Article 52-2-11(1)A person that holds voting rights that exceed five percent of the total shareholder voting rights in a single bank or voting rights that exceed five percent of the total shareholder voting rights in a single bank holding company (excluding national or local government or a corporation specified by Cabinet Order as equivalent to the national or local government (referred to as the "national government, etc." in Article 52-9); hereinafter referred to as a "major holder of voting rights in a bank" in this Chapter and Chapter IX) must submit a notification that states the following particulars (hereinafter referred to as a "notification on holding of voting rights in a bank" in this Chapter) to the Prime Minister, within five days (Sundays and other non-business days specified by Cabinet Order are not included; the same applies in paragraph (1) of the following Article) from the day on which the person has become the major holder of voting rights in the bank (or within the number of days specified by Cabinet Office Order, if the number of voting rights held by the person has not increased or in other case specified by Cabinet Office Order), pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order:

(2)The provisions of Article 2, paragraph (11) apply mutatis mutandis to the voting rights held by the major holder of voting rights in a bank in the case referred to in the preceding paragraph.

Article 52-3(1)If there is a change in a particular set forth in one of the items of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article (for a change in the percentage of voting rights held, limited to when the percentage increases or decreases by at least one percent) after the day on which a person becomes a holder of voting rights that exceeds five percent of the total shareholder voting rights in a single bank or of voting rights that exceeds five percent of the total shareholder voting rights in a single bank holding company, the major holder of voting rights in the bank must submit a written report of that change (hereinafter referred to as a "written report of changes" in this Article and the following Article) to the Prime Minister within five days from the day on which the change occurs (or within the number of days specified by Cabinet Office Order, if the number of voting rights that the person holds has not increased or in other cases specified by Cabinet Office Order), pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order; provided, however, that this does not apply if the person has already submitted a written report of changes based on a decrease of one percent or more in the percentage of voting rights held, and the percentage of voting rights held which is stated in that written report of changes is five percent or less, or to other cases specified by Cabinet Office Order.

(2)In the case that meets the criteria specified by Cabinet Order as a case in which a large number of voting rights have been transferred within a short time span, a person submitting a written report of changes based on a decrease in the percentage of voting rights held must also state the particulars of the party to which they have transferred the voting rights and the consideration received in that written report of changes, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order.

(3)Notwithstanding the provisions of the main clause of paragraph (1), if, by the day before the day on which a person is to submit a notification on holding of voting rights in a bank or a written report of changes (hereinafter referred to as a "document for submission" in this Section), grounds that require the person to submit a new written report of changes arise, the person must submit the new written report of changes to the Prime Minister at the same time as it submits the document for submission that has not been submitted.

(4)If a person that has submitted a document for submission finds that the content stated in that document differs from facts, or that the document insufficiently states or lacks a particular required to be stated or a statement of a fact necessary for avoiding misunderstanding, the person must submit an amended written report to the Prime Minister.

(5)The provisions of Article 2, paragraph (11) apply mutatis mutandis to the voting rights held by a major holder of voting rights in a bank for a case referred to in paragraph (1) or paragraph (2).

Article 52-4(1)Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 52-2-11, paragraph (1), a bank, financial instruments business operator (limited to one engaged in securities-related services), trust company (limited to one that has obtained the license referred to in Article 3 or Article 53, paragraph (1) of the Trust Business Act), or other persons specified by Cabinet Office Order that have filed a notification of the base date with the Prime Minister and that holds voting rights in respect of shares issued by a bank or bank holding company but does not hold them for the purpose of controlling the business of the bank or bank holding company that issued those shares (excluding the case in which the percentage of voting rights held exceeds the number specified by Cabinet Office Order and the case specified by Cabinet Office Order in consideration of the manner in which the voting rights are held and other circumstances; hereinafter referred to as "voting rights subject to special provisions" in this Article) must submit a notification on holding of voting rights in a bank concerning those shares to the Prime Minister, by the 15th of the month following the month in which the base date falls and pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order, in which it states the particulars specified by Cabinet Office Order as relevant to the holding status of those voting rights on the base date on which its percentage of voting rights held exceeded five percent for the first time.

(2)A written report of changes for the voting rights subject to special provisions (excluding a report for a change in which the voting rights become those other than voting rights subject to special provisions) must be submitted to the Prime Minister by the day specified in the following items in accordance with the category of cases set forth in each item, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order:

(3)The base date referred to in the preceding two paragraphs means the last day of every third month, after the day on which the person specified by Cabinet Office Order that is prescribed in paragraph (1) files a notification with the Prime Minister pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order.

(4)The provisions of Article 2, paragraph (11) apply mutatis mutandis to the voting rights subject to special provisions held by a major holder of voting rights in a bank in the case referred to in paragraph (1) or paragraph (2).

Article 52-5If a document for submission is submitted pursuant to the provisions of Article 52-2-11, paragraph (1), Article 52-3, paragraph (1) or (3), or paragraph (1) or (2) of the preceding Article, and the Prime Minister finds that there is a formal deficiency in the document or finds the document insufficiently states a material particular that is required to be stated, the Prime Minister may order the person submitting the document to submit an amended written report. In such a case, the Prime Minister must conduct a hearing irrespective of the category of procedures for stating opinions under the provisions of Article 13, paragraph (1) (Procedures Prerequisite for Adverse Dispositions) of the Administrative Procedure Act (Act No. 88 of 1993).

Article 52-6If the Prime Minister discovers that a document for submission contains a false statement about a material particular, lacks a statement on a material particular that is required to be stated or on an important fact that is necessary for avoiding misunderstanding, the Prime Minister, at any time, may order the person that submitted the document to submit an amended report. In such a case, the Prime Minister must conduct a hearing irrespective of the category of procedures for stating opinions under the provisions of Article 13, paragraph (1) (Procedures Prerequisite for Adverse Dispositions) of the Administrative Procedure Act.

Article 52-7If the Prime Minister suspects that a document for submission contains a false statement about a material particular, lacks a statement on a material particular that is required to be stated or on an important fact that is necessary for avoiding misunderstanding, the Prime Minister may ask the major holder of voting rights in the bank that submitted the document to make a report or submit materials that are to serve as a reference for a particular that is required to be stated in the document or for a fact necessary for avoiding misunderstanding.

Article 52-8(1)If the Prime suspects that a document contains a false statement about a material particular, lacks a statement on a material particular that is required to be stated or on an important fact that is necessary for avoiding misunderstanding, the Prime Minister may have relevant officials enter the office or other facilities of the major holder of voting rights in the bank that submitted the document, and have those officials ask questions about a particular that is required to be stated in that document or about a fact that is necessary for avoiding misunderstanding, or have them inspect books, documents, and any other articles of the major holder of voting rights in the bank.

(2)In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, the relevant officials must carry an identification card, and must present it if a person concerned requests them to do so.

(3)The authority under paragraph (1) must not be construed as being granted for criminal investigation purposes.

Article 52-36(1)A person may not perform bank agency services unless licensed by the Prime Minister to do so.

(2)A bank agent may not perform bank agency services unless entrusted by a principal bank to do so, or unless further entrusted to do so by a bank agent that has been entrusted to do so by a principal bank.

(3)A bank agent may not further entrust a person with bank agency services unless it obtains the approval of the principal bank to do so in advance.

Article 52-37(1)A person seeking to obtain a license referred to in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article (hereinafter referred to as an "applicant" in paragraph (1) of the following Article and Article 52-42, paragraph (4)) must submit a written application that states the following particulars to the Prime Minister:

(2)The following documents must be attached to the written application referred to in the preceding paragraph.

Article 52-38(1)When an application is filed for the license referred to in Article 52-36, paragraph (1), the Prime Minister must examine whether the applicant meets the following criteria:

(2)If the Prime Minister finds it to be necessary in the public interest in light of the criteria of the examination pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Prime Minister may, to the extent necessary, attach conditions on the content of bank agency services or other particulars to the license referred to in Article 52-36, paragraph (1), and may change those conditions.

Article 52-39(1)Except in cases specified by the Cabinet Office Order, if a particular set forth in any of the items of Article 52-37, paragraph (1) changes, the bank agent must file a notification to that effect with the Prime Minister, within 30 days after the day on which the change occurred, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order.

(2)When seeking to change a particular prescribed in the document set forth in Article 52-37, paragraph (2), item (ii), a bank agent must file a notification to that effect with the Prime Minister, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order.

Article 52-40(1)A bank agent must post a sign in the form specified by Cabinet Office Order in a place easily seen by the public at each of its business offices and other offices where the bank agent performs bank agency services.

(2)It is prohibited for a person other than a bank agent to post the sign referred to in the preceding paragraph or a sign similar to the sign.

Article 52-41A bank agent must not allow another person to engage in bank agency services using their name.

Article 52-42(1)In addition to bank agency services and services incidental to bank agency services, a bank agent may perform other services with the approval of the Prime Minister.

(2)When an application is filed for the approval referred to in the preceding paragraph, the Prime Minister may choose not to grant the approval only for cases in which it is found that conducting the services related to the application is likely to interfere with the proper and reliable performance of bank agency services.

(3)A bank agent may not conduct services other than those conducted pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1).

(4)If a written application for the license referred to in Article 52-36, paragraph (1) states that the applicant will conduct services other than bank agency services and services incidental to them, and the applicant obtains that license, the applicant is deemed to have obtained the approval referred to in paragraph (1) for those services.

Article 52-43When a bank agent receives delivery of money or other properties from a customer in connection with an action set forth in any of the items of Article 2, paragraph (14) (hereinafter referred to as "activity as a bank agent" in this Chapter), the bank agent must manage the money or other properties separately from its own property, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order.

Article 52-44(1)Before engaging in activities as a bank agent, a bank agent must disclose the following information to the customer:

(2)In order to contribute to the protection of depositor, etc. with regard to the actions set forth in Article 2, paragraph (14), item (i) (excluding acting as agent or intermediary for a contract for specified deposit, etc.), a bank agent must provide information of the content of the contracts involving deposits or installment savings, etc. and other information that is to serve as a reference for the depositors, etc., pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order.

(3)Beyond what is prescribed in the preceding two paragraphs, Article 52-45-2, and other laws, a bank agent must explain material particulars related to its activities as a bank agent to customers, appropriately handle customer information acquired in connection with its activities as a bank agent, and take other measures for ensuring the sound and appropriate management of its operations, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order.

Article 52-45A bank agent must not engage in any of the following actions (excluding the actions set forth in item (v), in acting as agent or intermediary regarding a contract of specified deposit, etc.) concerning its bank agency services:

Article 52-45-2The provisions of Chapter III, Section 2, Subsection 1 of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (Articles 35 through 36-4 (Scope of Services for Persons Engaged in Type-I Financial Instruments Business or Investment Management Business; Scope of Concurrent Business by Persons Only Engaged in Type-II Financial Instruments Business or Investment Advisory and Agency Business; Development of an Operational Control System; Duty of Sincerity to Customers; Posting Signs; Prohibition on Lending of One's Name; Prohibition on Corporate Bond Management), Article 37, paragraph (1), item (ii) (Regulation on Advertising), Article 37-2 (Obligation to Clarify the Conditions of Transactions in Advance), Article 37-3, paragraph (1), items (ii) and (vi) and paragraph (3) (Delivery of Documents Prior to the Conclusion of a Contract), Article 37-5 (Delivery of Documents in Connection with the Receipt of a Security Deposit), Article 37-6, paragraphs (1) and (2), the proviso to paragraph (4), and paragraph (5) (Written Cancellation), Article 37-7 (Obligation to Conclude a Contract with a Designated Dispute Resolution Organization), Article 38, item (i), item (ii), item (vii) and item (viii), Article 38-2 (Prohibited Actions), the proviso to Article 39, paragraph (3), and paragraph (4), paragraph (6) and paragraph (7) of that Article (Prohibition on Compensation of Loss), Articles 40-2 through 40-7 (excluding Best Execution Policy; Prohibition of Purchase and Sale If Separate Management Is Not Ensured; Prohibition of Public Offering If Money Has Been Diverted; Restrictions on the Purchase and Sale of Securities for Professional Investors; Obligation to Notify in Connection with Securities for Professional Investors, Prohibition of Trading Against Self, Obligation to Use an Electronic Data Processing Systems for Over-the-Counter Transactions of Derivatives)) (General Rules) apply mutatis mutandis to a bank agent's actions as agent or intermediary for the conclusion of a contract for specified deposit, etc. In such cases, the term "financial instruments business" in these provisions is deemed to be replaced with "actions as an agent or intermediary in a person's conclusion of a contract for specified deposit, etc. as defined in Article 13-4 of the Banking Act"; the phrase "act that constitutes a Financial Instruments transaction" in these provisions is deemed to be replaced with "conclusion of a contract for specified deposit, etc. as defined in Article 13-4 of the Banking Act"; the term "financial instruments transaction contract" in these provisions (excluding Article 37-6, paragraph (3)) is deemed to be replaced with "contract for specified deposit, etc. as defined in Article 13-4 of the Banking Act"; the phrase "seeks to conclude" in Article 37-3, paragraph (1) of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act is deemed to be replaced with "acts as agent or intermediary for the conclusion of"; the term "must be delivered" in that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "in addition to delivery, in order to contribute to the protection of depositor, etc. (meaning depositors, etc. as defined in Article 2, paragraph (5) of the Banking Act; hereinafter the same applies in this paragraph), must provide the customer with information on the content of the specified deposit, etc. contract and other information that is to serve as a reference to the depositors, etc. in advance, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order; the term "financial instruments business operator, etc." in Article 37-3, paragraph (1), item (i) of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act is deemed to be replaced with "principal bank (meaning a principal bank as defined in Article 2, paragraph (16) of the Banking Act) on behalf of which the bank agent (meaning a bank agent as defined in Article 2, paragraph (15) of the Banking Act) is acting"; in Article 37-6, paragraph (3) of that Act, the phrase "If a financial instruments transaction contract becomes subject to a cancellation" is deemed to be replaced with "If a financial instruments business operator pays damages or other money to a bank for the cancellation of a contract for specified deposit, etc. (meaning a specified deposit, etc. contract prescribed in Article 13-4 of the Banking Act; the same applies in Article 39)" and the phrase "may not request the customer to pay damages or a penalty for the cancellation of that financial instruments transaction contract beyond the amount specified by Cabinet Office Order as the amount of fees, remuneration, or other consideration payable by the customer with regard to that financial instruments transaction contract (referred to as a "consideration" in the following paragraph) for the period until the cancellation of that financial instruments transaction contract" is deemed to be replaced with "may not request the customer to pay damages or a penalty in connection with that payment"; in Article 39, paragraph (1), item (i) of that Act, the phrase "a purchase and sale or other transaction of securities (excluding a purchase and sale with a repurchase requirement and a predetermined repurchase price, and other transactions specified by Cabinet Order) or a derivatives transaction (hereinafter collectively referred to as a "purchase and sale or other transaction of securities, etc." in this Article)" is deemed to be replaced with "the conclusion of a specified deposit, etc. contract", the phrase "securities or derivatives transaction (hereinafter referred to as 'securities, etc.' in this Article)" is deemed to be replaced with "specified deposit, etc. contract", the phrase "customer (if a trust company, etc. (meaning a trust company or a financial institution that has obtained the authorization referred to in Article 1, paragraph (1) of the Act on Engagement in Trust Business by Financial Institutions; the same applies hereinafter) conducts the purchase and sale of securities or a derivatives transaction on the account of a person that establishes a trust based on a trust contract, this includes the person that establishes the trust; hereinafter the same applies in this Article)" is deemed to be replaced with "customer", and the phrase "to supplement its profits" is deemed to be replaced with "to supplement its profits, without concluding the contract for specified deposit, etc."; in Article 39, paragraph (1), item (ii) of that Act, the term "a purchase and sale or other transaction of securities, etc." is deemed to be replaced with "the conclusion of a contract for specified deposit, etc.", the term "securities, etc." is deemed to be replaced with "contract for specified deposit, etc.", and the phrase "in order to add to" is deemed to be replaced with "in order to add to the profit that the customer has accrued in connection with those securities, etc., other than as under the contract for specified deposit, etc."; in item (iii) of that paragraph, the term "a purchase and sale or other transaction of securities, etc." is deemed to be replaced with "the entry into a contract for specified deposit, etc.", the term "securities, etc." is deemed to be replaced with " contract for specified deposit, etc." and the term "in order to add to" is deemed to be replaced with "in order to add to the profit that the customer has accrued in connection with those securities, etc., without concluding the contract for specified deposit, etc."; in paragraph (2) of that Article, the term "a purchase and sale or other transaction of securities, etc." is deemed to be replaced with "the conclusion of a contract for specified deposit, etc. "; in paragraph (3) of that Article, the phrase "which is specified by Cabinet Office Order as a potential cause of" is deemed to be replaced with "which is a potential cause of"; and any other necessary technical replacement of terms is specified by Cabinet Order.

Article 52-46(1)The non-business days of a specified bank agent (meaning a bank agent that conducts specified activities as a bank agent (to act as an agent in concluding contracts that concern the acceptance of deposits, as specified by Cabinet Office Order; the same applies in paragraph (1) of the following Article); the same applies in the following paragraph and that Article) are limited to Sundays and the other days specified by Cabinet Order.

(2)The business hours of a specified bank agent are specified by Cabinet Office Order in consideration of the status of financial transactions.

Article 52-47(1)Except in the case specified by Cabinet Office Order, when a specified bank agent temporarily suspends all or part of services at its business office or other offices where services involved in specified activities as a bank agent is performed due to a natural disaster or for any other compelling reasons, the specified bank agent must immediately file a notification to that effect with the Prime Minister and give the reason for this, as well as post a sign to that effect at the business office or other offices. The same applies if the specified bank agent resumes all or part of its services at a business office or other offices in which it has temporarily suspended all or part of its services.

(2)Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the posting of a sign at the business office pursuant to the provisions of that paragraph is not required if a specified bank agent temporarily suspends part of its services at unmanned business offices or other unmanned offices, and in other cases specified by Cabinet Office Order.

Article 52-48When a bank agent receives a notification referred to in Article 38 from its principal bank, the bank agent must, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order, post the content of the notification received in a place easily seen by the public at all of the business offices and other offices where it performs bank agency services for that principal bank, for a period of not less than one month.

Article 52-49A bank agent must prepare and preserve books and documents concerning bank agency services pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order.

Article 52-50(1)Each business year, a bank agent must prepare a written report on its bank agency services and submit it to the Prime Minister, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order.

(2)Pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order, the Prime Minister must make a report on bank agency services referred to in the preceding paragraph available for public inspection, with the exception of particulars that could harm the confidentiality of customers or put a bank agent at an undue disadvantage in executing its services if made available for public inspection.

Article 52-51(1)For each business year of a principal bank or of the bank holding company that has that principal bank as its subsidiary company, a bank agent must keep the documents that its principal bank prepares pursuant to the provisions of Article 20, paragraphs (1) and (2) and Article 21, paragraphs (1) and (2) or the documents that the bank holding company that has that principal bank as its subsidiary company prepares pursuant to the provisions of Article 52-28, paragraph (1) and Article 52-29, paragraph (1), at all of the business offices and other offices where the bank agent performs bank agency services for that principal bank, and make the documents available for public inspection.

(2)If the explanatory documents provided for in the preceding paragraph have been prepared as electronic or magnetic records, the bank agent may take a measure that is specified by Cabinet Office Order as a measure that uses electronic or magnetic means to make the information contained in the explanatory documents available to many and unspecified persons at all of their business offices or other offices that perform bank agency services. In such a case, the bank agent is deemed to have made the explanatory documents available for public inspection pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

(3)Beyond what is provided for in the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs, Cabinet Order prescribes the period of time during which the documents referred to in those paragraphs are made available for public inspection and other particulars necessary for applying the provisions of those paragraphs.

Article 52-52If a bank agent comes to fall under any of the cases in the following items, the person specified in that item must file a notification to that effect with the Prime Minister, within 30 days from the day on which the bank agent came to fall under the case:

Article 52-53If the Prime Minister finds it to be necessary for ensuring the sound and appropriate management of bank agency services by a bank agent, the Prime Minister may ask the bank agent to make a report or submit materials on the status of their business or property.

Article 52-54(1)If the Prime Minister finds it to be necessary for ensuring the sound and appropriate management of bank agency services by a bank agent, the Prime Minister may have relevant officials enter the business office, office, or other facilities of the bank agent, have those officials ask questions on the status of their business or property, and have them inspect the books, documents, and any other articles.

(2)In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, the relevant officials must carry an identification card, and must present it if a person concerned requests them to do so.

(3)The authority under paragraph (1) must not be construed as being granted for criminal investigation purposes.

Article 52-55If the Prime Minister finds it to be necessary for ensuring the sound and appropriate management of bank agency services by a bank agent in light of the status of business or property of that bank agent, the Prime Minister may order the bank agent to change their business content or business methods and order other measures that are necessary for supervision, to the extent necessary.

Article 52-56(1)If a bank agent falls under any of the following items, the Prime Minister may revoke the license referred to in Article 52-36, paragraph (1) or order it to suspend all or part of its bank agency services by setting a due date:

(2)If an officer of a bank agent comes to fall under any of the items (iii) through (v) of the preceding paragraph, the Prime Minister may order the bank agent to dismiss that officer.

Article 52-57If a bank agent falls under any of the following items, the license referred to in Article 52-36, paragraph (1) ceases to be effective:

Article 52-58(1)Pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order, a principal bank must give guidance on the services involved in bank agency services that its bank agent performs and take other measures to ensure sound and appropriate management of those services.

(2)Pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order, a principal bank agent (meaning a bank agent that further entrusts another bank agent with bank agency services; the same applies hereinafter) must give guidance on the services involved in bank agency services that the secondary bank agent (meaning a bank agent that carries out bank agency services on re-entrustment from a principal bank agent; the same applies hereinafter) performs, and take other measures to ensure sound and appropriate management of those services.

Article 52-59(1)A principal bank is liable to compensate for any damage that its bank agent causes a customer in its activities as a bank agent.

(2)The provisions of the preceding paragraph do not apply in the following cases:

(3)A principal bank agent is liable to compensate for any damage that its secondary bank agent causes a customer in its activities as a bank agent; provided, however, that this does not apply if the principal bank agent exercises due care in further entrusting the secondary bank agent with those activities and endeavors to prevent the occurrence of the damage that the secondary bank agent causes to the customer in connection with the activities as a bank agent it performs.

(4)The provisions of paragraph (1) do not preclude the principal bank from exercising its right of reimbursement against the bank agent, and the provisions of the preceding paragraph do not preclude the principal bank agent from exercising its right of reimbursement against the secondary bank agent.

(5)The provisions of Article 724 (Extinctive Prescription of Right to Demand Compensation for Damage Caused by a Tort) and Article 724-2 (Extinctive Prescription of Right to Demand Compensation for Damage Arising from Death or Personal Injury Caused by a Tort) of the Civil Code apply mutatis mutandis to the claim referred to in paragraph (1) or paragraph (3).

Article 52-60(1)Pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order, a principal bank must keep a register of its bank agents at its business offices (other than unmanned business offices and other business offices specified by Cabinet Office Order).

(2)When it is necessary, a depositor, etc. or other interested persons may make a demand to inspect the register referred to in the preceding paragraph to the principal bank.

Article 52-60-2(1)Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 52-36, paragraph (1), a bank, etc. (meaning a bank or a person engaged in financial services specified by Cabinet Order, and excluding a person that has obtained the registration (limited to one concerning the type of deposit, etc. intermediary business operations) referred to in Article 12 (Registration) of the Act on the Provision of Financial Services; hereinafter the same applies in this Article) may perform bank agency services.

(2)If a bank, etc. performs bank agency services pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the bank, etc. is deemed to be a bank agent, and the provisions of Article 13-2, Article 24, Article 25, Article 38, Article 48, Article 52-36, paragraphs (2) and (3), Article 52-39 (excluding paragraph (1) if the bank performs bank agency services) through Article 52-41, Articles 52-43 through 52-56, the preceding three Articles, Article 53, paragraph (4), Article 56 (limited to the part related to item (xi)), Article 57-7, paragraph (2), and the provisions of Chapter IX and Chapter X related to those provisions apply. In such cases, in Article 52-56, paragraph (1), the term "any of the following items" is deemed to be replaced with "item (iv) or item (v)", the phrase "revoke the license referred to in Article 52-36, paragraph (1) or order it to suspend all or part of its bank agency services by setting a due date" is deemed to be replaced with "order it to suspend all or part of its bank agency services by setting a due date", and any other necessary technical replacement of terms is specified by Cabinet Order.

(3)A bank, etc. must submit documents stating the particulars set forth in the items of Article 52-37, paragraph (1) and the documents set forth in Article 52-37, paragraph (2), item (ii) with the Prime Minister when it seeks to engage in bank agency services.

Article 52-60-3Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 52-36, paragraph (1), a person that is registered by the Prime Minister may engage in electronic payment handling services.

Article 52-60-4(1)A person that seeks to obtain the registration referred to in the preceding Article (referred to as a "applicant for registration" in paragraph (2) of the following Article and Article 52-60-6) must submit a written application for registration stating the following particulars to the Prime Minister:

(2)The following documents must be attached to the written application for registration referred to in the preceding paragraph:

Article 52-60-5(1)If an application is filed for the registration referred to in Article 52-60-3, the Prime Minister must register the following particulars in the electronic payment handling service providers register, except when the Prime Minister refuses to register the applicant for registration pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the following Article:

(2)When the Prime Minister registers an applicant for registration pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Prime Minister must notify the applicant for registration to that effect without delay.

(3)The Prime Minister must make the electronic payment handling service providers register available for public inspection.

Article 52-60-6(1)The Prime Minister must refuse the registration of an applicant for registration if the applicant falls under any of the following items, or if a written application for registration referred to in Article 52-60-4, paragraph (1) or any attached document contains a false statement on material particulars or lacks a statement of material facts:

(2)If the Prime Minister refuses the registration pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Prime Minister must notify the applicant for registration to that effect by indicating the reason for the refusal, without delay.

Article 52-60-7(1)When seeking to change any of the particulars set forth in Article 52-60-4, paragraph (1), item (v) or (vi) (excluding cases specified by Cabinet Office Order as being less likely to result in insufficient protection of customers of electronic payment handling services or impair the proper and reliable performance of electronic payment handling services), an electronic payment handling service provider must file a notification to that effect with the Prime Minister in advance.

(2)Except in the case specified by the Cabinet Office Order, if a particular set forth in any of the items of Article 52-60-4, paragraph (1) changes (excluding the case in which a notification pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph is filed), the electronic payment handling service provider must file a notification to that effect with the Prime Minister pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order, within 30 days after the day on which the change occurred.

(3)Upon accepting the notification pursuant to the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs, the Prime Minister must register the particular that has been notified in the electronic payment handling service providers register.

Article 52-60-8(1)Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 52-61-2, if an electronic payment handling service provider does not fall under Article 52-61-5, paragraph (1), item (i), sub-items (c) through (e) and item (ii), sub-item (b), 4. through 6., the electronic payment handling service provider may engage in electronic payment services related to the entrusting bank only when they conduct the services upon entrustment by customers of the electronic payment handling services of the electronic payment handling service provider that have opened a deposit account with the entrusting bank.

(2)If an electronic payment handling service provider engages in electronic payment services pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the electronic payment handling service provider is deemed to be an electronic payment service provider, and the provisions of Article 52-61-4, Article 52-61-6, Article 52-61-7, paragraph (1) (excluding item (ii)), Articles 52-61-8 through 52-61-16, Article 52-61-17, paragraph (1), Articles 52-61-19 through 52-61-30, Article 53, paragraph (6), and Article 56 (limited to the parts related to item (xxi) and items (xxiii) through (xxv)) and the provisions of Chapter IX which are related to those provisions apply. In such a case, in Article 52-61-4, paragraph (1), the phrase "If an application is filed for a registration referred to in Article 52-61-2, ..., except when refusing to register the applicant pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the following Article" is deemed to be replaced with "If a notification under Article 52-60-8, paragraph (3) is filed," and the phrase "register the following particulars in the electronic payment service providers register" is deemed to be replaced with "record the following particulars in the register"; the phrase "particulars set forth in the items of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article" in item (i) of that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "trade name, names of officers (in the case of a foreign electronic payment handling service provider, including a person that is treated in the same manner under foreign laws and regulations and its representative in Japan; the same applies in Article 52-61-7, paragraph (1), item (iii)), the name and location of the business office in which electronic payment services are conducted, and other particulars specified by Cabinet Office Order"; the term "date of registration and the registration number" in item (ii) of that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "date of notification and the notification acceptance number"; in paragraph (2) of that Article, the term "registers" is deemed to be replaced with "enters," and the term "applicant for registration" is deemed to be replaced with "person who has filed a notification under the provisions of Article 52-60-8, paragraph (3)"; the term "electronic payment service providers register" in paragraph (3) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "register referred to in paragraph (1)"; the term "any of the items of Article 52-61-3, paragraph (1)" in Article 52-61-6, paragraph (1) is deemed to be replaced with "Article 52-61-4, paragraph (1), item (i)"; "register...in the electronic payment service providers register" in paragraph (2) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "enter...in the register referred to in Article 52-61-4, paragraph (1)"; the term "individual or corporation" in Article 52-61-7, paragraph (1), item (i) is deemed to be replaced with "corporation"; the term "trade name or name" in Article 52-61-8, paragraph (1), item (i) is deemed to be replaced with "trade name"; the term "business office or office" in item (iv) of that paragraph and the term "business office or office" in Article 52-61-15, paragraph (1) are deemed to be replaced with "business office"; in Article 52-61-17, paragraph (1), the term "any of the following items" is deemed to be replaced with "item (iii)," and the term "revoke the registration under Article 52-61-2, or order the suspension of all or a part of its business during a designated period of no longer than six months" is deemed to be replaced with "order the suspension of all or a part of its electronic payment services during a designated period of no longer than six months"; and the phrase "foreign corporation or an individual who has an address in a foreign country" and the term "foreign corporation or individual" in Article 52-61-30 are deemed to be replaced with "foreign corporation"; and any other necessary technical replacement of terms is specified by Cabinet Order.

(3)When an electronic payment handling service provider seeks to engage in electronic payment services pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), the electronic payment handling service provider must submit documents stating their trade name, names of the officers, the name and location of the business office where they conduct electronic payment services, and other particulars specified by Cabinet Office Order, documents set forth in Article 52-61-3, paragraph (2), item (iii), a document in which the electronic payment handling service provider pledges that they do not fall under Article 52-61-5, paragraph (1), item (i), sub-items (c) through (e) and item (ii), sub-item (b), 4. through 6., and other documents specified by Cabinet Office Order to the Prime Minister.

Article 52-60-9(1)An electronic payment handling service provider must post a sign in the form specified by Cabinet Office Order in a place that is easily seen by the public at each of their business offices where the electronic payment handling service provider performs electronic payment handling services.

(2)An electronic payment handling service provider must publicize their trade name and other particulars specified by Cabinet Office Order by using the internet or by other means specified by Cabinet Office Order.

(3)It is prohibited for a person other than an electronic payment handling service provider to post the sign referred to in paragraph (1) or a sign similar thereto.

Article 52-60-10An electronic payment handling service provider must not have another person engage in electronic payment handling services using their name.

Article 52-60-11(1)When engaging in an action set forth in any of the items of Article 2, paragraph (17), an electronic payment handling service provider must explain the following particulars to customers in advance, except in the case specified by Cabinet Office Order:

(2)An electronic payment handling service provider, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order, must take measures of providing customers with information to prevent them from mistaking electronic payment handling services for the services conducted by banks, for ensuring the proper handling and safe control of the information on customers that the electronic payment handling service provider has acquired in connection with the electronic payment handling services, for ensuring the precise execution of electronic payment handling services when the electronic payment handling service provider entrusts a part of the services to a third party, and take other measures for ensuring the sound and appropriate management of electronic payment handling services.

Article 52-60-12An electronic payment handling service provider must perform their services on behalf of its customers in good faith.

Article 52-60-13An electronic payment handling service provider must not, for any reason, receive a deposit of money or other property from a customer, or have a person specified by Cabinet Order as having a close relationship with that electronic payment handling service provider deposit a customer's money or other property, in connection with the electronic payment handling services they provide; provided, however, that this does not apply in cases specified by Cabinet Office Order as being less likely to result in insufficient customer protection.

Article 52-60-14When engaging in electronic payment handling services, an electronic payment handling service provider must conclude a contract with an entrusting bank for electronic payment handling services in which particulars for sharing the liability to compensate for damages incurred by customers between the entrusting bank and the electronic payment handling service provider and other particulars specified by Cabinet Office Order are provided for, and conduct electronic payment handling services related to that entrusting bank in accordance with the contract.

Article 52-60-15(1)An electronic payment handling service provider must take the measures specified in the following items in accordance with the category of the cases set forth in each of those items:

(2)If an electronic payment handling service provider takes measures of concluding a basic contract for the implementation of dispute resolution procedures pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the service provider must publicize the trade name or name of the designated dispute resolution organization for electronic payment handling services that is the other party to the basic contract for the implementation of dispute resolution procedures.

(3)The provisions of paragraph (1) do not apply to the period specified in the following items, in accordance with the category of cases set forth in each of those items:

Article 52-60-16An electronic payment handling service provider must not perform any of the following actions (excluding the action set forth in item (iii) for electronic payment-related deposit intermediary services under a contract of specified deposit, etc.) concerning their electronic payment handling services:

Article 52-60-17The provisions of Chapter III, Section 1, Subsection 5 of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (excluding the provisions of Article 34-2, paragraphs (6) through (8) (Cases in Which a Professional Investor Is Deemed to Be a Customer Other Than a Professional Investor), and Article 34-3, paragraphs (5) and (6) (When a Customer Other than a Professional Investor Is a Corporation and That Corporation Is Deemed to Be a Professional Investor)) (Professional Investors), Section 2, Subsection 1 of that Chapter (Articles 35 to 36-4 (Scope of Services for Persons Engaged in Type-I Financial Instruments Business or Investment Management Business; Scope of Concurrent Business by Persons That Only Engage in Type-II Financial Instruments Business or Investment Advisory and Agency Business; Establishment of an Operational Control System; Duty of Sincerity to Customers, Posting Signs, Prohibition on Lending One's Name, and Prohibition on Corporate Bond Management), Article 37-2 (Obligation to Clarify the Conditions of Transactions in Advance), Article 37-3, paragraph (1), item (vi) and paragraph (3) (Delivery of Documents Prior to the Conclusion of a Contract), Article 37-5 (Delivery of Documents in Connection with the Receipt of a Security Deposit), Article 37-6, paragraph (1), paragraph (2), the proviso to paragraph (4), and paragraph (5) (Written Cancellation); Article 37-7 (Obligation to Conclude a Contract with a Designated Dispute Resolution Organization); Article 38, items (i), (ii), (vii) and (viii), Article 38-2 (Prohibited Actions); the proviso to Article 39, paragraph (3), and paragraphs (4), (6) and (7) of that Article (Prohibition on Compensation of Loss); Articles 40-2 through 40-7 (excluding Best Execution Policy; Prohibition of Purchase and Sale If Separate Management Is Not Ensured; Prohibition of Public Offering If Money Has Been Diverted; Restrictions on the Purchase and Sale of Securities for Professional Investors; Obligation to Notify in Connection with Securities for Professional Investors; Prohibition of Trading Against Self; Obligation to Use an Electronic Data Processing System for Over-the-Counter Transactions of Derivatives)) (General Rules); and provisions of Article 45 (excluding items (iii) and (iv)) (Miscellaneous Provisions) of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act apply mutatis mutandis to an electronic payment handling service provider engaging in electronic payment-related deposit intermediary services concerning a contract of specified deposit, etc. In such cases, the term "financial instruments transaction contract" in these provisions (excluding the provisions of Article 34 and Article 37-6, paragraph (3) of that Act) is deemed to be replaced with "contract for specified deposit, etc."; in Article 34 of that Act, the phrase "contract for the financial instruments business operator, etc. to perform an action that constitutes a financial instruments transaction (meaning an act as defined in the items of Article 2, paragraph (8); the same applies hereinafter) with the customer as the other party or on behalf of the customer (hereinafter the contract is referred to as a "financial instruments transaction contract")" is deemed to be replaced with "contract for specified deposit, etc. (meaning a contract for specified deposit, etc. prescribed in Article 13-4 of the Banking Act; the same applies hereinafter," the phrase "paragraph (31), item (iv) of that Article" is deemed to be replaced with "Article 2, paragraph (31), item (iv)", the phrase "financial instruments transaction contract...the same contract type as the financial instruments transaction contract" is deemed to be replaced with "contract for specified deposit, etc. ... the same contract type as the contract for specified deposit, etc.", the phrase "has never in the past concluded a financial instruments transaction contract" is deemed to be replaced with "has never in the past provided intermediary services for concluding a contract for specified deposit, etc.", and the phrase "concluding the financial instruments transaction contract" is deemed to be replaced with "providing intermediary services for concluding a contract for specified deposit, etc."; the term "or concludes" in Article 34-2, paragraph (2) of that Act is deemed to be replaced with "or provides intermediary services for"; the phrase "or concludes" in paragraph (3), item (iii) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "or provides intermediary services for"; the term "concludes" in paragraph (5), item (ii) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "or provides intermediary services for concluding"; the term "concluding" in Article 34-3, paragraph (2), item (ii) of that Act is deemed to be replaced with "providing intermediary services for"; the term "subject contract with" in item (iv), sub-item (a) of that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "subject contract through the intermediary services of"; the term "concluding" in items (v) and (vi) of that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "providing intermediary services for"; the term "concludes" in paragraph (4), item (ii) is deemed to be replaced with "provides intermediary services for concluding"; the term "or concludes" in paragraph (10) and Article 34-4, paragraph (5) is deemed to be replaced with "or provides intermediary services for"; the term "trade name or name" in Article 37, paragraph (1), item (i) of that Act is deemed to be replaced with "trade name"; the phrase "performance of an action that constitutes a financial instruments transaction" in paragraph (2) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "conclusion of a contract for specified deposit, etc."; in Article 37-3, paragraph (1) of that Act, the term "seeks to conclude" is deemed to be replaced with "seeks to provide intermediary services for concluding", and the phrase "must deliver a document stating the following particulars to the customer..." is deemed to be replaced with "must deliver a document stating the following particulars to the customer..., and provide the customer with the content of the contract for specified deposit, etc. and other information that is to serve as a reference for the customer pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order in order to contribute to customer protection"; the phrase "trade name or name and address of the financial instruments business operator, etc." in item (i) of that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "trade names and addresses of the financial instruments business operator, etc. and the entrusting bank (meaning the entrusting bank as defined in Article 2, paragraph (17), item (ii) of the Banking Act; the same applies in Article 37-6, paragraph (3)) pertaining to the contract for specified deposit, etc."; the phrase "an action that constitutes a financial instruments transaction carried out" in item (v) of that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "a contract for specified deposit, etc. concluded"; in Article 37-6, paragraph (3) of that Act, the phrase "If a financial instruments transaction contract becomes subject to a cancellation under paragraph (1)" is deemed to be replaced with "If damages or other money is paid to the entrusting bank due to the cancellation of a contract for specified deposit, etc. upon the request of a customer," the phrase "request the customer to pay damages or a penalty for the cancellation of that financial instruments transaction contract beyond the amount specified by Cabinet Office Order as the amount of fees, remuneration, or other consideration payable by the customer with regard to that financial instruments transaction contract (referred to as a "consideration" in the following paragraph) for the period until the cancellation of that financial instruments transaction contract" is deemed to be replaced with "request the customer to pay damages or other money for such payment"; in paragraph (4) of that Article, the phrase "under paragraph (1)" is deemed to be replaced with "upon the request of a customer" and the term "the customer" is deemed be replaced with "that customer"; in Article 39, paragraph (1), item (i) of that Act, the phrase "a purchase and sale or other transaction of securities (excluding a purchase and sale with a repurchase requirement and a predetermined repurchase price, and other transactions specified by Cabinet Order) or a derivatives transaction (hereinafter referred to as a "purchase and sale or other transaction of securities, etc." in this Article)" is deemed to be replaced with "the conclusion of a contract for specified deposit, etc.," the phrase "securities or derivatives transaction (hereinafter referred to as "securities, etc." in this Article)" is deemed to be replaced with "contract for specified deposit, etc.," the phrase "customer (if a trust company, etc. (meaning a trust company or a financial institution that has obtained the authorization referred to in Article 1, paragraph (1) of the Act on Engagement in Trust Business by a Financial Institution; the same applies hereinafter) conducts the purchase and sale of securities or a derivatives transaction on the account of a person that establishes a trust based a trust contract, this includes the person that establishes the trust; hereinafter the same applies in this Article)" is deemed to be replaced with "customer," and the phrase "supplement its profits" is deemed to be replaced with "supplement its profits, without concluding the contract for specified deposit, etc."; in item (ii) of that paragraph, the term "a purchase and sale or other transaction of securities, etc." is deemed to be replaced with "the conclusion of a contract for specified deposit, etc.", the term "securities, etc." is deemed to be replaced with "contract for specified deposit, etc." and the phrase "in order to add to the profit..." is deemed to be replaced with "in order to add to the profit..., without concluding the specified deposit, etc. contract"; in item (iii) of that paragraph, the term "purchase and sale or other transactions of securities, etc." is deemed to be replaced with "the conclusion of a contract for specified deposit, etc.", the term "securities, etc." is deemed to be replaced with "contract for specified deposit, etc." and the phrase "in order to add to the profit..." is deemed to be replaced with "in order to add to the profit..., without concluding the specified deposit, etc. contract"; the term "a purchase and sale or other transaction of securities, etc." in paragraph (2) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "the conclusion of a contract for specified deposit, etc."; the phrase "which is specified by Cabinet Office Order as a potential cause of" in paragraph (3) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "which is a potential cause of"; the phrase "an act that constitutes a financial instruments transaction" in Article 40, item (i) of that Act is deemed to be replaced with "the conclusion of a contract for specified deposit, etc."; and in Article 45, item (ii) of that Act, the phrase "Articles 37-2 to 37-6; Article 40-2, paragraph (4); and Article 43-4" is deemed to be replaced with "Article 37-3 (limited to the part related to delivery of a document set forth in paragraph (1) and excluding item (vi) of that paragraph and paragraph (3)); Article 37-4; and Article 37-6, paragraph (3) and paragraph (4) (excluding the proviso)" and the phrase "which a financial instruments business operator, etc. has concluded" is deemed to be replaced with "for which a financial instruments business operator, etc. has provided intermediary services for concluding"; and any other necessary technical replacement of terms is specified by Cabinet Order.

Article 52-60-18An electronic payment handling service provider must prepare and preserve books and documents concerning electronic payment handling services, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order.

Article 52-60-19(1)Each business year, an electronic payment handling service provider must prepare a written report on their electronic payment handling services and submit it to the Prime Minister, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order.

(2)The written report referred to in the preceding paragraph must be attached with the documents concerning finance, an audit report prepared by a certified public accountant (including a foreign certified public accountant prescribed in Article 16-2, paragraph (5) (Special Provisions for Those Qualified in Foreign Jurisdictions) of the Certified Public Accountants Act (Act No. 103 of 1948)) or audit corporation regarding those documents, and other documents specified by Cabinet Office Order.

Article 52-60-20(1)If the Prime Minister finds it to be necessary for ensuring the sound and appropriate management of electronic payment handling services by an electronic payment handling service provider, the Prime Minister may ask the electronic payment handling service provider to make a report or submit materials on the status of their business or property.

(2)If the Prime Minister finds it to be particularly necessary for ensuring the sound and appropriate management of electronic payment handling services by an electronic payment handling service provider, the Prime Minister may, to the extent necessary, request a person that conducts transactions with the electronic payment handling service provider related to electronic payment handling services or a person that the electronic payment handling service provider has entrusted with its electronic payment handling services (including a person further entrusted by that entrusted person (including entrustment at two or more degrees of separation from the original entrustment); the same applies in the following paragraph and paragraphs (2) and (5) of the following Article) to make a report or submit materials on the status of business or property of the electronic payment handling service provider.

(3)A person conducting transactions with an electronic payment handling service provider related to electronic payment handling services or a person that an electronic payment handling service provider has entrusted with its electronic payment handling services may refuse to make a report or submit materials pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph if the person has legitimate grounds for doing so.

Article 52-60-21(1)If the Prime Minister finds it to be necessary for ensuring the sound and appropriate management of electronic payment handling services by an electronic payment handling service provider, the Prime Minister may have relevant officials enter the business office or any other facilities of the electronic payment handling service provider, have those officials ask questions about the status of their business or property, and have them inspect their books, documents and any other articles.

(2)If an entry into facilities is to be made, and questioning or inspection is to be conducted, pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, and the Prime Minister finds it to be particularly necessary, the Prime Minister may, to the extent necessary, have relevant officials enter the facilities of a person conducting transactions with the electronic payment handling service provider that are related to electronic payment handling services or of a person that the electronic payment handling service provider has entrusted with its electronic payment handling services, have those officials ask that person questions about any particulars that are required to be asked in relation to the questioning or inspection of the electronic payment handling service provider, or have them inspect that person's books, documents and any other articles.

(3)In the cases referred to in the preceding two paragraphs, the relevant official must carry an identification card, and must present it if a person concerned requests them to do so.

(4)The authority under the provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2) must not be construed as being granted for criminal investigation purposes.

(5)The provisions of paragraph (3) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to the questioning and inspection of the person conducting transactions with an electronic payment handling service provider that are connected with electronic payment handling services or of the person that the electronic payment handling service provider has entrusted with its electronic payment handling services, pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2).

Article 52-60-22If the Prime Minister finds it to be necessary for ensuring the sound and appropriate management of electronic payment handling services by an electronic payment handling service provider, the Prime Minister may order the electronic payment handling service provider to change its business content and business methods and order other measures that are necessary for supervision, to the extent necessary.

Article 52-60-23(1)If an electronic payment handling service provider falls under any of the following items, the Prime Minister may revoke the registration referred to in Article 52-60-3, or order the suspension of all or a part of the electronic payment handling services during a designated period of no longer than six months:

(2)If an electronic payment handling service provider that provides electronic payment handling services pursuant to the provisions of Article 52-60-8, paragraph (1) violates the provisions of this Act which apply pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2) of that Article or a disposition based on these provisions by the Prime Minister or is found to have committed an extremely inappropriate action in relation to electronic payment handling services, the Prime Minister may order the electronic payment handling service provider to discontinue the electronic payment handling services.

(3)If the Prime Minister is unable to ascertain the location of the business offices of an electronic payment handling service provider or is unable to ascertain the whereabouts of the officer representing an electronic payment handling service provider, the Prime Minister may issue public notice of that fact and revoke the electronic payment handling service provider's registration under the provisions of Article 52-60-3 if no application is made by the electronic payment handling service provider after 30 days have passed since the day of the public notice, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order.

(4)The provisions of Chapter III (Adverse Dispositions) of the Administrative Procedure Act do not apply to a disposition pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

Article 52-60-24In the following cases, the Prime Minister must cancel the registration of an electronic payment handling service provider:

Article 52-60-25The Prime Minister may certify a general incorporated association that has been incorporated by electronic payment handling service providers and that satisfies the following requirements, as a person that conducts services prescribed in the following Article (hereinafter referred to as "certified services" in this Section), upon application by the general incorporated association, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Order:

Article 52-60-26A certified association of electronic payment handling service providers is to perform the following services:

Article 52-60-27(1)A certified association of electronic payment handling service providers must make its membership list available for public inspection.

(2)A person that is not a certified association of electronic payment handling service providers (excluding a person certified under the provisions of Article 85-3-4 (Certification of Certified Association of Electronic Payment Handling Service Providers for Shinkin Banks) of the Shinkin Bank Act and any other person specified by Cabinet Order as being similar to them) must not use a word in their name which is likely to be mistaken for a certified association of electronic payment handling service providers.

(3)A person that is not the association member of a certified association of electronic payment handling service providers (excluding a person that is a member of a certified association of electronic payment handling service providers for Shinkin banks prescribed in Article 85-3-5 (Services of Certified Association of Electronic Payment Handling Service Providers for Shinkin Banks) of the Shinkin Bank Act and any other person specified by Cabinet Order as being similar to them) must not use a word in their name which is likely to be mistaken for an association member of the certified association of electronic payment handling service providers.

Article 52-60-28A certified association of electronic payment handling service providers must be able to provide customers of electronic payment handling services with the information with which it has been provided by the Prime Minister pursuant to the provisions of Article 52-60-35 which contributes to protecting customers of electronic payment handling services.

Article 52-60-29(1)If a customer of electronic payment handling services files an application with a certified association of electronic payment handling service providers to resolve a complaint related to the electronic payment handling services which an association member conducts, the certified association of electronic payment handling service providers must provide consultation and necessary advice to the customer who filed the application and investigate the circumstances concerning the complaint, as well as notify the association member of the content of the complaint and ask the member to promptly process the complaint.

(2)If a certified association of electronic payment handling service providers finds that it is necessary for resolving a complaint in relation to the application filed under the preceding paragraph, it may request the association member to provide a written or oral explanation or to submit materials.

(3)If a request referred to in the preceding paragraph is made by a certified association of electronic payment handling service providers, an association member must not refuse the request without legitimate grounds.

(4)A certified association of electronic payment handling service providers must fully inform its association members of an application referred to in paragraph (1), the circumstances concerning the complaint, and the outcome of its resolution.

Article 52-60-30(1)Having obtained information on actions performed by an electronic payment handling service provider that result in insufficient customer protection or any other information specified by Cabinet Office Order as necessary to protect the interests of customers of electronic payment handling services, an association member must report that information to the certified association of electronic payment handling service providers.

(2)If a certified association of electronic payment handling service providers receives a request from an association member to provide an information prescribed in the preceding paragraph that it holds, it must provide the association member with that information unless it has legitimate grounds not to do so.

Article 52-60-31(1)It is prohibited for an officer or employee of a certified association of electronic payment handling service providers, or a person that has held one of those positions (referred to as a "former or current officer or employee" in the following paragraph), to divulge or misappropriate any confidential information learned in the course of duty.

(2)A former or current officer or employee of a certified association of electronic payment handling service providers must not use any information learned in the course of duty other than for the purpose of providing the information for use in certified services (if the certified association of electronic payment handling service providers is a general incorporated association that obtained the certification referred to in Article 85-3-4 (Certification of Certified Association of Electronic Payment Handling Service Providers for Shinkin Banks) of the Shinkin Bank Act and the former or current officer or employee is a former or current officer or employee engaged in the services prescribed in Article 85-3-5 (Services of Certified Association of Electronic Payment Handling Service Providers for Shinkin Banks) of that Act that are conducted by the general incorporated association, including the provision of information for use in those services or in other services specified by Cabinet Order as being similar to those services).

Article 52-60-32In addition to the particulars set forth in the items of Article 11, paragraph (1) (Contents or Recorded Particulars in the Articles of Incorporation) of the Act on General Incorporated Associations and General Incorporated Foundations (Act No. 48 of 2006) and the provisions of the articles of incorporation prescribed in Article 52-60-25, item (ii), a certified association of electronic payment handling service providers must provide in its articles of incorporation that if an association member violates this Act, an order that is based on this Act, a disposition that is based on this Act or the order, or the rules referred to in Article 52-60-26, item (iii), the certified association of electronic payment handling service providers will order the suspension or restriction of the association member's rights provided for in the articles of incorporation, or expel the association member from the certified association of electronic payment handling service providers.

Article 52-60-33(1)The Prime Minister may, to the extent necessary for the enforcement of this Act, order a certified association of electronic payment handling service providers to make a report or submit materials that is to serve as a reference on the status of their business or property, or have relevant officials enter the office of the certified association of electronic payment handling service providers, have those officials ask questions about the status of their business or property, or have them inspect their books, documents, and any other articles.

(2)In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, the relevant official must carry an identification card, and must present it if a person concerned requests them to do so.

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

Article 52-60-34(1)Upon finding that the operation of certified services needs to be improved, the Prime Minister may order a certified association of electronic payment handling service providers to take necessary measures to improve the operation, to the extent necessary for the enforcement of this Act.

(2)When business operations of a certified association of electronic payment handling service providers have violated this Act, an order that is based on this Act, or a disposition that is based on this Act or the order, the Prime Minister may revoke its certification or order the suspension of all or part of its services during a designated period of no longer than six months.

Article 52-60-35In response to a request by a certified association of electronic payment handling service providers, the Prime Minister may provide a certified association of electronic payment handling service providers with the information on the service providers that is specified by Cabinet Office Order as contributing to certified services, to the extent necessary to ensure that the certified association of electronic payment handling service providers properly performs certified services.

Article 52-60-36(1)If an electronic payment handling service provider falls under any of the following items, the service provider must file a notification to that effect with the Prime Minister without delay:

(2)If an electronic payment handling service provider discontinues all of the electronic payment handling services, the registration of the electronic payment handling service provider referred to in Article 52-60-3 ceases to be effective. In such a case, a person who has been the electronic payment handling service provider is deemed to be an electronic payment handling service provider for the purpose of completing the performance of obligations to be borne by the service provider in relation to the electronic payment handling services they conduct, and returning the customers' property managed by them in relation to the electronic payment handling services they conduct to customers.

(3)If an electronic payment handling service provider seeks to discontinue all or part of the electronic payment handling services, to transfer all or part of the electronic payment handling services, to implement a merger (limited to a merger in which the electronic payment handling service provider disappears as a result of the merger), to dissolve for reasons other than a merger or an order commencing bankruptcy proceedings, or to have another service provider succeed to all or part of the electronic payment handling services due to a company split, the service provider must give public notice to that effect at least thirty days before the relevant date and post a notice to that effect in a place easily seen by the public at all of its business offices, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order.

(4)Having given public notice pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, an electronic payment handling service provider must immediately notify the Prime Minister to that effect.

(5)Having given public notice pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (3) (excluding cases in which an electronic payment handling service provider has given public notice on the succession of the relevant business through transfer of business, merger or company split, or for other reasons), the electronic payment handling service provider must promptly complete the performance of obligations to be borne by them in relation to the electronic payment handling services that they seek to discontinue, and promptly return the customers' property they manage in relation to the electronic payment handling services they conduct to customers.

(6)The provisions of Article 940, paragraph (1) (limited to the part related to item (i)) and paragraph (3) (Public Notice Period of Electronic Public Notice) of the Companies Act apply mutatis mutandis to the cases in which an electronic payment handling service provider (excluding a foreign electronic payment handling service provider) gives public notice under the provisions of paragraph (3) by electronic public notice. In such a case, any necessary technical replacement of terms is specified by Cabinet Order.

(7)The provisions of Article 940, paragraph (1) (limited to the part related to item (i)) and paragraph (3) (Public Notice Period of Electronic Public Notice), Article 941 (Electronic Public Notice Investigation), Article 946 (Obligation of Investigation), Article 947 (Cases Where an Electronic Public Notice Investigation Is Unable to Be Carried Out), Article 951, paragraph (2) (Keeping and Inspection of Financial Statements), Article 953 (Order for Improvement), and Article 955 (Statements in an Investigation Record Book) of the Companies Act apply mutatis mutandis to the cases in which an electronic payment handling service provider that is a foreign electronic payment handling service provider gives public notice under the provisions of paragraph (3) by electronic public notice. In such a case, any necessary technical replacement of terms is specified by Cabinet Order.

Article 52-60-37When the registration referred to in Article 52-60-3 for an electronic payment handling service provider has been revoked pursuant to provisions of Article 52-60-23, paragraph (1) or (3) (excluding the cases specified by Cabinet Office Order as being less likely to result in insufficient protection of customers of electronic payment handling services or to impair the sound and appropriate performance of electronic payment handling services), the person who has been the electronic payment handling service provider must promptly complete the performance of obligations to be borne by them in relation to the electronic payment handling services they conduct, and promptly return the customers' property they manage in relation to the electronic payment handling services to customers. In such a case, the person who has been the electronic payment handling service provider is deemed to be an electronic payment handling service provider for the purpose of completing the performance of those obligations and returning the property to customers.

Article 52-60-38A foreign electronic payment handling service provider that has not obtained the registration referred to in Article 52-60-3 must not solicit a person in Japan for the actions set forth in the items of Article 2, paragraph (17) or actions equivalent to those actions.

Article 52-61Cabinet Order prescribes technical replacements of terms for applying this Act to an electronic payment handling service provider that is a foreign corporation, and other necessary particulars for applying the provisions of this Act to the foreign corporation.

Article 52-61-2A person may not engage in electronic payment services unless they are registered by the Prime Minister.

Article 52-61-3(1)A person seeking to obtain the registration referred to in the preceding Article (referred to as a "applicant for registration" in paragraph (2) of the following Article and Article 52-61-5) must submit a written application for registration stating the following particulars to the Prime Minister:

(2)The following documents must be attached to the written application for registration referred to in the preceding paragraph:

Article 52-61-4(1)If an application is filed for a registration referred to in Article 52-61-2, the Prime Minister must register the following particulars in the electronic payment service providers register, except when the Prime Minister refuses the registration pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the following Article:

(2)When the Prime Minister registers the particulars pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Prime Minister must notify the applicant for registration to that effect without delay.

(3)The Prime Minister must make the electronic payment service providers register available for public inspection.

Article 52-61-5(1)The Prime Minister must refuse the registration if the applicant for registration falls under any of the following items, or if a written application for registration referred to in Article 52-61-3, paragraph (1) or its attached document contains a false statement on material particulars or lacks a statement of material facts:

(2)If the Prime Minister refuses the registration pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Prime Minister must notify the applicant for registration to that effect by indicating the reason for the refusal, without delay.

Article 52-61-6(1)Except in the case specified by Cabinet Office Order, if a particular set forth in any of the items of Article 52-61-3, paragraph (1) changes, an electronic payment service provider must file a notification to that effect with the Prime Minister pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order, within 30 days from the day on which the change occurred.

(2)Upon accepting a notification under the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Prime Minister must register the particular that has been notified in the electronic payment service providers register.

(3)If the business content or business methods that an electronic payment service provider has stated in the documents set forth in Article 52-61-3, paragraph (2), item (iii) change, the electronic payment service provider must notify the Prime Minister of this change without delay, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order.

Article 52-61-7(1)If an electronic payment service provider comes to fall under any of the cases referred to in the following items, the person specified in that item must file a notification to that effect with the Prime Minister, within 30 days from the day on which this occurred:

(2)If an electronic payment service provider comes to fall under any of the items of the preceding paragraph, the registration of the electronic payment service provider ceases to be effective.

Article 52-61-8(1)When performing an action set forth in any of the items of Article 2, paragraph (21) (excluding the actions specified by Cabinet Office Order that are prescribed in that paragraph), an electronic payment service provider must explain the following particulars to users in advance, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order, except in cases specified by Cabinet Office Order:

(2)Pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order, an electronic payment service provider must take the measures of providing users with information to prevent them from mistaking electronic payment services for the services conducted by banks, for ensuring the proper handling and safe control of the information on users that the electronic payment service provider has acquired in connection with the electronic payment services, for ensuring the precise execution of electronic payment services when the electronic payment service provider entrusts the services to a third party, and other measures for ensuring the sound and appropriate management of electronic payment services.

Article 52-61-9An electronic payment service provider must perform its services for its users in good faith.

Article 52-61-10(1)Before performing an action set forth in any of the items of Article 2, paragraph (21) (excluding the actions specified by Cabinet Office Order that are prescribed in that Article), an electronic payment service provider must conclude a contract for electronic payment services with the bank referred to in each of those items, and conduct electronic payment services related to that bank in accordance with the contract.

(2)The following particulars must be provided for in the contract referred to in the preceding paragraph:

(3)When a bank and an electronic payment service provider conclude a contract referred to in paragraph (1), they must publicize the particulars set forth in the items of the preceding paragraph in the content of the contract using the internet or by any other means without delay, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order.

Article 52-61-11(1)A bank must establish standards for particulars required of an electronic payment service provider in concluding a contract referred to in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, and must publicize the standards using the internet or by any other means, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order.

(2)The particulars required of an electronic payment service provider that are referred to in the preceding paragraph are to include the measures that should be taken by the electronic payment service provider that is the counterparty to the contract referred to in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article for ensuring the proper handling and safe control of the information on users that the electronic payment service provider acquires in relation to electronic payment services, and other particulars specified by Cabinet Office Order.

(3)When concluding a contract referred to in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, a bank must not treat an electronic payment service provider that meets the standards referred to in paragraph (1) in an unreasonably discriminatory manner.

Article 52-61-12An electronic payment service provider must prepare and preserve books and documents concerning electronic payment services, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order.

Article 52-61-13Each business year, an electronic payment service provider must prepare a written report on its electronic payment services and submit it to the Prime Minister, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order.

Article 52-61-14(1)If the Prime Minister finds it to be necessary for ensuring the sound and appropriate management of electronic payment services by an electronic payment service provider, the Prime Minister may ask the electronic payment service provider to make a report or submit materials on the status of their business or property.

(2)If the Prime Minister finds it to be particularly necessary for ensuring the sound and appropriate management of electronic payment services by an electronic payment service provider, the Prime Minister may, to the extent necessary, request a person that conducts transactions with the electronic payment service provider related to its electronic payment services or a person that the electronic payment service provider has entrusted with its electronic payment services (including a person further entrusted by that entrusted person (including entrustment at two or more degrees of separation from the original entrustment); the same applies in the following paragraph and paragraphs (2) and (5) of the following Article) to make a report or submit materials on the status of business or property of the electronic payment service provider.

(3)A person conducting transactions with an electronic payment service provider related to its electronic payment services or a person that an electronic payment service provider has entrusted with its electronic payment services may refuse to make a report or submit materials pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph if the person has legitimate grounds for doing so.

Article 52-61-15(1)If the Prime Minister finds it to be necessary for ensuring the sound and appropriate management of electronic payment services by an electronic payment service provider, the Prime Minister may have relevant officials enter the business office, office, or any other facilities of the electronic payment service provider, have those officials ask questions about the status of their business or property, or have them inspect the service provider's books, documents, and any other articles.

(2)If an entry into facilities is to be made, and questioning or inspection is to be conducted, pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, when the Prime Minister finds it to be particularly necessary, the Prime Minister may, to the extent necessary, have relevant officials enter the facilities of a person conducting transactions with the electronic payment service provider that are related to electronic payment services or of a person that the electronic payment service provider has entrusted with its electronic payment services, have those officials ask questions about any particulars that are required to be asked in relation to the questioning or inspection of the electronic payment service provider, or have them inspect their books, documents, and any other articles.

(3)In the cases referred to in the preceding two paragraphs, the relevant official must carry an identification card, and must present it if a person concerned requests them to do so.

(4)The authority under paragraphs (1) and (2) must not be construed as being granted for criminal investigation purposes.

(5)The provisions of paragraph (3) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to the questioning and inspection of the person conducting transactions with an electronic payment service provider that are connected with its electronic payment services or of the person that the electronic payment service provider has entrusted with electronic payment services, pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2).

Article 52-61-16If the Prime Minister finds it to be necessary for ensuring the sound and appropriate management of electronic payment services by an electronic payment service provider, the Prime Minister may order the electronic payment service provider to change their business content and business methods and order other measures that are necessary for supervision, to the extent necessary.

Article 52-61-17(1)If an electronic payment service provider falls under any of the following items, the Prime Minister may revoke the registration referred to in Article 52-61-2, or order the suspension of all or a part of their services during a designated period of no longer than six months:

(2)If the Prime Minister is unable to ascertain the location of the business offices or offices of an electronic payment service provider or is unable to ascertain the whereabouts of an electronic payment service provider (if the electronic payment service provider is a corporation, the whereabouts of the officer representing the corporation), the Prime Minister may, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order, issue public notice of that fact and revoke the registration of the electronic payment service provider referred to in Article 52-61-2, if no application is made by the electronic payment service provider after 30 days have passed since the day of the public notice.

(3)The provisions of Chapter III (Adverse Dispositions) of the Administrative Procedure Act do not apply to a disposition under the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

Article 52-61-18In the following cases, the Prime Minister must cancel the registration of an electronic payment service provider:

Article 52-61-19The Prime Minister may certify a general incorporated association that has been incorporated by electronic payment service providers and that satisfies the following requirements, as a person that conducts the services prescribed in the following paragraph (hereinafter referred to as "certified services" in this Section), upon application by the general incorporated association, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Order:

Article 52-61-20A certified association of electronic payment service providers is to perform the following services:

Article 52-61-21(1)A certified association of electronic payment service providers must make its membership list available for public inspection.

(2)A person that is not a certified association of electronic payment service providers (excluding a person certified under the provisions of Article 85-9 (Certification of Certified Association of Electronic Payment Service Providers for Shinkin Banks) of the Shinkin Bank Act and any other person specified by Cabinet Order as being similar to them) must not use a word in their name which is likely to be mistaken for a certified association of electronic payment service providers.

(3)A person that is not the association member of a certified association of electronic payment service providers (excluding a person that is a member of a certified association of electronic payment service providers for Shinkin banks prescribed in Article 85-10 (Services of Certified Association of Electronic Payment Service Providers for Shinkin Banks) of the Shinkin Bank Act and any other person specified by Cabinet Order as being similar to them) must not use a word in their name which is likely to be mistaken for an association member of the certified association of electronic payment service providers.

Article 52-61-22A certified association of electronic payment service providers must be able to provide users of electronic payment services with the information which has been provided by the Prime Minister pursuant to the provisions of Article 52-61-29 that contributes to protecting users of electronic payment services.

Article 52-61-23(1)If a user of electronic payment services files an application with a certified association of electronic payment service providers to resolve a complaint related to the electronic payment services which an association member conducts, the certified association of electronic payment service providers must provide consultation and necessary advice to the user who filed the application, and investigate the circumstances concerning the complaint, as well as notify the association member of the content of the complaint and ask the relevant association member to promptly process the complaint.

(2)If a certified association of electronic payment service providers finds that it is necessary for resolving a complaint in relation to the application filed under the preceding paragraph, it may request the relevant association member to provide a written or oral explanation or submit materials.

(3)If a request referred to in the preceding paragraph is made by a certified association of electronic payment service providers, an association member must not refuse the request without legitimate grounds.

(4)A certified association of electronic payment service providers must fully inform its association members of any application filed that is referred to in paragraph (1), the circumstances concerning the complaint, and the outcome of its resolution.

Article 52-61-24(1)Having obtained information on acts that an electronic payment service provider has performed which result in insufficient user protection or any other information specified by Cabinet Office Order as information necessary in order to protect the interests of users of electronic payment services, an association member must report that fact to the certified association of electronic payment service providers.

(2)If a certified association of electronic payment service providers is requested by an association member to provide information prescribed in the preceding paragraph that the certified association holds, it must provide the association member with that information unless it has legitimate grounds not to do so.

Article 52-61-25(1)It is prohibited for an officer or employee of a certified association of electronic payment service providers, or a person that has held one of those positions (referred to as a "former or current officer or employee" in the following paragraph), to divulge or misappropriate any confidential information learned in the course of duty.

(2)A former or current officer or employee of a certified association of electronic payment service providers must not use any information learned in the course of duty other than for the purpose of providing the information for use in certified services (if the certified association of electronic payment service providers is a general incorporated association that has obtained the certification referred to in Article 85-9 (Certification of Certified Association of Electronic Payment Service Providers for Shinkin Banks) of the Shinkin Bank Act and the former or current officer or employee is a former or current officer or employee engaged in the services prescribed in Article 85-10 (Services of Certified Association of Electronic Payment Service Providers for Shinkin Banks) of that Act that are conducted by the general incorporated association, including those services or other services specified by Cabinet Order as being similar to them).

Article 52-61-26In addition to the particulars set forth in the items of Article 11, paragraph (1) (Contents or Recorded Particulars in the Articles of Incorporation) of the Act on General Incorporated Associations and General Incorporated Foundations and the provisions of the articles of incorporation prescribed in Article 52-61-19, item (ii), a certified association of electronic payment service providers must provide in its articles of incorporation that if an association member violates this Act, an order that is based on this Act, a disposition that is based on this Act or on the order, or the rules referred to in Article 52-61-20, item (iii), the certified association of electronic payment service providers will order the suspension or restriction of the association member's rights provided for in the articles of incorporation, or expel the association member from the certified association of electronic payment service providers.

Article 52-61-27(1)The Prime Minister may, to the extent necessary for the enforcement of this Act, order a certified association of electronic payment service providers to make a report or submit materials that are to serve as a reference on the status of their business or property, or have relevant officials enter the office of the certified association of electronic payment service providers, have those officials ask questions about the status of their business or property, or have them inspect its books, documents, and any other articles.

(2)In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, the relevant official must carry an identification card, and must present it if a person concerned requests them to do so.

(3)The authority under paragraph (1) must not be construed as being granted for criminal investigation purposes.

Article 52-61-28(1)Upon finding that the operation of certified services needs to be improved, the Prime Minister may order a certified association of electronic payment service providers to take necessary measures to improve the operation, to the extent necessary for the enforcement of this Act.

(2)When the operations of a certified association of electronic payment service providers have violated this Act, an order that is based on this Act, or a disposition that is based on this Act or the order, the Prime Minister may revoke its certification or order the suspension of all or part of its services during a designated period of no longer than six months.

Article 52-61-29In response to a request by a certified association of electronic payment service providers, the Prime Minister may provide a certified association of electronic payment service providers with the information on the service providers that is specified by Cabinet Office Order as information that contributes to certified services, to the extent necessary to ensure that the certified association of electronic payment service providers properly performs certified services.

Article 52-61-30Cabinet Order prescribes technical replacements of terms for applying this Act to an electronic payment service provider that is a foreign corporation or an individual that has an address in a foreign country, and other necessary particulars for the application of the provisions of this Act to the foreign corporation or individual.

Article 52-62(1)Upon application from a person satisfying the following requirements, the Prime Minister may designate the person as a person that conducts dispute resolution services:

(2)A person seeking to file an application referred to in the preceding paragraph must explain the content of the operational rules to the banking service providers, hear opinions as to whether there are any objections to the content (if there are objections, including the grounds for them), and prepare a document stating the results, in advance and pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order.

(3)When seeking to make a designation under the provisions of paragraph (1), the Prime Minister must consult with the Minister of Justice in advance whether the relevant person satisfies the requirements set forth in items (v) through (vii) of that paragraph (limited to the part related to the operation of dispute resolution procedures; limited to that related to the criteria set forth in the items of Article 52-67, paragraph (4) and the items of paragraph (5) of that Article for the requirement set forth in item (vii)).

(4)the designation under the provisions of paragraph (1) is to be made for each type of dispute resolution services, and the percentage referred to in item (viii) of that paragraph is to be calculated for each type of dispute resolution services.

(5)Upon making the designation under the provisions of paragraph (1), the Prime Minister must issue public notice in the Official Gazette of the trade name or name of the designated dispute resolution organization and the location of its main business office or office, the type of dispute resolution services related to the designation, and the day on which the Prime Minister made the designation.

Article 52-63(1)A person seeking to obtain the designation under the provisions of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article must submit a written application for designation stating the following particulars to the Prime Minister:

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

(3)In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, if the articles of incorporation, inventory of assets, or balance sheet has been prepared as an electronic or magnetic record, the electronic or magnetic record may be attached to the written application in lieu of documents.

Article 52-64(1)It is prohibited for a dispute resolution mediator (meaning a dispute resolution mediator appointed pursuant to the provisions of Article 52-73, paragraph (2); the same applies in the following paragraph, paragraph (2) of the following Article, and Article 52-67, paragraphs (2) and (4)), the officer or employee of a designated dispute resolution organization, or a person that has held one of those positions, to divulge or use for personal benefit any confidential information learned concerning dispute resolution services.

(2)In applying the Penal Code (Act No. 45 of 1907) and other penal provisions, a dispute resolution mediator, officer, or employee of a designated dispute resolution organization who is engaged in dispute resolution services is deemed to be an official engaged in public services pursuant to laws and regulations.

Article 52-65(1)A designated dispute resolution organization is to perform dispute resolution services pursuant to the provisions of this Act and the operational rules.

(2)A designated dispute resolution organization (including dispute resolution mediators) may receive burden charges, fees, or any other remuneration for conducting dispute resolution services as provided for by the basic contract for the implementation of dispute resolution procedures or any other contract concluded with a member banking service provider (meaning a banking service provider that is the counterparty to the basic contract for the implementation of dispute resolution procedures concluded by the organization; hereinafter the same applies in this Chapter) that is a party to a dispute, or a customer of the member banking service provider that is a party to a dispute (hereinafter simply referred to as a "party" in this Chapter), or a person other than the party.

Article 52-66A designated dispute resolution organization must not entrust a person other than another designated dispute resolution organization or a person that has obtained the designation under the provisions of other laws which is specified by Cabinet Order as being the designation for services that are equivalent to dispute resolution services (referred to as the "entrusted dispute resolution organization" in Article 52-73, paragraphs (4) and (5)) with the services for complaint processing procedures or dispute resolution procedures.

Article 52-67(1)A designated dispute resolution organization must establish operational rules on the following particulars:

(2)The basic contract for the implementation of dispute resolution procedures referred to in item (i) of the preceding paragraph must have the following particulars as its content:

(3)When a designated dispute resolution organization receives an offer to conclude a basic contract for the implementation of dispute resolution procedures from a banking service provider, unless the banking service provider's performance of the obligations involved in the basic contract for the implementation of dispute resolution procedures or any other obligations involved in the implementation of dispute resolution services is expected to be unreliable, the operational rules on the particulars involved in concluding a basic contract for the implementation of dispute resolution procedures referred to in paragraph (1), item (ii) must provide that the designated dispute resolution organization must not refuse the offer.

(4)The operational rules on the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), item (iii) must conform to the following criteria:

(5)The operational rules on the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), items (iv) and (v) must conform to the following criteria:

(6)The term "special conciliation proposal" as used in paragraph (2), item (v) means a settlement proposal that a member banking service provider must accept except in the following cases:

(7)Changes to the operational rules do not become effective without the authorization by the Prime Minister.

(8)When seeking to grant the authorization under the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Prime Minister must consult with the Minister of Justice on whether the operational rules that is related to the authorization conform to the criteria set forth in the items of paragraph (4) and the items of paragraph (5) (limited to the part related to the operation of dispute resolution procedures), in advance.

Article 52-68(1)If a non-performance of obligations a member banking service provider bears pursuant to a basic contract for the implementation of dispute resolution procedures occurs, and the designated dispute resolution organization hears the opinion of the member banking service provider and finds that there are no legitimate grounds for the non-performance, the designated dispute resolution organization must publicize the trade name or name of the member banking service provider and the fact of non-performance without delay, as well as make a report to the Prime Minister.

(2)A designated dispute resolution organization must endeavor to provide information, consultation, and other support to member banking service providers and to other persons, in order to preemptively prevent complaints related to banking services, etc. and disputes related to banking services, etc., and to accelerate the processing of complaints related to banking services, etc. and the resolution of disputes related to banking services, etc.

Article 52-69A designated dispute resolution organization must not have a member, etc. of an organized crime group (meaning a member of an organized crime group as defined in Article 2, item (vi) of the Act on Prevention of Unjust Acts by Members of Organized Crime Groups (Act No. 77 of 1991); hereinafter referred to as the "member of an organized crime group" in this Article) or a person for whom five years have not passed since the day on which that person ceased to be a member of an organized crime group) engage in dispute resolution services, or employ the person as an assistant in dispute resolution services.

Article 52-70A designated dispute resolution organization must not treat any particular member banking service provider in an unjust and discriminatory manner.

Article 52-71A designated dispute resolution organization must prepare and preserve records concerning its dispute resolution services, in addition to those under the provisions of Article 52-73, paragraph (9), pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order.

Article 52-72If a customer of a member banking service provider has filed a request to resolve a complaint related to banking services, etc., a designated dispute resolution organization must provide consultation and necessary advice to the customer, and investigate the circumstances concerning the complaint related to banking services, etc., as well as notify the member banking service provider of the content of the complaint on banking services, etc. and request the member banking service provider to promptly process the complaint.

Article 52-73(1)The party to a dispute related to banking services, etc. may file a request for dispute resolution procedures with the designated dispute resolution organization with which the member banking service provider has concluded a basic contract for the implementation of dispute resolution procedures, for the purpose of resolving the dispute related to the banking services of the member banking service provider.

(2)When a designated dispute resolution organization receives a request referred to in the preceding paragraph, it is to appoint dispute resolution mediators.

(3)Dispute resolution mediators are to be appointed from among persons of the highest moral character that fall under any of the following items (excluding any person with an interest in a party related to the request referred to in paragraph (1)). In such a case, at least one of the dispute resolution mediators must be a person that falls under item (i) or (iii) (item (i), (iii), or (iv), if the request is related to a dispute prescribed in Article 3, paragraph (1), item (vii) of the Judicial Scrivener Act):

(4)A designated dispute resolution organization is to have the request referred to in paragraph (1) proceed to dispute resolution procedures implemented by dispute resolution mediators appointed pursuant to paragraph (2) (hereinafter simply referred to as the "dispute resolution mediators" in this Article and paragraph (1) of the following Article); provided, however, that if the dispute resolution mediators find that it is not appropriate to implement the dispute resolution procedures due to finding that the customer of the member banking service provider that is a party under that request has sufficient ability to properly resolve the dispute related to banking services, etc. or due to any other grounds, or if the dispute resolution mediators find that a party has filed the request referred to in paragraph (1) for unjust purposes and without due cause, they are not to implement the dispute resolution procedures, and if the dispute resolution mediators find it to be appropriate to have the request proceed to procedures equivalent to dispute resolution procedures at an entrusted dispute resolution organization, the designated dispute resolution organization is to entrust the operation of dispute resolution procedures to an entrusted dispute resolution organization.

(5)If the dispute resolution mediators decide not to implement dispute resolution procedures pursuant to the proviso to the preceding paragraph, or if they decide to entrust the operation to an entrusted dispute resolution organization pursuant to the proviso to the preceding paragraph, the designated dispute resolution organization is to notify the person that filed the request referred to in paragraph (1) to that effect by giving the reason.

(6)Dispute resolution mediators may hear the opinions of the parties or the witnesses, request them to submit written reports, or ask the parties to submit books, documents, and any other articles that are to serve as a reference, prepare a settlement proposal and recommend that the parties accept it, or implement a special conciliation (meaning presenting the special conciliation proposal provided for in Article 52-67, paragraph (6)).

(7)Dispute resolution procedures are not disclosed to the public; provided, however, that the dispute resolution mediators may allow the attendance of a person that is considered to be appropriate, with the consent of the parties.

(8)Prior to the commencement of dispute resolution procedures and pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order, a designated dispute resolution organization must deliver a document that states the following particulars or provide an electronic or magnetic record in which these particulars have been recorded to the customer of the member banking service provider that is a party to the dispute, and give an explanation on the particulars:

(9)A designated dispute resolution organization must prepare a record of dispute resolution procedure that state the following particulars on the dispute resolution procedures it implements and preserve the record, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order:

Article 52-74(1)If the dispute resolution mediators terminate dispute resolution procedures due to the reason that there is no prospect of reaching a settlement between the parties to a dispute related to banking services, etc. through dispute resolution procedures, and the party to the dispute related to banking services, etc. which filed the request for dispute resolution procedures files an action on a claim that was subject to the dispute resolution procedures within one month from the day on which the party receives notice of the termination, the action is deemed to have been filed at the time that the claim was filed for dispute resolution procedures, in terms of the postponement of expiry of the prescription period.

(2)The provisions of the preceding paragraph also apply if the discontinuation of dispute resolution services by a designated dispute resolution organization is authorized pursuant to the provisions of Article 52-83, paragraph (1), or the designation under the provisions of Article 52-62, paragraph (1) is revoked pursuant to the provisions of Article 52-84, paragraph (1), and there is a dispute related to banking services, etc. for which dispute resolution procedures have been implemented on the day of authorization or revocation, and the party to the dispute related to banking services, etc. which has filed the request for dispute resolution procedures files an action on a claim that was subject to those dispute resolution procedures within one month from the day on which the party receives the notice under Article 52-83, paragraph (3) or Article 52-84, paragraph (3), or within one month from the day on which the party comes to know of the authorization or revocation, whichever comes earlier.

Article 52-75(1)If litigation is pending for a dispute related to banking services, etc. between the parties to a dispute related to banking services, etc., and if any of the following grounds exist and the parties to the dispute related to banking services, etc. file a joint petition, the court in charge of the case may decide to suspend the court proceedings during a designated period of no longer than four months:

(2)The court in charge of the case may revoke the decision referred to in the preceding paragraph at any time.

(3)An objection may not be filed against a decision to dismiss the petition referred to in paragraph (1) or a decision to revoke the decision referred to in paragraph (1).

Article 52-76A designated dispute resolution organization must make the register of the member banking service providers available for public inspection.

Article 52-77A person that is not a designated dispute resolution organization (excluding a person that has obtained a designation under the provisions of Article 156-39, paragraph (1) of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act or any other person specified by Cabinet Order as being similar to the person) must not use a word in its name or trade name which is likely to be mistaken for a designated dispute resolution organization.

Article 52-78(1)If there is a change to a particular set forth in of Article 52-63, paragraph (1), items (ii) through (iv), a designated dispute resolution organization must file a notification to that effect with the Prime Minister.

(2)When the Prime Minister receives a notification on a change in the trade name or name of a designated dispute resolution organization or in the location of its principal business office or office, the Prime Minister must issue public notice of that fact in the Official Gazette.

Article 52-79If a designated dispute resolution organization falls under any of the following items, it must file a notification to that effect with the Prime Minister, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order:

Article 52-80(1)Each business year, a designated dispute resolution organization must prepare a report on dispute resolution services in the relevant business year and submit it to the Prime Minister.

(2)The particulars to be stated in the report referred to the preceding paragraph, the submission date, and other necessary particulars are specified by Cabinet Office Order.

Article 52-81(1)If the Prime Minister finds it to be necessary for the fair and appropriate performance of the dispute resolution services, the Prime Minister may order a designated dispute resolution organization to make a report or submit materials on its services, or may have relevant officials enter the business office, office, or other facilities of the designated dispute resolution organization, have those officials ask questions about the status of business of the designated dispute resolution organization, and have them inspect its books, documents, and any other articles.

(2)If the Prime Minister finds it to be particularly necessary for the fair and appropriate performance of dispute resolution services, the Prime Minister may, to the extent necessary, order the member banking service provider of a designated dispute resolution organization or a person that the designated dispute resolution organization has entrusted with its operations to make a report or submit materials that are to serve as a reference for the operations of the designated dispute resolution organization, and may have relevant officials enter the business office, office, or other facilities of those persons, have those officials ask questions about the status of business of the designated dispute resolution organization, and have them inspect books, documents, and any other articles of these persons.

(3)An official that conducts an on-site inspection pursuant to the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs must carry an identification card, and must present it if a person concerned requests them to do so.

(4)The authority for an on-site inspection under paragraph (1) or (2) must not be construed as being granted for criminal investigation purposes.

Article 52-82(1)If the Prime Minister finds it to be necessary for ensuring fair and appropriate performance of dispute resolution services concerning operation of dispute resolution services by a designated dispute resolution organization, the Prime Minister may, to the extent necessary, order the designated dispute resolution organization to take necessary measures to improve its operations.

(2)If a designated dispute resolution organization falls under any of the following items, the Prime Minister must consult with the Minister of Justice in advance when seeking to issue an order under the provisions of the preceding paragraph:

Article 52-83(1)A designated dispute resolution organization must obtain the authorization by the Prime Minister when it seeks to suspend (excluding suspension due to the reasons prescribed in the following paragraph) or discontinue all or part of its dispute resolution services.

(2)If a designated dispute resolution organization suspends all or a part of dispute resolution services due to a natural disaster or for any other compelling reasons, it must immediately file a notification to that effect with the Prime Minister by giving the reason. The same applies if the designated dispute resolution organization resumes all or part of the suspended dispute resolution services.

(3)A designated dispute resolution organization that obtained the authorization for suspension or discontinuation under the provisions of paragraph (1) or that has carried out the suspension referred to in the preceding paragraph must notify a party for which complaint processing procedures or dispute resolution procedures have been implemented on the day of the suspension or discontinuation (if the designated dispute resolution organization has been entrusted with operations by another designated dispute resolution organization or a person that has obtained a designation under the provisions of other laws which is specified by Cabinet Order as being related to operations equivalent to dispute resolution services (hereinafter referred to as the "entrusting dispute resolution organization" in this paragraph), including procedures for processing complaints and for resolving disputes for the entrusting dispute resolution organization related to that entrustment; the same applies in paragraph (3) of the following Article), the member banking service providers that are not parties, and other designated dispute resolution organizations, of the suspension or discontinuation, within two weeks after the day of the suspension or discontinuation. The same applies if the designated dispute resolution organization resumes all or a part of the suspended dispute resolution services.

Article 52-84(1)If a designated dispute resolution organization falls under any of the following items, the Prime Minister may revoke the designation under the provisions of Article 52-62, paragraph (1) or order the suspension of all or a part of its services during a designated period of no longer than six months:

(2)If a designated dispute resolution organization falls under any of the following items, the Prime Minister must consult with the Minister of Justice in advance when seeking to make a disposition or issue an order under the provisions of the preceding paragraph:

(3)A person that has received a disposition revoking the designation under the provisions of Article 52-62, paragraph (1) or has been issued an order for the suspension of all or part of its services pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) must notify the parties for which complaint processing procedures or dispute resolution procedures have been implemented on the day of that disposition or order, member banking service providers other than those parties, and other designated dispute resolution organizations, that they have become subject to the disposition or order, within two weeks after the day of the disposition or order.