Article 1The purpose of this Act is to ensure the safety and other qualities of agricultural chemicals, and their safe and proper use, by establishing a registration system of agricultural chemicals and regulating their sale and use, and thereby to contribute to the stability of agricultural production and the protection of the people's health and to contribute to the conservation of the people's living environment.

Article 2(1)The term "agricultural chemicals" as used in this Act means bactericides, insecticides, herbicides and other chemicals to be used for controlling bacteria, nematodes, mites, insects, rats, weeds, or other animals or plants or viruses (hereinafter referred to collectively as "pests") that harm crops (including trees, and agricultural and forestry products; hereinafter referred to as "crops, etc.") (those bactericides, insecticides, herbicides and other chemicals include substances specified by Cabinet Order among those in which the bactericides, insecticides, herbicides and other chemicals are used as their materials or ingredients, and which are used for that control), and growth stimulants, germination inhibitors and other chemicals (excluding the fertilizers provided in Article 2, paragraph (1) of the Fertilizer Regulation Act (Act No. 127 of 1950)) that are used for enhancing or inhibiting the physiology of crops, etc.

(2)Natural enemies used for the control referred to in the preceding paragraph are deemed to be agricultural chemicals with respect to the application of this Act.

(3)The term "technical grade active ingredients" as used in this Act means materials of agricultural chemicals, which consist of active ingredients which are other than active ingredients and remain as a result of their manufacture.

(4)The term "manufacturer" used in this Act means a person that manufactures or processes agricultural chemicals, and the term "importer" means a person that imports agricultural chemicals, and the term "seller" means a person that sells agricultural chemicals (including provision other than sale; the same applies hereinafter).

Article 3(1)Manufacturers or importers must not manufacture, process or import agricultural chemicals unless those agricultural chemicals are registered by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; provided, however, that this does not apply to cases in which agricultural chemicals designated by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Minister of the Environment as being clearly unlikely to harm crops, etc., humans, animals, and flora and fauna in the human living environment (meaning flora and fauna whose inhabitation or growth's interference would mean a risk that there is interference with the conservation of the human living environment; the same applies hereinafter) in light of their materials and substances (hereinafter referred to as "specified agricultural chemicals") are manufactured, processed or imported; to cases in which agricultural chemicals subject to the registration under Article 34, paragraph (1) with the labeling under Article 16 as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 34, paragraph (6) are imported; and to other cases prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Ministry of the Environment.

(2)The application for the registration referred to in the preceding paragraph must be filed by submitting a written application stating the following items, documents stating test results on the safety and other qualities of agricultural chemicals, and other documents prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries as being necessary for the examination referred to in paragraph (4).In this case, the test results prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (hereinafter referred to as the "specified test results") must be based on tests conducted in accordance with standards prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries as being necessary to ensure the reliability of the results (hereinafter referred to as "standards conformity tests"):

(3)A person that applies for the registration referred to in paragraph (1) may omit part of the documents to be submitted under the preceding paragraph, pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, if the technical grade active ingredient of the agricultural chemical concerning the relevant application is equivalent to that of the agricultural chemicals that have been registered under the same paragraph or under Article 34, paragraph (1), in their ingredients and the severity of their toxicity.

(4)When the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries receives an application for the registration referred to in paragraph (1), the Minister is to examine the safety and other qualities of the agricultural chemicals concerning the application based on the written application and documents referred to in paragraph (2), on the basis of the latest scientific knowledge.

(5)The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may entrust part of the operations related to the examination referred to in the preceding paragraph to the Food and Agricultural Materials Inspection Center (hereinafter referred to as the "Center").

(6)If the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries finds that the agricultural chemical concerning the application for the registration referred to in paragraph (1) is particularly necessary for controlling pests, or enhancing or inhibiting the physiology of crops, etc., or is especially safer compared to other agricultural chemicals with a similar scope of the applied pests and usage, the Minister is to endeavor to prioritize the examination referred to in paragraph (4) of the agricultural chemical concerning that application over the examination of other agricultural chemicals.

(7)Matters necessary for conducting the examination referred to in paragraph (4) are prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

(8)A person that applies for the registration referred to in paragraph (1) must pay the fee in the amount specified by Cabinet Order in consideration of the actual cost.

(9)The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must register the agricultural chemicals concerning the application for the registration referred to in paragraph (1), and issue a registration certificate stating the following matters, unless the Minister refuses the registration pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the following Article:

Article 4(1)If the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries finds the results of the examination referred to in paragraph (4) of the preceding Article fall under any of the following items, the Minister must refuse the registration referred to in paragraph (1) of the same Article:

(2)The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries defines the criteria to determine whether the case falls under item (v) of the preceding paragraph and issues public notice thereof.

(3)The Minister of the Environment defines the criteria to determine whether the case falls under any of the paragraph (1), items (vi) through (ix) and issues public notice thereof.

Article 5(1)If an inheritance, a merger, or a split (limited to those in which the whole or part of the business of manufacturing, processing, or importing the agricultural chemical in relation to the registration is succeeded) takes place in connection with the person that has obtained the registration under Article 3, paragraph (1), the heir (or, the heir selected to succeed the business of manufacturing, processing, or importing the agricultural chemical in relation to the registration, if there are two or more heirs, and that heir is thus selected with their unanimous consent), the corporation surviving the merger or the corporation newly established upon the merger, or the corporation that has succeeded the business of manufacturing, processing or importing the agricultural chemical in relation to the registration upon the split succeeds the status of the person that has obtained the registration.

(2)If a person that has obtained the registration under Article 3, paragraph (1) transfers the whole or part of the business of manufacturing, processing, or importing the agricultural chemical in relation to the registration, the transferee succeeds the status of the person that has obtained the registration.

(3)A person that has succeeded the status of the person that has obtained the registration under Article 3, paragraph (1) pursuant to the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs must notify the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries thereof and apply for a revised registration certificate to be issued (for a person that succeeds upon the split or is transferred part of the business of manufacturing, processing, or importing an agricultural chemical, a registration certificate to be issued), without delay after the inheritance, in case of inheritance, or within two weeks from the merger, split or business transfer, in case of merger, split and business transfer.

(4)A person that applies for a revised registration certificate or registration certificate to be issued pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph must pay the fee in the amount specified by Cabinet Order in consideration of the actual cost.

Article 6(1)As provided for in Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, a person that has obtained the registration under Article 3, paragraph (1) (excluding persons that manufacture, process or import the relevant agricultural chemicals solely for personal use) must keep the registration certificate at the principal manufacturing plant and keep a copy of the certificate at other manufacturing plants if that person is a manufacturer, and must keep the registration certificate at the principal office for an importer and keep a copy of the certificate at other offices if that person is an importer.

(2)If matters listed in item (i), item (iv) (except for the part concerning damage prevention measures), items (v) through (x), item (xii), or item (xiii) of paragraph (2) of Article 3 have changed, a person that has obtained the registration under paragraph (1) of the same Article must notify the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of the change with the reason for it, and if those changed matters fall under the information stated in the registration certificate, that person must also apply for a revised registration certificate to be issued, within two weeks from the date of the occurrence of the change (or, if there is a change to the matters set forth in item (xiii), from the day of the commencement of the manufacture, processing or import of the agricultural chemical in which the technical grade active ingredient manufactured in the manufacturing process after the change is used as its material).

(3)A person that has lost or damaged the registration certificate must notify the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries thereof and apply for reissuance of the certificate, without delay.

(4)The provisions of paragraph (4) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to a person that applies for a revised registration certificate to be issued or for the registration certificate to be reissued pursuant to the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs.

(5)If a person that has obtained the registration under Article 3, paragraph (1) has discontinued the manufacture, processing or import of the registered agricultural chemical, the person must notify the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries thereof within two weeks from the discontinuation.

(6)If a corporation that has obtained the registration under Article 3, paragraph (1) has dissolved, its liquidator must notify the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries thereof within two weeks from the dissolution except cases in which it has dissolved as a result of a merger.

Article 7(1)If a person that has obtained the registration under Article 3, paragraph (1) intends to change the matters related to the registration set forth in item (iii), item (iv) (limited to the part concerning damage prevention measures) or item (xi) of paragraph (2) of the same Article, the person must apply for the registration of change by submitting a written application stating the matters prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the registration certificate, documents stating test results on the safety and other qualities of agricultural chemicals, and other documents prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries as being necessary for the examination provided in the following paragraph, to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.In this case, the specified test results must be based on the standards conformity tests.

(2)If the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries receives an application under the preceding paragraph, the Minister is to examine the safety and other qualities of the agricultural chemicals concerning the relevant application based on the written application and documents referred to in the same paragraph, on the basis of the latest scientific knowledge.

(3)The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may entrust part of the operations related to the examination referred to in the preceding paragraph to the Center.

(4)If the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries finds that the agricultural chemical concerning the application under paragraph (1) is especially necessary for controlling pests, or enhancing or inhibiting the physiology of crops, etc., or is especially safer compared to other agricultural chemicals that have a similar scope of the applied pests and usage, the Minister is to endeavor to prioritize the examination of the agricultural chemical concerning the relevant application referred to in paragraph (2) over the examination of other agricultural chemicals.

(5)Matters necessary for conducting the examination referred to in paragraph (2) are prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

(6)A person that files an application under paragraph (1) must pay the fee in the amount specified by Cabinet Order in consideration of the actual cost.

(7)The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must register the change and issue the revised registration certificate unless the Minister refuses the registration of the change pursuant to the provisions of the following paragraph.

(8)If the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries finds the results of the examination referred to in paragraph (2) fall under any of the items of paragraph (1) of Article 4, the Minister must refuse the registration of change referred to in paragraph (1).

Article 8(1)If the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries designates the scope of agricultural chemicals and gives public notice that a person that has obtained the registration under Article 3, paragraph (1) must undergo reevaluations, the person must undergo reevaluations by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for the relevant designated agricultural chemicals.

(2)The reevaluations under the preceding paragraph (hereinafter in this Article simply referred to as "reevaluations") are conducted for the agricultural chemical containing the same active ingredient for each period specified by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries from the day on which the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries makes the registration for the first time under Article 3, paragraph (1) or Article 34, paragraph (1) with respect to the agricultural chemical containing the referenced active ingredient.

(3)The public notice referred to in paragraph (1) must be given accompanied by notification of the documents stating the test results on the safety and other qualities of the agricultural chemical and other materials, which the person that undergoes the reevaluations should submit, and the deadline for the submission of those documents.In this case, the specified test results must be based on the standards conformity tests.

(4)For the reevaluations, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is to examine the safety and other qualities of the agricultural chemicals designated under paragraph (1) based on the documents referred to in the preceding paragraph, on the basis of the latest scientific knowledge.

(5)The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may entrust part of the operations related to the examination referred to in the preceding paragraph to the Center.

(6)Matters necessary for conducting the examination referred to in paragraph (4) are prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

(7)A person that intends to undergo reevaluations must submit the documents referred to in paragraph (3), and pay the fee in the amount specified by Cabinet Order in consideration of the actual cost, by the deadline for submission referred to in the same paragraph to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Article 9(1)If the documents under paragraph (3) of the preceding Article are not submitted or the fee under paragraph (7) of the same Article is not paid by the deadline specified in paragraph (3) of the same Article, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may revoke the registration of the relevant agricultural chemical.

(2)When the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries finds the results of the examination referred to in paragraph (4) of the preceding Article fall under any of the items of paragraph (1) of Article 4, the Minister may register the change of the matters listed in Article 3, paragraph (2), item (iii), item (iv) (limited to the part concerning damage prevention measures) or item (xi), or revoke the registration concerning the relevant registered agricultural chemical, to the extent necessary for ensuring the safety and other qualities of the relevant agricultural chemical.

(3)Beyond what is provided for in the preceding paragraph, if the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries finds that any events provided in Article 4, paragraph (1), items (iv) through (ix), or item (xi) occur as a result of the use of the agricultural chemical currently registered even if it is used in compliance with the matters set forth in Article 3, paragraph (2), item (iii) and item (iv) (limited to the part concerning damage prevention measures) concerning the registration and if it is necessary to prevent the occurrence of these events, the Minister may register the change of the matters listed in Article 3, paragraph (2), item (iii), item (iv) (limited to the part concerning damage prevention measures) or item (xi), or revoke the registration concerning the relevant registered agricultural chemical, to the extent necessary.

(4)If the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries changes the registration or revokes the registration pursuant to the provisions of the preceding three paragraphs, the Minister must notify the party to the relevant disposition of this and the reasons thereof, and in case of changing the registration, must issue a registration certificate detailing the changed matters set forth in Article 3, paragraph (2), item (iii), item (iv) (limited to the part concerning damage prevention measures) or item (xi), without delay.

(5)If a request for administrative review with respect to a disposition under paragraphs (1) through (3) has been made, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must make an administrative determination with respect to this request within two months from the date on which the request for administrative review was made (or, from the date on which a defect was corrected, if the Minister has ordered the correction of that defect pursuant to the provisions of Article 23 of the Administrative Complaint Review Act (Act No. 68 of 2014)).

Article 10(1)If a water polluting agricultural chemical is designated or the designation is cancelled pursuant to the provisions of Article 26, paragraph (1), the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must register the change to that effect without delay with respect to the currently registered agricultural chemical that falls under or no longer falls under the water polluting agricultural chemical upon the relevant designation or the cancellation of the designation.

(2)If the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries changes the registration pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Minister must notify the person that has obtained the registration under Article 3, paragraph (1) with respect to the relevant agricultural chemical thereof, and must issue a registration certificate detailing the changed matters set forth in item (iii) of paragraph (9) of the same Article, without delay.

Article 11If falling under any of the following items, the registration under Article 3, paragraph (1) ceases to be effective:

Article 12If a person that has obtained the registration under Article 3, paragraph (1) (or, the liquidator, in case of item (iii) of the preceding Article) falls under any of the following items, the person must return the registration certificate (or, if the person falls under item (ii), the registration certificate before the change detailing the matters set forth in Article 3, paragraph (2), item (iii), item (iv) (limited to the part concerning damage prevention measures) or item (xi), or paragraph (9), item (iii)) to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries without delay:

Article 13When the registration under Article 3, paragraph (1) is made; the registration is changed or revoked pursuant to the provisions of Article 9 paragraph (1) to (3); the registration is changed pursuant to the provisions of Article 10, paragraph (1); the registration ceases to be effective pursuant to the provisions of Article 11; or the registration is revoked pursuant to the provisions of Article 31, paragraph (1), the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must give a public notice thereof and of the following matters without delay:

Article 14(1)The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is to endeavor to publish an outline of the test results on the safety and other qualities of agricultural chemicals, the principal ingredients of technical grade active ingredients, and other information on the registered agricultural chemicals.

(2)If there is any change, rescission or expiration of the registration of the agricultural chemicals that a manufacturer or an importer manufactures, processes, or imports, the manufacturer or importer is to endeavor to inform sellers and users of agricultural chemicals thereof.

Article 15For the purpose of promoting smooth implementation of the provisions of this Chapter, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is to endeavor to collect, organize and analyze the scientific knowledge on the safety and other qualities of agricultural chemicals.

Article 16If selling the agricultural chemicals that a manufacturer or an importer has manufactured, processed or imported, the manufacturer or importer must indicate the following matters on the container (or, on the packaging, if selling the agricultural chemicals without a container); provided, however, that this does not apply if manufactured, processed or imported specified agricultural chemicals are sold, or if an importer imports and sells the agricultural chemicals registered under Article 34, paragraph (1) with the labeling under the provisions of this Article as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 34, paragraph (6).

Article 17(1)Sellers (excluding those that fall under manufacturers or importers (except those that solely manufacture, process, or import specified agricultural chemicals); the same applies in Article 29, paragraphs (1) and (3), and Article 31, paragraph (4)) must notify the prefectural governor governing the location of the sales office, of the following matters for each sales office, pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The same applies if any change occurs in the relevant matters:

(2)The notification under the provisions of the preceding paragraph must be made by the date of commencement if the seller newly commences selling, or within two weeks from the date of expansion or close if the seller expands or close a sales office, or within two weeks from the date of change if there is any change in the matters set forth in any item of the same paragraph.

Article 18(1)A seller must not sell agricultural chemicals other than agricultural chemicals with the labeling under the provisions of Article 16 (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 34, paragraph (6); the same applies hereinafter in this Article and Article 24, item (i)) on the container or packaging and specified agricultural chemicals.

(2)In cases in which the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries changes the registration or revokes the registration pursuant to the provisions of Article 9, paragraph (2) or paragraph (3) (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 34, paragraph (6)), and changes the registration pursuant to the provisions of Article 10, paragraph (1) (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 34, paragraph (6)), or in any other cases, and when it is necessary to prevent the occurrence of the events provided in any of Article 4, paragraph (1), items (iv) through (ix), or item (xi) as a result of the use of the agricultural chemical, the Minister may restrict sellers from selling agricultural chemicals unless the labeling on the container or packaging under the provisions of Article 16 is changed, or impose other restriction on sale, or prohibit them from selling agricultural chemicals to the extent necessary, pursuant to Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

(3)If the restriction to the effect that agricultural chemicals must not be sold unless the labeling on the container or packaging under Article 16 is changed is established pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, and the seller changes the relevant labeling in accordance with the details of the restriction, the labeling after the change is deemed to be the labeling on the container or packaging made by the manufacturer or importer pursuant to the provisions of the same Article.

(4)If the agricultural chemicals that a manufacturer or an importer has manufactured, processed, or imported are prohibited from being sold pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2), the manufacturer, importer, or seller is to endeavor to recall the relevant agricultural chemicals from users of agricultural chemicals.

Article 19If a seller sells agricultural chemicals in violation of paragraph (1) or paragraph (2) of the preceding Article, or Article 31, paragraph (3), and it is necessary to prevent the occurrence of the events provided in any of Article 4, paragraph (1), items (iv) through (ix), or item (xi) as a result of the use of those agricultural chemical, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may, to the extent necessary, order the seller to take necessary measures including recalling those agricultural chemicals.

Article 20As provided for in Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, manufacturers, importers and sellers (excluding persons that manufacture, process or import agricultural chemicals solely for personal use, and other persons specified by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) must keep and preserve books, in which the manufactured quantity or imported quantity must be stated for each type of agricultural chemicals, and also the transferred quantity for each type must be stated for each transferee, in case of manufacturers or importers; or the acquired quantity and transferred quantity must be stated for each type of agricultural chemicals (or, if the agricultural chemical falls under water polluting agricultural chemicals, the acquired quantity must be stated for each type of agricultural chemicals, and the transferred quantity for each type must be stated for each transferee) in case of sellers (excluding those that fall under manufacturers or importers; the same applies in Article 31, paragraph (2)).

Article 21(1)Manufacturers, importers (including those that act as an intermediary in imports) or sellers must not falsely advertise the concentration of the active ingredients in, or the effectiveness of, the agricultural chemicals that they manufacture, process, import (including acting as an intermediary in imports) or sell, or must not advertise the agricultural chemicals that are not registered under Article 3, paragraph (1) or Article 34, paragraph (1) by misleading people into believing that those agricultural chemicals are registered under them.

(2)Manufacturers and importers must not use any name that is likely to create misunderstanding about the active ingredients or effectiveness of the agricultural chemicals that they manufacture, process or import.

Article 22(1)A person that sells herbicides (meaning chemicals other than agricultural chemicals, which are specified by Cabinet Order as chemicals that are used for weeding or are likely to be used for weeding; the same applies hereinafter) (that person is hereinafter referred to as the "herbicide seller") must put a label on the container or packaging, indicating that those herbicides cannot be used as agricultural chemicals, as provided for in Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, if selling herbicides; provided, however, that this does not apply if there is a labeling under this paragraph on the container or packaging of the relevant herbicides.

(2)Herbicide sellers (limited to persons engaging in the retail sale of herbicides) must place an indication displayed in a place that is easy to see for the public at each sales office that herbicides cannot be used as agricultural chemicals, as provided for in Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Article 23(1)If finding that an herbicide seller fails to comply with the provisions of the preceding Article, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may recommend that the herbicide seller take necessary measures.

(2)If the herbicide seller that has received a recommendation under the provisions of the preceding paragraph does not take the measures regarding the recommendations without reasonable grounds, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may order the referenced herbicide seller to take the measures regarding the recommendation.

Article 24It is prohibited for any person to use agricultural chemicals other than the agricultural chemicals set forth in the following items; provided, however, that this does not apply to cases in which the agricultural chemicals are used for the purpose of test and research, to cases in which a person that has obtained the registration under Article 3, paragraph (1) uses the registered agricultural chemicals that the person has manufactured, processed or imported for personal use, and to any other case specified by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Ministry of the Environment:

Article 25(1)In order to ensure the safe and proper use of agricultural chemicals, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and the Minister of the Environment must establish the standards which users of agricultural chemicals must comply with, regarding the timing and method of the use, and other matters of the agricultural chemicals currently registered under Article 3, paragraph (1) or Article 34, paragraph (1), or regarding any other agricultural chemical specified by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Ministry of the Environment, for each type of them, by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Ministry of the Environment.

(2)The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and the Minister of the Environment may change the standards referred to in the preceding paragraph if it is found to be necessary.

(3)Users of agricultural chemicals must not use agricultural chemicals in violation of the standards referred to in paragraph (1) (if those standards are changed pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the changed standards).

Article 26(1)The government designates the types of agricultural chemicals that meet all the requirements set forth in the following items as water polluting agricultural chemicals by Cabinet Order:

(2)With regard to the agricultural chemicals that fall under the water polluting agricultural chemicals designated pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph (hereinafter simply referred to as "water polluting agricultural chemicals"), if, in consideration of the prospective use of the relevant agricultural chemicals, natural conditions and other conditions within an area of the prefecture, there is a risk that the area of public water would have the water polluted, which is recognized to be associated with the use of the agricultural chemicals within that area, causing damage to flora and fauna in the human living environment, which would be extreme, or causing damage to humans or animals through the use of the polluted water, the prefectural governor may prescribe to the effect that a permission of the prefectural governor is required in advance to use the relevant agricultural chemicals in a specified area (or, if a national government organ is to use those agricultural chemicals in that area, to the effect that its consultation with the prefectural governor is required in advance) by a regulation, within the extent necessary to prevent the occurrence of these events, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Order.

Article 27When using agricultural chemicals, users of agricultural chemicals are to endeavor to deepen the knowledge and understanding of the safe and proper use of agricultural chemicals, and to endeavor to receive guidance from the extension instructor provided in Article 8, paragraph (1) of the Agricultural Improvement Promotion Act (Act No. 165 of 1948), the control staff for pests provided in Article 33, paragraph (1) of the Plant Protection Act (Act No. 151 of 1950), or a person designated by the prefectural governor as being equivalent thereto.

Article 28The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Minister of the Environment, and the Prefectural Governor are to endeavor to disseminate knowledge necessary to prevent the damage to humans and animals, to crops, etc., or to flora and fauna in the human living environment, or water pollution or soil pollution, which is recognized to be associated with the use of agricultural chemicals; provide information of the production and use thereof; and provide advice, guidance and other support with respect to the safe and proper use thereof and the safety and other qualities thereof.

Article 29(1)To the extent necessary for enforcing the provisions of Article 3, paragraph (1), Article 4, paragraph (1), Article 7, paragraph (8), Article 9, paragraph (2) and paragraph (3), Article 10, paragraph (1), Article 16, Article 18, paragraph (1) and paragraph (2), Article 19, Article 21, Article 23, Article 24, Article 25, paragraph (3), Article 26, paragraph (1), and Article 31, paragraph (1) and paragraph (2), the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or the Minister of the Environment may order manufacturers, importers, sellers, or users of agricultural chemicals or herbicide sellers, or persons that manufacture technical grade active ingredients, or other persons concerned, and the prefectural governor may order sellers, to report on the manufacture, processing, import, sale or use of agricultural chemicals, or the sale of herbicides, or the manufacture of technical grade active ingredients, or other matters; or they may have their employees collect agricultural chemicals or those chemical's materials or herbicides in quantity necessary for an inspection from those aforementioned persons, or have their employees enter the necessary sites and inspect the manufacture, processing, import, sale or use of agricultural chemicals, or the sale of herbicides, or the manufacture of technical grade active ingredients, or the situations of other matters, or inspect books, documents or other necessary items ; provided, however, that if agricultural chemicals or their materials, or herbicides are collected, payment for them must be made at market value at the time of question.

(2)The prefectural governor must report on the results of the report or the inspection obtained under the provisions of the preceding paragraph to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, or the Minister of the Environment pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Ministry of the Environment.

(3)In addition to what is provided for in paragraph (1), if finding it necessary for enforcing this Act, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or the Minister of the Environment may order manufacturers, importers or users of agricultural chemicals or herbicide sellers, or persons that manufacture technical grade active ingredients, or other persons concerned, and the prefectural governor may order sellers or users of water polluting agricultural chemicals, to report on the manufacture, processing, import, sale or use of agricultural chemicals, or the sale of herbicides, or the manufacture of technical grade active ingredients, or other matters; or they may have their employees collect agricultural chemicals or those agricultural chemicals' materials or herbicides in quantity necessary for an inspection from those aforementioned persons, or have their employees enter the necessary sites and inspect the manufacture, processing, import, sale or use of agricultural chemicals, or the sale of herbicides, or the manufacture of technical grade active ingredients, or the situations of other matters, or inspect books, documents or other necessary items; provided, however, that if agricultural chemicals or their materials, or herbicides are collected, payment for them must be made at market value at the time of question.

(4)In the case referred to in paragraph (1) or the preceding paragraph, the employees that carry out the collection or on-site inspection pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or the preceding paragraph must present their identification cards if the person set forth in paragraph (1) or the preceding paragraph so requests.

(5)The authority of the collection and on-site inspection under paragraph (1) and paragraph (3) must not be construed as being permitted for criminal investigation.

Article 30(1)If finding it necessary in the case under paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may have the Center collect agricultural chemicals or their materials in quantity necessary for an inspection from manufacturers, importers, sellers or users of agricultural chemicals, or persons that manufacture technical grade active ingredients, or other persons concerned, or have the Center enter the necessary sites and inspect the manufacture, processing, import, sale or use of agricultural chemicals, or the manufacture of technical grade active ingredients, or the situations of other matters, or books, documents or other necessary items; provided, however, that if agricultural chemicals or their materials are collected, payment for them must be made at market value at the time of question.

(2)If the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has the Center carry out the collection or on-site inspection pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Minister is to instruct the Center to carry out that collection or on-site inspection by indicating the date, place and other necessary matters.

(3)If the Center has carried out the collection or on-site inspection referred to in paragraph (1) in accordance with the instructions referred to in the preceding paragraph, the Center must report on the results of the inspection obtained under paragraph (1) to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

(4)The provisions of paragraph (4) and paragraph (5) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to the collection or on-site inspection under paragraph (1).

Article 31(1)If a manufacturer or an importer violates the provisions of this Act, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may restrict or prohibit them from selling agricultural chemicals, or may revoke the registration under Article 3, paragraph (1) pertaining to the manufacturer or importer.

(2)If a seller violates the provisions of Article 18, paragraph (1) or paragraph (2), Article 19, or Article 21, paragraph (1), the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may restrict or prohibit the seller from selling agricultural chemicals.

(3)If finding that an agricultural chemical is harmful to crops, etc., humans, animals, or flora and fauna in the human living environment because the quality and packaging, etc. of the agricultural chemical has become inferior as a result of having the Center inspect the agricultural chemical in accordance with the inspection method prescribed by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Minister may restrict or prohibit the sale or use of the relevant agricultural chemical.

(4)If a seller violates the provisions of this Act (excluding the provisions of Article 18, paragraph (1) and paragraph (2), Article 19, and Article 21, paragraph (1)), the prefectural governor may restrict or prohibit the seller from selling agricultural chemicals.

Article 32The proceedings on the date of hearing with respect to the rescission of registration prescribed in the provisions of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article must be open to the public.

Article 33A person whose registration has been revoked pursuant to the provisions of Article 31, paragraph (1) may not have the relevant agricultural chemical registered again for one year from the date of rescission.

Article 34(1)A person engaged in the business of manufacturing or processing agricultural chemicals in a foreign country which are exported to Japan, and selling them may have the relevant agricultural chemicals registered by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

(2)A person that intends to obtain the registration referred to in the preceding paragraph must appoint a person with an address in Japan (including the representative of the Japanese office of a foreign corporation, if the person has an office in Japan) that takes necessary measures to prevent the distribution of poor-quality agricultural chemicals in Japan, at the time of the application for the relevant registration.

(3)If a person appointed pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph (hereinafter referred to as the "domestic administrator") is changed, the person who has obtained the registration under paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as the "registered foreign manufacturer") must notify the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to that effect with the reason attached within one month from the date of the change.

(4)As provided for in Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the registered foreign manufacturer must keep books, in which the manufactured quantity for each type of agricultural chemicals related to the registration under paragraph (1) must be stated, and also the transferred quantity for each type must be stated for each transferee (those quantities are limited to those exported to Japan), and must notify the domestic administrator of the matters stated therein, and preserve the books.

(5)As provided for in Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the domestic administrator must keep books, in which the matters notified to them pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph must be stated, and must preserve those books.

(6)The provisions of Article 3, paragraphs (2) to (9), Article 4, Article 11 and Article 13 apply mutatis mutandis to the registration under paragraph (1); the provisions of Articles 5 to 8, Article 10, paragraph (2), Article 12 and Article 16 (excluding the proviso thereto) apply mutatis mutandis to the registered foreign manufacturer; the provisions of Article 9 and Article 10, paragraph (1) apply mutatis mutandis to the agricultural chemicals in relation to the registration under paragraph (1); and the provisions of Article 14, paragraph (2), Article 18, paragraph (4) and Article 21 apply mutatis mutandis to the registered foreign manufacturer and its domestic administrator under paragraph (1).In this case, the term "name (or, if the person)" in Article 3, paragraph (2), item (i) is deemed to be replaced with "names of the person that intends to obtain the registration under paragraph (1) of Article 34 and the person appointed by the aforementioned person pursuant to paragraph (2) of the same Article (or, if the person)"; the term "for agricultural chemicals to be manufactured or processed, manufacturing method" in item (ix) of the same paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "manufacturing method of agricultural chemicals"; the term "manufacturer or importer" in item (iv) of paragraph (ix) of the same Article is deemed to be replaced with "person that has obtained the registration under Article 34, paragraph (1)"; the term "of the business of manufacturing, processing, or importing" in Article 5, paragraph (1) is deemed to be replaced with "of the business of manufacturing (meaning a business of manufacturing, processing and selling agricultural chemicals; the same applies hereinafter)," the term "the business of manufacturing, processing, or importing" in the same paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "the business of manufacturing," and the term "business of manufacturing, processing or importing" in the same paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "the business of manufacturing"; the term "the business of manufacturing, processing, or importing" in paragraph (2) of the same Article is deemed to be replaced with "the business of manufacturing"; the term "two weeks" in paragraph (3) of the same Article is deemed to be replaced with "one month," and the term "the business of manufacturing, processing, or importing" in the same paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "the business of manufacturing"; the term "the manufacture, processing or import of the agricultural chemical" in Article 6, paragraph (2) is deemed to be replaced with "the manufacture or process of the agricultural chemical in relation to the registration under Article 34, paragraph (1) which is exported to Japan," and the term "two weeks" in the same paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "one month"; the term "the manufacture, processing or import" in paragraph (5) of the same Article is deemed to be replaced with "the business of the manufacture," and the term "two weeks" in the same paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "one month"; the term "two weeks" in paragraph (6) of the same Article is deemed to be replaced with "one month"; the term "Article 3, paragraph (1)" in Article 11, item (ii) is deemed to be replaced with "Article 34, paragraph (1)," and the term "the manufacture, processing or import" in the same item is deemed to be replaced with "the business of the manufacture"; the term "Article 3, paragraph (1)" in item (iii) of the same Article is deemed to be replaced with "Article 34, paragraph (1)"; the term "Article 31, paragraph (1)" in Article 12, item (iii) and Article 13 is deemed to be replaced with "Article 37, paragraph (1)"; the term "manufacturer or importer" in Article 13, item (iii) is deemed to be replaced with "the person that has obtained the registration under Article 34, paragraph (1) and the person appointed by the aforementioned person pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2) of the same Article"; the term "the agricultural chemicals that a manufacturer or an importer manufactures, processes, or imports" in Article 14, paragraph (2) is deemed to be replaced with "the agricultural chemicals in relation to the registration under Article 34, paragraph (1) that is exported to Japan"; the term "the agricultural chemicals that a manufacturer or an importer has manufactured, processed, or imported" in Article 16 is deemed to be replaced with "the agricultural chemicals in relation to the registration under Article 34, paragraph (1) that is exported to Japan, which a manufacturer or an importer has manufactured or processed"; the term "that a manufacturer or an importer has manufactured, processed, or imported" in Article 18, paragraph (4) is deemed to be replaced with "that the relevant registered foreign manufacturer has manufactured, processed, or imported"; and the terms "the agricultural chemicals that they manufacture, process, import (including acting as an intermediary in imports) or sell" and "the agricultural chemicals that they manufacture, process or import" in Article 21 is deemed to be replaced with "the agricultural chemicals in relation to the registration under Article 34, paragraph (1), which is exported to Japan."

Article 35(1)The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or the Minister of the Environment may order domestic administrators to report on their operations, or have its employees enter the necessary sites and inspect books, documents or other necessary items.

(2)If finding it necessary in the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may have the Center enter the necessary sites and inspect books, documents or other necessary items.

(3)The provisions of Article 29, paragraph (4) and paragraph (5) apply mutatis mutandis to the on-site inspection under paragraph (1), and the provisions of Article 30, paragraphs (2) through (4) apply mutatis mutandis to the on-site inspection under the preceding paragraph.

Article 36(1)The importer of the agricultural chemicals pertaining to the registration under Article 34, paragraph (1) (except cases in which the importer is the registered foreign manufacturer or its domestic administrator of those agricultural chemicals) must notify the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of the following items. The same applies if any change occurs in the relevant matters, or that importer discontinues the import:

(2)The notification under the preceding paragraph must be made no later than two weeks prior to the date of commencement if newly commencing the import of the agricultural chemicals in relation to the registration under Article 34, paragraph (1), or within two weeks from the date of change or discontinuation of import if there is any change in the matters set forth in any item of the previous paragraph, or the import has been discontinued.

Article 37(1)In a case falling under any of the following items, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may revoke the registration of foreign manufactured agricultural chemical obtained by the registered foreign manufacturer:

(2)A person whose registration has been revoked pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph may not have the relevant agricultural chemical registered again for one year from the date of revocation.

(3)The provisions of Article 9, paragraph (5) apply mutatis mutandis to the revocation of registration under paragraph (1), and the provisions of Article 32 apply mutatis mutandis to the hearing with respect to the revocation of registration the same paragraph.

Article 38If the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries finds it necessary for ensuring the proper execution of the operations of the examination provided in Article 3, paragraph (5), Article 7, paragraph (3) and Article 8, paragraph (5) (including cases in which these provisions are applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 34, paragraph (6)), the collection and on-site inspection provided in Article 30, paragraph (1), the inspection provided in Article 31, paragraph (3), and the on-site inspection provided in Article 35, paragraph (2), the Minister may issue necessary orders regarding the relevant operations to the Center.

Article 39(1)The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must hear the opinions of the Agricultural Materials Council if intending to plan to enact, amend or repeal the Cabinet Order under Article 2, paragraph (1); intending to make the registration under Article 3, paragraph (1) (excluding the case prescribed in paragraph (3) of the same Article); intending to establish or change the standards under Article 4, paragraph (2) (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 34, paragraph (6)); intending to change the registration (excluding cases in which the Agricultural Materials Council finds the change minor) pursuant to the provisions of Article 7, paragraph (7) (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 34, paragraph (6)); intending to make the change or to revoke the registration pursuant to the provisions of Article 9, paragraph (2) or paragraph (3) (including cases in which these provisions are applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 34, paragraph (6)); intending to enact, amend or repeal Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries under Article 18, paragraph (2); intending to determine or change the inspection method of agricultural chemicals provided in Article 31, paragraph (3); or intending to make the registration under Article 34, paragraph (1) (excluding cases prescribed in Article 3, paragraph (3) as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 34, paragraph (6)).

(2)The Minister of the Environment must hear the opinions of the Agricultural Materials Council if intending to establish or change the standards under Article 4, paragraph (3) (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 34, paragraph (6)), or intending to plan to enact, amend or repeal the Cabinet Order under Article 26, paragraph (1) or paragraph (2).

(3)The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and the Minister of the Environment must hear the opinions of the Agricultural Materials Council if intending to designate or change the specified agricultural chemicals pursuant to the provisions of Article 3, paragraph (1), or intending to enact, amend or repeal Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Ministry of the Environment under Article 25, paragraph (1).

Article 40(1)The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must consult with the Minister of the Environment if intending to enact, amend or repeal Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries under Article 18, paragraph (2) with respect to water polluting agricultural chemicals.

(2)The Minister of the Environment must hear the opinions of the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare from the perspective of public health if intending to establish or change the standards for determining whether the agricultural chemicals fall under cases set forth in Article 4, paragraph (1), item (vi) or item (vii) pursuant to the provisions of Article 4, paragraph (3) (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 34, paragraph (6); the same applies in the following paragraph).

(3)The Minister of the Environment may request the offering of documents and other necessary cooperation from the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare if intending to establish or change the standards for determining whether the agricultural chemicals fall under cases set forth in Article 4, paragraph (1), item (vi) or item (vii) pursuant to the provisions of Article 4, paragraph (3).

(4)The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and the Minister of the Environment must hear the opinions of the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare from the perspective of public health if intending to enact, amend or repeal Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Ministry of the Environment under Article 25, paragraph (1).

Article 41In the enforcement of this Act, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and the Minister of the Environment must give sufficient consideration to international trends for ensuring the safety and other qualities of agricultural chemicals, and closely coordinate with the heads of relevant administrative organs.

Article 42This Act does not apply if agricultural chemicals are manufactured, processed or sold for export, or if herbicides are sold for export.

Article 43As specified in Cabinet Order, part of administrative work under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries under Article 23 and Article 31, paragraph (2), and under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, or the Minister of the Environment under Article 29, paragraph (1) or paragraph (3) may be undertaken by the prefectural governor.

Article 44(1)As specified in Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, part of the authority of the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries under the provisions of Article 23, Article 29, paragraph (1) and paragraph (3), and Article 31, paragraph (2) may be delegated to the head of the regional agricultural administration office.

(2)As specified in Order of the Ministry of the Environment, part of the authority of the Minister of the Environment under Article 29, paragraph (1) and paragraph (3) may be delegated to the head of the regional environmental office.

Article 45The affairs to be processed by the prefecture pursuant to the provisions of Article 29, paragraph (1) and paragraph (2) are regarded as statutory entrusted function under item (i) as provided in Article 2, paragraph (9), item (i) of the Local Autonomy Act (Act No. 67 of 1947).

Article 46If an order is established, amended or repealed pursuant to the provisions of this Act, the order may provide necessary transitional measures (including transitional measures relating to penal provisions), to the extent determined as reasonably necessary for its establishment, amendment or repeal.

Article 47A person that falls under any of the following items is punished by imprisonment with work for not more than three years or a fine of not more than 1,000,000 yen, or by cumulative imposition of both penalties:

Article 48A person that falls under any of the following items is punished by imprisonment with work for not more than six months or a fine of not more than 300,000 yen, or by cumulative imposition of both penalties:

Article 49A person that falls under any of the following items is punished by a fine of not more than 300,000 yen:

Article 50If the representative of a corporation, or the agent, employee, or other worker of a corporation or an individual, has committed a violation of the provisions set forth in the following items in connection with the business of the corporation or individual, the corporation is subject to the fine prescribed in the relevant item, and the individual is subject to the fine referred to in the relevant Article, in addition to the punishment to which the offender is sentenced:

Article 51(1)Any agricultural chemicals in relation the offenses referred to in Article 47 that is owned or possessed by the offender may be confiscated in whole or in part. The same applies if a person other than the offender acquires the agricultural chemicals knowingly after the offense.

(2)In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, if the whole or part of the agricultural chemicals are unable to be confiscated, a sum of money equivalent thereto may be collected.

Article 52If an order under Article 38 has been violated, the officer of the Center who has committed the violation is punished by a civil fine of not more than 200,000 yen.