Article 12(1)Any person may, pursuant to the provisions of this Act, request an incorporated administrative agency, etc. disclose retained personal information which the incorporated administrative agency, etc. holds on that person.

(2)A statutory representative of a minor or an adult ward may make a request for disclosure (hereinafter referred to as a "request for disclosure") provided in the preceding paragraph on behalf of the relevant individual.

Article 13(1)Requests for disclosure must be made by submitting a document describing the particulars listed in the following items (hereinafter referred to as "written request for disclosure") to the Incorporated Administrative Agency, etc.:

(2)In the case prescribed in the preceding paragraph, the person making the request for disclosure must, pursuant to Cabinet Order provisions, present or submit a document to indicate that person is the relevant individual (in the case of a request for disclosure made under the provisions of paragraph (2) of the preceding Article, the statutory representative of the relevant individual) with regard to retained personal information relating to the request for disclosure.

(3)When the incorporated administrative agency, etc. finds a technical error in a written request for disclosure, it may, by setting a reasonable period of time, ask the person who made the request for disclosure (hereinafter referred to as the "requester for disclosure") to amend the request. In this case, the incorporated administrative agency, etc. must endeavor to provide the requester for disclosure with information that will be helpful in the amendment.

Article 14When a request for disclosure is filed, unless any of the information listed in each of the following items (hereinafter referred to as "non-disclosure information") is recorded in the retained personal information relating to the request for disclosure, the incorporated administrative agency, etc. must disclose that retained personal information to the requester for disclosure:

Article 15(1)In cases where non-disclosure information is included in retained personal information related to a request for disclosure, when it is possible to easily divide and exclude the portion that corresponds to non-disclosure information, the incorporated administrative agency, etc. must disclose to the requester for disclosure the portion not related to exclusion.

(2)In cases where the information set forth in item (ii) of the preceding Article (limited to information that can identify a specific individual other than the requester for disclosure) is included in retained personal information related to a request for disclosure, and if by excluding the portion of the description, etc. that can identify the specific individual other than the requester for disclosure, such as the name, date of birth, or individual identification code from that information, it is found that disclosure of the information is not likely to cause damage to the rights and interests of an individual other than the requester for disclosure, the preceding paragraph is applied by deeming the portion other than the excluded portion as not being included in the information prescribed in the same item.

Article 16Even in cases where non-disclosure information is included in retained personal information related to a request for disclosure, if the incorporated administrative agency, etc. finds it particularly necessary for protecting the rights and interests of individuals, it may disclose the retained personal information to the requester for disclosure.

Article 17When non-disclosure information will be disclosed by merely answering whether or not the retained personal information related to a request for disclosure exists, the incorporated administrative agency, etc., without making the existence or non-existence of the retained personal information clear, may refuse the request for disclosure.

Article 18(1)When disclosing all or a part of retained personal information related to a request for disclosure, the incorporated administrative agency, etc. must make a decision to that effect, and notify the requester for disclosure of that decision, the purpose of use of the retained personal information to be disclosed, and particulars designated by Cabinet Order relating to the implementation of disclosure in writing; provided, however, that this does not apply to the purpose of use in cases that fall under Article 4, item (ii) or (iii).

(2)If the incorporated administrative agency, etc. decides not to disclose any retained personal information upon a request for disclosure (including refusing a request for disclosure pursuant to the provisions of the preceding Article and when the retained personal information related to a request for disclosure is not held by the incorporated administrative agency, etc.), the incorporated administrative agency, etc. must notify the requester for disclosure to that effect in writing.

Article 19(1)The decisions set forth in the respective items of the preceding Article (hereinafter referred to as "a decision to disclose") must be made within thirty days from the date of a request for disclosure; provided, however, that if an amendment is requested pursuant to the provisions of Article 13, paragraph (3), the number of days required for the amendment is not included within that period of time.

(2)Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, when there are justifiable grounds such as difficulties arising from conducting processes, the incorporated administrative agency, etc. may extend the period of time prescribed in the same paragraph for up to thirty days.In this case, the incorporated administrative agency, etc. must notify the requester for disclosure in writing of the extended period and the grounds for the extension without delay.

Article 20If there is a considerably large amount of retained personal information relating to a request for disclosure, and there is a risk that the performance of duties may be considerably hindered by making a decision to disclose on all of those requests within sixty days from the date of a request for disclosure, notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding Article, it would be sufficient for the incorporated administrative agency, etc. to make a decision to disclose for a reasonable portion of the retained personal information for which disclosure has been requested within the relevant period of time, and to make a decision to disclose for the remaining retained personal information within a reasonable period of time.In this case, the incorporated administrative agency, etc. must notify the requester for disclosure of the following particulars in writing within the period of time prescribed in paragraph (1) of the same Article:

Article 21(1)The incorporated administrative agency, etc. may, when there are justifiable grounds for another incorporated administrative agency, etc. to make a decision to disclose such as when the retained personal information relating to a request for disclosure was provided by that incorporated administrative agency, etc., upon consulting with that incorporated administrative agency, etc., transfer the case to that incorporated administrative agency, etc.In this case, the incorporated administrative agency, etc. which has transferred the case must notify the requester for disclosure in writing to the effect that the case was transferred.

(2)When a case has been transferred pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the incorporated administrative agency, etc. which has received the transfer is to make a decision to disclose for that request for disclosure.In this case, acts prior to transfer by the incorporated administrative agency, etc. which has transferred the case are deemed to be those of the incorporated administrative agency, etc. which has received the transfer.

(3)In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, when the incorporated administrative agency, etc. which has received the transfer makes a decision set forth in Article 18, paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as a "decision to disclose"), that incorporated administrative agency, etc. must implement disclosure. In this case, the incorporated administrative agency, etc. which has transferred the case must cooperate as necessary in the implementation of that disclosure.

Article 22(1)The Incorporated Administrative Agency, etc. may, in the following cases, transfer a case to the head of an administrative organ upon consulting with that head of the administrative organ (meaning the head of the administrative organ prescribed in Article 5 of the Act on the Protection of Personal Information Held by Administrative Organs; the same applies hereinafter in this Article and Article 34).In this case, the incorporated administrative agency, etc. which has transferred the case must notify the requester for disclosure in writing to the effect that the case was transferred.

(2)When a case has been transferred pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the provisions of the Act on the Protection of Personal Information Held by Administrative Organs are applied to the transferred case by deeming the retained personal information to be the retained personal information prescribed in Article 2, paragraph (5) of the Act on the Protection of Personal Information Held by Administrative Organs, held by the administrative organ which received the transfer of the case, and deeming the request for disclosure to be the request for disclosure prescribed in Article 12, paragraph (2) of the Act on the Protection of Personal Information Held by Administrative Organs, submitted to the head of the administrative organ who received the transfer of the case.In this case, the term "Article 13, paragraph (3)" in Article 19, paragraph (1) of the Act on the Protection of Personal Information Held by Administrative Organs is deemed to be replaced with "Article 13, paragraph (3) of the Act on the Protection of Personal Information Held by Incorporated Administrative Agencies, etc."

(3)When a case has been transferred pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) and the head of the administrative organ who has received the transfer implements disclosure, the incorporated administrative agency, etc. which has transferred the case must cooperate as necessary in the implementation of disclosure.

Article 23(1)When information concerning a person other than the State, an incorporated administrative agency, etc., a local public entity, a Local incorporated administrative agency and a requester for disclosure (hereinafter referred to as a "third party" in this Article, Article 43, paragraph (2) and Article 44) is included in the retained personal information relating to a request for disclosure, the incorporated administrative agency, etc., when making a decision to disclose, may, pursuant to Cabinet Order provisions, notify the third party of the content of the information concerning that third party, and other particulars designated by Cabinet Order, and may grant an opportunity to submit a written opinion.

(2)In the cases that fall under any of the following items, before making a decision to disclose, the incorporated administrative agency, etc. must, pursuant to Cabinet Order provisions, notify the third party in writing of the content of the information concerning the third party relating to a request for disclosure and other particulars designated by Cabinet Order, and must grant that third party an opportunity to submit a written opinion; provided, however, that this does not apply to cases where the third party's location is unknown:

(3)In cases where the third party who was granted an opportunity to submit a written opinion pursuant to the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs submits a written opinion manifesting the intention to oppose disclosure of the information concerning the third party, the incorporated administrative agency, etc., when making a decision to disclose, must place at least two weeks between the day of the decision to disclose and the day that disclosure will be implemented.In this case, upon making the decision to disclose, the incorporated administrative agency, etc. must immediately notify the third party who submitted that written opinion (referred to as a "written opposition opinion" in Article 43) in writing to the effect that the decision to disclose was made and the grounds for its decision, and the date of implementation of disclosure.

Article 24(1)The disclosure of retained personal information is implemented through inspection or by the delivery of copies if the retained personal information is contained in the form of documents or drawings, and if it is contained in the form of electronic or magnetic records, by means designated by the relevant incorporated administrative agency, etc., which take into consideration factors such as the type of the record and the state of technology utilized; provided, however, that when disclosure of retained personal information is to be implemented through inspection, if the incorporated administrative agency, etc. finds that inspection of the original material is likely to hinder the preservation of the documents or pictures containing the retained personal information, or for other justifiable grounds, a copy of the documents or drawings may be provided for inspection instead.

(2)The incorporated administrative agency, etc. must make its rules on the means of disclosure for electronic or magnetic records based on the preceding paragraph available for public inspection.

(3)A person who obtains retained personal information based upon a decision to disclose, pursuant to Cabinet Order provisions, must indicate the person's desired means of implementation of disclosure and other particulars designated by Cabinet Order to the incorporated administrative agency, etc. which has made the decision to disclose.

(4)The indication provided in provisions of the preceding paragraph must be made within thirty days from the date of the notice prescribed in Article 18, paragraph (1); provided, however, that this does not apply if there are justifiable grounds for being unable to make the indication within that period of time.

Article 25(1)In cases where, pursuant to the provisions of other laws and regulations, retained personal information related to a request for disclosure is to be disclosed to the requester for disclosure by the same means as those prescribed in the main clause of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article (if the period of time for disclosure is provided for, limited to within that period of time), notwithstanding the main clause of the same paragraph, the incorporated administrative agency, etc. does not disclose the retained personal information by that same means; provided, however, that this does not apply when there are provisions in other laws and regulations to the effect that disclosure is not implemented in certain cases.

(2)When the means of disclosure designated by the provisions of other laws and regulations is public inspection, the preceding paragraph applies by deeming that public inspection to be the same as that set forth in the main clause of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article.

Article 26(1)A person who makes a request for disclosure must pay a fee specified by the incorporated administrative agency, etc.

(2)The incorporated administrative agency, etc. determines the amount of the fee within the actual costs, taking into consideration the amount of the fee set forth in Article 26, paragraph (1) of the Act on the Protection of Personal Information Held by Administrative Organs.

(3)The incorporated administrative agency, etc. must make the rules under the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs available for general inspection.

Article 27(1)Any person who thinks that the content of retained personal information (limited to those listed in the following items; the same applies in Article 36, paragraph (1)) for which that person is the relevant individual is untrue may, pursuant to the provisions of this Act, make a request for correction (including addition or deletion; the same applies hereinafter) of the retained personal information to the Incorporated Administrative Agency, etc. holding the retained personal information; provided, however, that this does not apply if a special procedure for correction of the retained personal information is prescribed by another law or an order based on another law:

(2)A statutory representative of a minor or an adult ward may make a request for the correction (hereinafter referred to as a "request for correction") as prescribed in the preceding paragraph on behalf of the relevant individual.

(3)A request for correction must be made within ninety days from the date of disclosure of the retained personal information.

Article 28(1)A request for correction must be made by submitting a document describing the particulars listed in the following items (hereinafter referred to as the "written request for correction") to the incorporated administrative agency, etc.:

(2)In a case as described in the preceding paragraph, the person making the request for correction must, pursuant to Cabinet Order provisions, present or submit a document to indicate the person is the relevant individual (in the case of a request for correction made under the provisions of paragraph (2) of the preceding Article, the statutory representative of the relevant individual) with regard to the retained personal information relating to the request for correction.

(3)When the incorporated administrative agency, etc. finds that there is a deficiency in the format of the written request for correction, it may, by setting a reasonable period of time, ask the person who made the request for correction (hereinafter referred to as the "requester for correction") to amend the request.

Article 29If a request for correction is filed and the incorporated administrative agency, etc. finds grounds in relation to the request for correction, it must correct the retained personal information relating to the request for correction within the scope necessary for achieving the purpose of use of the retained personal information.

Article 30(1)When correcting the retained personal information relating to a request for correction, the incorporated administrative agency, etc. must make a decision to that effect, and notify the requester for correction of the decision in writing.

(2)When not correcting the retained personal information relating to a request for correction, the incorporated administrative agency, etc. must make a decision to that effect, and notify the requester for correction of the decision in writing.

Article 31(1)The decisions set forth in the respective items of the preceding Article (hereinafter referred to as "decisions on corrections") must be made within thirty days from the date of a request for correction; provided, however, that if an amendment is requested pursuant to the provisions of Article 28, paragraph (3), the number of days required for that amendment is not included within this period of time.

(2)Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, when there are justifiable grounds such as difficulties arising from conducting processes, the incorporated administrative agency, etc. may extend the period of time prescribed in the same paragraph for up to thirty days.In this case, the incorporated administrative agency, etc. must without delay notify the requester for correction in writing of the extended period and the grounds for the extension.

Article 32If the incorporated administrative agency, etc. finds that decisions on corrections would require a particularly long period of time, notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding Article, it is sufficient for it to make decisions on corrections, etc. within a reasonable period of time.In this case, the incorporated administrative agency, etc. must notify the requester for correction in writing of the following particulars within the period of time prescribed in paragraph (1) of the same Article:

Article 33(1)The incorporated administrative agency, etc. may, when there are justifiable grounds for another incorporated administrative agency, etc. making decisions on corrections, such as when the retained personal information relating to a request for correction was disclosed pursuant to Article 21, paragraph (3), upon consulting with the other incorporated administrative agency, etc., transfer the case to that incorporated administrative agency, etc.In this case, the incorporated administrative agency, etc. which has transferred the case must give the requester for correction a notification in writing to the effect that the case was transferred.

(2)If a case has been transferred pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the incorporated administrative agency, etc. which has received the transfer is to make decisions on corrections through that request for correction.In this case, acts prior to transfer of a case by the incorporated administrative agency, etc. which has transferred the case are deemed to be those of the incorporated administrative agency, etc. which has received the transfer.

(3)In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, when the incorporated administrative agency, etc., which has received the transfer of a case makes a decision set forth in Article 30, paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as a "decision to make a correction"), the incorporated administrative agency, etc., which has transferred the case must implement the correction based on that decision to make a correction.

Article 34(1)When there are justifiable grounds for the head of an administrative organ making decisions on corrections as prescribed in Article 31, paragraph (1) of the Act on the Protection of Personal Information Held by Administrative Organs, such as when the retained personal information relating to a request for correction corresponds to those listed in Article 27, paragraph (1), item (ii), the incorporated administrative agency, etc. may, upon consulting with that head of an administrative organ, transfer the case to that head of an administrative organ.In this case, the incorporated administrative agency, etc. which has transferred the case must give the requester for correction a notification in writing to the effect that the case was transferred.

(2)If a case has been transferred pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the provisions of the Act on the Protection of Personal Information Held by Administrative Organs are applied to the transferred case by deeming the retained personal information to be the retained personal information prescribed in Article 2, paragraph (5), of the Act on the Protection of Personal Information Held by Administrative Organs, held by the administrative organ which has received the transfer, and deeming the request for correction to be a request for correction prescribed in Article 27, paragraph (2) of the Act on the Protection of Personal Information Held by Administrative Organs, submitted to the head of the administrative organ who has received the transfer of the case.In this case, the term "Article 28, paragraph (3)" in Article 31, paragraph (1) of the Act on the Protection of Personal Information Held by Administrative Organs is deemed to be replaced with "Article 28, paragraph (3) of the Act on the Protection of Personal Information Held by Incorporated Administrative Agencies, etc."

(3)When a case has been transferred pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) and the head of the administrative organ, who has received the transfer makes the decision to make a correction prescribed in Article 33, paragraph (3) of the Act on the Protection of Personal Information Held by Administrative Organs, the Incorporated Administrative Agency, etc. which has transferred the case must implement the correction based on that decision to make a correction.

Article 35If the incorporated administrative agency, etc. has implemented a correction of retained personal information based on a decision to make a correction (including the decision to make a correction under paragraph (3) of the preceding Article), if the incorporated administrative agency, etc. finds it necessary, it must give a notification to that effect in writing without delay to any party to which the retained personal information is provided.

Article 36(1)Any person who thinks that retained personal information for which that person is the relevant individual falls under any of the following items may, pursuant to the provisions of this Act, make a request for the measures specified in the respective items to the incorporated administrative agency, etc. holding the retained personal information; provided, however, that this does not apply where a special procedure for suspension of use, deletion, or suspension of provision (hereinafter referred to as "suspension of use") of the retained personal information is prescribed by another law or an order based on that law:

(2)A statutory representative of a minor or an adult ward may make the request for suspension of use (hereinafter referred to as the "request for the suspension of use") prescribed in the preceding paragraph on behalf of the relevant individual.

(3)A request for suspension of use must be made within ninety days from the date of disclosure of the retained personal information.

Article 37(1)A request for suspension of use must be made by submitting a document describing the particulars listed in the following items (hereinafter referred to as a "written request for suspension of use") to the incorporated administrative agency, etc.:

(2)In the case prescribed in the preceding paragraph, the person making the request for suspension of use must, pursuant to Cabinet Order provisions, present or submit a document to indicate that that person is the relevant individual (in the case of a request for suspension of use made under the provisions of paragraph (2) of the preceding Article, the statutory representative of the relevant individual) with regard to the retained personal information relating to the request for suspension of use.

(3)When the incorporated administrative agency, etc. finds that there is a deficiency in the format of the written request for suspension of use, it may, by setting a reasonable period of time, ask the person having made the request for suspension of use (hereinafter referred to as the "requester for suspension of use") to amend that request.

Article 38When a request for suspension of use is filed, if the incorporated administrative agency, etc. finds grounds for the request for suspension of use, it must implement a suspension of use of the retained personal information relating to the request for suspension of use within the scope necessary for ensuring the proper handling of personal information in the incorporated administrative agency, etc.; provided, however, that this does not apply where it is found that the suspension of use of the retained personal information is likely to hinder the proper execution of the processes or business relating to the purpose of use of the retained personal information due to the nature of those processes or business.

Article 39(1)When implementing suspension of use of the retained personal information relating to a request for suspension of use, the incorporated administrative agency, etc. must make a decision to that effect, and give the requester for suspension of use a notification to that effect in writing.

(2)When not implementing suspension of use of the retained personal information relating to a request for suspension of use, the incorporated administrative agency, etc. must make a decision to that effect, and give the requester for suspension of use a notification to that effect in writing.

Article 40(1)The decisions set forth in the respective items of the preceding Article (hereinafter referred to as "decision on suspension of use") must be made within thirty days from the date of a request for suspension of use; provided, however, that in cases where an amendment is requested pursuant to the provisions of Article 37, paragraph (3), the number of days required for the amendment is not included within that period of time.

(2)Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, when there are justifiable grounds such as difficulties arising from conducting processes, the incorporated administrative agency, etc. may extend the period of time prescribed in the same paragraph for up to thirty days.In this case, the incorporated administrative agency, etc. must without delay notify the requester for suspension of use in writing of the extended period and the grounds for the extension.

Article 41If the incorporated administrative agency, etc. finds that a decision on suspension of use would require a particularly long period of time, notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding Article, it is sufficient for it to make a decision on suspension of use within a reasonable period of time.In this case, the incorporated administrative agency, etc. must notify the requester for suspension of use in writing of the following particulars within the period of time prescribed in paragraph (1) of the same Article:

Article 42(1)A person who is dissatisfied with any inaction related to a decision on disclosure, decision on correction, decision, etc. on suspension of use, or request for disclosure, request for correction, or request for suspension of use, may file an appeal for review against the incorporated administrative agency, etc.

(2)The provisions of the following parts--Articles 9, 17, and 24; Chapter II, Section 3; and Article 50, paragraph (2)-- of the Administrative Complaint Review Act (Act No. 68 of 2014) do not apply to an appeal for review of any inaction related to a decision on disclosure, decision on correction, decision on suspension of use, or request for disclosure, request for correction, or request for suspension of use.

(3)When applying the provisions in Chapter II of the Administrative Complaint Review Act to an appeal for review of any inaction related to a decision on disclosure, decision on correction, decision on suspension of use, or request for disclosure, request for correction, or request for suspension of use, the wording in respective parts of the Administrative Complaint Review Act is deemed to be replaced with the following wording: the wording "a person who has been designated pursuant to the provisions of Article 9, paragraph (1) (referred to as a 'review officer')" in Article 11, paragraph (2), is replaced with the wording "an administrative agency to which an appeal for review has been filed pursuant to the provisions in Article 4 (including an administrative agency that takes over the appeal for review pursuant to the provisions in Article 14, hereinafter referred to as a 'reviewing agency'); the term "review officer" in Article 13, paragraphs (1) and (2), is replaced with the term "reviewing agency"; the wording "has been filed or a written opinion to suggest the necessity to order a stay of execution as prescribed in Article 40 has been submitted by a review officer" in Article 25, paragraph (7), is replaced with "has been filed"; the wording "Administrative Complaint Review Board, etc." in Article 44 is replaced with the wording "Information Disclosure and Personal Information Protection Review Board"; in the same Article, the wording "has received a report to its consultation from the Administrative Complaint Review Board, etc. (or when a review officer's written opinion has been submitted in cases where the consultation pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article is not necessary (excluding the cases falling under item (ii) or (iii) of the relevant paragraph), or when deliberations prescribed in item (ii) or (iii) of the relevant paragraph have been held in the cases falling under item (ii) or (iii) of the relevant paragraph)" is replaced with the wording of "has received a report to its consultation from the Administrative Complaint Review Board, etc."; and the wording of "the review officer's written opinion or the written report from the Administrative Complaint Review Board, etc. or the Council, etc." in Article 50, paragraph (1), item (iv), is replaced with the wording "the Information Disclosure and Personal Information Protection Review Board."

Article 43(1)When an appeal for review is filed for any inaction related to a decision on disclosure, a decision on correction, a decision on suspension of use, or a request for disclosure, request for correction, or request for suspension of use, the incorporated administrative agency, etc. must, except in the cases that fall under any of the following items, consult the Information Disclosure and Personal Information Protection Review Board :

(2)The incorporated administrative agency, etc. which has made a consultation pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph must notify the following persons to the effect that the consultation was made:

Article 44The provisions of Article 23, paragraph (3) apply mutatis mutandis to the cases in which the determination falls under any of the following items: