Article 9(1)An administrative agency with which a request for review has been filed pursuant to the provisions of Article 4, or the provisions of other laws or Prefectural or Municipal Ordinance (including an administrative agency that has taken over the relevant documents and objects pursuant to the provisions of Article 14; referred to as a "reviewing agency" below) must nominate a person who conducts the procedures for proceedings prescribed in Section 3 (including procedures prescribed in this Section) from among the employees that belong to the reviewing agency (when a name list prescribed in Article 17 has been prepared, persons stated in that name list), and notify that fact to the requestor for review and the administrative agency, etc. reaching the disposition (limited to the administrative agency, etc. reaching the disposition other than the reviewing agency); provided, however, that this does not apply when any of the agencies stated in the following items fall under the reviewing agency or there are specific provisions in the Prefectural or Municipal Ordinance for dispositions based on the Ordinance, or when the request for review is dismissed pursuant to the provisions of Article 24:

(2)A person to be nominated by the reviewing agency pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph must be a person other than those stated in the following items:

(3)When the reviewing agency is one of the agencies stated in the items of paragraph (1) or when there are specific provisions in the proviso to that paragraph, for applying the provisions stated in the left-hand column of the Appended Table 1, the terms in those provisions stated in the middle column of that Table are to be replaced with the terms stated in the right-hand column of that Table, and the provisions of Article 17, Article 40, Article 42, and Article 50, paragraph (2) do not apply.

(4)In the case prescribed in the preceding paragraph, if it is found necessary, the reviewing agency may have its employees (limited to persons other than those stated in the items of paragraph (2) (for members of the organs stated in the items of paragraph (1), excluding item (i))) hear opinions of the requestor for review prescribed in Article 31, paragraph (1) as applied pursuant to the preceding paragraph following the deemed replacement of terms or the intervenor prescribed in Article 13, paragraph (4), hear opinions of the witness under the provisions of Article 34 as applied pursuant to the preceding paragraph following the deemed replacement of terms, conduct a verification under the provisions of Article 35, paragraph (1) as applied pursuant to the preceding paragraph following the deemed replacement of terms, ask questions to the persons concerned with proceedings prescribed in Article 28 under the provisions of Article 36 as applied pursuant to the preceding paragraph following the deemed replacement of terms, or hold a hearing of opinions under the provisions of Article 37, paragraph (1) or (2) as applied pursuant to the preceding paragraph following the deemed replacement of terms.

Article 10An unincorporated association or foundation that has designated a representative or administrator may file a request for review in the name of the association or foundation.

Article 11(1)When a large number of persons intend to jointly file a request for review, they may elect up to three representative members from among themselves.

(2)When the joint requestors for review do not elect representative members from among themselves and it is found necessary, a person who has been nominated pursuant to the provisions of Article 9, paragraph (1) (referred to as "review officer" below) may order the joint requestors for review to elect representative members from among themselves.

(3)Each of the representative members may conduct all acts related to the request for review, except for the withdrawal of the request on behalf of other joint requestors for review.

(4)When representative members have been appointed, joint requestors for review may conduct the acts referred to in the preceding paragraph only through the representative members.

(5)Even if two or more representative members have been appointed, it is sufficient for the notice to be given or other acts to be performed by an administrative agency to be given to one of the representative members.

(6)Joint requestors for review may dismiss a representative member if they find it necessary.

Article 12(1)The agent for a requestor for review may file a request for review.

(2)Each of the agent referred to in the preceding paragraph may perform all acts related to the request for review on behalf of the requestor for review; provided, however, that the agent may conduct procedures for the withdrawal of the request for review only when they have been specially entrusted by the requestor.

Article 13(1)An interested person (meaning a person other than a requestor for review who is found to have an interest in the disposition related to the request for review or the disposition related to the inaction, in light of the provisions of laws and regulations that serve as the grounds for the disposition; the same applies below) may participate in the request for review by obtaining permission from a review officer.

(2)A review officer may request an interested persons to participate in the request for review when it is found necessary.

(3)The participation in the request for review may be entrusted to an agent.

(4)Each of the agent referred to in the preceding paragraph may perform all acts concerning participation in the request for review on behalf of the person who participates in the request for review pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or (2) (referred to as an "intervenor" below); provided, however, that the agent may conduct procedures to withdraw the participation in the request for review only when they have been specially entrusted by the requestor.

Article 14When an administrative agency ceases to have the authority to make an administrative determination on a request to review due to the amendment or repeal of laws and regulations after receiving the request to review, the administrative agency must hand over the written request for review prescribed in Article 19 or the written statement concerning the request for review prescribed in Article 21, paragraph (2), the related documents, and other objects to the administrative agency that is newly vested with the authority to make an administrative determination on the request for review. In such a case, the administrative agency that has been handed over those documents and objects must promptly give a notice of that fact to the requestor for review and the intervenors.

Article 15(1)When a requestor for review dies, an heir or other persons who have succeeded to the right related to the disposition for which the request for review has been filed pursuant to laws and regulations are to succeed to the status of the requestor for review.

(2)When a requestor for review has undergone a merger or split (limited to a merger or split for having the requestor succeed to the right related to the disposition for which the request for review has been filed), a corporation or other associations or foundations surviving the merger, a corporation or other associations or foundations established by the merger, or a corporation that has succeeded to the right through the split is to succeed to the status of the requestor for review.

(3)In the cases referred to in the preceding two paragraphs, the heir or other persons, or the corporation or other associations or foundations, which have succeeded to the status of the requestor for review must notify the reviewing agency of that fact in writing. In such a case, a document certifying the fact of the succession of the right due to death or split, or the fact of the merger, must be attached to the written notification.

(4)In the case referred to in paragraph (1) or (2), if, before the notification under the preceding paragraph is given, a notice addressed to the deceased, the corporation, or other associations or foundations before the merger or the corporation that has been split reaches the heir or other persons that have succeeded to the status of the requestor for review, or the corporation or other associations or foundations, after the merger or the corporation that has succeeded to the status of the requestor for review through the split, the notice is to have the effect as a notice addressed to those persons.

(5)In the case referred to in paragraph (1), when there are two or more heirs or other persons that have succeeded to the status of the requestor for review, a notice or other acts given to or performed for one of them is deemed to have been given to or performed for all of them.

(6)A person who has received the transfer of the right related to the disposition for which the request for review has been filed, may succeed to the status of the requestor for review by obtaining permission from the reviewing agency.

Article 16The administrative agency that is to become the reviewing agency pursuant to the provisions of Article 4 or the provisions of other laws or Prefectural or Municipal Ordinance (referred to as "administrative agency that is to become the reviewing agency" below) must endeavor to decide a standard period normally necessary between the time when a request for review arrives at their offices and the time when an administrative determination is to be made, and when the standard period has been decided, publicize the standard period by keeping it at the offices of the administrative agency that is to become the reviewing agency and the related administrative agency reaching the disposition (meaning an administrative agency vested with the authority to render a disposition subject to the request for review other than the administrative agency that is to become the reviewing agency; the same applies in the following Article) or by other appropriate methods.

Article 17The administrative agency that is to become the reviewing agency must endeavor to prepare a name list of the persons that are to become review officers, and when the name list has been prepared, publicize the list by keeping it at the offices of the administrative agency that is to become the reviewing agency and the related administrative agency reaching the disposition or by other appropriate methods.

Article 18(1)A request for review of a disposition may not be filed when three months have passed from the day following the day on which the relevant person has come to know that the disposition was rendered (if a request for re-investigation has been filed for the disposition, when one month has passed from the day following the day on which the relevant person has come to know that the decision was made for the request for re-investigation); provided, however, that this does not apply when there are legitimate grounds.

(2)A request for review of a disposition may not be filed when one year has passed from the day following the day on which the disposition was rendered (if a request for re-investigation has been filed for the disposition, decision on the request for re-investigation); provided, however, that this does not apply when there are legitimate grounds.

(3)When a written request for review prescribed in the following Article has been submitted by mail or corresponding delivery as defined in Article 2, paragraph (2) of the Act on Correspondence Delivery by Private Business Operators (Act No. 99 of 2002) conducted by a general correspondence delivery operator as defined in paragraph (6) of that Article or a specified letter delivery operator as defined in paragraph (9) of that Article, the number of days required for the delivery is not to be included in the calculation of the period prescribed in the preceding two paragraphs (referred to as "period for filing a request for review" below).

Article 19(1)Unless other laws (for a disposition based on Prefectural or Municipal Ordinance, that Ordinance) provide that a request may be filed orally, a request for review must be filed by submitting a written request for review, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Order.

(2)A written request for review of a disposition must state the following matters:

(3)A written request for review of inaction must state the following matters:

(4)If a requestor for review is a corporation or other associations or foundations, and representative members have been elected from among requestors for review, or a request for review is to be filed by an agent, the written request for review must state the name and domicile or residence of the representative or administrator, the representative members, or the agent, in addition to the matters stated in the items of paragraph (2) or the items of the preceding paragraph.

(5)In the cases set forth in the following items, a written request for review of a disposition must state the matters specified in each of those items, in addition to the matters prescribed in paragraph (2) and the preceding paragraph:

Article 20When orally filing a request for review, the person must orally state the matters prescribed in paragraphs (2) through (5) of the preceding Article. In such a case, the administrative agency that has received the oral statement must record its content, and read the recording aloud to the person that has made the oral statement to confirm that there are no errors.

Article 21(1)A request for review in the case the administrative agency with which the request should be filed is different from the administrative agency, etc. reaching the disposition, may be filed via the administrative agency, etc. reaching the disposition. In such a case, the requestor for review is to submit a written request for review to the administrative agency, etc. reaching the disposition, or orally state the matters prescribed in Article 19, paragraphs (2) through (5) to the administrative agency, etc. reaching the disposition

(2)In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, the administrative agency, etc. reaching the disposition must immediately send the written request for review or the written statement concerning the request for review (meaning a document in which the content of the oral statement has been recorded pursuant to the provisions of the second sentence of the preceding Article; the same applies in Article 29, paragraph (1) and Article 55) to the administrative agency that is to become the reviewing agency.

(3)In calculating the period for filing a request for review in the case referred to in paragraph (1), the request for review of the disposition is deemed to have been filed at the time when the written request for review has been submitted, or when the statement of the matters has been made to the administrative agency reaching the disposition.

Article 22(1)Regarding a disposition for which a request for review may be filed, when the administrative agency reaching the disposition has erroneously informed a person that an administrative agency that should not be filed a request for review as the administrative agency with which a request for review should be filed, and the person files a request for review in writing with the administrative agency as informed, the administrative agency must promptly send the written request for review to the administrative agency reaching the disposition or the administrative agency that is to become the reviewing agency, and, notify that fact to the requestor for review.

(2)When the written request for review has been sent to the administrative agency reaching the disposition pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the administrative agency reaching the disposition must promptly send the written request to the administrative agency that is to become the reviewing agency, and, notify that fact to the requestor for review.

(3)Regarding a disposition for which a request for re-investigation may not be filed among the dispositions referred to in paragraph (1), when the administrative agency reaching the disposition has erroneously informed a person that a request for re-investigation may be filed and the person files a request for re-investigation with that administrative agency reaching the disposition, that administrative agency reaching the disposition must promptly send the written request for re-investigation (meaning the written request for re-investigation prescribed in Article 19 as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 61 following the deemed replacement of terms; the same applies below in this Article) or the written statement concerning the request for re-investigation (meaning a document in which the content of the oral statement has been recorded pursuant to the provisions of the second sentence of Article 20 as applied mutatis mutandis in Article 61; the same applies below in this Article) to the administrative agency to become the reviewing agency and notify that fact to the requestor for re-investigation.

(4)Regarding a disposition for which a request for re-investigation may be filed, when the administrative agency reaching the disposition has erroneously failed to inform a person that a request for review may be filed, and the person has filed a request for re-investigation with that administrative agency reaching the disposition and has filed a petition, that administrative agency reaching the disposition must promptly send the written request for re-investigation or written statement concerning the request for re-investigation and the related documents and other objects to the administrative agency that is to become the reviewing agency. In such a case, the administrative agency that has received those documents and objects must promptly notify that fact to the requestor for re-investigation and a person that participates in the request for re-investigation pursuant to the provisions of Article 13, paragraph (1) or (2) as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 61 following the deemed replacement of terms.

(5)When the written request for review, or the written request for re-investigation or written statement concerning the request for re-investigation has been sent to the administrative agency that is to become the reviewing agency pursuant to the provisions of each of the preceding paragraphs, the request for review is deemed to have been filed with the administrative agency that is to become the reviewing agency in the first place.

Article 23When a written request for review violates the provisions of Article 19, the reviewing agency must specify a reasonable period of time and order the correction of the defects within that period.

Article 24(1)In the case referred to in the preceding Article, when a requestor for review does not correct the defects within the period referred to in that Article, the reviewing agency may dismiss the request for review by an administrative determination, based on the provisions of Article 45, paragraph (1) or Article 49, paragraph (1) without going through the procedures for proceedings prescribed in the following Section.

(2)The preceding paragraph also applies when it is obvious that a request for review is unlawful and may not be corrected.

Article 25(1)A request for review does not preclude the effect of the disposition, enforcement of the disposition, or continuation of the procedures.

(2)When finding it necessary, the higher administrative agency of the administrative agency reaching the disposition or the reviewing agency that is the administrative agency reaching the disposition may suspend the effect of the disposition, enforcement of the disposition, or continuation of procedures, in full or in part, or take other measures (referred to as "stay of enforcement" below), upon a petition filed by the requestor for review or by its authority.

(3)When finding it necessary, the reviewing agency that is neither the higher administrative agency of the administrative agency reaching the disposition nor the administrative agency reaching the disposition may order a stay of enforcement, by a petition filed by the requestor for review, after hearing opinions of the administrative agency reaching the disposition; provided, however, that the reviewing agency may not take any measures other than suspending the effect of the disposition, stay of enforcement of the disposition, or continuation of procedures, in full or in part.

(4)When a petition has been filed by the requestor for review under the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs, and the reviewing agency finds it urgently necessary for avoiding causing serious damage by the disposition, the stay of enforcement of the disposition, or the continuation of procedures, the reviewing agency must order a stay of enforcement; provided, however, that this does not apply when the stay of enforcement is likely to have a material impact on public welfare or when the action on the merits seems groundless.

(5)When determining whether the serious damage prescribed in the preceding paragraph is to be caused or not, the reviewing agency is to consider the level of difficulty in recovering the damage and also take into account the nature and extent of the damage and the content and nature of the disposition.

(6)In the cases referred to in paragraphs (2) through (4), the suspension of the effect of the disposition may not be ordered when the intended purpose may be achieved through measures other than the suspension of the effect of the disposition.

(7)When a petition for a stay of enforcement has been filed, or a written opinion stating that the stay of enforcement prescribed in Article 40 should be taken has been submitted by a review officer, the reviewing agency must promptly decide whether or not to order a stay of enforcement.

Article 26After the stay of enforcement has been granted, if it becomes clear that the stay of enforcement is to have a material impact on public welfare or when there are any changes to the circumstances, the reviewing agency may revoke the stay of enforcement.

Article 27(1)A requestor for review may withdraw the request anytime until an administrative determination is made.

(2)The withdrawal of a request for review must be filed in writing.

Article 28A requestor for review, an intervenor, and the administrative agency, etc. reaching the disposition (referred to as "persons concerned with proceedings" below), and a review officer must mutually cooperate in the proceedings as well as advance the procedures for proceedings in a planned manner, for the purpose of achieving simple, prompt, and fair proceedings.

Article 29(1)When having been nominated by the reviewing agency, a review officer must immediately send a copy of the written request for review or written statement concerning the request for review to the administrative agency, etc. reaching the disposition; provided, however, that this does not apply if the administrative agency, etc. reaching the disposition is the reviewing agency.

(2)A review officer is to specify a reasonable period of time and request the administrative agency, etc. reaching the disposition to submit a written explanation.

(3)The administrative agency, etc. reaching the disposition must enter the matters specified in the following items in accordance with the category of the cases referred to in each of those items in the written explanation referred to in the preceding paragraph:

(4)When the administrative agency reaching the disposition is to hold the following documents, the documents are to be attached to the written explanation stated in item (i) of the preceding paragraph:

(5)When a written explanation has been submitted by the administrative agency, etc. reaching the disposition, a review officer must send the written explanation to the requestor for review and the intervenors.

Article 30(1)A requestor for review may submit a document that states the counterarguments against the matters stated in the written explanation sent pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (5) of the preceding Article (referred to as "written counterargument" below). In such a case, when a review officer has specified a reasonable period of time during which a written counterargument should be submitted, the requestor for review must submit a written counterargument within that period of time.

(2)An intervenor may submit a document that states the opinions on the case related to the request for review (referred to as a "written opinion" below, except in Article 40 and Article 42, paragraph (1)). In such a case, when a review officer has specified a reasonable period of time during which a written opinion should be submitted, the intervenor must submit a written opinion within that period of time.

(3)When a written counterargument has been submitted by a requestor for review, a review officer must send it to the intervenors and the administrative agency, etc. reaching the disposition, and when a written opinion has been submitted by an intervenor, a review officer must send it to the requestor for review and the administrative agency, etc. reaching the disposition.

Article 31(1)When a petition has been filed by a requestor for review or an intervenor, a review officer must provide the person who has filed the petition (referred to as a "petitioner" below in this Article and Article 41, paragraph (2), item (ii)) with an opportunity to orally state opinions on the case related to the request for review; provided, however, that this does not apply if it is found difficult to provide the petitioner with an opportunity to orally state opinions due to the whereabouts of the petitioner or other circumstances.

(2)The oral statement of opinions under the provisions of the main clause of the preceding paragraph (referred to as "oral opinion statement" below) are to be conducted on the date and at the venue designated by a review officer, by having all of the persons concerned with proceedings participate in the procedure.

(3)At the time when an oral opinion statement is made, the petitioner may appear together with the assistants, with the permission of the review officer.

(4)At the time when an oral opinion statement is made, if the statement by a petitioner refers to matters irrelevant to the case or those inappropriate, a review officer may limit the statement.

(5)At the time when an oral opinion statement is made, the petitioner may ask questions on the case related to the request for review to the administrative agency, etc. reaching the disposition, with the permission of the review officer.

Article 32(1)A requestor for review or an intervenor may submit evidence documents or articles of evidence.

(2)The administrative agency, etc. reaching the disposition may submit documents or other objects proving the facts constituting the grounds for the disposition.

(3)In the cases referred to in the preceding two paragraphs, when a review officer has specified a reasonable period of time during which evidence documents or articles of evidence, or documents or other objects should be submitted, they must be submitted within that period of time.

Article 33A review officer may, based on a petition by a requestor for review or an intervenor, or by their authority, specify a reasonable period of time and request the possessor of documents or other objects to submit those objects. In such a case, a review officer may keep the submitted objects.

Article 34A review officer may, based on a petition by a requestor for review or an intervenor, or by their authority, request persons they find to be appropriate to state the facts that they know as a witness, or request experts to conduct examinations.

Article 35(1)A review officer may, based on a petition by a requestor for review or an intervenor, or by their authority, conduct a verification at places verification is necessary.

(2)When a review officer intends to conduct a verification referred to in the preceding paragraph based on a petition by a requestor for review or an intervenor, they must inform the date and the place of the verification in advance and provide that person with an opportunity to be present at the verification.

Article 36A review officer may ask questions to persons concerned with proceedings about the case related to the request for review, based on a petition by a requestor for review or an intervenor, or by their authority.

Article 37(1)Regarding the case related to the request for review, if a review officer finds it necessary to perform the procedures for proceedings prescribed in Article 31 through the preceding Article in a well-planned manner in order to conduct prompt and fair proceedings, due to the complexity of the case such as the fact that there are many matters to be examined or that they are entwined, or due to other circumstances, the review officer may designate the date and place to gather the persons concerned with proceedings and hear their opinions on the petition for the procedures for proceedings in advance.

(2)When a person concerned with proceedings lives in a remote area or when found to be appropriate, a review officer may conduct hearing of opinions prescribed in the preceding paragraph by a means that enables the review officer and the person concerned with proceedings to communicate with each other by audio transmissions, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Order.

(3)When a review officer has conducted the hearing of opinions under the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs, the review officer must decide the date and place of the procedures for proceedings specified in Article 31 through the preceding Article, and the scheduled time when the procedures for proceedings are to be concluded under the provisions of Article 41, paragraph (1), and notify the persons concerned with proceedings of these matters without delay. The same applies when the scheduled time has been changed.

Article 38(1)Until the procedures for proceedings are concluded pursuant to the provisions of Article 41, paragraph (1) or (2), a requestor for review or an intervenor may request a review officer the inspection of the submitted documents, etc. (meaning the documents stated in the items of Article 29, paragraph (4), or the documents or other objects submitted pursuant to the provisions of Article 32, paragraph (1) or (2), or Article 33; the same applies in the following paragraph) (for an electronic or magnetic record (a record made by an electronic method, a magnetic method, or other methods that cannot perceived by the human senses, which is used for information processing by computers; the same applies below), the inspection of a media that displays the matters recorded by the method specified by the reviewing agency), or the delivery of those documents or copies of those documents or a document stating the matters recorded in the electronic or magnetic record. In such a case, the review officer may not refuse the inspection or the delivery of the documents unless it is found that the inspection or the delivery is likely to harm the interest of a third party, or there are other legitimate grounds for refusal.

(2)When a review officer intends to enable the inspection under the provisions of the preceding paragraph or the delivery under the provisions of that paragraph, they must hear the opinions of the persons that have submitted the documents, etc. to be inspected or delivered; provided, however, that this does not apply if the review officer finds it unnecessary.

(3)The review officer may specify the date and the place for the inspection under the provisions of paragraph (1).

(4)A requestor for review or an intervenor that receives the delivery under the provisions of paragraph (1) must pay the fees specified by Cabinet Order within an amount not exceeding the actual cost, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Order.

(5)When a review officer finds that there are financial difficulties or other specific reasons, the review officer may reduce the amount of the fees stated in the preceding paragraph or exempt the relevant person from paying the fees, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Order.

(6)When an administrative agency that belongs to a local government (limited to a prefecture, municipality, and special ward, and an association of local governments; the same applies below) is the reviewing agency, in applying the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs, the term "Cabinet Order" in those provisions are deemed to be replaced with "Prefectural or Municipal Ordinance" and when an administrative agency that does not belong to the national government or a local government is the reviewing agency, in applying those provisions, the term "by Cabinet Order" in those provisions are deemed to be replaced with "by the reviewing agency".

Article 39When finding it necessary, a review officer may consolidate procedures for proceedings for two or more requests for review, or separate procedures for proceedings for two or more requests for review that have been consolidated.

Article 40When finding it necessary, a review officer may submit a written opinion stating that a stay of enforcement should be granted to the reviewing agency.

Article 41(1)When a review officer finds that necessary proceedings have been completed, the review officer is to conclude the procedures for proceedings.

(2)Beyond what is provided for in the preceding paragraph, a review officer may conclude the procedures for proceedings in any of the following cases:

(3)When a review officer has concluded procedures for proceedings pursuant to the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs, the review officer is to promptly notify the persons concerned with proceedings the fact that the procedures for proceedings have been concluded, and the scheduled time when the review officer's written opinion prescribed in paragraph (1) of the following Article and the case record (meaning the written request for review, written explanation, and other documents and objects concerning the case related to the request for review, which are specified by Cabinet Order; the same applies in paragraph (2) of the following Article and Article 43, paragraph (2)) are to be submitted to the reviewing agency. The same applies when the scheduled time of submission has been changed.

Article 42(1)When the procedures for proceedings have been concluded, a review officer must prepare a written opinion concerning the administrative determination to be made by the reviewing agency (referred to as a "review officer's written opinion" below) without delay.

(2)When a review officer has prepared a review officer's written opinion, the review officer must promptly submit it to the reviewing agency together with the case record.

Article 43(1)When the review agency has received a review officer's written opinion, the reviewing agency that falls under the competent minister, the Grand Steward, or the head of any of the agencies prescribed in Article 49, paragraph (1) or (2) of the Act for Establishment of the Cabinet Office or Article 3, paragraph (2) of the National Government Organization Act must consult with an Administrative Complaint Review Board, and the reviewing agency that falls under the head of a local government (for an association of a local government, the head, manager, or council) must consult with the organs referred to in Article 81, paragraph (1) or (2), in the cases other than those that fall under any of the following case:

(2)The consultation under the provisions of the preceding paragraph must be made by attaching copies of the review officer's written opinion and the case record.

(3)The reviewing agency that has consulted with the Administrative Complaint Review Board, etc. pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) must notify the persons concerned with proceedings (when the administrative agency, etc. reaching the disposition is the reviewing agency, the requestor for review and the intervenor) the fact that it has consulted the Administrative Complaint Review Board, etc. and send those persons a copy of the review officer's written opinion.

Article 44When the reviewing agency has received a response to the consultation from the Administrative Complaint Review Board, etc. (if the consultation under the provisions of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article is not necessary (excluding the cases falling under item (ii) or (iii) of that paragraph), when the review officer's written opinion has been submitted, and if the case falls under item (ii) or (iii) of that paragraph, when the case has gone through the deliberations prescribed in item (ii) or (iii) of that paragraph), the reviewing agency must make an administrative determination without delay.

Article 45(1)When a request for review of a disposition has been filed after the elapse of the statutory period, or is otherwise unlawful, the reviewing agency is to dismiss the request for review by an administrative determination.

(2)When there are no grounds for a request for review of a disposition, the reviewing agency is to reject the request for review by an administrative determination.

(3)When a disposition related to a request for review is illegal or unjust but its revocation or elimination significantly harms public interest, and the reviewing agency finds that the revocation or elimination of the disposition is not in accordance with public welfare upon considering the extent of damage suffered by the requestor for review, the extent and method of compensation for or prevention of the damage, and all other circumstances, it may dismiss the request for review by an administrative determination . In such a case, the reviewing agency must declare that the disposition is illegal or unjust in the text of the administrative determination.

Article 46(1)When there are grounds for a request for review of a disposition (excluding de facto acts; the same applies below in this Article and Article 48) (excluding the cases to which the provisions of paragraph (3) of the preceding Article apply), the reviewing agency is to revoke in full or in part the disposition, or change the disposition by an administrative determination; provided, however, that when the reviewing agency is neither the higher administrative agency of the administrative agency reaching the disposition nor the administrative agency reaching the disposition, the reviewing agency may not change the disposition.

(2)When revoking a disposition to dismiss or reject in full or in part an application based on laws and regulations pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the reviewing agency stated in the following items is to take the measures specified in each of those items when it finds that a certain disposition should be rendered for the application:

(3)When there are provisions providing that a certain disposition prescribed in the preceding paragraph should go through deliberations prescribed in Article 43, paragraph (1), item (i), and the reviewing agency finds it necessary for the purpose of taking the measures specified in the items of the preceding paragraph, the reviewing agency may go through the deliberations at the Council, etc. concerning the provisions.

(4)In addition to the cases in which there are provisions prescribed in the preceding paragraph, when other laws and regulations provide that consultation with the relevant administrative agencies or other procedures should be taken for a certain disposition prescribed in paragraph (2), and the reviewing agency finds it necessary for the purpose of taking the measures specified in the items of that paragraph, the reviewing agency may conduct those procedures.

Article 47When there are grounds for a request for review of a de facto act (excluding the cases to which the provisions of Article 45, paragraph (3) apply), the reviewing agency is to declare that the de facto act is illegal or unjust by an administrative determination, and take the measures specified in the following items in accordance with the category of the reviewing agencies stated in each of those items; provided, however, that when the reviewing agency is a reviewing agency other than the higher administrative agency of the administrative agency reaching the disposition, the reviewing agency may not order that the de facto act should be changed:

Article 48In the case referred to in the main clause of Article 46, paragraph (1) or the preceding Article, the reviewing agency may not make a change to the disposition, or order the de facto act to be changed or change the de facto act, in a manner that is disadvantageous to requestor for review.

Article 49(1)When a request for review regarding inaction has been filed before the elapse of a reasonable period of time after an application for the disposition of inaction has been filed, or the request is otherwise unlawful, the reviewing agency is to dismiss the request for review by a decision.

(2)When there are no grounds for a request for review regarding to inaction, the reviewing agency is to reject the request for review by an administrative determination.

(3)When there are grounds for a request for review regarding inaction, the reviewing agency is to declare that the inaction is illegal or unjust by an administrative determination. In such a case, when the reviewing agency stated in the following items finds that a certain disposition should be rendered for the application, the reviewing agency stated in the following items is to take the measures specified in each of those items:

(4)When there are provisions providing that the disposition of inaction related to a request for review should go through deliberations prescribed in Article 43, paragraph (1), item (i), and the reviewing agency finds it necessary for the purpose of taking the measures specified in the items of the preceding paragraph, the reviewing agency may go through deliberations at the Council, etc. related to the provisions.

(5)In addition to the cases in which there are provisions prescribed in the preceding paragraph, when other laws and regulations provide that consultation with the relevant administrative agencies should be conducted and other procedures should be conducted regarding the disposition of inaction related to the request for review, and the reviewing agency finds it necessary for the purpose of taking the measures specified in the items of paragraph (3), the reviewing agency may conduct those procedures.

Article 50(1)A decision must be made using a written administrative determination stating the following matters and on which the reviewing agency has affixed its name and seal:

(2)When consultation with the Administrative Complaint Review Board, etc. pursuant to the provisions of Article 43, paragraph (1) is not necessary, the review officer's written opinion must be attached to the written administrative determination referred to in the preceding paragraph.

(3)When making an administrative determination for which a request for re-examination may be filed, the reviewing agency must state the fact that a request for re-examination may be filed, and an administrative agency with which a request for re-examination should be filed and the period for filing a request for re-examination (meaning the period of time prescribed in Article 62) in a written administrative determination to inform the relevant person of these matters.

Article 51(1)An administrative determination comes into effect when it is served to the requestor for review (for an administrative determination made under the provisions of Article 46, paragraph (1) and Article 47 when the request for review has been filed by a person other than the party subject to the disposition, the requestor for review and the party subject to the disposition).

(2)The service of an administrative determination is to be made by sending a transcript of the written administrative determination to the person to who is to be served the administrative determination; provided, however, that if the whereabouts of the person who is to be served the administrative determination are unknown or if it is not possible to send a transcript of the written administrative determination, the service of the administrative determination may be made by means of public notice.

(3)The service of the administrative determination by means of public notice is to be made by the reviewing agency keeping the transcript of the written administrative determination and in a manner that enables an unspecified and large number of persons to inspect the fact that the transcript will be delivered to the person who is to receive the service at any time by the means specified by Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication, and by taking the measures to post a document stating that fact on the notice board in the office of the reviewing agency or to enable the inspection of that fact displayed on a screen of a computer installed at the office. In such a case, the transcript of the written administrative determination is deemed to be served at the time when two weeks have passed from the day following the day on which the measures have been initiated.

(4)The reviewing agency must send a transcript of the written administrative determination to the intervenors and the administrative agency, etc. reaching the disposition (limited to the administrative agency, etc. reaching the disposition other than the reviewing agency).

Article 52(1)An administrative determination binds the relevant administrative agencies.

(2)When a disposition rendered based on an application has been revoked by an administrative determination on the grounds of procedural illegality or unfairness, or a disposition to dismiss or reject an application has been revoked by an administrative determination, the administrative agency reaching the disposition must once again render a disposition for the application in accordance with the purport of the administrative determination.

(3)When a disposition that has been given a publicly notice pursuant to the provisions of laws and regulations has been revoked or changed by an administrative determination, the administrative agency reaching the disposition must give public notice of the fact that the disposition has been revoked or changed.

(4)When a disposition which was notified to an interested person other than the party subject to the disposition pursuant to the provisions of laws and regulations has been revoked or changed by an administrative determination, the administrative agency reaching the disposition must notify the person who has received the notice (excluding the requestor for review and the intervenors) the fact that the disposition has been revoked or changed.

Article 53When the reviewing agency has made an administrative determination, it must promptly return the evidence documents or articles of evidence, or documents or other objects submitted pursuant to the provisions of Article 32, paragraph (1) or (2), and the documents or other objects submitted in response to a request for submission under the provisions of Article 33 to the person who submitted them.

Article 81(1)A local government establishes an organ for dealing with the matters that have been placed under its authority pursuant to the provisions of this Act as an organ affiliated to its executive agencies.

(2)Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, when it is inappropriate or difficult to establish an organ referred to in that paragraph in view of the situation of complaints filed in the local government, a local government may establish an organ for dealing with the matters that have been placed under its authority pursuant to the provisions of this Act as an organ affiliated to its executive agencies for each case, pursuant to the provisions of Prefectural or Municipal Ordinance.

(3)The provisions of Subsection 2 of the preceding Section apply mutatis mutandis to the organs referred to in the preceding two paragraphs. In such a case, the term "Cabinet Order" in Article 78, paragraphs (4) and (5) is deemed to be replaced with "Prefectural or Municipal Ordinance".

(4)Beyond what is provided for in the preceding three paragraphs, necessary matters concerning the organization and operation of the organs referred to in paragraphs (1) or (2) are provided for by Ordinance of the local government in which the organ is established (for an organ jointly established pursuant to the provisions of Article 252-7, paragraph (1) of the Local Autonomy Act, the rules referred to in that paragraph).