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Basic Act on Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas (Any data that the title of a law indicates to be a "Tentative translation" has not yet been proofread or corrected by a native English speaker or legal translation expert; this data may be revised in the future.Tentative translation)

Act No. 106 of July 16, 1999

Chapter I General Provisions (Articles 1 to 16)

Chapter II Basic Measures

Section 1 Basic Plan for Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas (Article 17)

Section 2 Measures for Ensuring Food Security (Articles 18 to 25)

Section 3 Measures for Sustainable Development of Agriculture (Articles 26to 42)

Section 4 Measures for Development of Rural Areas (Articles 43 to 49)

Chapter III Administrative Organs and Relevant Organizations (Articles 50 and 51)

Chapter IV Council for Policies on Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas (Articles 52to 56)

Supplementary Provisions

Chapter I General Provisions

(Purpose)

Article 1The purpose of this Act is to promote measures for food, agriculture and rural areas in a comprehensive and systematic manner, and thereby to stabilize and improve the lives of citizenry and achieve healthy growth of the national economy by providing for the basic principles of ensuring food security etc. and basic matters for the realization of those principles and by clarifying the responsibilities of the State and local governments with regard to the measures for food, agriculture and rural areas.

(Ensuring Food Security)

Article 2(1)Given the fact that food is essential for maintaining human survival and important for humans as a basis for a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle, food security (meaning a condition in which a stable supply of high-quality food is ensured at a reasonable price and each and every individual in the country can obtain the food; the same applies hereinafter) must be maintained into the future.

(2)Given the fact that the world's food supply and demand and trade is unstable, a stable supply of food to the citizenry must be maintained by increasing domestic agricultural production as a basis for a stable food supply and by securing stable import and stockpiling of food.

(3)A supply of food must be maintained to meet the sophisticated and diversified public demand for food through achieving the sound development of agriculture and the food industry in a comprehensive manner, while encouraging an increase in agricultural productivity.

(4)In order to stably supply food to the citizenry, given the fact that it is important that the food supplying capacity, such as the agricultural production infrastructure and the business infrastructure in the food industry, etc., has been secured, the food supplying capacity must be maintained through the development of agricultural and food industries by supplying food into the country, as well as exporting food overseas in a situation where decline in domestic food demand is expected due to decline in domestic population.

(5)For the formation of reasonable prices of food, reasonable costs for sustainable food supply must be considered by farmers, business operators in the food industry, consumers, and those involved in food systems (meaning a series of activities that fulfill a function as a whole through organic collaboration among those involved in each phase from food production to food consumption; the same applies hereinafter) so that supply and demand situation and quality evaluation will be appropriately reflected and sustainable food supply will be maintained.

(6)A minimum food supply required for the citizens must be secured so that the stability in the citizens' lives and the smooth operation of the national economy will not be affected even when the domestic food supply shortage occurs or is likely to occur for a reasonable period of time due to contingent factors such as poor harvests or imports that have been stopped.

(Establishment of a Food System in Harmony with Environment)

Article 3Given the fact that the food system has an element to have a burden on the environment at each phase of food supply, harmony with the environment must be maintained by reducing the burden.

(Fulfillment of Multiple Functions)

Article 4Multiple functions other than the functions of supplying food and other agricultural products produced by agricultural production activities in rural areas, such as the conservation of national land, recharging of water resources, conservation of the natural environment, formation of favorable landscapes, and the passing down of culture (hereinafter referred to as "multiple functions") must be fulfilled in an appropriate and sufficient manner into the future while reducing the burden on the environment, given the role played by the multiple functions in achieving the stability in the citizens' lives and the national economy.

(Sustainable Development of Agriculture)

Article 5(1)Considering the importance of the function of supplying food and other agricultural products and the multiple functions of agriculture, the sustainable development of agriculture must be maintained by securing necessary farmland, agricultural water, and other agricultural resources as well as the agricultural workforce, establishing a desirable agricultural structure combined with these elements according to the characteristics of the regions, and an improvement in agricultural productivity, increase in added value of agricultural products, and reduction of the burden on the environment in agricultural production activities so that these functions will be fulfilled even in a situation where there is a change in circumstances surrounding agriculture such as a decline in farmers due to population decline and climate change.

(2)The environmental burden of agricultural production activities must be reduced in consideration of maintaining and improving the natural circulation function of agriculture (meaning the functionality of agricultural production activities that depends on and promotes the circulation of substances mediated by living things in nature; the same applies hereinafter).

(Development of Rural Areas)

Article 6Given the fact that rural areas serve as the basis for sustainable development of agriculture for the reason that farming is practiced in the areas where local residents, including farmers reside, rural areas must be developed by improving the conditions required for agricultural production and improving their living environment and other welfare enhancement so that the community will be maintained and the function of supplying food and other agricultural products and the multiple functions of agriculture will be fulfilled in an appropriate and sufficient manner even in a situation where there is a change in circumstances surrounding agriculture such as population decline in rural areas.

(Consideration Given to Fisheries and Forestry Industries)

Article 7In implementing measures for food, agriculture and rural areas, necessary consideration is to be given for the promotion of fisheries and forestry industries, given the fact that the measures are closely related to fisheries and forestry industries.

(Responsibility of the State)

Article 8(1)The State is responsible for comprehensively formulating and implementing measures for food, agriculture and rural areas, pursuant to the basic principles concerning measures for food, agriculture and rural areas prescribed in Articles 2 through 6 (hereinafter referred to as the "basic principles").

(2)The State must endeavor to increase public understanding of the basic principles, by providing the public with information on food, agriculture and rural areas.

(Responsibility of Local Governments)

Article 9Local governments are responsible for formulating and implementing measures for food, agriculture and rural areas in accordance with the natural, economic and social conditions of their respective areas based on the appropriate division of roles with the State, pursuant to the basic principles.

(Efforts of Farmers)

Article 10Farmers are to voluntarily endeavor to realize the basic principles when they engage in farming and the relevant activities.

(Efforts of Business Operators)

Article 11Business operators in the food industry are to voluntarily endeavor to realize the basic principles when they engage in their business activities.

(Efforts of Organizations)

Article 12Given the fact that activities of organizations relating to food, agriculture and rural areas that are carried out for farmers, business operators in the food industry, local residents, or consumers play an important role in the realization of the basic principles, the organizations are to voluntarily endeavor to implement these activities.

(Support for Efforts Being Made by Farmers)

Article 13In implementing measures for food, agriculture and rural areas, the State and local governments are to aim at providing support for the voluntary efforts being made by farmers, business operators in the food industry and organizations relating to food, agriculture and rural areas.

(Role of Consumers)

Article 14Consumers are to deepen their understanding of food, agriculture and rural areas and play a positive role in improving their food consumption habits by endeavoring to select things that contribute to reducing environmental burden and to sustainable food supply when they consume food while contributing to sustainable food supply.

(Legislative Measures)

Article 15The government must take the legislative, fiscal and financial measures required to implement measures for food, agriculture and rural areas.

(Annual Reports)

Article 16Each year, the government must submit a report on the trends of food, agriculture and rural areas and on the measures for food, agriculture and rural areas implemented by the government to the Diet.

Chapter II Basic Measures

Section 1 Basic Plan for Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas

Article 17(1)The government must establish a basic plan for food, agriculture and rural areas (hereinafter referred to as the "basic plan") in order to promote the measures for food, agriculture and rural areas in a comprehensive and systematic manner.

(2)The basic plan is to be established for the following matters:

(i)the basic policy for formulating measures for food, agriculture and rural areas;

(ii)matters relating to trends in food security

(iii)targets for matters relating to food self-sufficiency rate and ensuring food security

(iv)measures for food, agriculture and rural areas to be implemented by the government in a comprehensive and systematic manner; and

(v)beyond what is set forth in the preceding each items, matters necessary to promote measures for food, agriculture and rural areas in a comprehensive and systematic manner.

(3)The targets set forth in item (iii) of the preceding paragraph are to be established by identifying the issues to be tackled by farmers and other relevant persons so that matters relating to improvement in food self-sufficiency rate and ensuring food security will be improved.

(4)The part of the basic plan pertaining to measures for rural areas must be harmonized with the plan for comprehensive use, development and conservation of national land established by the State.

(5)When intending to establish a basic plan pursuant to the provision of paragraph (1), the government must hear the opinions of the Council for Policies on Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas.

(6)When a basic plan is established pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), the government must report it to the Diet and publicize it without delay.

(7)The government must conduct research on the achievement of the targets set forth in paragraph (2), item (iii) and publicize its results using the Internet or in an appropriate manner at least once per year.

(8)The government is to revise the basic plan approximately every five years, by taking into consideration the situation of global food supply and demand and the changes in circumstances surrounding food, agriculture and rural areas, and also based on an evaluation of the effects of the measures for food, agriculture and rural areas.

(9)The provisions of paragraphs (5) and (6) apply mutatis mutandis to the revision of the basic plan.

Section 2 Measures for Ensuring Food Security

(Enhancement of Measures for Food Consumption)

Article 18(1)The State is to ensure food safety and improve food quality while implementing measures to sophisticate food manufacturing process management, to sophisticate food sanitation management and quality management, and to standardize food labeling, and other necessary measures so as to help consumers make reasonable choices.

(2)The State is to implement measures to formulate guidelines for healthy diet, spread of knowledge and provision of information concerning food consumption, and other necessary measures, in order to contribute to the improvement of food consumption and effective use of agricultural resources.

(Securing Smooth Food Obtaining)

Article 19Through cooperation with local governments, business operators in the food industry, and other relevant persons, the State is to implement measures to promote securing food transportation means, to develop an environment for smooth food donation, and other necessary measures so that food will be smoothly obtained regardless of geographical restrictions, economic situation, and other factors.

(Sound Development of the Food Industry)

Article 20Considering the importance of the role played by the food industry in supplying food, the State is to implement measures to encourage business activities contributing to the reduction of the burden on the environment, ensuring effective use of resources, or any other business activities contributing to sustainable food supply, enhance the business infrastructure, facilitate smooth business succession, promote collaboration between the food industry and agriculture, streamline the distribution system, promote the creation of new businesses in the food industry and other relevant industries using advanced technology, promote the development of businesses overseas, and take other necessary measures, so as to ensure the sound development of the industry.

(Measures concerning Import of Agricultural Products)

Article 21(1)The State is to take measures to diversify the import counterpart and to promote investments in the import counterpart through public-private partnerships, and other necessary measures, in order to ensure a stable supply of agricultural products that cannot meet demand by domestic production.

(2)If imports of agricultural products cause or are likely to cause a serious damage to the production of agricultural products competing against such imports, the State is to implement measures to adjust the tariff rate and to restrict the imports, and other necessary measures, if such measures are urgently needed.

(3)The State is to take measures to diversify the import counterpart and to promote investments in the import counterpart through public-private partnerships, and other necessary measures, in order to ensure stable import of fertilizers and other agricultural materials.

(Promoting Export of Agricultural Products)

Article 22In order to promote the exports of agricultural products according to overseas demand so that the profitability of farmers and business operators in the food industry will increase, the State is to implement measures to strengthen the competitiveness of agricultural products through the development of producers that export agricultural products and promoting efforts for exporting agricultural products made by organizations organized by relevant persons at the phases from the production to sale of agricultural products, to develop a system to comprehensively support the cultivation of demand in the import counterpart, such as putting more effort in market research, providing information, and reinforcing dissemination of information and advertising, etc., to protect intellectual property rights relating to agricultural products to be exported, to discuss conditions on quarantine of animals and plants exported that are specified by the import counterpart and other items with such import counterpart, and take other necessary measures.

(Consideration of Costs for Sustainable Food Supply)

Article 23In order to consider reasonable costs for sustainable food supply when forming prices of agricultural products, the State is to implement measures to enhance understanding of the relevant persons of food systems on the necessity of sustainable food supply and to promote the clarification of reasonable costs for sustainable food supply, and other necessary measures.

(Food Security in Emergencies)

Article 24(1)In order to prevent situations that affect the stability in the citizens' lives and the smooth operation of the national economy due to an insufficient supply of food caused by contingent factors such as poor harvests or decline in imports to the extent possible or to minimize the impact of the situations on the citizens' lives and the national economy, the State is to strengthen collaboration among the relevant administrative organs and to implement measures to supply stockpiled food, to expand food imports, and other necessary measures when it finds that these situations are likely to occur.

(2)In the case prescribed in Article 2, paragraph (6), if the State finds it necessary to secure a minimum food supply required for the citizens, the State is to implement measures to increase the production of food, to restrict distribution and other necessary measures.

(Promotion of International Cooperation)

Article 25In order to contribute to a stable food supply into the future around the world and to ensuring stable imports of agricultural products and agricultural materials to the State through the stable food supply, the State is to endeavor to provide technical and financial assistance for the development of agriculture and rural areas in developing regions, food aid to these regions, and to promote other international cooperation.

Section 3 Measures for Sustainable Development of Agriculture

(Establishing Desirable Agricultural Structures)

Article 26(1)In order to develop efficient and stable agricultural management and to establish agricultural structures in which agricultural management plays a major role in agricultural production, the State is to promote the development of the agricultural production infrastructure, expand the scale of agricultural management, and implement other necessary measures to promote the enhancement of the agricultural management infrastructure according to the farm types and characteristics of the regions.

(2)In establishing a desirable agricultural structure, the State is to give consideration to securing farmland, which is the agricultural production infrastructure, by agricultural production activities carried out by persons who perform efficient and stable agricultural management and other diversified farmers based on discussions in the region.

(Growth of Farm Businesses Run by Practical Farmers)

Article 27(1)Given the fact that it is important to enable full-time farmers and other motivated farmers to run a unique and creative farm business, the State is to establish requirements that help streamline the operations and management of agriculture, that help the growth of farm businesses and smooth farm business succession, and make efforts to revitalize family farming, and also the State is to implement necessary measures to encourage farm businesses to be incorporated.

(2)In order to enhance the management infrastructure of corporations that run farm business, the State is to implement measures to improve the business managerial skills of persons engaged in the management of farm business, to develop the labor environment that contributes to securing employment, and to promote the enhancement of equity capital, and other necessary measures.

(Securing of Farmland and Its Effective Use)

Article 28In order to secure farmland required for domestic agricultural production and to promote its effective use, the State is to implement measures to ensure land for agricultural use that should be used as farmland, promote the agglomeration of farmland to and clustering of the farmland for those who run efficient and stable farm business, promote the appropriate and efficient use of farmland, and other necessary measures.

(Development and Conservation of Agricultural Production Infrastructure)

Article 29In order to promote an improvement in agricultural productivity by securing farmland and agricultural water that meet most requirements for farming and to ensure that agricultural production activities are carried out continuously by preventing or mitigating disasters caused by climate change or other factors, the State is to expand farmland area, create multipurpose paddy fields, change paddy fields to dry fields, maintain or enhance the functions of drainage facilities, and implement other necessary measures for improving and conserving the agricultural production infrastructure, according to the characteristics of the regions, with the aim of encouraging efficient farm business based on the latest technical knowledge on the improvement and maintenance of agricultural production infrastructure while giving consideration to farming in harmony with the environment and in conformity with production systems using advanced technology.

(Productivity Improvement using Advanced Technology)

Article 30In order to contribute to an increase in agricultural productivity, the State is to implement measures to promote the introduction of a production, processing, or distribution system using information and communication technology and other advanced technology, and to promote the development and introduction of varieties that contribute to labor-saving or high-yielding, and other necessary measures.

(Increase in Added Value of Agricultural Products)

Article 31In order to increase and create added value of agricultural products, the State is to implement measures to promote the introduction of varieties with high quality, to promote the creation of new businesses using agricultural products, and to promote the protection and using useful technology and business information relating to new varieties of plants, genetic resources of livestock, geographical indication (meaning the geographical indication prescribed in Article 2, paragraph (3) of the Act on Protection of Names of Specific Agricultural, Forestry and Fishery Products and Foodstuffs (Act No. 84 of 2014)), and agricultural production and other intellectual properties, and other necessary measures.

(Promotion of Reduction of Burden on the Environment)

Article 32(1)In order to reduce the burden on the environment in agricultural production activities, the State is to implement measures to ensure the appropriate use of agricultural chemicals and fertilizers, to enhance land capability through the effective use of domestic animal wastes, and to promote the introduction of production systems using technology that contributes to the reduction of burden on the environment, and other necessary measures, while giving consideration to the maintenance and improvement of the natural circulation function of agriculture.

(2)The State is to implement measures to ensure the smooth distribution of agricultural products contributing to the reduction of burden on the environment, to promote the provision of proper information to consumers, and to develop methods to identify and evaluate the status of reduction of the burden on the environment, and other necessary measures so that the agricultural products will be widely distributed and consumed.

(Training for Farmers and Securing a Sufficient Workforce)

Article 33(1)In order to provide training for farmers who will manage efficient and stable farm business and secure such farmers, the State is to implement measures to improve the agricultural skills and business managerial skills of farmers, and to encourage those who intend to start farming to learn agricultural skills and management methods, and other necessary measures.

(2)The State is to implement measures to promote education on agriculture and other necessary measures so that citizens will deepen their understanding and interest in agriculture.

(Promoting Women's Participation in Agriculture)

Article 34Given the fact that it is important to secure opportunities for men and women to participate in all kinds of activities as equal members of society, the State is to properly evaluate women's roles in farm business, and promote the development of an environment that allows women to have opportunities to participate in farm business and other related activities by their own volition.

(Encouraging Activities by Elderly Farmers)

Article 35The State is to promote the development of an environment that allows elderly farmers to participate in agriculture-related activities to live a worthwhile life according to their roles in local agriculture business and their skills and abilities, and is to help improve welfare of elderly farmers.

(Encouraging Activities of Agricultural Production Organizations)

Article 36In order to help secure efficient agricultural production in local agriculture business, the State is to implement measures necessary to promote the activities of farmers organizations based on rural communities, other farmers organizations that jointly carry out agricultural production activities, and organizations entrusted with farm work, etc.

(Encouraging Business Activities of Business Operators that Support Farm Business)

Article 37In order to contribute to the growth of farm businesses of farmers and an improvement in agricultural productivity, the State is to implement measures necessary to promote business activities of business operators that are entrusted with farm work, lease agricultural machinery, dispatch personnel for farm work, analyze information and provide advice on farm businesses, and provide other support for farm businesses.

(Development and Dissemination of Technology)

Article 38(1)In order to effectively promote research and development and dissemination of technology related to agriculture, food processing and distribution, the State is to implement measures to clearly set the goal for the research and development of the relevant technology, to strengthen collaboration between national and prefectural research and development institutes and those of incorporated administrative agencies and incorporated local administrative agencies, universities and private sector, etc., to promote projects for disseminating agriculture-related technology according to the characteristics of the region, and to accelerate the research, development, and dissemination by the private sector of information and communication technology and other advanced technology, and other necessary measures.

(2)The State is to implement measures necessary to promote the development of an environment for smoothly sharing information among the relevant persons of food systems so that information will be used effectively using information and communication technology in food systems.

(Price Formation of Agricultural Products and Stable Business)

Article 39(1)With regard to the formation of prices of agricultural products, the State is to implement measures stipulated in Article 23 and measures necessary to encourage agricultural production that meets consumer demand so that the prices appropriately reflect the supply and demand situation and quality evaluation.

(2)The State is to implement necessary measures for mitigating the effects of significant fluctuations in prices of agricultural products on the agricultural businesses that should be promoted by it.

(Compensation for Losses Caused by Agricultural Disasters)

Article 40In order to prevent agricultural reproduction from being impaired by disasters and to ensure the stable farm business, the State is to implement measures to provide reasonable compensation for losses caused by disasters and other necessary measures.

(Prevention of Outbreak of Infectious Diseases)

Article 41In the case of an outbreak and spread of an infectious disease of domestic animal and an outbreak and spread of an animal or plant harmful to plants in the country, the State is to implement measures necessary to prevent the outbreak or development and spread, given the fact that the agricultural industry is likely to be damaged significantly.

(Ensuring Production and Distribution of Agricultural Materials and Stable Business)

Article 42(1)In order to ensure a stable supply of agricultural materials, the State is to implement measures to promote a shift from agricultural materials and their raw materials that depend on imports to alternative materials of good quality that can be domestically produced and to provide support for stockpiling, and other necessary measures.

(2)In order to help reduce the cost of agricultural materials used in agricultural business, the State is to implement measures to promote the streamlined production and distribution of agricultural materials, and other necessary measures.

(3)The State is to implement necessary measures for mitigating the effects of significant fluctuations in prices of agricultural materials on the agricultural businesses that should be promoted.

Section 4 Measures for Development of Rural Areas

(Comprehensive Development of Rural Areas)

Article 43(1)The State is to systematically promote measures for the development of agriculture and other comprehensive development of rural areas, with consideration given to coordination between land use for agriculture and other uses in rural areas.

(2)In order to encourage the sound development of agriculture in regions and to create bountiful and livable rural areas with beautiful landscapes, the State is to implement necessary measures to comprehensively encourage the improvement and maintenance of agricultural production infrastructure, the development of industries that contribute to an increase in persons who are involved in rural areas, and the improvement of the living environment, such as disaster prevention, transport, information and communications, public health, education and culture, and the enhancement of welfare according to the characteristics of the regions.

(Encouraging Joint Activities that Contribute to Farmland Conservation)

Article 44Given the fact that joint activities that contribute to farmland conservation carried out by farmers and other persons involved in rural areas play an important role in continuing regional agricultural production activities and fulfilling multiple functions by the activities, the State is to implement measures necessary to encourage these joint activities.

(Encouraging Business Activities Using Regional Resources)

Article 45In order to increase persons involved in rural areas through business activities using regional resources in collaboration between the agricultural industry and other industries, the State is to implement measures to encourage these business activities and other necessary measures.

(Development of Environment for Agricultural Activities of Persons with Disabilities)

Article 46In order to develop regional agriculture through an increase in employment opportunities for persons with disabilities and those requiring support for their social life, the State is to implement measures necessary to develop an environment in which they can carry out agricultural activities according to their skills.

(Development of Hilly and Mountainous Areas)

Article 47(1)In mountainous areas, their surrounding areas, and other areas where the conditions required for agricultural production are not met due to geographical factors (hereinafter referred to as "hilly and mountainous areas"), the State is to increase job opportunities by revitalizing agriculture and other industries through the introduction of new crops and the production and sale of local specialty products, and by encouraging the residents to settle in the area through the improvement of the living environment, ensure convenience of life that contributes to maintaining the local community, and implement other necessary measures according to the characteristics of the regions.

(2)The State is to implement specific measures for securing the multiple functions of agriculture by providing support to farmers in hilly and mountainous areas to overcome the disadvantages of the conditions required for agricultural production so that those farmers will continue farming in an appropriate way.

(Measures for Bird and Animal Damage)

Article 48In order to prevent damage by birds and animals on agriculture and the living environment in rural areas, the State is to implement measures to prevent birds and animals from entering farmland and to promote the use of birds and animals captured as food, and other necessary measures.

(Rural-urban Interactions)

Article 49(1)In order to deepen public understanding and interest in agriculture and rural areas and to help the citizenry live a healthy and comfortable life, the State is to implement measures to encourage business activities that provide opportunities to stay in rural areas using leisure time, to encourage rural-urban interactions, to develop an environment in which people can live while having residences in both an urban area and rural area, and to develop community gardens, and other necessary measures.

(2)With regard to agriculture in and around urban areas, the State is to implement necessary measures to encourage agricultural production that meets the demand of urban residents, utilizing the advantage of having a short distance to the consumption area.

Chapter III Administrative Organs and Relevant Organizations

(Restructuring of Administrative Organs)

Article 50When implementing measures for food, agriculture and rural areas, the State and local governments are to work together and endeavor to restructure administrative organs and increase the efficiency and transparency of administrative management.

(Mutual Collaboration and Reorganization of Relevant Organizations)

Article 51The State is to implement necessary measures for promoting mutual collaboration and efficient reorganization of organizations related to food, agriculture and rural areas in order to help realize the basic principles.

Chapter IV Council for Policies on Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas

(Establishment of the Council)

Article 52The Council for Policies on Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas (hereinafter referred to as the "Council") is hereby established in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

(Authority)

Article 53(1)In addition to handling the matters under the authority of the Council pursuant to the provisions of this Act, the Council studies and deliberates on important matters concerning the enforcement of this Act, in response to a request for consultation made by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or relevant ministers .

(2)The Council may state its opinions to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or relevant ministers, on the matters prescribed in the preceding paragraph.

(3)In addition to what is provided for in the preceding two paragraphs, the Council will handle the matters under its authority pursuant to the provisions of the Land Improvement Act (Act No.195 of 1949), the Act on Improvement and Increased Production of Livestock (Act No.209 of 1950), the Act on Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases Control (Act No.166 of 1951), the Feed Supply-and-Demand Stabilization Act (Act No.356 of 1952), the Act Concerning Dairy and Beef Cattle Production Promotion (Act No.182 of 1954), the Act on Special Measures Concerning Promotion of Fruit-growing Industry (Act No.15 of 1961), the Act on the Stabilization in Livestock Farming Operations (Act No.183 of 1961), the Act on Regulation of Residential Land Development and Specific Embankment (Act No. 191 of 1961), the Act on Price Adjustment of Sugar and Starch (Act No.109 of 1965), the Act on Establishment of Agricultural Promotion Regions (Act No.58 of 1969), the Wholesale Market Act (Act No.35 of 1971), the Act on Special Measures Concerning Beef Calf Production Stabilization (Act No.98 of 1988), the Act on Rationalizing Distribution and Improving Transactional Propriety for Food and Other Products (Act No. 59 of 1991), the Act on Stabilization of Supply, Demand and Prices of Staple Food (Act No.113 of 1994), the Act on the Promotion of Recycling of Resources from Wasted Food (Act No.116 of 2000), the Act on Payment of Grants to Farmers for Purpose of Stabilization of Farming Management (Act No. 88 of 2006), the Act on Promotion of Organic Agriculture (Act No. 112 of 2006), the Act on Promotion of Business Activities by Collaboration Between Small and Medium Sized Enterprise Operators and Operators of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery (Act No. 38 of 2008), the Act on Promotion of Use of Rice for New Purposes (Act No. 25 of 2009), the Basic Act on Promotion of Urban Agriculture (Act No. 14 of 2015), the Act on Promotion of Business Activities for Reducing Environmental Burden for Establishing Food System in Harmony with Environment (Act No. 37 of 2022), and the Act on the Promotion of Smart Agricultural Technology Utilization to Improve Agricultural Productivity(Act No. 63 of 2024).

(Organization)

Article 54(1)The Council is comprised of members not more than 30.

(2)The members are appointed by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries from among persons with relevant expertise on the matters prescribed in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article.

(3)The members are to serve on a part-time basis.

(4)In addition to what is provided for in paragraph (2), officials of the Council who are specified by Cabinet Order are to be appointed by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

(Request for Submission of Materials)

Article 55When the Council finds it necessary to perform the functions under its authority, it may request the heads of the relevant administrative organs to submit materials, offer their opinions, provide an explanations or any other necessary support.

(Delegation Provisions)

Article 56In addition to what is provided for in this Act, the matters necessary or the organization, functions under its authority, and administration of the Council are specified by Cabinet Order.

Supplementary Provisions [Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Act comes into effect as of the date of its promulgation.

(Repeal of the Agricultural Basic Act)

Article 2The Basic Act on Agriculture (Act No. 127 of 1961) is to be abolished.

(Transitional Measures)

Article 3(1)If the report referred to in Article 6, paragraph (1) of the Basic Act on Agriculture prior to its repeal under the provisions of the preceding Article (hereinafter referred to as the "Former Basic Act") in 1999 has not been submitted to the Diet on the date on which this Act comes into effect, prior laws continue to govern the submission of the report to the Diet referred to in that paragraph.

(2)If the report referred to in Article 6, paragraph (1) of the Former Basic Act has been submitted to the Diet pursuant to the provisions of that paragraph before this Act comes into effect or if the report referred to in that paragraph has been submitted to the Diet pursuant to the provisions of that paragraph that are governed by prior laws pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, such report is deemed to have been submitted to the Diet as the report referred to in Article 14, paragraph (1) pursuant to the provisions of that paragraph.

(3)If the document referred to in Article 7 of the Former Basic Act in 1999 has not been submitted to the Diet when this Act comes into effect, prior laws continue to govern the submission of the document to the Diet referred to in that Article.

(4)If the document referred to in Article 7 of the Former Basic Act has been submitted to the Diet pursuant to that Article before this Act comes into effect or if the document referred to in that Article has been submitted to the Diet pursuant to the provisions of that Article that are governed by prior laws pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, such document is deemed to have been submitted to the Diet as the document referred to in Article 14, paragraph (2) pursuant to the provisions of that paragraph.

Supplementary Provisions [Act No.102 of July 16, 1999] [Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Act comes into effect as of the date on which the Partial Amendment to the Cabinet Act (Act No. 88 of 1999) comes into effect; provided, however, that the provisions set forth in the following items come into effect as of the dates specified respectively in those items:

(ii)Article 10, paragraphs (1) and (5), Article 14, paragraph (3), and Articles 23, 28 and 30 of the Supplementary Provisions: the date of promulgation

(Succession of the Positions of Officials)

Article 3A persons who, on the date on which this Act comes into effect, have been an official of the former Prime Minister's Office, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Construction or Ministry of Home Affairs (hereinafter referred to as a "Former Ministry or Agency" in this Article) (excluding chairpersons and members of the councils, etc. referred to in Article 8 of the National Government Organization Act (Act No. 120 of 1948), members of the Disaster Management Council, the chairperson and members of the Japanese Industrial Standards Committee, and those specified by Cabinet Order as persons similar thereto) are to, unless otherwise appointed to another position, becomes an official corresponding to the position under the same working terms and conditions of the Cabinet Office, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, or Ministry of the Environment after this Act comes into effect (hereinafter referred to as the "New Ministry or Agency" in this Article) or a department or organization established thereunder, which is specified by Cabinet Order as the New Office or Ministry, or the department or organization established thereunder that corresponds to the Former Office or Ministry or the department or organization established thereunder to which said official belongs on the date on which this Act comes into effect.

(Transitional Measures Specified Separately)

Article 30In addition to what is provided for in Article 2 through the preceding Article, any transitional measures necessary for the enforcement of this Act are specified separately by other Acts.

Supplementary Provisions [Act No.107 of June 2, 2000] [Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Act comes into effect as of October 1, 2000.

Supplementary Provisions [Act No.116 of June 7, 2000] [Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Act comes into effect as of the day specified by Cabinet Order within a period not exceeding one year from the date of its promulgation.

Supplementary Provisions [Act No.126 of December 4, 2002] [Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Act comes into effect as of April 1, 2003; provided, however, that the provisions of Articles 9 through 18 and Articles 20 through 25 of the Supplementary Provisions comes into effect as of October 1, 2003.

Supplementary Provisions [Act No.73 of June 11, 2003] [Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Act comes into effect as of the day specified by Cabinet Order within a period not exceeding three months from the date of its promulgation.

Supplementary Provisions [Act No. 89 of July 29, 2005] [Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Act comes into effect as of the day specified by Cabinet Order within a period not exceeding six months from the date of its promulgation (hereinafter referred to as the "effective date"); provided, however, that the provisions of the following paragraph and Article 27 of the Supplementary Provisions comes into effect as of the date of promulgation.

(Provisions Governed by Cabinet Order)

Article 27In addition to what is provided for in these Supplementary Provisions, any transitional measures necessary for the enforcement of this Act are specified by Cabinet Order.

Supplementary Provisions [Act No. 88 of June 21, 2006] [Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Act comes into effect as of April 1, 2007; provided, however, that the provisions of the following Article, and the provisions of Articles 3 and 7 of the Supplementary Provisions come into effect as of the date of its promulgation, and the provisions of Article 4, paragraph (1) apply to income from agricultural products to which that provisions apply after the fiscal year 2007.

Supplementary Provisions [Act No. 89 of June 21, 2006] [Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Act comes into effect as of April 1, 2007; provided, however, that the provisions of Articles 4, 7 and 9 of the Supplementary Provisions comes into effect as of the date of its promulgation.

Supplementary Provisions [Act No. 112 of December 15, 2006] [Extract]

(Effective Date)

(1)This Act comes into effect as of the date of its promulgation.

Supplementary Provisions [Act No. 38 of May 23, 2008] [Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Act comes into effect as of the day specified by Cabinet Order within a period not exceeding six months from the date of its promulgation.

Supplementary Provisions [Act No. 25 of April 24, 2009] [Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Act comes into effect as of the day specified by Cabinet Order within a period not exceeding six months from the date of its promulgation.

Supplementary Provisions [Act No. 14 of April 22, 2015] [Extract]

(Effective Date)

(1)This Act comes into effect as of the date of its promulgation.

Supplementary Provisions [Act No. 108 of December 16, 2016] [Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1(1)This Act comes into effect as of the day when the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership becomes effective in Japan (hereinafter referred to as the "effective date" in item (iii)).

(1) and (ii) Omitted

(ii)-2The provisions of Article 18 of the Supplementary Provisions The effective date of the provisions set forth in Article 1, item (ii) of the Supplementary Provisions of the Act on the Stabilization in Livestock Farming Operations and the Act on the Partial Revision of the Act on the Agriculture & Livestock Industries Corporation, Independent Administrative Agency (Act No. 60 of 2017)

Supplementary Provisions [Act No. 60 of June 16, 2017] [Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Act comes into effect as of April 1, 2018; provided, that the provisions set forth in the following items are to come into effect on the dates specified respectively for those items:

(i)Omitted

(ii)Article 17 and 18 of the Supplementary Provisions March 31,2018

(Adjustment Provisions)

Article 18When the effective date is on or after the effective date of the Act on Arrangement of Relevant Acts Incidental to Conclusion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the provisions of the preceding Article do not apply.

Supplementary Provisions [Act No. 62 of June 22, 2018] [Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Act comes into effect as of the day specified by Cabinet Order within a period not exceeding six months from the date of its promulgation

Supplementary Provisions [Act No. 70 of July 6, 2018] [Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Act comes into effect as of the date of its promulgation.

Supplementary Provisions [Act No. 37 of May 2, 2022] [Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Act comes into effect as of the day specified by Cabinet Order within a period not exceeding six months from the date of its promulgation

Supplementary Provisions [Act No. 55 of May 27, 2022] [Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Act comes into effect as of the day specified by Cabinet Order within a period not exceeding one year from the date of its promulgation.

Supplementary Provisions [Act No. 26 of May 10, 2024] [Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Act comes into effect as of the date of its promulgation.

(Transitional Measures)

Article 2If the documents referred to in Article 14, paragraph (2) prior to revision by this Act in 2024 has not been submitted to the Diet on the date on which this Act comes into effect, prior laws continue to govern the submission of the documents to the Diet referred to in that paragraph.