Article 1The purpose of this Act is, by regulating the production, etc. of fertilizers, to secure the quality, fair trade, and safe use of fertilizers, which would contribute to maintaining and increasing agricultural productivity, as well as to help protect the health of the people.

Article 2(1)The term a "fertilizer" as used in this Act means a substance used for the ground for the purpose of supplying nutrients to plants or bringing about a chemical change in the soil to help plants to grow, or a substance used for a plant for the purpose of feeding plants.

(2)The term a "special fertilizer" as used in this Act means rice bran, compost, or other fertilizers prescribed by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and a "ordinary fertilizer" means a fertilizer other than a special fertilizer.

(3)The term "guaranteed amount of components" in this Act means the minimum amount of main components expressed as a percentage to be included in ordinary fertilizer, which is guaranteed by the manufacturer, importer, or vendor who manufactures, imports, or sells an ordinary fertilizer.

(4)The term "manufacturer" as used in this Act means a person who manufactures a fertilizer (including formulation, processing, or collecting process of fertilizer; the same applies hereinafter) in the course of trade, and the term "importer" means a person who imports fertilizer in the course of trade, and the term "vendor" means a person other than a manufacturer or importer, who sells fertilizer in the course of trade.

Article 3(1)The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries establishes specifications for the matters prescribed in each of the following items in accordance with the types of an ordinary fertilizer set forth in the relevant items (hereinafter referred to as the "official specifications").

(2)If the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries intends to establish, change, or repeal the official specifications, the minister must issue public notice of this, at least 30 days prior to that date.

Article 4(1)A person who intends to manufacture an ordinary fertilizer in the course of trade must have the fertilizer set forth in items (i) through (vi) registered with the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and the fertilizer set forth in item (vii) with the prefectural governor who has jurisdiction over the location of the place of business where the fertilizer is manufactured, as to the ordinary fertilizer by each brand and classification.

(2)The provisions of the preceding paragraph do not apply to the following fertilizers.

(3)If an agricultural cooperative covering the area within the prefectural boundaries or any other person specified by Cabinet Order (referred to as an "agricultural cooperative, etc." in Article 16-2, paragraph (2)) intends to manufacture an ordinary fertilizer set forth in pragraph (1), item (vi) for which official specifications have been established (excluding a blended fertilizer made by blending one or more types of ordinary fertilizers set forth in items (iii) through (v) of that paragraph as the raw material) in the course of trade, it must be registered by the prefectural governor who has jurisdiction over the location of the place of business where the fertilizer is manufactured, notwithstanding the provisions of that paragraph.

(4)A person who intends to import an ordinary fertilizer in the course of trade must have the fertilizer registered by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; provided, however, that this does not apply to an ordinary fertilizer specified in each item in paragaraph (2), and an ordinary fertilizer which has been registered pursuant to the provisions of Article 33-2, paragraph (1).

Article 5A person who intends to manufacture or import an ordinary fertilizer for which official specifications have not been established (excluding ordinary fertilizers listed in paragraph (2), items (ii) through (iv) of the preceding Article (hereinafter refered to as "designated mixed fertilizer") and an ordinary fertilizer which has been provisionally registered pursuant to the provisions of Article 33-2, paragraph (1)) in the course of trade, must have the fertilizer provisionally registered by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Article 6(1)A person intending to register or provisionally register a fertilizer must submit a written application providing the following matters, along with a fertilizer sample for which the registration or provisional registration is applied, to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or the prefectural governor in accordance with the procedures prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

(2)A person who applies for registration or provisional registration with the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must pay the amount of fee specified by Cabinet Order in consideration of the actual costs to examine the application.

Article 7(1)When an application for registration is filed pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must have the Food and Agricultural Materials Inspection Center (hereinafter referred to as the "Center"), or the prefectural governor must have the prefectural government employees examine the matters provided in the written application and the fertilizer sample, and then must register the fertilizer if the minister or governor confirmed that the fertilizer meets the official specifications and that the name of the fertilizer does not violate the provisions of Article 26, paragraph (2); provided, however, that this does not apply if, as a result of the examination, it is found that fertilizer prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries referred to in item (vi) of the preceding Article, is harmful to plants when it is used on plants by using a standard use method, or if it is found that an agricultural product that may cause harm to humans or animals when it is used on the agriculture product according to the list of applicable plants and the method provided in the written application.

(2)Examination items, examination methods, and other matters necessary for the implementation of the examination referred to in the preceding paragraph are prescribed by an Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

(3)The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must consult the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare and the Minister of Environment when the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries intends to register a specified ordinary fertilizer pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1).

Article 8(1)When an application for provisional registration is filed pursuant to the provisions of Article 6, paragraph (1), the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must have the Center examine the matters provided in the written application and the fertilizer sample; provided, however, that the minister may reject the application without having the Center perform an examination if it is identical to the fertilizer (including cases where the names are different) for which the application was filed has been revoked the provisional registration pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (3) of the following Article.

(2)The provisions of paragraph (2) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to the examination referred to in the preceding paragraph.

(3)When, as a result of the examination pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), when the amount of the main components, the effectiveness, and the quality of the fertilizer are found to be equivalent to those of a fertilizer similar to that for which official specifications have been established, and the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries confirms that the name of the fertilizer does not violate the provisions of Article 26, paragraph (2), the minister must provisionally register the fertilizer; provided, however, that this does not apply if the fertilizer is found to be harmful to plants when it is used on the plants according to the use method provided in the written application, or if it is apparent that an agricultural product that may cause harm to humans and animals will be manufactured when a specified ordinary fertilizer is used on the agricultural product included in the list of applicable plants according to the method provided in the written application.

(4)The provisions of paragraph (3) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to the provisional registration of a specified ordinary fertilizer under the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

Article 9(1)If the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries finds that the results of the plant growth test provided in a written application are trustworthy after having had the Center test the effectiveness of the provisionally registered fertilizer on plants, the minister must establish official specifications pursuant to the provisions of Article 3 without delay, and must register the fertilizer.

(2)The provisions of Article 7, paragraph (2) apply mutatis mutandis to the fertilizer effectiveness test referred to in the preceding paragraph.

(3)If the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries finds the results of the plant growth test provided in a written application are not trustworthy as a result of the testing referred to in paragraph (1), the Minister must revoke the provisional registration of the fertilizer, even if the provisional registration is currently valid.

(4)A person who has had their provisional registration revoked pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph must return the provisional registration certificate to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries without delay.

Article 10When the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or a prefectural governor registers or provisionally registers a fertilizer, the minister or the governor must issue a registration certificate or provisional registration certificate providing the following matters to the registrant:

Article 11A person whose fertilizer has been registered or provisionally registered must keep the registration certificate or provisional registration certificate in the principal office and a manufacturer must keep a copy of the certificate in the place of business where the fertilizer is manufactured.

Article 12(1)The valid period of registration of a fertilizer is three years (or six years, in the case of an ordinary fertilizer whose type is specified by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) and the valid period of provisional registration of a fertilizer is one year.

(2)The valid period of registration of fertilizer referred to in the preceding paragraph may be renewed by filing an application; provided, however, that this does not apply to an ordinary fertilizer that no longer meets the official specifications due to a change in the specifications or to an ordinary fertilizer for which official specifications of the relevant type of fertilizer do not exist due to the discontinuation of the official specifications.

(3)The valid period of provisional registration referred to in paragraph (1) may be renewed by filing an application, only if the effectiveness of the fertilizer cannot be determined based on the fertilizer effectiveness test referred to in Article 9, paragraph (1) during the valid period of registration.

(4)A person who intends to renew their registration or provisional registration must submit a written application providing the matters set forth in Article 6, paragraph (1), items (i) through (v) and item (ⅺ), along with the registration certificate or provisional registration certificate, to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or the prefectural governor according to the procedure specified by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

(5)A person who intends to renew the registration or provisional registration with the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must pay the amount of fee specified by Cabinet Order in consideration of the actual costs to examine the application.

Article 13(1)If any of the following matters changes, the fertilizer registrant or provisional registrant must notify the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or the prefectural governor of the matter that has changed and the date of the change according to the procedures prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries within two weeks of that date, and if the matter that has changed is the matter provided in the registration certificate or the provisional registration certificate, the person must apply for a revised registration or provisional registration certificate:

(2)A person, who has succeeded the position of the registrant or provisional registrant by inheritance or in a corporate merger or bifurcation, must notify the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or the prefectural governor to this effect in accordance with the procedures prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, within two weeks from that date, and apply for a revised registration certificate or provisional registration certificate (a person who has succeeded a part of an ordinary fertilizer manufacturing or importing business due to a corporate bifurcation must apply for the issuance of a registration or provisional registration certificate).

(3)A person, who has lost their registration certificate or provisional registration certificate or damaged/soiled it must notify the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or the prefectural governor to this effect according to the procedures prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and apply for its reissuance.

(4)If a manufacturer or importer whose ordinary fertilizer has been registered or provisionally registered intends to change the name of ther fertilizer, the manufacturer or importer must notify the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or the prefectural governor to this effect according to the procedures prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and apply for issuance of a revised registration certificate or provisional registration certificate.

Article 13-2(1)A person, for whom a specified ordinary fertilizer has been registered or provisionally registered, may file an application to register or provisionally register the change, if it is necessary to change the list of applicable plants or the application method related to the registration or provisional registration, by submitting an application setting forth the matters prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the registration certificate or provisional registration certificate, and the specified ordinary fertilizer sample to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

(2)When the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries receives an application pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the minister must have the Center examine the matters provided in the written application and the specified ordinary fertilizer sample, and if the specified ordinary fertilizer is to be used as a result of the examination on the applicable plants listed and according to the method set forth in the application, the minister must register or provisionally register the change without delay and issue a revised registration certificate or provisional registration certificate, unless it is apparent that an agricultural product that may cause harm to humans or animals could be manufactured.

(3)The provisions of Article 6, paragraph (2) apply mutatis mutandis to a person who applies for the registration or provisional registration of a change pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), and the provisions of Article 7, paragraph (2) apply mutatis mutandis to the examination referred to in the preceding paragraph, and the provisions of Article 7, paragraph (3) apply mutatis mutandis to the registration or provisional registration of a change pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

Article 13-3(1)When a specified ordinary fertilizer currently registered or provisionally registered is used in accordance with the list of applicable plants and the application method related to the registration or provisional registration, and if an agricultural product that may cause harm to humans or animals could admittedly be manufactured, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may register or provisionally register a change in the use method related to the registration or provisional registration or may revoke the registration or provisional registration of the specific ordinary fertilizer, if it is necessary to prevent this situation from occurring.

(2)The provisions of Article 7, paragraph (3) apply mutatis mutandis to the registration or provisional registration of a change or the revocation of registration or provisional registration pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

(3)When the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries registers or provisionally registers a change or revokes a registration or provisional registration pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), the Minister must notify the party, against which the action is taken, of the disposition and the reasons for it without delay, and if a change has been registered or provisionally registered the Minister must issue a registration certificate or provisional registration certificate providing the use method that has been changed.

Article 14If the registration or provisional registration falls under any of the following items, it will be invalid:

Article 15(1)When the valid period of registration or provisional registration has expired or a registration or provisional registration has become invalid pursuant to the provisions of the preceding Article (excluding item (v)), the registrant or provisional registrant (or the liquidator in a case referred to in item (i) of that Article) must send a notification to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or the prefectural governor of the reason for the registration having becom invalid and the date without delay, together with the registration certificate or provisional registration certificate.

(2)In the cases referred to in the following items, the person specified in the relevant item must return the registration certificate or provisional registration certificate (or if the person falls under item (i), the registration certificate or provisional registration certificate providing the application method before it has been changed) to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or a prefectural governor without delay:

Article 16(1)When the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or a prefectural governor registers or provisionally registers a fertilizer, renews the valid period of registration or provisional registration, revokes the provisional registration pursuant to the provisions of Article 9, paragraph (3), revokes the registration or provisional registration pursuant to the provisions of Article 13-3, paragraph (1) or Article 31, paragraphs (1) through (3), or when the registration or provisional registration expires pursuant to the provisions of Article 14, the minister or governor must give a public notice of the following matters:

(2)When the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or a prefectural governor receives notice of change in the name of a fertilizer referred to in item (ii) of the preceding paragraph or in the matters referred to in item (vi) of that paragraph pursuant to the provisions of Article 13, paragraph (1) or (4), the minister or the governor must give a public notice of the matters that have been changed.

(3)When the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries registers or provisionally registers a change pursuant to the provisions of Article 13-2, paragraph (2) or Article 13-3, paragraph (1), the minister must publicize the matters that have been changed.

(4)A prefectural governor must notify the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and all other prefectural governors of the matters given a public notice of by the governor immediately.

Article 16-2(1)An importer of a designated mixed fertilizer and a manufacturer of a designated mixed fertilizer made by blending one or more types of ordinary fertilizers referred to in Article 4, paragraph (1), item (i) through (iii) as the raw material must notify the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and other manufacturers of the fertilizer must notify the prefectural governor who has jurisdiction over the location of the place of business where the designated mixed fertilizer is manufactured of the following matters at least a week before the manufacturer or importer of the designated mixed fertilizers start their business:

(2)If the agricultural cooperative and the like are the manufacturers of a designated mixed fertilizer (excluding those listed in item (iii) of the same paragraph that are blended with general-purpose fertilizers as raw materials) made by blending one or more types of ordinary fertilizers referred to in Article 4, paragraph (1), item (i) or (ii) as the raw material, the manufacturers must notify the prefectural governor who has jurisdiction over the location of the place of business where the fertilizer is manufactured, of the matters set forth in the respective items of that paragraph, notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

(3)If any of the matters to be notified referred to in paragraph (1) has changed, the manufacturer or importer of the designated mixed fertilizer must notify the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or the prefectural governor to this effect within two weeks of the change occurring. The same holds true for discontinuance of business.

Article 17(1)When a manufacturer or importer manufactures or imports an ordinary fertilizer, a product guarantee label by manufacturer or a product guarantee label by importer including the following matters must be affixed on the container or package of the fertilizer (or affixed to each fertilizer to be shipped or a fertilizer in bulk or in bags, if a container or package of fertilizer is not used, the same applies hereinafter) without delay, pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The same applies if the product guarantee label has been lost or the matters included in the guarantee are totally illegible during the time when the fertilizer is being possessed or managed by the manufacturer or importer themselves; provided, however, that this does not apply if the importer imports an ordinary fertilizer which has been registered or provisionally registered pursuant to the provisions of Article 33-2, paragraph (1):

(2)An importer of an ordinary fertilizer which has been registered or provisionally registered pursuant to the provisions of Article 33-2, paragraph (1), a product guarantee label by importer including the following matters must be affixed on the container or package of the fertilizer without delay, pursuant to Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, if the importer opens or changes the container or package of the fertilizer or puts a fertilizer without a container or package into a container or package. The same applies if an importer imports a fertilizer on which a product guarantee label by manufacturer is not affixed or the fertilizer whose matters included in the guarantee are illegible, or if the product guarantee label by manufacture has been lost or the matters included in the guarantee are illegible during the time when the imported fertilizer is being possessed or managed by the importer themselves:

(3)The matters referred to in items (v) through (vii) of the preceding paragraph and other matters prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries need not be provided in a product guarantee label by importer referre to in that paragraph, if the importer referred to in that paragraph does not know the matters.

Article 18(1)If a vendor opens or changes the container or package of an ordinary fertilizer or puts an ordinary fertilizer without a container or packaging into a container or package, the vendor must apply a product guarantee label by vendor including the following matters, on the container or package of the fertilizer without delay, as prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The same applies if the vendor receives an ordinary fertilizer on which a product guarantee label by manufacturer, a product guarantee label by importer, or a product guarantee label by vendor (hereinafter referred to as a "product guarantee label") is not affixed or if the matters included in the product guarantee label are illegible, or if a product guarantee label has been lost or the matters included in the product guarantee label are illegible during the time when the ordinary fertilizer is being possessed or managed by the vendor themselves.

(2)The matters referred to in paragraph (1), items (v) and (vi) of the preceding Article and in item (v) of the preceding paragraph and other matters prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries need not be provided in a product guarantee label by vendor referred to in that paragraph, if the vendor does not know the matters.

Article 19(1)No manufacturer, importer, or vendor may transfer an ordinary fertilizer (except for a designated mixed fertilizer) to others unless the ordinary fertilizer has been registered or provisionally registered and a product guarantee label is affixed to it, nor may a manufacturer, importer, or vendor transfer a designated mixed fertilizer unless a product guarantee label is affixed to it.

(2)Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, a manufacturer, importer, or vendor may transfer an ordinary fertilizer to others if the manufacturer, importer, or vendor has obtain the permission from the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or the prefectural governor, pursuant to the provisions of an order, if the fertilizer no longer meets the specifications provided in the registration certificate or provisional registration certificate due to a natural disaster, and if a compelling reason specified by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has occurred.

(3)If a change in the application method related to registration or provisional registration or the registration or provisional registration has been revoked pursuant to the provisions of Article 13-3, paragraph (1) (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 33-2, paragraph (6)) or in any other case, if it is necessary to prevent a situation in which an agricultural product that may cause harm to humans or animals could be manufactured by applying the specified ordinary fertilizer to it, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may inform a manufacturer, importer, or vendor that they are not allowed to transfer or deliver a specified ordinary fertilizer unless the details of the product guarantee label are changed, and the minister may restrict the manufacturer, importer or vendor from transferring or delivering the fertilizer, or prohibit them from transferring or delivering the fertilizer.

Article 20A product guarantee label must not include matters other than those set forth in the items of Article 17, paragraph (1) or (2) or the items of Article 18, paragraph (1), and a trademark and a trade name must not include matters other than the shipping number and shipping date, and must not include any false information.

Article 21(1)When the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries recognizes that consumers need to be careful in use or storage of an ordinary fertilizer, or that it is extremely difficult for consumers to clearly identify the quality or effect when purchasing, and it is particularly necessary to clearly identify the quality or effect of a substance in its application, the following labeling standards are to be established and announced.

(2)A prefectural governor may propose to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries that the labeling standards set forth in the preceding paragraph should be established for ordinary fertilizer or designated mixed fertilizer, registered or notified by the governor.ordinary fertilizer

Article 21-2A person using a fertilizer may not use any specified ordinary fertilizer unless a product guarantee label is affixed to it (except a specified ordinary fertilizer of which transfer or delivery is prohibited pursuant to the provisions of Article 19, paragraph (3)); provided, however, that this does not apply if the specified ordinary fertilizer is used for testing and research purposes and in other cases prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Article 21-3(1)When the specified ordinary fertilizer is established pursuant to the provisions of Article 4, paragraph (1), item (iv), the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must specify the time to use, method to use the specified ordinary fertilizer and establish the standards for each type of specified ordinary fertilizer, by issuing Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, which must be complied with by the person who applies the specified ordinary fertilizer.

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

(3)A specified ordinary fertilizer must not be used in violation of the standards referred to in paragraph (1) (or if the standards have been changed pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the revised standards).

(4)If the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries intends to enact, amend, or repeal the Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries referred to in paragraph (1), the minister must hear the opinions of the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare and the Minister of the Environment before doing so.

Article 22(1)A manufacturer or importer of a special fertilizer must notify the prefectural governor who has jurisdiction over the location of the place of business where the fertilizer is manufactured or the place where it is imported of the following matters by a week prior to the start of business:

(2)When any of the matters to be notified referred to in the preceding paragraph has changed, the manufacturer or importer of the special fertilizer must notify the relevant prefectural governor of this no later than two weeks from the date on which the change occurred. The same applies when the manufacturer or importer discontinues the business.

Article 22-2(1)The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is to prescribe the matters of labeling standards that include the following items, regarding special fertilizer prescribed by Cabinet Order as those for which proper labeling of fertilizer needs to be enforced, due to the fact that the customer requires caution in use or storage, or it is very difficult for consumers to discern the quality when purchasing the special fertilizer and it is particularly necessary for the consumers to discern the quality for the purpose of fertilizer use, and is to issue public notice of matters concerning the labeling standards:

(2)A prefectural governor may suggest that the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries should prescribe the labeling standard referred to in the preceding paragraph, by providing the types of special fertilizers.

Article 22-3(1)If any of the manufacturers, importers, or vendors does not indicate the matters set forth in Article 21, paragraph (1), item (i) or paragraph (1), item (i) of the preceding Article which was publicized pursuant to the provisions of that paragraph (hereinafter referred to collectively as the "matters to be indicated") or does not comply with the requirements referred to in item (ii) of the particulars listed in Article 21, paragraph (1), item (ii) or paragraph (1), item (ii) of the preceding Article that have been publicized pursuant to the provisions of that paragraph (hereinafter referred to collectively as the "matters to be followed"), the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may provide the details of requirements to the manufacturer, importer, or vendor, or provide instructions for them to comply with the requirements to be followed.

(2)If any of the manufacturer, importer, or vendor does not comply with the instructions referred to in the preceding paragraph, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries publicize the fact.

(3)In the event that the person who received the instructions in paragraph (1) fails to follow the instructions, when the matters to be indicated or matters to be followed related to the instruction falls under perticulars prescribed by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries as proper is necessary in order to contribute to the benefit of consumers, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may order the person to take measures related to the instruction.

(4)If those who have received orders under the provisions of the preceding paragraph (limited to vendors, manufacturers of ordinary fertilizers registered by prefectural governors or designated mixed fertilizers pertaining to such notifications, or manufacturers or importers of special fertilizers) did not comply with the orders the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must notify the prefectural governor having jurisdiction over the location of the place of business where the subject fertilizer is sold or manufactured or the place of import, to that effect.

Article 23(1)A manufacturer, importer, or vendor must notify the prefectural governor who has jurisdiction over the location of its place of business of the following matters for each place of business that sells fertilizer, no later than two weeks from the date on which the place of business stared to sell fertilizer:

(2)If any of the matters to be notified referred to in the preceding paragraph has changed, the manufacturer, importer, or vendor must notify the relevant prefectural governor of this within two weeks from the date on which the change has occurred. The same applies if the manufacturer, importer, or vendor discontinues the sale of fertilizer.

Article 24(1)It is prohibited for any person to counterfeit, alter, or improperly use a product guarantee label, or to affix a forged or altered product guarantee label or any thing similar to a product guarantee label which is likely to mislead consumer, to a fertilizer sold by the person or to its container or package.

(2)It is prohibited for any person to use a container or package labeled with the name, trademark, or trade name of any other manufacturer, importer, or vendor, or labeled with the name or components of any other fertilizer, as the container or package of a fertilizer sold by the person, unless the indications are erased.

Article 25A manufacturer, importer, or vendor must not mix any foreign substance into a fertilizer manufactured, imported, or sold by them, so that the quality of the fertilizer is compromised; provided, however, that this does not apply in the following cases.

Article 26(1)A manufacturer, importer, or vendor must not falsely advertise the main components, its amount, the effectiveness, raw materials or the method of manufacturing of the fertilizer manufactured, imported, or sold by them.

(2)A manufacturer, importer, or vendor must not use a name that is likely to mislead consumer about the components, its amount, the effectiveness, raw materials or the method of manufacturing of a fertilizer manufactured, imported, or sold by them.

Article 27(1)The manufacturer or importer of a fertilizer must maintain the books of accounts at each place of business that manufactures or import operation, and must include the name, quantity and row materials and others of fertilizer in the books of accounts, when it is manufactured or imported, pursuant to the Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

(2)The manufacturer, importer, or vendor of a fertilizer must maintain the books of accounts at each place of business at which the fertilizer is manufactured, imported, or sold, and the name and quantity of the fertilizer, the date, and the name of the other party must be entered in the books of accounts each time the manufacturer, importer or vendor purchases or sells the fertilizer to any other manufacturer, importer, or vendor pursuant to the Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

(3)The books of accounts referred to in the preceding two paragraphs must be preserved for two years.

Article 28Deleted

Article 29(1)The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or a prefectural governor, to the extent necessary to enforce this Act, may collect a report on the business or the use of fertilizers from a manufacturer, importer, transport service provider, package and cargo forwarding agent, or warehousing service providers of fertilizers, or from a person who applies the fertilizer.

(2)The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may collect a report on the business from a vendor to the extent necessary to enforce the provisions of Article 19, paragraph (3), Article 22-3 and Article 31, paragraph (4) or Article 31-2.

(3)A prefectural governor may collect a report on the business from a vendor to the extent necessary to enforce this Act.

(4)When the prefectural governor collects a report under the provisions of paragraph (1) or the preceding paragraph and it is apparent that a manufacturer, importer, or vendor fails to indicate the matters to be indicated or fails to comply with the requirements to be followed, or that a manufacturer, importer, or vendor has transferred or delivered the fertilizers in violation of the provisions of Article 19, paragraph (1) or (3) or Article 31, paragraph (4), the prefectural governor must report this to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Article 30(1)If the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or a prefectural governor, to the extent necessary to enforce this Act, may have the Ministry employees enter the place of work, warehouse, vehicle, farm, or any other place related to the service to store the fertilizer or where the fertilizer is used, of the manufacturer, importer, transport service provider, forwarding agent, or warehousing service provider, or a person who applies the fertilizer, and have them inspect the fertilizer, its raw materials, or books of accounts and documents and other necessary items related to the conditions of business or the use of the fertilizer, or question the associated persons, or may have the government employees take a sample of the fertilizer or its raw materials without any charge, but only the minimum amount needed for an analysis.

(2)The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may have the Ministry employees enter a place of work, warehouse, or any other place of the vendor, inspect the books of accounts and documents related to the fertilizer or the business (including electronic or magnetic records (meaning records used in computer data processing which are prepared in an electronic form, magnetic form, or any other form that cannot be perceived by human senses) if electronic or magnetic records have been prepared, maintained, and preserved instead of books of accounts and documents; the same applies in Article 33-3, paragraphs (1) and (2) and Article 33-5, paragraph (1), item (vi) of the following paragraph), or question the associated persons, to the extent necessary to enforce the provisions of Article 19, paragraph (3), Article 22-3, Article 31, paragraph (4) or Article 31-2.

(3)A prefectural governor, to the extent necessary to enforce this Act, may have the prefectural government employees enter a place of work, warehouse of the vendor, or any other place related to the sale of the fertilizer, inspect the books of accounts and documents related to the fertilizer or the business, or question the associated persons, and may have the prefectural government employees take a sample of the fertilizer without charge, but only the minimum amount needed for an analysis.

(4)If an on-site inspection or questioning has been carried out pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or the preceding paragraph, and it is apparent that a manufacturer, importer, or vendor fails to indicate the matters to be indicated or fails to comply with the matters to be followed, or that a manufacturer, importer, or vendor transfers or delivers fertilizers in violation of the provisions of Article 19, paragraph (1) or (3) or Article 31, paragraph (4), the relevant prefectural governor must report this to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

(5)The authority for on-site inspections, questioning, and sample taking under the provisions of paragraphs (1) through (3) may not be interpreted as having been granted for the purpose of criminal investigation.

(6)In the cases referred to in paragraphs (1) through (3), the employees of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or the prefectural government who perform the official duties must carry an self-identification card on them and present it when requested to do so by the associated persons.

(7)If the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or a prefectural governor has had their employees taken a sample of fertilizer or its raw materials pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or (3), a summary of the analysis results of the fertilizer or raw materials are to be made public in a newspaper or by other means.

Article 30-2(1)If the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries finds it necessary in a case referred to in paragraph (1) or (2) of the preceding Article, the minister may have the Center enter the place of business, warehouse, vehicle, farm, or any other place related to the manufacture, import or sale of a fertilizer or places related to the service to store the fertilizer or where the fertilizer is used, of the person or a vendor specified in paragraph (1) of that Article, and have the Center analyze the fertilizer, its raw materials, or inspect the books of accounts and documents and other necessary items related to the conditions of business and the use of the fertilizer, or question the associated persons, or may have the Center take a sample of a fertilizer or its raw materials without charge, but only the minimum amount needed for analysis.

(2)If the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has the Center carry out an on-site inspection, questioning, or taking a sample of a fertilizer (hereinafter referred to as "on-site inspection, etc.") pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the minister is to provide the date, place, and other necessary matters regarding the on-site inspection, etc. and give instruction to the Center to implement the on-site inspection.

(3)When the Center carries out an on-site inspection, etc. referred to in paragraph (1) in accordance with the instructions referred to in the preceding paragraph, the Center must report the results to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries as provided for by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

(4)The provisions of paragraphs (5) and (6) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to an on-site inspection, etc. under the provisions of paragraph (1), and the provisions of paragraph (7) of that Article apply mutatis mutandis to taking a sample of a fertilizer under the provisions of paragraph (1).

Article 31(1)If the manufacturer or importer violates the provisions of this Act or an order under this Act, except in following cases, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may restrict or prohibit the person from transferring or delivering the fertilizer related to the violation, or revoke the registration or provisional registration of the fertilizer.

(2)If a vendor related to the notification, the manufacture of an ordinary fertilizer registered or a designated mixed fertilizer related to the notification, or the manufacturer or importer of a special fertilizer related to the notification, violates the provisions of this Act or an order under this Act, the prefectural governor may restrict or prohibit the person from transferring or delivering the fertilizer, or may revoke the registration of the fertilizer.

(3)If it is apparent that a registered or provisionally-registered ordinary fertilizer, a designated mixed fertilizer, or a special fertilizer cause harm to plants when used according to the normal use method, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may, with respect to the fertilizer, restrict or prohibit the manufacturer or importer of an ordinary fertilizer witch is registered or provisionally registered or designated mixed fertilizer related to the notification from transferring or delivering the fertilizer or may revoke the registered or provisional registered fertilizer, and the prefectural governor may restrict or prohibit the manufacturer, importer, or vendor specified in the preceding paragraph from transfering or deliverying or may revoke the registeration or provisional registeraion, if it is necessary to prevent the harm from occurring.

(4)If the quality of a fertilizer proved to be poor as a result of the analysis conducted by the Center according to the inspection method specified by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Minister may restrict or prohibit the transfer, delivery or use of the fertilizer, if it is necessary to prevent such a situation from occurring.

(5)If a vendor is selling a fertilizer that is apparently harmful to plants because a foreign substance was mixed into it in violation of the provisions of Article 25 or is selling a fertilizer that is apparently harmful to plants when used according to the normal use method, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may give instructions to the prefectural governor who has jurisdiction over the place of business that the governor should implement a disposition against the vendor under the provisions of paragraphs (2) and (3), if it is necessary to prevent the wide spread of the harm.

(6)A person whose registered or provisionally registered fertilizer has been revoked pursuant to the provisions of paragraphs (1) through (3) must return the registration certificate or provisional registration certificate to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or to the prefectural governor without delay.

(7)If a disposition referred to in paragraphs (1) through (4) is implemented (excluding the revocation of a registration or provisional registration), the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must promptly notify all prefectural governors of this, if it is implemented by the minister, and the governor must promptly notify the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and all other prefectural governors of this, if it is implemented by the governor.

Article 31-2If a manufacturer, importer, or vendor transfers or delivers a fertilizer in violation of the provisions of Article 19, paragraph (1) or (3) or paragraph (4) of the preceding Article, and it is necessary to prevent the situation in which an agricultural product could be manufactured that may cause harm to humans or animals due to the fertilizer use, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may order the person to recall the fertilizer and to take any other necessary measures.

Article 32A person whose registered or provisionally registered fertilizer has been revoked pursuant to the provisions of Article 31, paragraphs (1) through (3) may not apply for registration or provisional registration of the ordinary fertilizer or identicals (including the cases where those names are different) for the second time during the one-year period after the revocation date.

Article 33(1)If the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or a prefectural governor intends to register or provisionally register a change pursuant to the provisions of Article 13-3, paragraph (1), to restrict or prohibit the transfer or delivery of a fertilizer pursuant to the provisions of Article 31, paragraph (3), or to implement a disposition so that the minister or prefectural governor may restrict or prohibit the transfer, delivery, or use of a fertilizer under the provisions of Article 31, paragraph (4), the minister or prefectural governor must conduct a hearing, regardless of the categories of procedures for statement of opinions under the provisions of Article 13, paragraph (1) of the Administrative Procedure Act (Act No. 88 of 1993).

(2)The proceedings on the hearing date for the revocation of registration or provisional registration under the provisions of Article 9, paragraph (3), Article 13-3, paragraph (1) or the provisions of Article 31, paragraphs (1) through (3), for registration or provisional registration of a change under the provisions of Article 13-3, paragraph (1), for the restriction or prohibition of the transfer or delivery of a fertilizer under the provisions of Article 31, paragraph (3), or for a disposition implemented to restrict or prohibit the transfer, delivery, or use of a fertilizer under the provisions of paragraph (4) of that Article must be open to the public.

Article 33-2(1)A person who, in the course of trade, manufactures an ordinary fertilizer in a foreign country to be exported to Japan (excluding a designated mixed fertilizer) may have each ordinary fertilizer brand registered by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, for which official specifications have been established or may have each ordinary fertilizer brand, for which official specifications have not been established, provisionally registered by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

(2)A person who intends to register or provisionally register a fertilizer pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, when applying for the registration or provisional registration, must appoint a person who takes necessary measures to prevent the distribution of poor-quality fertilizers in Japan, from among persons whose address is registered in Japan (including the representative of the office of a foreign corporation having the office in Japan).

(3)If the person whose fertilizer has been registered or provisionally registered pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as a "registered foreign manufacturer") changes the person appointed pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph (hereinafter referred to as a "domestic administrator"), or the name or address of the domestic administrator has changed, a person must notify the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of this in accordance with the procedures prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries within thirty days from the relevant date.

(4)A registered foreign manufacturer must maintain the books of accounts at each place of business that manufactures or sells fertilizer, and must enter the name and quantity of ordinary fertilizer that has been registered or provisionally registered pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), pursuant to the Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, they manufacture the ordinary fertilizer to export from their country to Japan, and must enter the name, quantity, raw materials and others of the fertilizer prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the date, and the name of the other party therein each time they sell the fertilizer, and must inform the domestic administrator of the matters entered in the books of accounts which must be preserved for two years.

(5)A domestic administrator must maintain the books of accounts at their domicile or principal office, and make entry in the books the matters informed of pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, and preserve the books for two years.

(6)The provisions of Articles 6 through 8, Article 9, paragraphs (1) through (3), Article 10, Article 12, Article 14 (excluding item (iii)), and Article 16, paragraphs (1) through (3) apply mutatis mutandis to registration or provisional registration under the provisions of paragraph (1); the provisions of Article 9, paragraph (4), Articles 11, 13, 13-2, and 15, the main clause of Article 17, paragraph (1) (excluding item (xii) and (xiii)), Article 20, Article 21, paragraph (1), Article 22-3, paragraphs (1) through (3) and Article 25 (excluding item (ii)) apply mutatis mutandis to a registered foreign manufacturer; the provisions of Article 13-3 apply mutatis mutandis to specified ordinary fertilizer that has been registered or provisionally registered pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1); the provisions of Article 26 apply mutatis mutandis to a registered foreign manufacturer and their domestic administrator; and the provisions of Article 29, paragraph (1) apply mutatis mutandis to a domestic administrator. In this case, the phrase the "Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or a prefectural governor" in these provisions is to be deemed replaced with the "Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries"; the phrase the "name and address" in Article 6, paragraph (1), item (i) is to be deemed replaced with the "name and address of the person intending to file an use for registration or provisional registration under the provisions of Article 33-2, paragraph (1) and the name and address of the person appointed by the person pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2) of that Article"; the phrase a "manufacturer that manufactures" in item (iv) of that paragraph is to be deemed replaced with "that manufactures"; the phrase a " copy thereof in case of a manufacturer" in Article 11 is to be deemed replaced with "a copy thereof"; the phrase "two weeks" in Article 13, paragraph (1) is to be deemed replaced with "thirty days"; the phrase a "manufacturer that manufactures" in item (ii) of that paragraph is to be deemed replaced with "that manufactures"; the phrase "two weeks" in paragraph (2) of that Article is to be deemed replaced with "thirty days"; the phrase "manufacturer or import" in Article 14, item (ii) is to be deemed replaced with "manufacture"; the phrase "Article 31, paragraphs (1) through (3)" in Article 16, paragraph (1) is to be deemed replaced with "Article 33-5, paragraph (1)"; the phrase a "manufacturer or importer" in item (vi) of that paragraph is to be deemed replaced with "person whose fertilizer has been registered or provisionally registered pursuant to the provisions of Article 33-2, paragraph (1) and the person appointed by the person pursuant to the provisions of that Article, paragraph (2)"; the phrase "Article 13, paragraph (1) or (4)" in paragraph (2) of that Article is to be deemed replaced with "Article 13, paragraph (1) or (4) or Article 33-2, paragraph (3)"; the phrases "has manufactured or imported an ordinary fertilizer" in Article 17, paragraph (1) is to be deemed replaced with "has manufactured an ordinary fertilizer that has been registered or provisionally registered pursuant to the provisions of Article 33-2, paragraph (1) to be exported from their country to Japan" and a "product guarantee label by manufacturer or a product guarantee label by importer," is to be deemed replaced with a "product guarantee label by manufacturer" respectively; the phrase "manufactured or imported" in item (v) of that paragraph is to be deemed replaced with "manufactured"; the phrase a "manufacturer that manufactured" in item (vi) of that paragraph is to be deemed replaced with "has manufactured"; the phrase a "statement indicating that it is a provisionally registered fertilizer or a designated mixed fertilizer" in item (xi) of that paragraph is to be deemed replaced with a "statement indicating that it is an ordinary fertilizer that has been registered or provisionally registered pursuant to the provisions of Article 33-2, paragraph (1)"; the phrases the "items of Article 17, paragraph (1) or (2) or the items of Article 18, paragraph (1)" in Article 20 is to be deemed replaced with the "items of Article 17, paragraph (1)"; the phrase "may order" in Article 22-3, paragraph (3) is to be deemed replaced with "may request"; and the phrase a "fertilizer manufactured, imported, or sold by" in Articles 25 and 26 is to be deemed replaced with a "ordinary fertilizer that has been registered or provisionally registered pursuant to the provisions of Article 33-2, paragraph (1) and that is to be exported from their country to Japan."

Article 33-3(1)The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, to the extent necessary to enforce this Act, may have the Ministry employees enter a domestic administrator's office or any other place related to the business, inspect the books of accounts and documents related to the business, and question the associated persons.

(2)If the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries finds it necessary in the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, the minister may have the Center enter a domestic administrator's office or any other place related to the business, inspect the books of accounts and documents related to the business, and question the associated persons.

(3)The provisions of Article 30, paragraphs (5) and (6) apply mutatis mutandis to an on-site inspection or questioning pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), and the provisions of Article 30-2, paragraphs (2) through (4) apply mutatis mutandis to an on-site inspection or questioning pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2) respectively.

Article 33-4(1)The importer of an ordinary fertilizer that has been registered or provisionally registered pursuant to the provisions of Article 33-2, paragraph (1) must notify the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of the following matters at least a week before they start the business; provided, however, that this does not apply if the importer is the registered foreign manufacturer or the domestic administrator of the fertilizer.

(2)If any of the matters to be notified referred to in the preceding paragraph has changed, the importer who submitted the notification pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph must notify the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of this. The same applies when the importer discontinues the business.

(3)An importer must not transfer any imported fertilizer to which a product guarantee label which is unjustly used, forged, or altered, or anything that is likely to mislead consumers is affixed to any other person (including the fertilizer, if any of these are affixed to its container or package).

(4)An importer must not transfer an imported fertilizer whose container or package indicating the name, trademark, or trade name, or the components of the imported fertilizer manufactured by another person to any other person, without erasing the information on the label.

Article 33-5(1)If a registered foreign manufacturer falls under any of the following items, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may revoke the registration or provisional registration:

(2)A person whose registered or provisionally registered fertilizer has been revoked pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph must return the registration certificate or provisional registration certificate to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries without delay.

(3)A person whose registration or provisional registration of a fertilizer has been revoked pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) may not be eligible to register or provisionally register an identical ordinary fertilizer (including ones with different names) for one year from the revocation date.

(4)The provisions of Article 33, paragraph (1) apply mutatis mutandis to a disposition implemented to register or provisionally register a change under the provisions of Article 13, paragraph (1) as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 33-2, paragraph (6); the provisions of Article 33, paragraph (2) apply mutatis mutandis to the revocation of registration or provisional registration under the provisions of Article 9, paragraph (3) or Article 13-3, paragraph (1) or under the provisions of paragraph (1) as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 33-2, paragraph (6), or to a hearing regarding a disposition implemented to register or provisionally register a change under the provisions of Article 13-2, paragraph (1) as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 33-2, paragraph (6); and the provisions of Article 34, paragraph (2) and (3) apply mutatis mutandis to the disposition or its inaction implemented against an application to register or provisionally register a change under the provisions of Article 13-2, paragraph (1) as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 33-2, paragraph (6).

Article 33-6The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, finding it necessary properly to carry out the ministerial duties to conduct an examination referred to in Article 7, paragraph (1), Article 8, paragraph (1) or Article 13-2, paragraph (2) (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 33-2, paragraph (6)), the testing of fertilizer effectiveness referred to in Article 9, paragraph (1) (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 33-2, paragraph (6)), an on-site inspection, etc. referred to in Article 30-2, paragraph (1), an analysis referred to in Article 31, paragraph (4), or on-site inspection and questioning referred to in Article 33-3, paragraph (2), may issue orders to the Center necessary for the duties.

Article 34(1)A person, who has filed an application for registration with the prefectural governor pursuant to the provisions of Article 6, paragraph (1), may deem it to have been denied if the prefectural governor fails to act on the application within fifty days of the date of the application and submit a request for administrative review.

(2)A review or an objection against the disposition or its inaction implemented for an use for registration or provisional registration, for a change under the provisions of Article 13-2, paragraph (1), a disposition implemented to restrict or prohibit the transfer or delivery of a fertilize under the provisions of Article 31, paragraph (1) or (2) or a disposition implemented to issue an order under the provisions of Article 31-2, except for the case of dismissing the request for review pursuant to the provisions of Article 24 of the Administrative Complaint Review Act (Act No. 68 of 2014), the referee, pursuant to the provisions of Article 11-2 of this Act, must proceed after hearing the opinions of the person who requested the review.

(3)The provisions of Article 31 of the Administrative Complaint Review Act does not apply to the request for review prescribed in the preceding paragraph, and the provisions of paragraphs (2) through (5) of the same Article apply mutatis mutandis to the hearing of opinions in the same paragraph.

Article 35(1)If a fertilizer is manufactured, imported, transferred, transported, or stored to export to another country, or if a fertilizer prescribed by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is manufactured, imported, transferred, transported, or stored for industrial use or being used as feed, this Act does not apply to these cases pursuant to the Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The same applies if a fertilizer prescribed by a prefectural governor is manufactured, imported, transferred, transported, or stored within the prefectural area for industrial use or being used as feed.

(2)The prefectural governor, who designated pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, must promptly notify the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Article 35-2The authority of the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries as provided for in this Act may be partially delegated to the Director of Regional Agricultural Administration Office, pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Article 35-3The administrative functions set forth in the following items among those that are to be administered by the prefecture pursuant to the provisions of this Act, are Type 1 statutorily entrusted functions specified in Article 2, paragraph (9), item (i) of the Local Autonomy Act (Act No. 67 of 1947):

Article 35-4If an order is enacted or amended or repealed pursuant to the provisions of this Act, the order may prescribe any necessary transitional measures (including transitional measures for penal provisions) to the extent considered reasonably necessary for the enactment or amendment to or repeal of the order.

Article 36Any person, who falls under any of the following items, is punishable by imprisonment with work for up to three years, a fine of up to one million yen, or both:

Article 37A person who falls under any of the following items is punishable by imprisonment with work for up to one year, a fine of up to 500,000 yen, or both:

Article 38A person who falls under any of the following items is punishable by a fine of up to 500,000 yen:

Article 39A person who falls under any of the following items is punishable by a fine of up to 300,000 yen.

Article 40If the representative of a corporation or the agent, worker, or any other worker of a corporation or individual commits a violation referred to in Article 36 through the preceding Article in connection with the business of the corporation or individual, not only the offender is punishable but also, the corporation or individual is punishable by the fine prescribed respectively in the following items, and the violator is punishable by the fine prescribed in the respective Articles:

Article 41If a person violates an order under the provisions of Article 33-6, the officer of the Center who commits the violation is punishable with a civil fine of up to 200,000 yen.

Article 42A person who violates the provisions of Article 9, paragraph (4); Article 15, paragraph (2); Article 27, paragraph (3); Article 31, paragraph (6); or Article 33-2, paragraph (5) is punishable by a civil fine of up to 100,000 yen.