numbers from the identification cards as prescribed in the preceding paragraph, and other matters specified by a Cabinet Office Order.

Article 12-5A Money Lender is not to allow an Organized Crime Group Member, etc. to engage in the Money Lender's business operations nor is a Money Lender to use that member as an assistant in its operations.

Article 12-6A Money Lender is not to conduct any of the following acts in relation to its money lending operations:

Article 12-7When a Money Lender intends to conclude an insurance contract under which they are to receive payment of insurance claims upon the death of the counterparty or the person who intends to be the counterparty to the Contract for a Loan (excluding Home Loan Contracts and other contracts specified by a Cabinet Office Order), not make death resulting from suicide an insured event in the relevant insurance contract.

Article 12-8(1)A Money Lender must not conclude a contract for interest wherein the amount of interest (including Payment Regarded as Interest; the same applies to paragraphs (3) and (4)) exceeds the amount defined in Article 1 of the Interest Rate Restriction Act (Act No. 100 of 1954).

(2)The term "Payment Regarded as Interest" prescribed in the preceding paragraph means a reward, discount, fee, investigation fee, or any money irrespective of the name given to it, excluding the principal received by the creditor in relation to money lending (excluding costs for concluding contracts or for performance of obligations which are listed in the following items), and also excluding reissuance fees for cards issued to the obligors for the purpose of borrowing of money or the performance therefor and any other costs specified by a Cabinet Order as those related to any service rendered by the creditor at the obligor's request:

(3)A Money Lender must not conclude a contract for interest prescribed in the paragraphs of Article 9 of the Interest Rate Restriction Act wherein the amount of interest exceeds the amount defined in those paragraphs (if the contract for interest falls under that set forth in paragraph (1) of that Article, the increased interest provided in that paragraph; the same is to apply in the second sentence of the following paragraph).

(4)A Money Lender must not receive or request payment of interest which exceeds the amount specified in Article 1 of the Interest Rate Restriction Act. The same applies to the portion of the amount of interest pertaining to the contract for interest as set forth in paragraphs of Article 9 of that Act which exceeds the amounts set forth in those respective paragraphs.

(5)A Money Lender, when concluding a loan contract, must not require the counterparty or the person who intends to be the counterparty to the loan contract to conclude a contract for Security Measures for Performance of Obligations (meaning guarantees, insurance, and other measures specified by a Cabinet Office Order as being similar thereto which are arranged for the purpose of securing performance of obligations under the contract; hereinafter the same does not apply in this paragraph) (limited to contracts covering a portion of the amount which is to be invalid under Article 8 of the Interest Rate Restriction Act, given that the relevant provisions are applied by deeming that the amount of money paid as consideration for the Security Measures for Performance of Obligations is a guarantee charge provided for in that Article) with a person who is engaged in the business of Security Measures for Performance of Obligations on a regular basis, as a condition for concluding the relevant loan contract.

(6)When concluding a guarantee contract with a person who provides guarantees on a regular basis (hereinafter referred to as the "Guarantee Business Operator") in relation to a loan contract, a Money Lender is to confirm the matters listed in the following items by making inquiries to the relevant Guarantee Business Operator or by using other methods, in advance of the conclusion of the relevant guarantee contract:

(7)Pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Office Order, a Money Lender is to prepare and preserve a record of the matters confirmed under the preceding paragraph.

(8)When concluding a loan contract, a Money Lender is not to require the counterparty or the person who intends to be the counterparty to the relevant loan contract to conclude a contract for guarantee charges (limited to those which fall under the contract for guarantee charges as specified by a Cabinet Office Order wherein the amount of guarantee charges or the proportion of guarantee charges to the principal of the principal obligation is not fixed at the time of conclusion of the relevant contract) with a Guarantee Business Operator, as a condition for concluding the relevant loan contract.

(9)When concluding a Contract for a Revolving Guarantee (meaning a guarantee contract the principal obligation of which is the obligation of one or more unidentified loans within a certain scope; hereinafter the same must apply in this paragraph) with a Guarantee Business Operator, conclude a Contract for a Revolving Guarantee if the contract falls under one that provides a maximum amount or a guarantee period which is found to be inappropriate in light of the amount of the principal obligation or the period of the loan contract pertaining to the principal obligation as specified by a Cabinet Office Order.

(10)A Money Lender who has acted as an intermediary for lending money must not, when the Money Lender has received fees for acting as the intermediary from the obligor of the loan contract concluded through the relevant intermediary, and when the relevant loan contract has been renewed (including juridical acts which are found not to be accompanied by any additional services for an intermediary as provided by a Cabinet Office Order), receive additional fees for that renewal or request that the obligor provide that payment.

(11)A reward, investigation fee, or other money irrespective of the name given to it received by a Money Lender in relation to acting as an intermediary for lending money is deemed as fees and the provisions of the preceding paragraph apply.

Article 12-9When a Money Lender finds it necessary for protecting the interests of Persons Seeking Funds, etc., the Money Lender must strive to introduce associations that are found to be capable of providing the Persons Seeking Funds, etc. with consultation, advice, or any other support concerning their borrowings or repayments in a proper and reliable manner.

Article 13(1)In concluding a Contract for a Loan, a Money Lender must investigate matters concerning the repayment capacity of the Customer, etc., such as income or profits or other financial resources, credit, the status of borrowings, repayment plans, and any other matters.

(2)When a Money Lender intends to conclude a Contract for a Loan (excluding contract for a Revolving Credit Loan and any other Contract for a Loan as specified by a Cabinet Office Order) with a Customer, etc. who is an individual, the Money Lender must make use of the Credit Information held by a Designated Credit Bureau in carrying out an investigation under the preceding paragraph.

(3)In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph and in the cases where any of the following items apply, a Money Lender, when conducting an investigation under the provisions of paragraph (1), must have the Individual Customer submit or provide Withholding Records (meaning withholding records as provided in Article 226, paragraph (1) of the Income Tax Act (Act No. 33 of 1965); hereinafter the same applies in this paragraph and Article 13-3, paragraph (3)) or other documents or electronic or magnetic records containing or in which are recorded, the matters that disclose the income or profits or other financial resources of an individual customer who is a person seeking funds (hereinafter referred to as an "Individual Customer" in this Section) as specified by a Cabinet Office Order and that have been submitted or provided by the Individual Customer; provided, however, that this is not to apply if the Money Lender has already received the Individual Customer's Withholding Records or other documents or electronic or magnetic records containing or in which are recorded the matters that disclose the income or profits or other financial resources of the Individual Customer as specified by a Cabinet Office Order:

(4)When a Money Lender has concluded a Contract for a Loan with a Customer, etc., pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Office Order, the Money Lender must prepare and preserve a record on the investigation conducted under paragraph (1).

(5)The provisions of the preceding paragraphs apply mutatis mutandis to an increase in the maximum amount under the Basic Contract for a Revolving Credit Loan (if the Money Lender has made available to the Individual Customer an amount smaller than the maximum amount as an upper limit on the outstanding balance of the principal of the Revolving Credit Loan under the Basic Contract for the Revolving Credit Loan, the smaller amount) (excluding cases specified by a Cabinet Office Order as those for which it is found not to hinder the protection of interests of the counterparty to the Basic Contract for a Revolving Credit Loan).In this case, any necessary technical replacement of terms are to be specified by a Cabinet Order.

Article 13-2(1)In the case where a Money Lender intends to conclude a Contract for a Loan, when the Money Lender then find that the Contract for the Loan is an Excessive Loan Contract for an Individual Customer or another Contract for a Loan that exceeds the repayment capacity of a Customer, etc. as a result of an investigation carried out under paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, the Money Lender must not conclude a Contract for the relevant Loan.

(2)An "Excessive Loan Contract for an Individual Customer" as provided in the preceding paragraph means a loan contract concluded with an Individual Customer (excluding Home Loan Contracts and other contracts specified by a Cabinet Office Order (hereinafter collectively referred to as "Home Loan Contracts, etc.") and contracts for Revolving Credit Loans), under which the Total Borrowings of an Individual Customer pertaining to the relevant Individual Customer (excluding the outstanding balance pertaining to a Home Loan Contract, etc.) exceed the Base Amount (meaning the amount obtained by dividing the total amount of the relevant Individual Customer's annual salary and other regular income similar thereto as specified by a Cabinet Office Order by three; the same applies in paragraph (5) of the following Article) (excluding contracts specified by a Cabinet Office Order as those that will not hinder the protection of the Individual Customer's interests).

Article 13-3(1)When a Money Lender has concluded a Basic Contract for a Revolving Credit Loan with an Individual Customer and if the Basic Contract for the Revolving Credit Loan falls under the requirements provided by a Cabinet Office Order, taking into consideration the period, amount, and other conditions of the Revolving Credit Loan made under the Basic Contract for the Revolving Credit Loan, it must use the Credit Information on the Individual Customer held by a Designated Credit Bureau and investigate whether the Basic Contract for the Revolving Credit Loan falls under a Basic Contract for a Revolving Credit Loan Exceeding the Base Amount, pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Office Order.

(2)Beyond what is provided for in the preceding paragraph, when a Money Lender has concluded a Basic Contract for a Revolving Credit Loan with an Individual Customer, it must use the Credit Information on the Individual Customer held by a Designated Credit Bureau and investigate whether the Basic Contract for the Revolving Credit Loan falls under a Basic Contract for a Revolving Credit Loan Exceeding the Base Amount for each period specified by a Cabinet Office Order; provided, however, that, this is not to apply to cases where the outstanding balance of the Revolving Credit Loan pertaining to the Basic Contract for the Revolving Credit Loan is low or other cases specified by a Cabinet Office Order.

(3)If a Money Lender must carry out an investigation under the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs and when the Total Borrowings of an Individual Customer under a Revolving Credit Loan prescribed in paragraph (5) pertaining to the Individual Customer exceed one million yen, a Money Lender is to have the Individual Customer submit or provide a Withholding Record or other documents or electronic or magnetic records containing or in which are recorded matters that disclose the income or profits or other financial resources of the Individual Customer as specified by a Cabinet Office Order in carrying out the investigation; provided, however, that, this does not apply to cases where the Money Lender has already received a Withholding Record or other documents or electronic or magnetic records containing or in which are recorded matters that disclose the income or profits or other financial resources of the Individual Customer as specified by a Cabinet Office Order that have been submitted or provided by the Individual Customer.

(4)Pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Office Order, a Money Lender must prepare and preserve a record on investigations carried out under the provisions of paragraph (1) and paragraph (2).

(5)The "Basic Contract for a Revolving Credit Loan Exceeding the Base Amount" as provided in paragraph (1) and paragraph (2) means a Basic Contract for a Revolving Credit Loan concluded with an Individual Customer, by which the Total Borrowings of an Individual Customer under a Revolving Credit Loan pertaining to the relevant Individual Customer (meaning the total of the amounts listed in the following items) exceed the Base Amount for the Individual Customer (excluding a Basic Contract for a Revolving Credit Loan specified by a Cabinet Office Order as that which will not hinder the protection of the Individual Customer's interest):

Article 13-4When having concluded a Basic Contract for a Revolving Credit Loan with an Individual Customer and having found the relevant Basic Contract for the Revolving Credit Loan to fall under the category of a Basic Contract for a Revolving Credit Loan Exceeding the Base Amount as set forth in paragraph (5) of the preceding Article as a result of the investigation carried out under the provisions of paragraph (1) or paragraph (2) of that Article, a Money Lender must reduce the maximum amount founded in the provisions of the Basic Contract for the Revolving Credit Loan or take any other measures to reduce new Revolving Credit Loans under the Basic Contract for the Revolving Credit Loan as specified by a Cabinet Office Order.

Article 14Pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Office Order, a Money Lender must post the following matters in a place accessible to the customer at each of its business offices or other offices:

Article 15(1)When advertising the conditions of its Loans, or when indicating or explaining the conditions of its Loans in solicitation to conclude a Contract for a Loan, a Money Lender must indicate or explain the following matters pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Office Order:

(2)When advertising under the preceding paragraph or soliciting by sending documents or electronic or magnetic records in lieu of the documents (limited to solicitation specified by a Cabinet Office Order as being equivalent to advertising), a Money Lender must not indicate or have recorded telephone numbers or other points of contact, etc. as defined by a Cabinet Office Order other than those listed in Article 4, paragraph (1), item (vii) and registered in the Money Lenders' registry.

Article 16(1)A Money Lender must not make an indication or explanation of a Loan Interest Rate or any other conditions of a Loan that is significantly contradictory to facts or which is likely to mislead people to understand the conditions to be more favorable than they actually are in advertising or soliciting with regard to its money lending operations.

(2)Beyond what is provided for in the preceding paragraph, a Money Lender must not make the following indications or explanations in advertising or soliciting with regard to its money lending operations:

(3)A Money Lender must conduct its money lending operations while refraining from solicitation that is found to be inappropriate in light of the knowledge, experience, and status of property of the Person Seeking Funds, etc. and in light of a purpose for concluding a Contract for a Loan which clearly would or is likely to result in insufficient protection of the interests of Persons Seeking Funds, etc.

(4)When a Money Lender has conducted solicitation for concluding a Contract for a Loan, and if the solicited Person Seeking Funds, etc. has indicated their intention not to conclude a Contract for the relevant Loan (including cases where the Person Seeking Funds, etc. has indicated to the effect that they do not wish for the solicitation to continue), not continue the solicitation.

(5)In advertising or soliciting with regard to its money lending operations, a Money Lender must give due consideration so as to prevent the Person Seeking Funds, etc. from borrowing under a Loan that exceeds their repayment capacity, and must strive to ensure that the advertisement or solicitation does not become excessive.

Article 16-2(1), In concluding a loan contract (excluding Basic Contracts for Revolving Credit Loans and contracts for Revolving Credit Loans), a Money Lender must deliver documents that disclose the following particulars and explain the details of the relevant contract to the person who intends to be the counterparty thereto by the time of conclusion thereof, pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Office Order:

(2)In concluding a Basic Contract for a Revolving Credit Loan, a Money Lender must deliver documents that disclose the following matters and explain the details of the Basic Contract for the Revolving Credit Loan to the person who intends to be the counterparty thereto by the time of conclusion thereof, pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Office Order:

(3)When concluding a guarantee contract in relation to a Contract for a Loan, a Money Lender must deliver documents that disclose the following matters (in cases of a guarantee contract the principal obligation of which is the obligation of one or more unidentified loans within a certain scope, excluding the matters set forth in item (iii)) and that explain the details of the relevant guarantee contract to the person who intends to be the guarantor under the relevant guarantee contract by the time of conclusion thereof, pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Office Order:

(4)In lieu of delivering the documents prescribed in the preceding three paragraphs and pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Order, a Money Lender may provide the matters required to be disclosed under those paragraphs by way of electronic or magnetic means, with the consent of the person who intends to be the counterparty to the Contract for the Loan as provided in paragraph (1) or paragraph (2), or with the consent of the person who intends to be the guarantor set forth in the preceding paragraph.In this case, the Money Lender is deemed to have delivered the documents.

Article 16-3(1)When a Money Lender intends to conclude an insurance contract under which they are to receive payment of insurance claims upon the death of the counterparty to a loan contract or a person who intends to be the counterparty thereto, and when they wish to obtain the consent under Article 38 or Article 67, paragraph (1) of the Insurance Act (Act No. 56 of 2008) from the counterparty or person, a Money Lender must deliver a document containing the following matters to the person in advance, pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Office Order:

(2)A Money Lender may, in lieu of delivering the documents under the preceding paragraph and pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Order, provide the matters set forth in the items of that paragraph by way of electronic or magnetic means, with the consent of the counterparty or the person who intends to be the counterparty to the Contract for the Loan.In this case, the Money Lender is deemed to have delivered the documents.

Article 17(1)When a Money Lender has concluded a loan contract (excluding Basic Contracts for Revolving Credit Loans; the same applies in paragraph (4)), pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Office Order, the Money Lender must deliver a document that discloses the details of the contract and that states the following matters to the counterparty thereto without delay. The same applies when the Money Lender has changed any description stated therein with regard to important matters as provided by a Cabinet Office Order:

(2)When a Money Lender has concluded a Basic Contract for a Revolving Credit Loan, pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Office Order, the Money Lender must deliver documents disclosing the details of the relevant Basic Contract for the Revolving Credit Loan and must state the following matters to the counterparty thereto without delay. The same applies to cases where a Money Lender has changed any description stated therein with regard to important matters as provided by a Cabinet Office Order (excluding cases specified by a Cabinet Office Order as being unlikely to hinder the protection of the counterparty's interests):

(3)When a Money Lender has concluded a guarantee contract for a loan contract, the Money Lender, pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Office Order, must deliver a document containing the matters set forth in the items of Article 16-2, paragraph (3) which discloses the details of the relevant guarantee contract (in cases of a guarantee contract the principal obligation of which is the obligation of one or more unidentified loans within a certain scope, the matters listed in item (iii) of that paragraph are to be excluded) and other matters specified by a Cabinet Office Order to the guarantor of the relevant guarantee contract without delay. The same applies when the Money Lender has changed any description of an important matter as provided by a Cabinet Office Order stated in the relevant document.

(4)When a Money Lender has concluded a guarantee contract for a loan contract or has concluded a loan contract pertaining to a guarantee contract, the Money Lender, pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Office Order, must deliver documents containing the matters listed in the items of paragraph (1) which disclose the details of the relevant loan contract to the guarantor under the guarantee contract without delay. The same applies to cases where the Money Lender has changed any descriptions stated therein with regard to important matters as provided by a Cabinet Office Order.

(5)When a Money Lender has concluded a contract for a Revolving Guarantee, the Money Lender, pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Office Order, must deliver documents containing the matters set forth in the items of paragraph (2) which disclose the details of the Basic Contract for the Revolving Credit Loan pertaining to the contract for the relevant Revolving Guarantee to the guarantor thereunder without delay. The same applies to cases where the Money Lender has changed any descriptions stated therein with regard to important matters as specified by a Cabinet Office Order (excluding cases specified by a Cabinet Office Order as being unlikely to hinder the protection of interests of the relevant guarantor).

(6)When a Money Lender has concluded a contract for a Revolving Credit Loan and where they intend to deliver a document containing the status of the Loan, performance, or other transactions made within a certain period as provided by a Cabinet Office Order to the counterparty to the relevant contract for the Revolving Credit Loan or to the guarantor of the Contract for the Revolving Guarantee pertaining to the Basic Contract for the Revolving Credit Loan which forms the basis for the relevant contract for the Revolving Credit Loan with the consent of the person pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Office Order, the Money Lender may deliver to the person documents containing the following matters in lieu of delivering the documents under the first sentence of paragraph (1) or the first sentence of paragraph (4).In this case, the Money Lender is deemed to have conducted the delivery of documents under the first sentence of paragraph (1) or the first sentence of paragraph (4):

(7)A Money Lender may, in lieu of delivering documents under the provisions of paragraph (1) through paragraph (5), delivering documents specified by a Cabinet Office Order under the preceding paragraph, or delivering documents in lieu of delivering them under the first sentence of paragraph (1) or the first sentence of paragraph (4) as provided in the preceding paragraph, pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Order, provide the matters specified in the preceding paragraphs or the matters to be stated in the documents as specified by a Cabinet Office Order under the preceding paragraph by way of electronic or magnetic means, with the consent of the counterparty to the relevant loan contract or guarantee contract.In this case, the Money Lender is deemed to have delivered these documents.

Article 18(1)Upon receiving performance of all or part of their claim under a Contract for a Loan, a Money Lender must deliver to the person who has made performance, a document containing the following matters immediately after each instance in which they have received performance, pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Office Order:

(2)The preceding paragraph applies to cases where performance is made by means of payment into a deposit or savings account or by other methods specified by a Cabinet Office Order, only when requested by the person who has made performance.

(3)A Money Lender may, upon receiving performance of all or part of their claim under a contract for a Revolving Credit Loan or under a Contract for a Revolving Guarantee concluded pertaining to the Basic Contract for a Revolving Credit Loan under which the relevant contract for the Revolving Credit Loan was concluded, deliver a document containing the following matters in lieu of the document required under paragraph (1), if the Money Lender delivers to the person who has made performance a document specified by a Cabinet Office Order as one that contains the details of the Loan provided and performance made in a specified period of time and other matters pertaining to transactions with the consent of the person and pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Office Order.In this case, the Money Lender is deemed to have delivered the document required under the paragraph (1):

(4)A Money Lender may provide the matters specified in paragraph (1) or the preceding paragraph or the matters to be contained in the document specified by a Cabinet Office Order referred to in the preceding paragraph by electronic or magnetic means, in lieu of delivery of the document required by paragraph (1), the document specified by a Cabinet Office Order referred to in the preceding paragraph, or the document to be delivered in lieu of the document required by paragraph (1) under the preceding paragraph, with the consent of the person who has made performance under paragraph (1) or the preceding paragraph and pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Order.In this case, the Money Lender is deemed to have delivered these documents.

Article 19A Money Lender, pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Office Order, must prepare and preserve books on its business for each business office or other office, containing information on the Contracts for the Loans with each obligor such as the date of the contract, the amount of the Loan, the amount received, and other matters specified by a Cabinet Office Order.

Article 19-2An Obligor, etc. or a person who formerly was an Obligor, etc. and any other person specified by a Cabinet Office Order may make a request of the Money Lender for the inspection or copying of the books provided in the preceding Article (limited to the part regarding which the relevant persons have interests), pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Office Order.In this case, the Money Lender must not refuse such a request unless it is clear that the purpose thereof is not to investigate matters concerning the exercise of rights of the person who has made that request.

Article 20(1)Persons who engage in the Money Lending Business must not obtain from the Obligor, etc. documents proving that the Obligor, etc. has delegated to an agent the authority to commission a notary to prepare Specified Notarized Deeds with regard to a Contract for a Loan (meaning notarized deeds containing statements to the effect that in case of the Obligor's default under the Contract for the Loan, they immediately are subject to compulsory execution; hereinafter the same applies in this Article).

(2)Persons who engage in the Money Lending Business, when the Obligor, etc. delegates to an agent the authority to commission a notary to prepare a Specified Notarized Deed for a Contract for a Loan, must refrain from any involvement in appointment of the relevant agent, such as recommendations on the selection thereof or any act similar thereto.

(3)When commissioning a notary to prepare a Specified Notarized Deed for the Contract for a Loan, a Money Lender must deliver and explain documents containing the following matters to the Person Seeking Funds, etc. who is to be the Obligor, etc. in advance (if the Money Lender concludes a contract promising to commission a notary to prepare Specified Notarized Deeds with the Person Seeking Funds, etc. concerned with the Contract for a Loan, by the time of concluding the contract), pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Office Order:

Article 20-2A person who engages in the Money Lending Business must not conduct the following acts for the purpose of receiving performance of claims under a Contract for a Loan from the funds in a deposit or savings account of the Obligor, etc., relatives of the Obligor, etc., or any other person who is the beneficiary of Public Benefits (meaning benefits which, pursuant to the provisions of laws and regulations, the State or local public entities bear or subsidize all or part of the costs necessary for paying or necessary for the affairs related to the service of Public Benefits (excluding salaries and other payments which have the nature of a consideration) and which may not be transferred, used as securities, or attached pursuant to the provisions of laws and regulations; the same applies hereinafter) (hereinafter the persons are to collectively be referred to as "Specified Beneficiaries" in this Article) when that Public Benefits are paid into that account:

Article 21(1)Persons who engage in the Money Lending Business or persons who have been entrusted by a person who engages in the Money Lending Business or by any other person with the collection of claims under the Contract for a Loan pertaining to the persons engaging in the Money Lending Business, in collecting claims under the Contract for the Loan, intimidate persons, must not act in any of the following ways, or act in any way which may harm the tranquility of a person's personal life or business operations:

(2)Persons who engage in the Money Lending Business or persons who have been entrusted by persons who engage in Money Lending Business or by any other person with the collection of claims under the Contract for a Loan of a person engaging in the Money Lending Business, when they intend to send documents or electronic or magnetic records in lieu of the documents to the Obligor, etc. to demand payment therefrom, must have the following matters contained or recorded therein, pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Office Order:

(3)Beyond what is provided in the preceding paragraph, persons who engage in the Money Lending Business or persons who have been entrusted by a person engaging in the Money Lending Business or by any other person with the collection of claims under the Contract for a Loan of a person who engages in Money Lending Business, in collecting claims under the Contract for a Loan and in response to a request from the counterparty to the Contract for a Loan, must disclose the trade name and name of the person who engages in the Money Lending Business, the name of the person conducting the collection of claims, and other matters provided by a Cabinet Office Order to the counterparty by methods specified by a Cabinet Office Order.

Article 22If a Money Lender has received full performance of claims under the Contract for a Loan and holds deeds to the claims, the Money Lender must return them without delay to the person who has made the performance.

Article 23A Money Lender must post a sign in the format specified by a Cabinet Office Order in a place accessible to the public at each of its business offices or other offices.

Article 24(1)A Money Lender in assigning the claims under the loan contract to any other person, must notify the person that the relevant claims have accrued under the Money Lender's loan contract, other matters specified by a Cabinet Office Order, and to the effect that the provisions of Article 12-7, Article 16-2, paragraph (3) and paragraph (4), Article 16-3, Article 17 (excluding paragraph (6)), Article 18 through Article 22, Article 24-6-10, and this paragraph apply (excluding, with regard to claims contained in mortgage securities as prescribed in Article 1, paragraph (1) of the Mortgage Securities Act (Act No. 15 of 1931), the provisions of Article 16-2, paragraph (3) and paragraph (4) and Article 17 (excluding paragraph (6)), and including the penal provisions pertaining thereto) to acts conducted by the relevant persons in relation to the claims under the Contract for a Loan pertaining to the relevant claims, by a method specified by a Cabinet Office Order.

(2)When a claim under a Money Lender's loan contract has been assigned, the provisions of Article 12-7, Article 16-2, paragraph (3) and paragraph (4), Article 16-3, Article 17 (excluding paragraph (6)), Article 18 through Article 22, Article 24-6-10, and the preceding paragraph (excluding, with regard to claims contained in mortgage securities as prescribed in Article 1, paragraph (1) of the Mortgage Securities Act, Article 16-2, paragraph (3) and paragraph (4) and Article 17 (excluding paragraph (6))) apply mutatis mutandis to an assignee of the claim.In this case, the term "the Prime Minister or prefectural governor" in Article 24-6-10, paragraph (1) through paragraph (4) is deemed to be replaced with "the prefectural governor," the term "a Money Lender registered thereby" in paragraph (1) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "an assignee of claims under the Money Lender's loan contract who has a business office or other office within the relevant prefectural area (if the person has no business office or other office, their domicile or residence; hereinafter the same applies in this Article)," the term "Money Lender's loan contract registered by the Prime Minister or prefectural governor" in paragraph (2) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "the claims of an assignee of claims under the Money Lender's loan contract (limited to persons who have business offices or other offices within the relevant prefectural area)," the term "a Money Lender registered by the Prime Minister or prefectural governor" in paragraph (3) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "an assignee of claims under the Money Lender's loan contract (limited to those who have business offices or other offices within the relevant prefectural area)," the term "the loan contract of a Money Lender registered by the Prime Minister or prefectural governor" in paragraph (4) is deemed to be replaced with "the claims of an assignee of claims under the Money Lender's loan contract (limited to those who have business offices or other offices within the relevant prefectural area)," and any other necessary technical replacement of terms are to be specified by Cabinet Order.

(3)Where a Money Lender intends to assign claims under a loan contract or entrust the collection thereof (hereinafter collectively referred to as "Assignment, etc. of Claims") and comes to know or is capable of knowing that the other party to the assignment or entrustment falls under the category of a person listed in any of the following items (hereinafter referred to as a "Person Restricted from Collecting Claims" in this paragraph), or comes to know or is capable of knowing that a Person Restricted from Collecting Claims will accept the Assignment, etc. of Claims after the first Assignment, etc. of Claims, the Money Lender must not make Assignment, etc. of the Claims:

(4)When a Money Lender has made an Assignment, etc. of the Claims under the Contract for a Loan to a person with whom they have a close relationship as provided by a Cabinet Order, a Money Lender must exercise due diligence to prevent the other party from violating the provisions of Article 21, paragraph (1) (including the cases where it is applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph (2)) or from committing a crime prescribed in the Penal Code or the Act on Punishment of Violence and Other Acts in the course of collecting claims.

Article 24-2(1)A Money Lender, in concluding a guarantee contract in relation to a loan contract with a Guarantee Business Operator, notify the relevant Guarantee Business Operator to the effect that the provisions of Article 12-7, Article 16-2, paragraph (3) and paragraph (4), Article 16-3, Article 17 (excluding paragraph (6)), Article 18 through Article 22, Article 24-4, paragraph (1) and Article 24-6-10, paragraph (excluding, with regard to claims contained in mortgage securities prescribed in Article 1, paragraph (1) of the Mortgage Securities Act, the provisions of Article 16-2, paragraph (3) and paragraph (4) and Article 17 (excluding paragraph (6)), and including the penal provisions pertaining thereto) apply to the acts conducted by the Guarantee Business Operator in relation to the guarantee contract, by a method specified by a Cabinet Office Order.

(2)Article 12-7, Article 16-2, paragraph (3) and paragraph (4), Article 16-3, Article 17 (excluding paragraph (6)), Article 18 through Article 22, Article 24-6-10, paragraph (excluding, with regard to claims contained in mortgage securities provided in Article 1, paragraph (1) of the Mortgage Securities Act, Article 16-2, paragraph (3) and paragraph (4), and Article 17 (excluding paragraph (6))) apply mutatis mutandis to a Guarantee Business Operator which has acquired a Right to Reimbursement under the guarantee which the Guarantee Business Operator has provided to the Money Lender in relation to the Money Lender's loan contract, Right to Reimbursement pertaining to the performance of obligations under the Money Lender's loan contract, or the guarantee contract therefor, claims related to subrogation by that performance, or guarantee claims related thereto (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Right to Reimbursement Pertaining to a Guarantee, etc.," except in Article 24-6).In this case, the term "the Prime Minister or prefectural governor" in paragraph (1) through paragraph (4) of Article 24-6-10 is deemed to be replaced with "the prefectural governor," the term "a Money Lender registered thereby" in paragraph (1) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "a Guarantee Business Operator who has acquired the Right to Reimbursement, etc. Pertaining to a Guarantee, etc. and who has a business office or other office within the relevant prefectural area (with regard to a person who do not have a business office or other office, their domicile or residence; hereinafter the same applies in this Article)," the term "with respect to the loan contract of a Money Lender registered by the Prime Minister or prefectural governor" in paragraph (2) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "related to the Right to Reimbursement, etc. Pertaining to a Guarantee, etc. which has been acquired by the Guarantee Business Operator (limited to those who have business offices or other offices within the relevant prefectural area)," the term "a Money Lender registered by the Prime Minister or prefectural governor" in paragraph (3) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "a Guarantee Business Operator who has acquired the Right to Reimbursement, etc. Pertaining to a Guarantee, etc. (limited to those who have business offices or other offices within the relevant prefectural area)," the term "with respect to a loan contract made by a Money Lender registered by the Prime Minister or prefectural governor" in paragraph (4) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "related to the Right to Reimbursement, etc. Pertaining to a Guarantee, etc. which has been acquired by the Guarantee Business Operator (limited to those who have business offices or other offices within the relevant prefectural area)," and any other necessary technical replacement of terms are specified by a Cabinet Order.

(3)Where a Money Lender intends to conclude a guarantee contract for a loan contract with a Guarantee Business Operator and comes to know or is capable of knowing that the Guarantee Business Operator falls under any of the following items (hereinafter referred to as a "Person Restricted from Collecting Claims" in this paragraph) or comes to know or is capable of knowing that a Person Restricted from Collecting Claims will accept an Assignment, etc. of Claims related to the Right to Reimbursement, etc. Pertaining to a Guarantee, etc. after the conclusion of the relevant guarantee contract, the Money Lender must not conclude the guarantee contract:

(4)When a Money Lender has concluded a guarantee contract for a loan contract with a Guarantee Business Operator with whom they have a close relationship as provided by a Cabinet Order, a Money Lender must exercise due diligence to prevent the Guarantee Business Operator from violating the provisions of Article 21, paragraph (1) as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph (2) or from committing a crime prescribed in the Penal Code or the Act on Punishment of Violence and Other Acts in the course of conducting collection with regard to the Right to Reimbursement, etc. Pertaining to a Guarantee, etc.

Article 24-3(1)When a Money Lender entrusts to any other person performance of obligations under the Money Lender's Contract for a Loan, except if paragraph (1) of the preceding Article applies, notify that person to the effect that Article 12-7, Article 16-2, paragraph (3) and paragraph (4), Article 16-3, Article 17 (excluding paragraph (6)), Article 18 through Article 22, Article 24-5, paragraph (1), and Article 24-6-10, paragraph (excluding, with regard to claims contained in mortgage securities provided in Article 1, paragraph (1) of the Mortgage Securities Act, the provisions of Article 16-2, paragraph (3) and paragraph (4), and Article 17 (excluding paragraph (6)), and including the penal provisions pertaining thereto) apply to acts conducted by the relevant person in relation to the relevant performance, in a manner specified by a Cabinet Office Order.

(2)Article 12-7, Article 16-2, paragraph (3) and paragraph (4), Article 16-3, Article 17 (excluding paragraph (6)), Article 18 through Article 22, and Article 24-6-10, paragraph (excluding, with regard to claims contained in mortgage securities provided in Article 1, paragraph (1) of the Mortgage Securities Act, the provisions of Article 16-2, paragraph (3) and paragraph (4) and Article 17 (excluding paragraph (6))) apply mutatis mutandis to a person who has made performance of obligations under the Money Lender's Contract for a Loan as entrusted by the Money Lender, where the relevant person has acquired a Right to Reimbursement pertaining to performance of the obligations or claims related to subrogation by performance or guarantee claims related thereto (hereinafter collectively referred to as "Right to Reimbursement, etc. Pertaining to Performance under Entrustment" except in Article 24-6) (excluding a Guarantee Business Operator who has acquired the Right to Reimbursement, etc. Pertaining to a Guarantee, etc. on the Contract for a Loan; hereinafter referred to as a "Person Entrusted With Performance").In this case, the term "the Prime Minister or prefectural governor" in Article 24-6-10, paragraph (1) through paragraph (4) is deemed to be replaced with "the prefectural governor," the term "a Money Lender registered thereby" in paragraph (1) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "a Person Entrusted With Performance who has a business office or other office within the relevant prefectural area (with regard to a person who does not have a business office or other office, his/her domicile or residence; hereinafter the same applies in this Article)," the term "with respect to the loan contract of a Money Lender registered by the Prime Minister or prefectural governor" in paragraph (2) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "with regard to the Right to Reimbursement, etc. Pertaining to Performance under Entrustment held by the Person Entrusted With Performance (limited to those who have business offices or other offices within the relevant prefectural area)," the term "a Money Lender registered by the Prime Minister or prefectural governor" in paragraph (3) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "a Person Entrusted With Performance (limited to those who have business offices or other offices within the relevant prefectural area)," the term "with respect to the loan contract of a Money Lender registered by the Prime Minister or prefectural governor" in paragraph (4) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "with regard to the Right to Reimbursement, etc. Pertaining to Performance under Entrustment held by the Person Entrusted With Performance (limited to those who have business offices or other offices within the relevant prefectural area)," and any other necessary technical replacement of terms are to be specified by a Cabinet Order.

(3)Where a Money Lender intends to entrust to any other person the performance of obligations under the Contract for a Loan and comes to know or is capable of knowing that the other party falls under any of the following items (hereinafter referred to as a "Person Restricted from Collecting Claims" in this paragraph) or they come to know or is capable of knowing that a Person Restricted from Collecting Claims will accept the Assignment, etc. of Claims with regard to the Right to Reimbursement, etc. Pertaining to Performance under Entrustment after the relevant performance, the Money Lender must not entrust the relevant performance:

(4)When a Money Lender has entrusted the performance of obligations under the Contract for a Loan to a person with whom they have a close relationship as provided by a Cabinet Order, a Money Lender must exercise due diligence to prevent the Person Entrusted With Performance from violating the provisions of Article 21, paragraph (1) as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph (2) or from committing a crime prescribed in the provisions of Penal Code or the Act on Punishment of Violence and Other Acts in the course of conducting collection with regard to the Right to Reimbursement, etc. Pertaining to Performance under Entrustment.

Article 24-4(1)A Guarantee Business Operator, in assigning to others the Right to Reimbursement, etc. Pertaining to a Guarantee, etc., must notify that other person that the Right to Reimbursement Pertaining to the Guarantee, etc. has accrued from the guarantee pertaining to the Money Lender's Contract for a Loan, other matters prescribed by a Cabinet Office Order, and to the effect that the provisions of Article 12-7, Article 16-2, paragraph (3) and paragraph (4), Article 16-3, Article 17 (excluding paragraph (6)), Article 18 through Article 22, Article 24-6-10, and this paragraph (with regard to claims contained in mortgage securities as provided in Article 1, paragraph (1) of the Mortgage Securities Act, Article 16-2, paragraph (3) and paragraph (4), and Article 17 (excluding paragraph (6)) are excluded, and the penal provisions pertaining thereto are included) apply to acts conducted by the relevant person in relation to the Right to Reimbursement, etc. Pertaining to the Guarantee, etc., by a method specified by a Cabinet Office Order.

(2)The provisions of Article 12-7, Article 16-2, paragraph (3) and paragraph (4), Article 16-3, Article 17 (excluding paragraph (6)), Article 18 through Article 22, Article 24-6-10 and the preceding paragraph (excluding, with regard to claims contained in mortgage securities provided in Article 1, paragraph (1) of the Mortgage Securities Act, Article 16-2, paragraph (3) and paragraph (4) and Article 17 (excluding paragraph (6))) apply mutatis mutandis to an assignee of the Right to Reimbursement, etc. Pertaining to Guarantee, etc. in the case of assignment thereof.In this case, the term "the Prime Minister or prefectural governor" in paragraph (1) through paragraph (4) of Article 24-6-10 is deemed to be replaced with "the prefectural governor," the term "a Money Lender registered thereby" in paragraph (1) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "an assignee of the Right to Reimbursement Pertaining to a Guarantee, etc. who has a business office or other office within the relevant prefectural area (with regard to a person who does not have a business office or other office, their domicile or residence; hereinafter the same applies in this Article)," the term "with respect to the loan contract of a Money Lender registered by the Prime Minister or prefectural governor" in paragraph (2) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "with regard to the Right to Reimbursement, etc. Pertaining to a Guarantee, etc. held by an assignee of the Right to Reimbursement, etc. Pertaining to the Guarantee, etc. (limited to those who have business offices or other offices within the relevant prefectural area)," the term "a Money Lender registered by the Prime Minister or prefectural governor" in paragraph (3) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "an assignee of the Right to Reimbursement, etc. Pertaining to a Guarantee, etc. (limited to those who have business offices or other offices within the relevant prefectural area)," the term "with respect to the loan contract of a Money Lender registered by the Prime Minister or prefectural governor" in paragraph (4) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "with regard to the Right to Reimbursement, etc. Pertaining to a Guarantee, etc. held by an assignee of the Right to Reimbursement, etc. Pertaining to the Guarantee, etc. (limited to those who have business offices or other offices within the relevant prefectural area)" and any other necessary technical replacement of terms are specified by a Cabinet Order.

Article 24-5(1)A Person Entrusted With Performance, in assigning to any other person the Right to Reimbursement, etc. Pertaining to Performance under Entrustment, must notify that other person that the Right to Reimbursement, etc. Pertaining to Performance under Entrustment has accrued from the performance of obligations under the Money Lender's Contract for a Loan, other matters provided by a Cabinet Office Order, and to the effect that Article 12-7, Article 16-2, paragraph (3) and paragraph (4), Article 16-3, Article 17 (excluding paragraph (6)), Article 18 through Article 22, Article 24-6-10, and this paragraph (with regard to claims contained in mortgage securities provided in Article 1, paragraph (1) of the Mortgage Securities Act, Article 16-2, paragraph (3) and paragraph (4), and Article 17 (excluding paragraph (6))are excluded and the penal provisions pertaining thereto are included) apply to acts conducted by the relevant person in relation to the Right to Reimbursement Pertaining to Performance under Entrustment, by a method specified by a Cabinet Office Order.

(2)Article 12-7, Article 16-2, paragraph (3) and paragraph (4), Article 16-3, Article 17 (excluding paragraph (6)), Article 18 through Article 22, Article 24-6-10, and the preceding paragraph (excluding, with regard to claims contained in mortgage securities provided in Article 1, paragraph (1) of the Mortgage Securities Act, Article 16-2, paragraph (3) and paragraph (4), and Article 17 (excluding paragraph (6))) apply mutatis mutandis to an assignee of the Right to Reimbursement, etc. Pertaining to Performance under Entrustment in the case of assignment thereof.In this case, the term "the Prime Minister or prefectural governor" in paragraph (1) through paragraph (4) of Article 24-6-10 is deemed to be replaced with "the prefectural governor," the term "a Money Lender registered thereby" in paragraph (1) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "an assignee of the Right to Reimbursement Pertaining to Performance under Entrustment who has a business office or other office within the relevant prefectural area (with regard to a person who do not have a business office or other office, his/her domicile or residence; hereinafter the same applies in this Article)," the term "with respect to the loan contract of a Money Lender registered by the Prime Minister or prefectural governor" in paragraph (2) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "with regard to the Right to Reimbursement Pertaining to Performance under Entrustment held by an assignee thereof (limited to those who have business offices or other offices within the relevant prefectural area)," the term "a Money Lender registered by the Prime Minister or prefectural governor" in paragraph (3) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "an assignee of the Right to Reimbursement Pertaining to Performance under Entrustment (limited to those who have business offices or other offices within the relevant prefectural area)," the term "with respect to the loan contract of a Money Lender registered by the Prime Minister or prefectural governor" in paragraph (4) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "with regard to the Right to Reimbursement Pertaining to Performance under Entrustment held by an assignee thereof (limited to those who have business offices or other offices within the relevant prefectural area)," and any other necessary technical replacement of terms are specified by a Cabinet Order.

Article 24-6Article 24, paragraph (1) applies mutatis mutandis to cases where a person who engages in the Money Lending Business (excluding Money Lenders; hereinafter the same applies in this Article) assigns to any other person the claims under a loan contract; Article 20, paragraph (1) and paragraph (2), Article 20-2, Article 21, and Article 24, paragraph (1) apply mutatis mutandis to an assignee of the claims under the loan contract of a person who engages in the Money Lending Business in the case of assignment thereof; Article 24-2, paragraph (1) applies mutatis mutandis to cases where a person who engages in the Money Lending Business concludes a guarantee contract in relation to a loan contract with a Guarantee Business Operator; Article 20, paragraph (1) and paragraph (2), Article 20-2, and Article 21 apply mutatis mutandis to a Guarantee Business Operator who has acquired the Right to Reimbursement under a guarantee which the Guarantee Business Operator has provided to the person who engages in the Money Lending Business in relation to that person's loan contract, the Right to Reimbursement pertaining to the performance of obligations under the loan contract of the person who engages in the Money Lending Business or the guarantee contract therefor, claims related to the subrogation by that performance, or guarantee claims related thereto (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Right to Reimbursement Pertaining to a Guarantee, etc." in this Article); Article 24-3, paragraph (1) applies mutatis mutandis to cases where a person who engages in the Money Lending Business entrusts to any other person the performance of obligations under the Contract for a Loan; Article 20, paragraph (1) and (2), Article 20-2, and Article 21 apply mutatis mutandis to a person who, based on entrustment from a person who engaged in the Money Lending Business, has made performance of the obligations under the Contract for a Loan of the relevant person who engages in the Money Lending Business and who has acquired the Right to Reimbursement pertaining to the performance of obligations or claims related to the subrogation by that performance, or guarantee claims related thereto (hereinafter referred to as the "Right to Reimbursement Pertaining to Performance under Entrustment" in this Article) (excluding the cases where a Guarantee Business Operator has acquired the Right to Reimbursement Pertaining to the Guarantee, etc. in relation to the Contract for a Loan); Article 24-4, paragraph (1) applies mutatis mutandis to cases where a Guarantee Business Operator assigns to any other person the Right to Reimbursement Pertaining to a Guarantee, etc.; Article 20, paragraph (1) and paragraph (2), Article 20-2, Article 21, and Article 24-4, paragraph (1) apply mutatis mutandis to an assignee of a Right to Reimbursement pertaining to a guarantee contract in the case of assignment of the Right to Reimbursement Pertaining to the Guarantee, etc.; paragraph (1) of the preceding Article applies mutatis mutandis to cases where a person who, based on entrustment from a person who engages in the Money Lending Business, has made performance of the obligations under the loan contract of the person who engages in the Money Lending Business, assigns to any other person the Right to Reimbursement, etc. Pertaining to Performance under Entrustment (excluding the Right to Reimbursement, etc. Pertaining to a Guarantee, etc. under the Contract for a Loan acquired by the Guarantee Business Operator); and Article 20, paragraph (1) and paragraph (2), Article 20-2, Article 21, and paragraph (1) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to the assignee of the Right to Reimbursement Pertaining to Performance under Entrustment in the case of assignment thereof.In this case, necessary technical replacement of terms are specified by a Cabinet Order.

Article 24-6-2In any of the cases listed in the following items, as provided by a Cabinet Office Order, a Money Lender must notify the Prime Minister or prefectural governor who registered the Money Lender to that effect:

Article 24-6-3(1)When the Prime Minister or prefectural governor finds, with regard to the management of business operations of a Money Lender registered thereby, that it is necessary for protecting the interests of Persons Seeking Funds, etc., within the extent necessary, they may order the Money Lender to change their operational methods or to take any other necessary measures for improving the management of the operations.

(2)In cases when a Money Lender registered by the Prime Minister has violated (limited to cases where the Persons Seeking Funds, etc. pertaining to the violation include individuals (except when they engage in business; the same applies in the following paragraph, Article 24-6-11, paragraph (2), and Article 44, paragraph (3))) the provisions of Article 12-3, paragraph (4), Articles 12-6 through 12-8, or Articles 13 through 22 (including the provisions of orders based on these provisions; the same applies in the following paragraph and paragraph (3) of the following Article), if the Prime Minister intends to issue an order in accordance with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, they must consult with the Secretary-General of the Consumer Affairs Agency in advance.

(3)When the Secretary-General of the Consumer Affairs Agency finds it necessary in order to protect the interests of Persons Seeking Funds, etc. who are individuals, may state an opinion concerning the order under paragraph (1) (limited to cases where a Money Lender registered by the Prime Minister has violated the provisions of Article 12-3, paragraph (4), Articles 12-6 through 12-8, or Articles 13 through 22), as necessary, to the Prime Minister.

Article 24-6-4(1)When a Money Lender registered thereby falls under any of the following items, the Prime Minister or prefectural governor may rescind the Money Lender's registration or order the suspension of the Money Lender's business operations in whole or in part, and may specify a period therefor of no longer than one year:

(2)When an Officer (meaning a member in charge of executing business, the director, executive officer, representative person, administrator, or any other person equivalent thereto; hereinafter the same applies in this paragraph) of a Money Lender registered thereby has come to fall under any of item (ii) through item (xii) of the preceding paragraph, the Prime Minister or prefectural governor may order the Money Lender to dismiss the relevant Officer.

(3)The provisions of paragraphs (2) and (3) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to a disposition under paragraph (1) (limited to cases where a Money Lender registered by the Prime Minister has violated the provisions of Article 12-3, paragraph (4), Articles 12-6 through 12-8, or Articles 13 through 22).

Article 24-6-5(1)When a Money Lender registered thereby falls under any of the following items, the Prime Minister or prefectural governor must rescind the Money Lender's registration:

(2)The provisions of Article 5, paragraph (2) apply mutatis mutandis where the disposition set forth in the preceding paragraph has been made.

Article 24-6-6(1)When a Money Lender registered thereby falls under any of the following items, the Prime Minister or prefectural governor may rescind the Money Lender's registration:

(2)With regard to a disposition made under the provisions of the preceding paragraph (limited to the part concerning item (i)), the provisions of Chapter III of the Administrative Procedure Act (Act No. 88 of 1993) does not apply.

Article 24-6-7When a Money Lender's registration has ceased to be effective pursuant to the provisions of Article 3, paragraph (2), Article 7 or Article 10, paragraph (2), or when they have rescinded the registration pursuant to the provisions of Article 24-6-4, paragraph (1), Article 24-6-5, paragraph (1) or paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, the Prime Minister or prefectural governor must cancel the Money Lender's registration.

Article 24-6-8When the Prime Minister or prefectural governor has made a disposition under the provisions of Article 24-6-4, paragraph (1), Article 24-6-5, paragraph (1) or Article 24-6-6, paragraph (1), the Prime Minister must give a public notice to that effect as provided by a Cabinet Office Order.

Article 24-6-9As provided by a Cabinet Office Order, a Money Lender must prepare a business report on the Money Lending Business for each business year, and submit it to the Prime Minister or prefectural governor who registered the Money Lender within three months after the end of each business year.

Article 24-6-10(1)When the Prime Minister or prefectural governor finds it necessary for the enforcement of this Act, they may order a Money Lender registered thereby to submit reports or materials with regard to the Money Lender's business operations.

(2)When the Prime Minister or prefectural governor finds it particularly necessary in order to protect the interests of Persons Seeking Funds, etc., they may, within the extent necessary, order a Guarantee Business Operator who has concluded a guarantee contract with respect to the loan contract of a Money Lender registered by the Prime Minister or prefectural governor or a person who has been entrusted by the Money Lender with money lending operations, to submit reports or materials that are informative with regard to the Money Lender's money lending operations.

(3)When the Prime Minister or prefectural governor finds it necessary in order to protect the interests of Persons Seeking Funds, etc., they may have the relevant officials enter the business office or other office of a Money Lender registered by the Prime Minister or prefectural governor, ask questions with regard to the Money Lender's operations, or inspect books, documents, and any other articles.

(4)When the Prime Minister or prefectural governor finds it particularly necessary in order to protect the interests of Persons Seeking Funds, etc., they may, within the extent necessary, have the relevant officials enter the business office or other office of a Guarantee Business Operator who has concluded a guarantee contract with respect to the loan contract of a Money Lender registered by the Prime Minister or prefectural governor or a person who has been entrusted by the Money Lender with money lending operations, ask questions with regard to the matters necessary for the questioning or inspection of the Money Lender, or inspect books, documents, and any other articles.

(5)An official who conducts an on-site inspection pursuant to the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs carries a certificate of identification and present it when requested by any person concerned.

(6)The authority to conduct an on-site inspection under the provisions of paragraph (3) or paragraph (4) must not be construed as being for criminal investigation.

Article 24-6-11(1)When the Secretary-General of the Consumer Affairs Agency finds it necessary in order to state an opinion pursuant to Article 24-6-3, paragraph (3) (including the cases where it is applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 24-6-4, paragraph (3); hereinafter the same applies in this paragraph), may order the Money Lender prescribed in Article 24-6-3, paragraph (3) to submit reports or materials with regard to the Money Lender's business operations.

(2)In the case prescribed in the preceding paragraph, when the Secretary-General of the Consumer Affairs Agency finds it particularly necessary in order to protect the interests of Persons Seeking Funds, etc. who are individuals, they may have the relevant officials enter the business office or other office of the Money Lender under the preceding paragraph, ask questions with regard to the Money Lender's operations, or inspect books, documents, and any other articles.

(3)The provisions of paragraphs (5) and (6) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to the on-site inspection under the preceding paragraph.

(4)If the Secretary-General of the Consumer Affairs Agency intends to issue an order under paragraph (1) or conduct an on-site inspection under paragraph (2),the Secretary-General must consult with the Prime Minister in advance.

Article 24-6-12(1)The Prime Minister or prefectural governor must appropriately supervise the money lending operations performed by a Money Lender registered thereby who has not joined a Money Lenders' Association, in consideration of the articles of incorporation, operational rules, and any other rules of Money Lenders' Associations, so that the operations of the Money Lender do not fail to protect the interests of Persons Seeking Funds, etc.

(2)In order to conduct the supervision prescribed in the preceding paragraph, in consideration of the articles of incorporation, operational rules, and any other rules of Money Lenders' Associations, the Prime Minister or prefectural governor may order a Money Lender who has not joined a Money Lenders' Association to create or change rules that the Money Lender or officers or employees thereof should observe (hereinafter referred to as "Internal Rules").

(3)A Money Lender who has been ordered to create or change its Internal Rules pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, within 30 days, is to create or change its Internal Rules, and must obtain approval thereof from the Prime Minister or prefectural governor who registered the Money Lender.

(4)Where a Money Lender who has obtained approval under the preceding paragraph intends to change or repeal the approved Internal Rules, the Money Lender must further obtain approval thereof from the Prime Minister or prefectural governor who registered the Money Lender.

Article 25(1)The purpose of a Money Lenders' Association (hereinafter referred to as an "Association" in this Chapter) is be to protect the interests of Persons Seeking Funds, etc. and to contribute to the proper management of money lending operations.

(2)An Association is a corporation.

(3)An Association must operate nationwide.

(4)An Association must use the term "Kashikingyo-Kyokai" (which means "Money Lenders' Association") in its name.

(5)No person other than an Association must use, in its name or trade name, any term by which the person is likely to be mistaken as an Association.

Article 26(1)An Association may be established only by a Money Lender.

(2)When a Money Lender wishes to establish an Association, the Money Lender must obtain authorization therefor from the Prime Minister.

Article 27(1)A person who wishes to obtain authorization under paragraph (2) of the preceding Article, with regard to the Association for which authorization is sought, must submit a written application for authorization to the Prime Minister, stating the following matters:

(2)To a written application for authorization set forth in the preceding paragraph must be attached the articles of incorporation, operational rules, and any other rules (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Articles of Incorporation, etc.") of the Association for which authorization is sought, and any other documents specified by a Cabinet Office Order.

Article 28(1)When an application for authorization has been filed pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, the Prime Minister must examine whether the application satisfies the following requirements:

(2)When, as a result of the examination under the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Prime Minister finds that the application satisfies the requirements prescribed in that paragraph, the Prime Minister must grant authorization for establishment, except in the following cases:

Article 29When an Association is found to have fallen under any of the items of paragraph (2) of the preceding Article at the time when authorization of establishment was granted, the Prime Minister may rescind the authorization.

Article 30An Association must not conduct its business for the purpose of profit.

Article 31The articles of incorporation of an Association must state the following:

Article 32An Association must specify the following maters in its operational rules:

Article 33(1)When an Association wishes to change its articles of incorporation or operational rules, it must obtain authorization therefor from the Prime Minister.

(2)When there has been a change to any of the matters listed in Article 27, paragraph (1), item (ii) or item (iii), an Association must notify the Prime Minister to that effect without delay. The same applies where an Association has created, changed or abolished its rules (excluding the articles of incorporation and the operational rules).

Article 34(1)An Association must establish branches in each prefectural area.

(2)For the purpose of contributing to the achievement of the Association's purpose, provide guidance for, each branch is to maintain liaison with, and conduct supervision on Association members that belong to that branch.

Article 35An Association is liable for compensating for any damage its president or director has caused to another person in the course of their duties.

Article 36The address of an Association is to be the location of its principal office.

Article 37(1)Only a Money Lender is qualified to be an Association member.

(2)As Association members, an Association must accept Money Lenders who account for a percentage specified by a Cabinet Order of all Money Lenders.

(3)Each Association member is to belong to the Association's branch that has been established within the prefectural area that includes the location of the Association member's business office(s) or other office(s).

(4)An Association must stipulate in its articles of incorporation that any Money Lender may join as an Association member, except in the case set forth in paragraph (6).

(5)An Association must stipulate in its articles of incorporation that by having each Association member establish rules to be observed by the Association member and the officers and employees thereof as well as an administrative infrastructure for the purpose of ensuring compliance with laws and regulations and the Association's Articles of Incorporation, etc., the Association will strive to prevent any violation of laws and regulations or of its Articles of Incorporation, etc., and to secure the confidence of Persons Seeking Funds, etc.

(6)An Association may stipulate in its articles of incorporation that with regard to a person who has ever been ordered to suspend money lending operations for a violation of laws and regulations or of a disposition given by the Prime Minister or prefectural governor under laws and regulations, or who has ever been expelled from the Association for a violation of laws and regulations, a disposition made by a government agency under laws and regulations, or the Association's Articles of Incorporation, etc., the Association may refuse to allow that person to join as an Association member.

(7)An Association must provide its register of Association members for public inspection.

(8)A person who has not joined an Association must not use, in its name or trade name, any term due to which the person is likely to be mistaken as an Association member.

Article 38An Association must stipulate in its articles of incorporation that where an Association member has committed a violation of laws and regulations, a disposition made by a government agency under laws and regulations, or the Association's Articles of Incorporation, etc., the Association will impose a monetary fine on the Association member, order suspension or restriction of the rights given the Association member under the articles of incorporation, or expel the Association member.

Article 39(1)An Association has one president, two or more directors, and two or more auditors as its officers.

(2)The president represents the Association and presides over its affairs.

(3)As provided by the articles of incorporation, represent the Association, the directors are to administer the Association's affairs while assisting the president, perform the president's duties in their place when the president is unable to attend to their duties, and perform the president's duties when the post is vacant.

(4)The auditors are to audit the affairs of the Association.

(5)An officer of an Association loses their position when they come to fall under any of Article 6, paragraph (1), item (i) through item (vi).

Article 40When the Prime Minister has discovered that an officer of an Association has acquired their position by wrongful means, or where an officer of an Association has violated laws and regulations, a disposition made by a government agency under laws and regulations, or the Association's articles of incorporation or operational rules, the Prime Minister may order the Association to dismiss that officer.

Article 41When there is no person to perform the duties of a director or auditor and when the Prime Minister finds it necessary, they may appoint a provisional director or provisional auditor.

Article 41-2An officer or employee of an Association or a person who was formerly in such a position must not disclose to another person or misappropriate any confidential information they have learned during the course of their duties.

Article 41-3When the Prime Minister, with regard to the Articles of Incorporation, etc. of an Association or the management of its business or status of its property, finds it necessary and appropriate to protect the interests of Persons Seeking Funds, etc., the Prime Minister may, within the extent necessary, order the Association to change its Articles of Incorporation, etc. or to take any other necessary supervisory measures.

Article 41-4Where an Association has violated laws and regulations, a disposition made by a government agency under laws and regulations, or its Articles of Incorporation, etc. (hereinafter collectively referred to as "Laws and Regulations, etc." in this Article) or where, despite the fact that an Association member has violated Laws and Regulations, etc., the Association has failed to exercise the powers vested therein under this Act, under any order issued under this Act, or under its Articles of Incorporation, etc., or where it has failed to take any other necessary measures for having that Association member observe Laws and Regulations, etc., the Prime Minister may, when they find it necessary and appropriate to protect the interests of Persons Seeking Funds, etc., rescind the authorization of the establishment of the Association, specify a period of no longer than one year and order the suspension of the Association's business in whole or in part, order a change in its operational method or prohibition of its business in part, order the dismissal of its officer, or order any other necessary measures specified in its Articles of Incorporation, etc.

Article 41-5(1)When the Prime Minister finds it necessary in order to protect the interests of Persons Seeking Funds, etc., the Prime Minister may order an Association to submit reports or materials with regard to its business or the status of its property, and may have the relevant officials enter the Association's office, ask questions with regard to the status of the Association's business or property, and inspect books, documents, and any other articles.

(2)When the Prime Minister finds it particularly necessary in order to protect the interests of Persons Seeking Funds, etc., the Prime Minister may, within the extent necessary, order a person who has been entrusted by an Association with its business, to submit reports or materials that are informative with regard to the Association's business or property, and may have the relevant officials enter the business office or other office of the person who has been entrusted by the Association with its business, ask questions with regard to the status of the Association's business or property, and inspect books, documents and any other articles.

(3)An official who conducts an on-site inspection pursuant to the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs must carry a certificate of identification and present it when requested by any person concerned.

(4)The authority to conduct an on-site inspection under the provisions of paragraph (1) or paragraph (2) must not be construed as being for criminal investigation.

Article 41-6For each business year, an Association must prepare the following documents, and submit them to the Prime Minister within three months after the end of each business year:

Article 41-7(1)Where a Person Seeking Funds, etc. (including a person who was formerly an Obligor, etc.) has requested to settle a complaint about an Association member's money lending operations, the Association must respond to the request, giving the necessary advice to the person and investigating the circumstances pertaining to the complaint, as well as notifying the relevant Association member of the details of the complaint and requesting the prompt handling thereof.

(2)Where the Association finds it necessary for the settlement of a complaint filed under the preceding paragraph, it may request that the Association member explain in writing or verbally, or to submit any relevant materials.

(3)An Association member must not refuse a request made under the preceding paragraph by the Association without justifiable grounds.

(4)The Association must inform the Association member of the request for the settlement of a complaint under paragraph (1), the circumstances with regard to the complaint and the results of the settlement thereof.

(5)The provisions of paragraph (1) do not apply if the Association has obtained a designation under Article 41-39, paragraph (1).

Article 41-8The Prime Minister or prefectural governor, in order to ensure smooth enforcement of this Act, may have an Association cooperate with them in the application of registration, notification, and other necessary matters under the provisions of this Act.

Article 41-9The Association must strive to promote protection of the interests of Persons Seeking Funds, etc. through dissemination of financial knowledge, enlightenment activities, and publicity campaigns.

Article 41-10(1)An Association must be registered pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Order.

(2)An Association is to be established by registering its establishment at the location of its principal office.

(3)The matters that are required to be registered under paragraph (1) may not be duly asserted against a third party until after registration.

Article 41-11(1)An Association is dissolved based on the following grounds:

(2)A resolution made at a general meeting concerning dissolution of an Association must not become effective unless it is authorized by the Prime Minister.

(3)When an Association has dissolved pursuant to item (i) of paragraph (1), the former representative person must notify the Prime Minister to that effect without delay.

(4)With regard to an Association, when an order for the commencement of bankruptcy proceedings or an order for the termination of bankruptcy proceedings has been rendered, or when rescission of an order for the commencement of bankruptcy proceedings or an order for the discontinuance of bankruptcy proceedings has become final and binding, the court clerk must notify the Prime Minister to that effect.

(5)Beyond what is provided for in the preceding paragraphs, matters necessary for the dissolution of an Association is specified by a Cabinet Order.

Article 41-12In the following cases, the Prime Minister must give public notice to that effect in the Official Gazette (in the case set forth in item (i), to that effect and of the Articles of Incorporation, etc. of the authorized Association; in the case set forth in item (iii), to that effect and of the changed articles of incorporation and operational rules; and in the case set forth in item (iv), to that effect and of the notified matters):

Article 41-13(1)The Prime Minister may designate a person who satisfies the following requirements as a person to perform Credit Information Services, subject to their application and pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter:

(2)When the Prime Minister has made a designation under the preceding paragraph, the Prime Minister must give public notice of the trade name or name of the Designated Credit Bureau, the location of its principal business office or office, and the date of its designation in the Official Gazette.

Article 41-14(1)A person who wishes to receive the designation provided in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article must submit a written application for designation to the Prime Minister in which the following matters are stated:

(2)The following documents must be attached to the written application for designation set forth in the preceding paragraph:

(3)In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, when the articles of incorporation, inventory of property, balance sheet, profit and loss statement or income and expenditure statement, or business reports have been prepared in the form of electronic or magnetic records, the electronic or magnetic records may be attached in lieu of the aforementioned documents.

Article 41-15The representative person of a Designated Credit Bureau or an Officer who regularly engages in the business of a Designated Credit Bureau must not, except in the case where they have obtained authorization from the Prime Minister, become a representative person of a Money Lender or other corporation specified by a Cabinet Office Order, nor can a representative person of an Officer engage in the ordinary business thereof or conduct Money Lending Business or any other business specified by a Cabinet Office Order.

Article 41-16An officer or employee of a Designated Credit Bureau or a person who was formerly in such a position must not disclose to another person or misappropriate any confidential information that officer or employee has learned during the course of Credit Information Services.

Article 41-17A Designated Credit Bureau pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter and its operational rules, are to conduct Credit Information Services.

Article 41-18(1)A Designated Credit Bureau must not engage in business other than Credit Information Service and business incidental thereto; provided, however, that this does not apply to business which is found not to hinder the proper and sound implementation of Credit Information Services by the Designated Credit Bureau and which are approved by the Prime Minister pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Office Order.

(2)A Designated Credit Bureau, when it has abolished business approved under the proviso to the preceding paragraph, must notify the Prime Minister to that effect as provided by a Cabinet Office Order.

(3)In cases where a written application for designation set forth in Article 41-14, paragraph (1) states to the effect that the applicant conducts business other than Credit Information Services and business incidental thereto, and when the applicant has received a designation under Article 41-13, paragraph (1), the applicant is deemed to have been approved to conduct the relevant business under the proviso to paragraph (1).

Article 41-19(1)A Designated Credit Bureau, pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Office Order, may entrust part of its Credit Information Services to others with approval from the Prime Minister.

(2)A person who has been entrusted under the preceding paragraph may further entrust part of the entrusted Credit Information Services to others with the consent of the Designated Credit Bureau which made the entrustment.

(3)A person who has been entrusted under the preceding paragraph may further entrust part of the entrusted Credit Information Services to others with the consent of the person who has been entrusted under paragraph (1) and of the Designated Credit Bureau set forth in that paragraph.

Article 41-20(1)A Designated Credit Bureau must provide operational rules concerning the following matters which pertain to its Credit Information Services, and must obtain authorization thereof from the Prime Minister. The same applies when the relevant rules are to be changed:

(2)The operational rules concerning the matters listed in item (ii) of the preceding paragraph must provide the following matters:

(3)The operational rules concerning the matters listed in item (v) of paragraph (1) must provide for fees for Credit Information Services that are proper and fair in light of appropriate costs under efficient business management.

(4)When the Prime Minister finds that the operational rules approved thereby under paragraph (1) have become inappropriate for implementing Credit Information Services properly and reliably, the Prime Minister may order the Designated Credit Bureau to change the relevant operational rules.

Article 41-21(1)A Designated Credit Bureau must not refuse a Money Lender's request to conclude a Credit Information Contract without justifiable grounds.

(2)No Designated Credit Bureau must treat any particular Member Money Lender in an unjust and discriminatory way.

Article 41-22A Designated Credit Bureau, pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Office Order, must prepare and preserve records of its Credit Information Services.

Article 41-23A Designated Credit Bureau must conduct the necessary and proper supervision of Member Money Lenders so that the Member Money Lenders do not use the Credit Information provided by the relevant Designated Credit Bureau for any purpose other than investigation of the capacity of a Person Seeking Funds, etc. who is its customer to perform a monetary debt (if the Designated Credit Bureau is providing Credit Information to the Member Money Lender for their investigation of a customer's capacity for performance (excluding the aforementioned investigation of capacity for performance) with approval under the proviso to Article 41-18, paragraph (1), the investigation of capacity for performance must be included).

Article 41-24(1)When another Designated Credit Bureau, based on a request from its Member Money Lender, has requested that a Designated Credit Bureau provide it with Personal Credit Information, the relevant Designated Credit Bureau, in response to such a request, must provide the relevant Personal Credit Information, unless there are justifiable grounds for not doing so.

(2)A Designated Credit Bureau may collect fees with regard to the provision of Personal Credit Information under the preceding paragraph.

(3)A Designated Credit Bureau, in collecting fees pursuant to the preceding paragraph, must fix the fees in a proper and fair fashion in light of appropriate costs under efficient business management concerning the provision of Personal Credit Information under paragraph (1).

(4)The provisions of Article 41-16 and Article 41-22 apply mutatis mutandis to business pertaining to the provision of Personal Credit Information under paragraph (1).

Article 41-25A Designated Credit Bureau must make the Member Money Lenders' registry available for public inspection.

Article 41-26No person other than a Designated Credit Bureau (excluding those designated under Article 35-3-36, paragraph (1) of the Installment Sales Act (Act No. 159 of 1961)) must not use in its name or trade name, any term due to which the person is likely to be mistaken as a Designated Credit Bureau.

Article 41-27(1)When any of the matters listed in Article 41-14, paragraph (1), item (i) through item (iii) has been changed, a Designated Credit Bureau must notify the Prime Minister to that effect.

(2)When a notification of a change to the trade name or name or the location of the principal business office or office of a Designated Credit Bureau has been made under the preceding paragraph, the Prime Minister must give public notice to that effect in the Official Gazette.

Article 41-28When a Designated Credit Bureau falls under any of the following items, it must notify the Prime Minister to that effect as provided by a Cabinet Office Order:

Article 41-29(1)A Designated Credit Bureau is to prepare reports on its business and property each business year, and must submit them to the Prime Minister.

(2)Matters to be stated, the date of submission, and any other necessary matters in relation to the reports set forth in the preceding paragraph is to be specified by a Cabinet Office Order.

Article 41-30(1)When the Prime Minister finds it necessary for ensuring the proper and sound implementation of Credit Information Services, the Prime Minister may order a Designated Credit Bureau to submit reports or materials with regard to the status of its business or property, and may have the relevant officials enter the Designated Credit Bureau's business office, office or other facilities, ask questions with regard to the status of the business or property of the relevant Designated Credit Bureau, and inspect books, documents, and any other articles.

(2)When the Prime Minister finds it particularly necessary for ensuring the proper and sound implementation of Credit Information Services, the Prime Minister, within the extent necessary, may order the customers of a Designated Credit Bureau or a person who has been entrusted under the paragraphs of Article 41-19 to submit reports or materials that are informative with regard to the Designated Credit Bureau's business or property, and may have the relevant officials enter the business office or other office of the aforementioned persons, ask questions with regard to the status of the Designated Credit Bureau's business or property, and inspect books, documents, and any other articles.

(3)An official who conducts an on-site inspection pursuant to the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs must carry a certificate of identification and present it when requested by any person concerned.

(4)The authority to conduct on-site inspections under the provisions of paragraph (1) or paragraph (2) must not be construed as being for criminal investigation.

Article 41-31With regard to the operation of the Credit Information Services of a Designated Credit Bureau, when the Prime Minister finds it necessary for ensuring the proper and sound implementation of Credit Information Services, the Prime Minister, within the extent necessary, may order the relevant Designated Credit Bureau to take necessary measures to improve its business operations or the condition of its property.

Article 41-32(1)When a Designated Credit Bureau intends to suspend or abolish its Credit Information Services in whole or in part (excluding those based on the grounds in the following paragraph), it must obtain authorization therefor from the Prime Minister.

(2)When, as a result of a natural disaster or for any other compelling reason, a Designated Credit Bureau has suspended its Credit Information Services in whole or in part, it must immediately make a notification to the Prime Minister to that effect and must indicate the reason therefor, as well as notifying the Member Money Lender and other Designated Credit Bureaus. The same applies when the Designated Credit Bureau resumes the suspended Credit Information Services in whole or in part.

(3)In the case where the Designated Credit Bureau's Credit Information Services are under suspension pursuant to the preceding two paragraphs, and Money Lenders are not able to access the Credit Information held by the Designated Credit Bureau in whole or in part, the provisions of Article 13, paragraph (2) (including the cases where it is applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph (5) of that Article) and Article 13-3, paragraph (1) and paragraph (2) do not apply.

Article 41-33(1)When a Designated Credit Bureau falls under any of the following items, the Prime Minister may rescind its designation under Article 41-13, paragraph (1) or the approval given under the proviso to Article 41-18, paragraph (1), or may order the relevant Designated Credit Bureau to suspend its business operations in whole or in part for a fixed period of no longer than six months, or to dismiss its officer:

(2)When the Prime Minister has rescinded a designation under Article 41-13, paragraph (1) pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Prime Minister must give public notice to that effect in the Official Gazette.

Article 41-34(1)The Prime Minister, when a Designated Credit Bureau falls under any of the following items, may order the relevant Designated Credit Bureau to have another Designated Credit Bureau conduct its Credit Information Services in whole or in part:

(2)When the Prime Minister has issued orders under the preceding paragraph, the Prime Minister must give public notice to that effect in the Official Gazette.

Article 41-35(1)When a Member Money Lender has concluded a Credit Information Contract with a Designated Credit Bureau, the Member Money Lender must provide the relevant Designated Credit Bureau with the following matters pertaining to the loan contract which was concluded prior to the conclusion of the relevant Credit Information Contract with an individual customer who is a person seeking funds (excluding Basic Contracts for a Revolving Credit Loan and other contracts specified by a Cabinet Office Order; the same applies in the following paragraph) and which has an outstanding Loan balance at the time of conclusion of the relevant Credit Information Contract:

(2)When a Member Money Lender has concluded a loan contract with an individual customer who is a person seeking funds, the Member Money Lender must provide the Personal Credit Information obtained through the relevant loan contract to the Designated Credit Bureau with which the Member Money Lender has concluded a Credit Information Contract (hereinafter referred to as a "Member Designated Credit Bureau").

(3)A Member Money Lender that has provided Personal Credit Information under the preceding two paragraphs, when there is any change in the provided Personal Credit Information, must inform the Member Designated Credit Bureau of that change without delay.

Article 41-36(1)When a Member Money Lender requests that a Member Designated Credit Bureau provide the Member Money Lender with the Credit Information of a Person Seeking Funds, etc. (including requests for the provision of the Personal Credit Information of the relevant Person Seeking Funds, etc. that is held by other Designated Credit Bureaus), the Lender, except in the case specified by a Cabinet Office Order, must obtain the consent of the Person Seeking Funds, etc. in advance, in writing or by electronic or magnetic means.

(2)When a Member Money Lender intends to conclude a loan contract with an individual customer who is a person seeking funds (excluding contracts specified by a Cabinet Office Order), the Member Money Lender must obtain the customer's consent to the following, in writing or by electronic or magnetic means; provided, however, that this does not apply to cases where the contract is a Contract for a Revolving Credit Loan Concluded Prior to the Relevant Credit Information Contract concluded with the relevant customer (meaning a contract for a Revolving Credit Loan under a Basic Contract for a Revolving Credit Loan concluded prior to the conclusion of the Credit Information Contract with the relevant Member Designated Credit Bureau):

(3)When a Member Money Lender has obtained consent under the preceding two paragraphs, the Member Money Lender must prepare and preserve records on the relevant consent as provided by a Cabinet Office Order.

Article 41-37A Member Money Lender must make public the trade name or name of its Member Designated Credit Bureau.

Article 41-38(1)No Member Money Lender or officer or employee thereof must request a Member Designated Credit Bureau to provide Credit Information for purposes other than the following investigation (hereinafter referred to as "Investigation of Repayment Capacity, etc.") (including requests to provide the Personal Credit Information of a Person Seeking Funds, etc. as set forth in item (i) or of the principal obligor under item (ii) which is held by other Designated Credit Bureaus), nor such persons are to use or provide to a third party the Credit Information provided by a Member Designated Credit Bureau for purposes other than the Investigation of Repayment Capacity, etc.:

(2)When a Member Money Lender or an officer or employee thereof has come to no longer hold that position, the Member Money Lender must not thereafter use nor provide to a third party the Credit Information provided by a Member Designated Credit Bureau.

Article 41-39(1)The Prime Minister may designate a person who satisfies the following requirements as a person to perform Dispute Resolution Services, subject to the person's application:

(2)Any person who wishes to file the application under the preceding paragraph, in advance and pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Office Order, must explain the contents of the Operational Rules to the Money Lenders and hear opinions therefrom as to whether they have any objections thereto (if there are objections, the reasons therefor are to be included) and prepare a document stating the results thereof.

(3)When the Prime Minister wishes to make the designation under paragraph (1), the Prime Minister must consult the Minister of Justice in advance with regard to the fact that the relevant person satisfies the requirements listed in items (v) through (vii) of that paragraph (limited to the part related to the operation of Dispute Resolution Procedures, and with regard to the requirement set forth in item (vii), limited to the requirement pertaining to the criteria listed in the items of Article 41-44, paragraph (4) and the items of paragraph (5) of that Article).

(4)When the Prime Minister has made the designation under paragraph (1), the Prime Minister must give public notice of the trade name or name and the location of the principal business office or office of the Designated Dispute Resolution Organization as well as the day on which the Prime Minister made the designation in the Official Gazette.

Article 41-40(1)A person who wishes to obtain the designation provided in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article must submit a written application for designation to the Prime Minister in which the following matters are stated:

(2)The following documents must be attached to the written application for designation set forth in the preceding paragraph:

(3)In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, when the articles of incorporation, inventory of property, or balance sheet is prepared in the form of electronic or magnetic records, the electronic or magnetic records may be attached in lieu of the written documents.

Article 41-41(1)A Dispute Resolution Mediator (meaning a Dispute Resolution Mediator appointed under Article 41-50, paragraph (2); the same applies in the following paragraph, paragraph (2) of the following Article and Article 41-44, paragraphs (2) and (4)) or an Officer or employee of the Designated Dispute Resolution Organization, or a person who was formerly in the position must not disclose to another person or use for their own interests, any confidential information learned during the course of Dispute Resolution Services.

(2)A Dispute Resolution Mediator or the Officer or employee of a Designated Dispute Resolution Organization who engages in Dispute Resolution Services, with regard to the application of the Penal Code or other penal provisions, is deemed as an employee engaged in public service as provided by laws and regulations.

Article 41-42(1)A Designated Dispute Resolution Organization, pursuant to the provisions of this Act and the Operational Rules, is to conduct Dispute Resolution Services.

(2)A Designated Dispute Resolution Organization (including the Dispute Resolution Mediators) may receive burden charges, fees, or any other remuneration for conducting the Dispute Resolution Services pursuant to the Basic Contract for Implementation of Dispute Resolution Procedures or any other contracts concluded with the Member Money Lender (meaning the Money Lender with whom a Basic Contract for Implementation of Dispute Resolution Procedures has been concluded; hereinafter the same applies in this Chapter) who is a party or with the Persons Seeking Funds, etc. thereof (including those who were Obligors, etc.; hereinafter the same applies in this Chapter) or with persons other than these persons.

Article 41-43A Designated Dispute Resolution Organization must not entrust business of Complaint Processing Procedures or Dispute Resolution Procedures to persons other than another Designated Dispute Resolution Organization or a person who has obtained the designation under the provisions of other Acts which is specified by Cabinet Order as that related to business equivalent to Dispute Resolution Services (referred to as the "Entrusted Dispute Resolution Organization" in Article 41-50, paragraphs (4) and (5)).

Article 41-44(1)A Designated Dispute Resolution Organization must prescribe the following matters in its Operational Rules:

(2)The Basic Contract for Implementation of Dispute Resolution Procedures as referred to in item (i) of the preceding paragraph must provide the following matters:

(3)The Operational Rules concerning the matters for the conclusion of a Basic Contract for Implementation of Dispute Resolution Procedures under paragraph (1), item (ii) must provide that, if a Designated Dispute Resolution Organization receives an application for the conclusion of a Basic Contract for Implementation of Dispute Resolution Procedures from a Money Lender, except if it is expected to be uncertain whether the relevant Money Lender will perform the obligations pertaining to the Basic Contract for Implementation of Dispute Resolution Procedures or any other obligations regarding the implementation of Dispute Resolution Services, the relevant Designated Dispute Resolution Organization must not refuse the application.

(4)The Operational Rules concerning the matters listed in paragraph (1), item (iii) must conform to the following criteria:

(5)The Operational Rules concerning the matters listed in paragraph (1), items (iv) and (v), must conform to the following criteria:

(6)The term "Special Conciliation Proposal" as used in paragraph (2), item (v) means, except for the following cases, a settlement proposal which the Member Money Lender has to accept:

(7)Changes to the Operational Rules are not to be effective without the authorization of the Prime Minister.

(8)When the Prime Minister wishes to grant the authorization under the preceding paragraph, the Prime Minister must consult the Minister of Justice in advance as to whether the Operational Rules subject to the relevant authorization conform to the criteria set forth in the items of paragraph (4) and the items of paragraph (5) (limited to the part related to the operation of Dispute Resolution Procedures).

Article 41-45(1)In cases where non-performance of the obligations to be incurred by a Member Money Lender under a Basic Contract for Implementation of Dispute Resolution Procedures occurs, when a Designated Dispute Resolution Organization has heard opinions from the relevant Member Money Lender and finds there are no justifiable grounds for that non-performance, the relevant Designated Dispute Resolution Organization must make public and report to the Prime Minister or prefectural governor who registered the relevant Member Money Lender the trade name or name of the relevant Member Money Lender and the fact of that non-performance, without delay.

(2)A Designated Dispute Resolution Organization must strive to provide information, consultation, or any other support to a Member Money Lender or any other person to preemptively prevent Complaints Related to Money Lending Operations and Disputes Related to Money Lending Operations, and to promote the processing of Complaints Related to Money Lending Operations and the resolution of Disputes Related to Money Lending Operations.

Article 41-46A Designated Dispute Resolution Organization must not have an Organized Crime Group Member, etc. engage in Dispute Resolution Services or act as assistants for Dispute Resolution Services.

Article 41-47No Designated Dispute Resolution Organization must treat not any particular Member Money Lender in an unjust and discriminatory way.

Article 41-48A Designated Dispute Resolution Organization must, prepare and preserve records of its Dispute Resolution Services, pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Office Order as well as the provisions of Article 41-50, paragraph (9).

Article 41-49When a Person Seeking Funds, etc. of the Member Money Lender files an application for the resolution of a Complaint Related to Money Lending Operations, a Designated Dispute Resolution Organization must respond to the request, giving the necessary advice to the Person Seeking Funds, etc. and investigating the circumstances pertaining to the Complaint Related to Money Lending Operations, as well as notifying the relevant Member Money Lender of the details of the Complaint Related to Money Lending Operations and requesting the prompt handling thereof.

Article 41-50(1)The Parties to the Dispute Related to Money Lending Operations may file an application for Dispute Resolution Procedures with the Designated Dispute Resolution Organization with whom the Member Money Lender has concluded a Basic Contract for Implementation of Dispute Resolution Procedures for the purpose of resolving the Dispute Related to Money Lending Operations related to the Member Money Lender.

(2)When a Designated Dispute Resolution Organization has received the application under the preceding paragraph, it is to appoint Dispute Resolution Mediators.

(3)Dispute Resolution Mediators must be appointed from among persons who are of the highest moral character and who fall under any of the following items (excluding persons who have an interest in the Parties subject to the application under paragraph (1)).In this case, at least one of the Dispute Resolution Mediators is to be a person who falls under item (i) or (iii) (if the relevant application is that pertaining to a dispute provided in Article 3, paragraph (1), item (vii) of the Judicial Scrivener Act, item (i), (iii) or (iv)):

(4)A Designated Dispute Resolution Organization is to have the application under paragraph (1) proceed into Dispute Resolution Procedures carried out by the Dispute Resolution Mediators appointed under paragraph (2) (hereinafter simply referred to as the "Dispute Resolution Mediators" in this Article and paragraph (1) of the following Article); provided, however, that if the Dispute Resolution Mediators find that it is not appropriate to carry out Dispute Resolution Procedures due to it being found that the Persons Seeking Funds, etc. of the Member Money Lender who is a Party under that application has sufficient ability to properly resolve the Dispute Related to Money Lending Operations or due to any other grounds, or if the Dispute Resolution Mediators find that a Party has filed the application referred to in paragraph (1) for unjust purposes and without due cause, they are not to implement Dispute Resolution Procedures, and if the Dispute Resolution Mediators find it to be appropriate to have the application proceed into procedures equivalent to Dispute Resolution Procedures to be conducted by an Entrusted Dispute Resolution Organization, the Designated Dispute Resolution Organization is to entrust the operations of Dispute Resolution Procedures to an Entrusted Dispute Resolution Organization.

(5)When the Dispute Resolution Mediators have decided not to implement Dispute Resolution Procedures pursuant to the proviso to the preceding paragraph, or when they have decided to entrust the operations to an Entrusted Dispute Resolution Organization, the Designated Dispute Resolution Organization is to notify the person who made the application under paragraph (1) to that effect with the reasons therefor attached thereto.

(6)Dispute Resolution Mediators may hear opinions of the Parties or witnesses, request the relevant persons to submit written reports, or request that the Parties submit books and documents and other articles that will be helpful, and may prepare a settlement proposal and recommend that the Parties accept the relevant proposal or provide a Special Conciliation (meaning to present the Special Conciliation Proposal prescribed in Article 41-44, paragraph (6)).

(7)Dispute Resolution Procedures are not open to the public; provided, however, that Dispute Resolution Mediators may allow the attendance of a person who is considered to be appropriate with the consent of the Parties.

(8)A Designated Dispute Resolution Organization, prior to the commencement of Dispute Resolution Procedures and pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Office Order, must deliver a document containing the following matters or provide an electronic or magnetic record recording the matters and give an explanation thereof to the Person Seeking Funds, etc. of the Member Money Lender who is a Party to the dispute:

(9)A Designated Dispute Resolution Organization, pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Office Order, must prepare and preserve the dispute resolution procedure record containing the following matters with regard to the Dispute Resolution Procedures it implemented:

Article 41-51(1)In cases where the Dispute Resolution Mediators have terminated the Dispute Resolution Procedures on the grounds that there is no prospect of reaching a settlement between the Parties to the relevant Dispute Related to Money Lending Operations through the Dispute Resolution Procedures, when the Party to the relevant Dispute Related to Money Lending Operations that filed the application for the relevant Dispute Resolution Procedures files an action for the claims which were the subject matter of the relevant Dispute Resolution Procedures within one month from the day on which that Party receives notice of the termination, it is deemed that an action has been filed at the time when the claim was made through the Dispute Resolution Procedures in terms of the interruption of prescription.

(2)The provisions of the preceding paragraph also apply if the abolition of Dispute Resolution Services of a Designated Dispute Resolution Organization has been authorized under Article 41-60, paragraph (1) or the designation under Article 41-39, paragraph (1) has been rescinded under Article 41-61, paragraph (1) and there is a Dispute Related to Money Lending Operations for which Dispute Resolution Procedures had been implemented as of the day of authorization or rescission, when the Party to the Dispute Related to Money Lending Operations that had filed an application for Dispute Resolution Procedures files an action for the claims which were the subject matter of the Dispute Resolution Procedures within one month from the day on which the relevant Party received the notice under Article 41-60, paragraph (3) or Article 41-61, paragraph (4) or the day on which the Party came to know of the authorization or rescission whichever comes earlier.

Article 41-52(1)In cases where a suit is pending between the Parties to a Dispute Related to Money Lending Operations with regard to the relevant Dispute Related to Money Lending Operations, when there are any of the following grounds and the Parties to the relevant Dispute Related to Money Lending Operations have filed a joint application, the court in charge of the case may make a decision to the effect that the court proceeding(s) is to be suspended for a fixed period of no longer than four months:

(2)The court in charge of the case may rescind the decision under the preceding paragraph at any time.

(3)No appeal may be entered against a decision dismissing the application under paragraph (1) or a decision rescinding the decision under paragraph (1).

Article 41-53A Designated Dispute Resolution Organization is to make the Member Money Lenders' registry available for public inspection.

Article 41-54No person other than a Designated Dispute Resolution Organization (excluding those designated under Article 156-39, paragraph (1) of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (Act No. 25 of 1948) and any other persons specified by Cabinet Order as those similar thereto) is to use in its name or trade name any term due to which the person is likely to be mistaken as a Designated Dispute Resolution Organization.

Article 41-55(1)When any of the matters listed in the items of Article 41-40, paragraph (1) has been changed, a Designated Dispute Resolution Organization must notify the Prime Minister to that effect.

(2)When a notification of a change to the trade name or name or the location of the principal business office or office of a Designated Dispute Resolution Organization has been made under the preceding paragraph, the Prime Minister must give public notice to that effect in the Official Gazette.

Article 41-56When a Designated Dispute Resolution Organization falls under any of the following items, it must notify the Prime Minister to that effect as provided by a Cabinet Office Order:

Article 41-57(1)A Designated Dispute Resolution Organization must prepare reports on Dispute Resolution Services each business year, and must submit them to the Prime Minister.

(2)Matters to be stated, the date of submission, and any other necessary matters in relation to the reports set forth in the preceding paragraph is specified by a Cabinet Office Order.

Article 41-58(1)When the Prime Minister finds it necessary for the fair and appropriate implementation of Dispute Resolution Services, the Prime Minister may order a Designated Dispute Resolution Organization to submit reports or materials with regard to the business thereof, and may have the relevant officials enter the Designated Dispute Resolution Organization's business office, office or other facilities, ask questions with regard to the status of the business of the relevant Designated Dispute Resolution Organization, and inspect books, documents, and any other articles.

(2)When the Prime Minister finds it particularly necessary for the fair and appropriate implementation of Dispute Resolution Services, the Prime Minister may, within the extent necessary, order the Member Money Lender of a Designated Dispute Resolution Organization or a person that a Designated Dispute Resolution Organization has entrusted with its business to submit reports or materials that are informative with regard to the Designated Dispute Resolution Organization's business, and may have the relevant officials enter the business office, office or any other facilities of the aforementioned persons, ask questions with regard to the status of the Designated Dispute Resolution Organization's business, and inspect books, documents, and any other articles of these persons.

(3)An official who conducts an on-site inspection pursuant to the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs must carry a certificate of identification and present it when requested by any person concerned.

(4)The authority to conduct on-site inspections under the provisions of paragraph (1) and paragraph (2) must not be construed as being for criminal investigation.

Article 41-59(1)With regard to the operation of the Dispute Resolution Services of a Designated Dispute Resolution Organization, when the Prime Minister finds it necessary for ensuring the fair and appropriate implementation of the Dispute Resolution Services, the Prime Minister may, within the extent necessary, order the relevant Designated Dispute Resolution Organization to take measures necessary to improve its business operations.

(2)In cases where a Designated Dispute Resolution Organization falls under any of the following items, when the Prime Minister wishes to give the order under the preceding paragraph, the Prime Minister must consult with the Minister of Justice in advance:

Article 41-60(1)When a Designated Dispute Resolution Organization intends to suspend or abolish its Dispute Resolution Services in whole or in part (excluding those based on the grounds in the following paragraph), it must obtain authorization from the Prime Minister.

(2)When, as a result of a natural disaster or for any other compelling reason, a Designated Dispute Resolution Organization has suspended its Dispute Resolution Services in whole or in part, it must immediately make a notification to the Prime Minister to that effect and is to indicate the reason therefor. The same applies when the Designated Dispute Resolution Organization resumes the suspended Dispute Resolution Services in whole or in part.

(3)A Designated Dispute Resolution Organization that has obtained the authorization for suspension or abolition under paragraph (1) or that has carried out the suspension under the preceding paragraph must give notice to the Parties for which Complaint Processing Procedures or Dispute Resolution Procedures (if the Designated Dispute Resolution Organization has been entrusted with the business by another Designated Dispute Resolution Organization or a person that has received a designation under the provisions of other laws which is specified by Cabinet Order as being related to business equivalent to Dispute Resolution Services (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Entrusting Dispute Resolution Organization" in this paragraph), including procedures for processing complaints of the Entrusting Dispute Resolution Organization related to the entrustment or procedures for seeking the resolution of disputes; the same applies in paragraph (4) of the following Article) have been implemented as of the day of the relevant suspension or abolition, the Member Money Lenders other than the relevant Parties, and other Designated Dispute Resolution Organizations, of the fact of the suspension or abolition within two weeks from the day of the relevant suspension or abolition. The same applies when the Designated Dispute Resolution Organization resumes the suspended Dispute Resolution Services in whole or in part.

Article 41-61(1)When a Designated Dispute Resolution Organization falls under any of the following items, the Prime Minister may rescind the designation under Article 41-39, paragraph (1) or may order the relevant Designated Dispute Resolution Organization to suspend its business operations in whole or in part for a fixed period of no longer than six months:

(2)If a Designated Dispute Resolution Organization falls under any of the following items, when the Prime Minister wishes to make a disposition or order under the preceding paragraph, the Prime Minister must consult with the Minister of Justice in advance:

(3)When the Prime Minister has rescinded a designation under Article 41-39, paragraph (1) pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), the Prime Minister must give public notice to that effect in the Official Gazette.

(4)Any person that has been issued a disposition for rescission of the designation under Article 41-39, paragraph (1) or an order for suspension of all or part of its business pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), within two weeks from the day of the relevant disposition or order, must give notice to the Parties for which Complaint Processing Procedures or Dispute Resolution Procedures had been implemented as of the day of the relevant disposition or order, Member Money Lenders other than the Parties, and other Designated Dispute Resolution Organizations to the effect that it has been issued the disposition or order.