Act No. 85 of August 31, 1982 Act on Special Measures Concerning Advancement of Resolution of the Northern Territories Issue

(Purpose) Article 1 In light of the current situation where the Northern Territories issue remains unresolved in spite of the Northern Territories constituting an inherent territory of Japan and the special circumstances under which former residents of the Northern Regions and the Region neighboring the Northern Territories are placed because of this, and while also giving consideration to the progress of the economic activities to be jointly conducted by Japan and the Russian Federation in the Northern Regions for which commencement of discussions was agreed upon between the two countries on December 16, 2016 (referred to as "joint economic activities" in Article 2, paragraph (5)), this Act aims to advance resolution of the Northern Territories issue and other issues related thereto by providing for special measures necessary for the raising of public awareness of the Northern Territories issue and other issues related to the Northern Regions, promotion of programs for exchanges and other purposes, enhancement of measures for providing assistance, etc. to former residents of the Northern Regions, development of an environment for smoothly implementing specified joint economic activities, and the driving of formulation and implementation of a plan for revitalization of the Region neighboring the Northern Territories and stability of the lives of residents in the Region, thereby contributing to realization of an early return of the Northern Territories, conclusion of a peace treaty between Japan and the Russian Federation, and development of friendly relations between the two countries on a truly stable foundation.

(Definitions) Article 2 (1) The term "Northern Regions" as used in this Act means the Habomai Islands, Shikotan Island, Kunashiri Island, and Etorofu Island. (2) The term "Region neighboring the Northern Territories" as used in this Act means the areas of Nemuro City (excluding the area of the Habomai Islands), Betsukai Town in Notsuke County, Nakashibetsu Town in Shibetsu County, Shibetsu Town in that county, and Rausu Town in Menashi County in Hokkaido. (3) The term "former residents of the Northern Regions" as used in this Act means any person who had the principal place of daily activity in the Northern Regions as of August 15, 1945 and any children of such person who were born in the Northern Regions after that date, including any children and grandchildren of these persons. (4) The term "programs for exchanges and other purposes" as used in this Act means the following programs which are specified by Cabinet Order: (i) programs for mutual visits without requiring passports and visas between Japanese citizens and citizens of the Russian Federation who continuously and currently reside in the Northern Regions which are implemented for the purpose of enhancing mutual understanding between them and contributing to the resolution of the Northern Territories issue; (ii) programs for visits to graves in the Northern Regions by former residents of the Northern Regions, etc. (meaning former residents of the Northern Regions and Japanese citizens who are their families; the same applies hereinafter); and (iii) beyond what is specified in the preceding item, programs for visits to the Northern Regions by former residents of the Northern Regions, etc. through maximally simplified procedures. (5) The term "specified joint economic activities" as used in this Act means joint economic activities which are specified by the competent ministers as those that mainly contribute to economic revitalization of the Region neighboring the Northern Territories.

(Responsibilities of the National Government) Article 2-2 The national government is to make the utmost effort to realize an early return of the Northern Territories, which constitute an inherent territory of Japan, by actively promoting necessary policies for advancing resolution of the Northern Territories issue and other issues, while making close coordination with local governments including Hokkaido and the city and towns in the Region neighboring the Northern Territories as well as with private-sector organizations.

(Basic Policy for Advancing Resolution of the Northern Territories Issue) Article 3 (1) In order to achieve the purpose referred to in Article 1, the competent minister, in consultation with the heads of the relevant administrative organs, is to specify a basic policy for advancing resolution of the Northern Territories issue and other issues (hereinafter referred to as the "basic policy"). (2) The matters to be specified in the basic policy are as follows: (i) matters concerning the raising of public awareness of the Northern Territories issue and other issues related to the Northern Regions; (ii) matters concerning implementation of programs for exchanges and other purposes; (iii) matters concerning assistance, etc. to former residents of the Northern Regions; and (iv) matters concerning revitalization of the Region neighboring the Northern Territories (including development of an environment for smooth implementation of specified joint economic activities; the same applies hereinafter) and stability of the lives of residents in the Region. (3) The competent minister must review the basic policy and make necessary changes to it as needed. (4) The provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2) apply mutatis mutandis to any changes to the basic policy.

(Raising of Public Awareness of the Northern Territories Issue and Other Issues Related to the Northern Regions) Article 4 (1) The national government is to promote necessary policies, such as development of an environment for promoting the campaign for the return of the Northern Territories, based on the basic policy, in order to raise public awareness of the Northern Territories issue and other issues related to the Northern Regions. (2) The national government is to implement necessary policies, such as promotion of education and learning concerning the Northern Territories issue and other issues related to the Northern Regions in school education and social education as well as dissemination of knowledge concerning these issues through public relations activities, etc., so as to enable citizens to deepen their understanding and interest in these issues.

(Promotion of Programs for Exchanges and Other Purposes) Article 4-2 (1) Until the Northern Territories issue is resolved, the national government is to endeavor to actively promote programs for exchanges and other purposes. (2) The national government is to give necessary fiscal considerations for smooth promotion of programs for exchanges and other purposes while paying attention to the fact that the Region neighboring the Northern Territories is playing an important role as the base for promoting programs for exchanges and other purposes. (3) In light of the special circumstances under which former residents of the Northern Regions, etc. are placed, such as being unable to secure traveling means by themselves, because the Northern Territories issue remains unresolved, the national government will give special considerations so that the visits referred to in Article 2, paragraph (4), items (ii) and (iii) will be made without hindrance, until the Northern Territories issue is resolved.

(Assistance to Former Residents of the Northern Regions) Article 5 In light of the special circumstances under which former residents of the Northern Regions are placed because the Northern Territories issue remains unresolved and the special position which former residents of the Northern Regions hold in promoting various policies for resolving the Northern Territories issue, the national government is to take, beyond what is specified in the following Article and Article 10, fiscal measures and other measures necessary for further enhancing and strengthening assistance to and other measures for former residents of the Northern Regions, based on the basic policy.

(Development of Successors of the Campaign for the Return of the Northern Territories Relating to Former Residents of the Northern Regions) Article 5-2 In light of the current situation in which former residents of the Northern Regions, who are playing an important role as key actors of the campaign for the return of the Northern Territories, are aging, the national government is to take necessary measures for fostering successors of the campaign for the return of the Northern Territories so as to enable former residents of the Northern Regions (including children of the grandchildren prescribed in Article 2, paragraph (3)) to continue to play the important role as key actors of the campaign for the return of the Northern Territories.

(Development of an Environment for Smooth Implementation of Specified Joint Economic Activities) Article 5-3 The national government, Hokkaido, and the city and towns in the Region neighboring the Northern Territories are to endeavor to develop the necessary environment in the Region neighboring the Northern Territories for smooth implementation of specified joint economic activities.

(Plan for Revitalization of the Region Neighboring the Northern Territories and Stability of the Lives of Residents in the Region) Article 6 (1) In order to contribute to forming the Region neighboring the Northern Territories, which is the base for the campaign for the return of the Northern Territories, as stable local communities, the governor of Hokkaido may create a plan for revitalization of the Region neighboring the Northern Territories and stability of the lives of residents in the Region, based on the basic policy, by hearing opinions of the mayors of the city and towns in the Region neighboring the Northern Territories, and may consult and seek the consent thereto of the competent minister. (2) The matters to be specified in the plan prescribed in the preceding paragraph are as follows: (i) basic matters concerning revitalization of the Region neighboring the Northern Territories and stability of the lives of residents in the Region; (ii) matters concerning development of transportation facilities and communications facilities; (iii) matters concerning disaster and water management; (iv) matters concerning promotion of education and culture; (v) matters concerning development of community facilities and social welfare facilities; (vi) matters concerning the securing of medical care; (vii) matters concerning promotion of industries such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries, trade, and manufacturing; (viii) matters concerning development of tourism; (ix) matters concerning development of an environment for smooth implementation of specified joint economic activities; and (x) beyond what is set forth in the preceding items, necessary matters for revitalization of the Region neighboring the Northern Territories and stability of the lives of residents in the Region. (3) If the competent minister finds that a plan about which the minister was consulted pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) is appropriate, the minister is to consent to the plan. In this case, the competent minister must consult the heads of the relevant administrative organs. (4) The provisions of the preceding three paragraphs apply mutatis mutandis to any changes to the promotion plan (meaning the plan prescribed in paragraph (1) for which consent has been obtained pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph; the same applies hereinafter).

(Special Subsidies) Article 7 With regard to a project which a city or town in the Region neighboring the Northern Territories conducts based on the promotion plan by receiving a contribution, subsidy, or grant from the national government or Hokkaido (in the case of a project conducted by receiving a contribution, subsidy, or grant from Hokkaido, limited to one for which the national government bears, subsidizes, or provides a grant for a part of the cost required by Hokkaido to provide the contribution, subsidy, or grant), and which falls under any of the following categories of projects (excluding a project relating to disaster recovery efforts, a project for which all related expenses are borne by the national government or Hokkaido, and a project for which no related expenses are borne by the city or town in the Region neighboring the Northern Territories) and is specified by Cabinet Order (hereinafter referred to as a "specified project"), the percentage of the expenses related to that project to be borne or subsidized by the national government (in the case in which the national government bears or subsidizes a part of the cost required by Hokkaido to provide the contribution or subsidy to the city or town in the Region neighboring the Northern Territories, the percentage of the national government's contribution or subsidy to the expenses related to the specified project; hereinafter referred to as the "national government's contribution percentage") is to be calculated pursuant to the provisions of the following Article: (i) a project relating to development of any of the following facilities: (a) a road; (b) a river; (c) a sewage system; (d) housing; (e) an urban park; (f) an educational facility; (g) a welfare facility; (h) a farmland, agricultural facility, or forestry facility which is specified by Cabinet Order; (i) a fishing port or fishery facility specified by Cabinet Order; (j) a municipal waste management facility; (k) a firefighting facility; or (l) a water supply system; and (ii) beyond what is set forth in the preceding item, a project necessary for developing a living environment or industrial infrastructure which is specified by Cabinet Order.

Article 7-2 (1) The national government's contribution percentage to the expenses related to a specified project is to be calculated by multiplying the national government's normal contribution percentage to the expenses related to a project equivalent to the specified project in an area outside the Hokkaido area by a number calculated by the following formula (any fractions after two decimal places are rounded up; hereinafter referred to as the "increase rate") for each city or town in the Region neighboring the Northern Territories: 1 + 0.25 × (the portion of the amount borne by the city or town in relation to all specified projects in the relevant fiscal year, which exceeds the base amount borne by the city or town up to twice the base amount / the base amount borne by the city or town) × adjustment rate (2) The term "base amount borne by the city or town" as used in the formula in the preceding paragraph means an amount equivalent to 2/100 of the sum of the amount of the ordinary allocation tax calculated pursuant to the provisions of Article 10 of the Local Allocation Tax Act (Act No. 211 of 1950), an amount equivalent to 100/75 of the amount obtained by deducting the estimated amount of income to be gained from the local volatile oil transfer tax, special tonnage transfer tax, motor vehicle tonnage transfer tax, aviation fuel transfer tax, and traffic safety measures special grant which are the basis of calculating the base amount of income from the base amount of income calculated pursuant to the provisions of Article 14 of that Act, and the estimated amount of income to be gained from those local volatile oil transfer tax, special tonnage transfer tax, motor vehicle tonnage transfer tax, aviation fuel transfer tax, and traffic safety measures special grant for the relevant city or town in the relevant fiscal year. (3) The term "adjustment rate" as used in the formula in paragraph (1) means a numerical value calculated by the following formula, which is to be zero if the numerical value becomes a negative number: 0.25 + 0.75 × ((0.72 − financial strength index of the city or town) / (0.72 − financial strength index of the city or town in the Region neighboring the Northern Territories with the lowest financial strength index from among all the city and towns in the Region neighboring the Northern Territories)). (4) The term "financial strength index" as used in the formula in the preceding paragraph means a numerical value which is 1/3 of the sum of the numerical value obtained by dividing the base amount of income calculated pursuant to the provisions of Article 14 of the Local Allocation Tax Act by the base amount of financial needs calculated pursuant to the provisions of Article 11 of that Act for each of the three fiscal years preceding the relevant fiscal year. (5) In the case in which the provisions of paragraph (1) are applied, if the contribution percentage of a city or town in the Region neighboring the Northern Territories becomes less than 20/100, the national government's contribution percentage is determined in a manner that makes the contribution percentage of the city or town in the Region neighboring the Northern Territories to the expenses related to the specified project 20/100, notwithstanding the provisions of that paragraph. (6) The Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications is to calculate the increase rate prescribed in paragraph (1), and notify the heads of ministries and agencies (meaning the heads of ministries and agencies prescribed in Article 20, paragraph (2) of the Public Finance Act (Act No. 34 of 1947)) who have jurisdiction over administrative functions related to the specified project as well as the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the governor of Hokkaido, and the mayors of the city and towns in the Region neighboring the Northern Territories of the increase rate.

Article 7-3 Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding two Articles, with regard to any specified project relating to a city or town in the Region neighboring the Northern Territories for which the national government's contribution percentage calculated pursuant to the provisions of the preceding Article does not exceed the national government's contribution percentage to the expenses related to that specified project in the Hokkaido area, the national government is to bear or subsidize an amount equivalent to the amount calculated based on the national government's contribution percentage to the expenses related to that specified project in the Hokkaido area.

Article 7-4 Cabinet Order prescribes necessary matters concerning provision of the amount to be borne or subsidized by the national government beyond the national government's normal contribution percentage pursuant to the provisions of the preceding three Articles.

Article 7-5 In the case of providing a grant specified by Cabinet Order to be used to cover expenses related to a specified project, the national government is to calculate the amount of that grant by taking into account the percentage which will be borne or subsidized by the national government if the provisions of Article 7 and Article 7-2 or 7-3 are applied to those expenses, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Order.

(Consideration to Local Government Bonds) Article 8 With regard to local government bonds issued by Hokkaido or a city or town in the Region neighboring the Northern Territories to be used to cover the expenses needed for a project conducted based on the promotion plan, the national government is to give special consideration so that the local government bonds may be issued as far as the financial situation of Hokkaido or that city or town allows, and that they are underwritten using the fiscal loan fund as far as the fund situation allows.

(Securing of Smooth Implementation of Operations by Fishermen in Territorial Waters in the Northern Regions) Article 9 In light of the special circumstances under which Japan's fishermen operating in territorial waters in the Northern Regions are placed because the Northern Territories issue remains unresolved, the national government is to endeavor to take measures necessary to secure smooth implementation of operations by Japan's fishermen in those territorial waters.

(Fund for Promotion of the Region Neighboring the Northern Territories) Article 10 (1) In order to contribute to resolving issues caused by special circumstances that exist because the Northern Territories issue remains unresolved, Hokkaido may establish a fund for promotion, etc. of the Region neighboring the Northern Territories as the fund referred to in Article 241 of the Local Autonomy Act (Act No. 67 of 1947) in order to subsidize a part of the expenses required for any project conducted by a public organization and other entities within the area of a city or town in the Region neighboring the Northern Territories or Hokkaido based on the promotion plan, project concerning the raising of public awareness of the Northern Territories issue and other issues related to the Northern Regions, or project concerning assistance, etc. to former residents of the Northern Regions (limited to one which does not involve a subsidy or contribution by the national government) which falls under any of the following categories: (i) a project for revitalization of the Region neighboring the Northern Territories and stability of the lives of residents in the Region which falls under any of the following categories: (a) a project that contributes to promoting a key industry according to the characteristics of the Region neighboring the Northern Territories; or (b) a project concerning development of an educational facility, cultural facility, community facility, or welfare facility; (ii) a project concerning the raising of public awareness of the Northern Territories issue and other issues related to the Northern Regions; or (iii) a project concerning assistance, etc. to former residents of the Northern Regions which falls under any of the following categories: (a) a project for skills training or acquisition of knowledge to enable former residents of the Northern Regions to obtain jobs that conform to their abilities or for achieving stability of their lives or promoting their welfare; or (b) a project that contributes to raising awareness that former residents of the Northern Regions hold a special position in promoting various policies for resolving the Northern Territories issue. (2) If Hokkaido establishes a fund for promotion, etc. of the Region neighboring the Northern Territories pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the national government is to subsidize Hokkaido for a part of the funds to be used to finance that fund. (3) The amount of the fund for promotion, etc. of the Region neighboring the Northern Territories referred to in paragraph (1) is not to fall below an amount obtained by adding, to the amount of subsidy received from the national government pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, an amount equivalent to 1/4 of the amount of that subsidy. (4) If Hokkaido withdraws funds from the fund for promotion, etc. of the Region neighboring the Northern Territories referred to in paragraph (1), the provisions of the preceding paragraph are to apply by deeming an amount equivalent to 4/5 of the amount of the fund for promotion, etc. of the Region neighboring the Northern Territories after the withdrawal as the amount of subsidy received from the national government pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2).

(Fiscal Measures) Article 10-2 Beyond what is specified in Article 4-2 through the preceding paragraph, the national government must take necessary fiscal measures within the scope of the budget and give necessary financial and technical considerations in order to achieve the purpose of this Act.

(Functions under the Authority of the Mayors of Villages in the Northern Regions) Article 11 (1) Until otherwise provided for by law, functions for family registers of persons who have their registered domicile in the Northern Regions (excluding the Habomai Islands; hereinafter the same applies in this Article) are administered by a person designated by the Minister of Justice from among the mayors of the city and towns in the Region neighboring the Northern Territories, notwithstanding the provisions of other laws and regulations. (2) Until otherwise provided for by law, functions concerning a notice under the provisions of Article 9, paragraph (2) of the Residential Basic Book Act (Act No. 81 of 1967) and the supplementary family register prescribed in Chapter 3 of that Act relating to persons who have their registered domicile in the Northern Regions are managed by a person designated by the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications and the Minister of Justice from among the mayors of the city and towns in the Region neighboring the Northern Territories, notwithstanding the provisions of other laws and regulations. (3) Beyond what is specified in the preceding two paragraphs, until otherwise provided for by law, functions under the authority of the mayors of villages in the Northern Regions which are specified by Cabinet Order are performed by a person designated by the governor of Hokkaido from among the mayors of the city and towns in the Region neighboring the Northern Territories, notwithstanding the provisions of other laws and regulations. (4) Cabinet Order prescribed necessary matters concerning performance of the functions referred to in the preceding three paragraphs.

(Competent Minister) Article 12 The competent ministers in this Act are the Prime Minister, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism with regard to the specifying of joint economic activities, the Prime Minister and the Minister for Foreign Affairs with regard to the matters concerning implementation of programs for exchanges and other purposes, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism with regard to the matters concerning revitalization of the Region neighboring the Northern Territories and stability of the lives of residents in the Region, and the Prime Minister with regard to any other matters.

Supplementary Provisions

(Effective Date) Article 1 This Act comes into effect as of April 1, 1983.

(Lapse of This Act) Article 2 This Act ceases to be effective on March 31 of the fiscal year containing the day of the return of the Northern Regions.

(Non-application of the Provisions on Special Subsidies during the Exception Period) Article 3 The provisions of Article 7 do not apply to the national government's contributions or subsidies (including those carried forward to the fiscal year after the passage of the exception period prescribed in Article 1 of the Act on Reduction of State Subsidies and Other Temporary Special Measures, as Part of Measures to be Urgently Implemented for Advancement of Administrative Reform (Act No. 93 of 1981)) relating to the budget for each fiscal year during that exception period.

(Provision of the Subsidy to Be Used to Finance the Fund for Promotion of the Region Neighboring the Northern Territories) Article 4 The national government is to provide the subsidy to be provided to Hokkaido pursuant to the provisions of Article 10, paragraph (2) approximately within 10 years after 1983.

Supplementary Provisions (Effective Date) (1) This Act comes into effect as of the date of promulgation. Supplementary Provisions This Act comes into effect as of the date of promulgation. Supplementary Provisions

(Effective Date) Article 1 This Act comes into effect as of April 1, 1991.

Supplementary Provisions

(Effective Date) Article 1 This Act comes into effect as of April 1, 2000; provided, however, that the provisions set forth in the following items come into effect as of the dates specified respectively in those items: (i) the provisions of Article 1 adding five Articles, a Section title, and two Subsections and Subsection titles after Article 250 of the Local Autonomy Act (limited to the portion pertaining to Article 250-9, paragraph (1) of that Act (limited to the portion pertaining to obtaining the consent of both Houses of the Diet)), the provisions of Article 40 amending paragraphs (9) and (10) of the Supplementary Provisions of the Natural Parks Act (limited to the portion pertaining to paragraph (10) of the Supplementary Provisions of that Act), the provisions of Article 244 (excluding the portion pertaining to the provisions amending Article 14-3 of the Agricultural Improvement Promotion Act), and the provisions of Article 472 (excluding the portion pertaining to the provisions amending Articles 6, 8, and 17 of the Act on Special Provisions of the Merger of Municipalities) of this Act, and the provisions of Articles 7, 10 and 12, the proviso to Article 59, Article 60, paragraphs (4) and (5), Articles 73 and 77, Article 157, paragraphs (4) through (6), and Articles 160, 163, 164, and 202 of the Supplementary Provisions: the date of promulgation.

(Transitional Measures in Line with Partial Amendment of the Act on Special Measures Concerning Advancement of Resolution of the Northern Territories Issue) Article 16 Any approval given, prior to the date of the enforcement of the Act, pursuant to the provisions of Article 6, paragraph (3) (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph (4) of that Article) of the Act on Special Measures concerning Advancement of Resolution of the Northern Territories Issue and other issues prior to amendment by the provisions of Article 28 and any application for approval which are already filed pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of Article 6 (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph (4) of that Article) of that Act at the time of the enforcement of this Act are respectively deemed to be a consent given pursuant to the provisions of Article 6, paragraph (3) (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph (4) of that Article) of the Act on Special Measures Concerning Advancement of Resolution of the Northern Territories Issue and other issues after the amendment by the provisions of Article 28 and a request for consultation made pursuant to the provisions of Article 6, paragraph (1) (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph (4) of that Article) of that Act.

(Administrative Affairs of the National Government) Article 159 Beyond what is provided for in the respective Acts prior to the amendment by this Act, the function to be managed or performed, prior to the enforcement of this Act, by an organ of a local government on behalf of the national government, another local government, or a public organization pursuant to Acts or Cabinet Orders enacted thereunder (hereinafter referred to as "administrative affairs of the national government and public entities" in Article 161 of the Supplementary Provisions) is, after the enforcement of this Act, to be administered by the local government as its own function pursuant to Acts or Cabinet Orders enacted thereunder.

(Transitional Measures Concerning Dispositions and Applications) Article 160 (1) With regard to acts such as dispositions to grant permissions that are carried out prior to the enforcement of this Act (for the provisions set forth in the items of Article 1 of the Supplementary Provisions, the enforcement of the respective provisions; hereinafter the same applies in this Article and Article 163 of the Supplementary Provisions) pursuant to the provisions of the respective Acts prior to the amendment (hereinafter referred to as "acts such as dispositions" in this Article) or acts such as applications for permissions already carried out at the time of the enforcement of this Act pursuant to the provisions of the respective Acts prior to the amendment (hereinafter referred to as "acts such as applications" in this Article), if administrative affairs pertaining to these acts come under the jurisdiction of different persons on the date of the enforcement of this Act, these acts, except those prescribed in Article 2 of the Supplementary Provisions through the preceding Article or in the provisions of the respective amended Acts (including orders issued thereunder) concerning transitional measures, are deemed to be acts such as dispositions or acts such as applications carried out pursuant to the corresponding provisions of the respective amended Acts in terms of application of the respective amended Acts on or after the date of the enforcement of this Act. (2) With regard to matters for which procedures such as reporting, notification, or submission are to be carried out with organs of national or local governments prior to the enforcement of this Act pursuant to the provisions of the respective Acts prior to the amendment, if these procedures have not yet been carried out by the date of the enforcement of this Act, the provisions of the respective Acts amended by this Act are to apply to such procedures by deeming that procedures such as reporting, notification, or submission have not yet been carried out for matters for which such procedures must be carried out with the corresponding organs of national or local governments pursuant to the corresponding provisions of the respective amended Acts, unless otherwise provided for by this Act or Cabinet Order enacted thereunder.

(Transitional Measures Concerning Complaints) Article 161 (1) With regard to a complaint under the Administrative Complaint Review Act against a disposition reached in relation to the administrative affairs of the national government and other entities prior to the effective date where the administrative agency that reached the disposition (hereinafter referred to as the "agency reaching the disposition" in this Article) had the higher administrative agency prescribed in that Act (hereinafter referred to as a ''higher administrative agency'' in this Article) prior to the effective date, the provisions of the Administrative Complaint Review Act are to apply by deeming that the agency continues to have a higher administrative agency on and after the effective date. In this case, the administrative agency deemed to be the higher administrative agency of the agency reaching the disposition is the administrative agency that was the higher administrative agency of that agency reaching the disposition before the effective date. (2) In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, if the administrative agency deemed to be a higher administrative agency is an organ of a local government, the function to be administered by that organ pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Complaint Review Act is the item (i) statutory entrusted function prescribed in Article 2, paragraph (9), item (i) of the new Local Autonomy Act.

(Delegation of Other Transitional Measures to Cabinet Order) Article 164 Beyond what is provided for in these Supplementary Provisions, Cabinet Order prescribes transitional measures necessary in line with the enforcement of this Act (including transitional measures concerning penal provisions).

(Review) Article 250 The item (i) statutorily entrusted functions prescribed in Article 2, paragraph (9), item (i) of the new Local Autonomy Act are not to be additionally created insofar as possible, and the functions set forth in appended table 1 of the new Local Autonomy Act and those indicated by Cabinet Order enacted under the new Local Autonomy Act are to be reviewed from the perspective of promoting decentralization and revised as appropriate in a timely manner.

Article 251 (1) In order to enable local governments to perform their functions and projects autonomously and independently, the national government is to review how to secure adequate sources of local tax revenue based on the sharing of roles between national and local governments in consideration of the changes in economic trends and other factors, and take necessary measures based on the results of the review. ○ Act for Enforcement of the Acts Related to the Central Government Reform (Act No. 160 of 1999) [Extract]

(Transitional Measures Concerning Dispositions and Applications) Article 1301 (1) Unless otherwise provided for in laws and regulations, dispositions such as license, permission, authorization, approval, and designation and acts such as notice reached or carried out prior to the enforcement of the Acts Related to the Central Government Reform and this Act (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Reform-related Acts") by former organs of the national government pursuant to the provisions of laws and regulations are deemed, after the enforcement of the Reform-related Acts, to be dispositions such as license, permission, authorization, approval, and designation and acts such as notice reached or carried out by the corresponding organs of the national government based on the corresponding provisions of laws and regulations after the enforcement of the Reform-related Acts. (2) Unless otherwise provided for in laws and regulations, acts such as applications and notifications which are already carried out with former organs of the national government pursuant to the provisions of laws and regulations at the time of the enforcement of the Reform-related Acts are deemed, after the enforcement of the Reform-related Acts, to be acts such as applications and notifications carried out with the corresponding organs of the national government based on the corresponding provisions of laws and regulations after the enforcement of the Reform-related Acts. (3) With regard to matters for which procedures such as reporting, notification, or submission are required to be carried out with former organs of the national government pursuant to the provisions of laws and regulations prior to the enforcement of the Reform-related Acts, if these procedures have not yet been carried out by the date of the enforcement of the Reform-related Acts, unless otherwise provided for in laws and regulations, the provisions of laws and regulations after the enforcement of the Reform-related Acts are to apply to such procedures, after the enforcement of the Reform-related Acts, by deeming that procedures such as reporting, notification, or submission have not yet been carried out for matters for which such procedures must be carried out with the corresponding organs of the national government pursuant to the corresponding provisions of laws and regulations after the enforcement of the Reform-related Acts.

(Delegation to Cabinet Order) Article 1344 Beyond what is specified in Articles 71 through 76 and Article 1301 through the preceding Article as well as the Acts Related to the Central Government Reform, Cabinet Order prescribes the necessary transitional measures concerning the enforcement of the Reform-related Acts (including transitional measures concerning penal provisions).

Supplementary Provisions

(Effective Date) Article 1 This Act (excluding Articles 2 and 3) comes into effect as of January 6, 2001; provided, however, that the provisions set forth in the following item come into effect as of the date specified in that item: (i) the provisions of Article 995 (limited to the portion pertaining to the provisions amending the Supplementary Provisions of the Act Partially Amending the Act on the Regulation of Nuclear Source Material, Nuclear Fuel Material and Reactors), Articles 1305 and 1306, Article 1324, paragraph (2), Article 1326, paragraph (2), and Article 1344: the date of promulgation.

Supplementary Provisions

(Effective Date) Article 1 This Act comes into effect as of April 1, 2001.

Supplementary Provisions

(Effective Date) Article 1 This Act comes into effect as of April 1, 2001.

Supplementary Provisions

(Effective Date) Article 1 This Act comes into effect as of April 1, 2001.

Supplementary Provisions

(Effective Date) Article 1 This Act comes into effect as of the date of the enforcement of the Public Corporation Act; provided, however, that the provisions set forth in the following item come into effect as of the date specified in that item: (i) the provisions of Chapter 1, Section 1 (including appended tables 1 through 4) and the provisions of Article 28, paragraph (2), Article 33, paragraphs (2) and (3), and Article 39 of the Supplementary Provisions: the date of promulgation.

(Delegation of Other Transitional Measures to Cabinet Order) Article 39 Beyond what is provided for in this Act, Cabinet Order prescribes the necessary transitional measures (including transitional measures concerning penal provisions) concerning the enforcement of the Public Corporation Act and this Act.

Supplementary Provisions

(Effective Date) Article 1 This Act comes into effect as of April 1, 2005.

Supplementary Provisions

(Effective Date) Article 1 This Act comes into effect as of the date of the enforcement of the Postal Service Privatization Act.

Supplementary Provisions

(Effective Date) Article 1 This Act comes into effect as of April 1, 2010.

(Transitional Measures) Article 2 The provisions of Articles 7 through 7-5 of the Act on Special Measures Concerning Advancement of Resolution of the Northern Territories Issue and other issues after the amendment by this Act apply to the national government's contributions, subsidies, and grants relating to the budget for FY2010 or later, and prior laws continue to govern the national government's contributions, subsidies, and grants relating to the budget for FY2009 or earlier (including those carried forward to FY2010 or later).

(Delegation to Cabinet Order) Article 3 Beyond what is specified in the preceding Article, Cabinet Order prescribes the necessary transitional measures concerning the enforcement of this Act.

Supplementary Provisions

(Effective Date) Article 1 This Act comes into effect as of April 1, 2010.

Supplementary Provisions

(Effective Date) Article 1 This Act comes into effect as of April 1, 2012.

(Transitional Measures in Line with Partial Amendment of the Act on Special Measures Concerning Advancement of Resolution of the Northern Territories Issue) Article 12 The provisions of Article 7-2, paragraph (2) of the Act on Special Measures Concerning Advancement of Resolution of the Northern Territories Issue and other issues after the amendment by the provisions of the preceding Article apply to calculation of the base amount borne by the relevant city or town in FY2012 or later, and prior laws continue to govern calculation of the base amount borne by the relevant city or town in FY2011 or earlier.

Supplementary Provisions (Effective Date) (1) This Act comes into effect as of April 1, 2019. (Review) (2) In consideration of the status of implementation of the Act on Special Measures concerning Advancement of Resolution of the Northern Territories Issue and other issues after the amendment by this Act, the national government is to review the development of systems concerning grants for achieving revitalization of the Region neighboring the Northern Territories and stability of the lives of residents in the Region and other necessary fiscal measures, and take necessary measures based on the results of the review.