Act No. 224 of December 22, 1947 Family Register Act Chapter I General Provisions (Articles 1 through 5) Chapter II Family Register Book (Articles 6 through 12-2) Chapter III Entries in a Family Register (Articles 13 through 24) Chapter IV Notifications Section 1 General Rules (Articles 25 through 48) Section 2 Birth (Articles 49 through 59) Section 3 Acknowledgment of Parentage (Articles 60 through 65) Section 4 Adoption (Articles 66 through 69-2) Section 5 Dissolution of Adoptive Relationship (Articles 70 through 73-2) Section 6 Marriage (Articles 74 through 75-2) Section 7 Divorce (Articles 76 through 77-2) Section 8 Parental Authority and Guardianship of a Minor (Articles 78 through 85) Section 9 Death and Disappearance (Articles 86 through 94) Section 10 Surviving Spouse's Reversion to Previous Surname and End of a Relationship by Affinity (Articles 95 through 96) Section 11 Disinheritance of a Presumptive Heir (Article 97) Section 12 Entry of a Name in a Family Register (Articles 98 and 99) Section 13 Separation from a Family Register (Articles 100 and 101) Section 14 Acquisition or Loss of Japanese Nationality (Articles 102 through 106) Section 15 Change of Name (Articles 107 and 107-2) Section 15-2 Change of Kana Characters Indicating Name (Articles 107-3 and 107-4) Section 16 Transfer of Registered Domicile and Registration of Unregistered Person (Articles 108 through 112) Chapter V Correction of a Family Register (Articles 113 through 117) Chapter VI Special Provisions, etc. on the Handling of Processes for Family Registers by Electronic Data Processing Systems (Articles 118 through 121-3) Chapter VII Appeals (Articles 122 through 125) Chapter VIII Miscellaneous Provisions (Articles 126 through 131) Chapter IX Penal Provisions (Articles 132 through 140) Supplementary Provisions Chapter I General Provisions

Article 1 (1) Unless otherwise provided for in this Act, processes related to family registers are administered by the mayor of a municipality. (2) The processes to be handled by the mayor of a municipality pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph are Type I statutory entrusted processes as prescribed in Article 2, paragraph (9), item (i) of the Local Autonomy Act (Act No. 67 of 1947).

Article 2 The mayor of a municipality may not perform their duties with regard to any event involving a family register concerning themselves, their spouse, lineal ascendants, or lineal descendants.

Article 3 (1) The Minister of Justice may set standards with which the mayor of a municipality must comply in the course of handling any processes for family registers. (2) If the director of a legal affairs bureau or district legal affairs bureau with jurisdiction over the location of a city office or town or village office (referred to below as the "director with jurisdiction") finds it necessary in order to handle processes for family registers, the director may request reports from or give advice or make recommendations to the mayor of a municipality. In this case, the director may give instructions to the mayor if the director finds it particularly necessary in order to ensure proper handling of processes for family registers. (3) If the director with jurisdiction receives an inquiry for confirmation concerning the handling of processes for family registers from the mayor of a municipality or otherwise finds it necessary in order to give advice, recommendations, or instructions pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the director may ask questions or request submission of necessary documents to the notifying person, the party to the event under notification, or other relevant persons. (4) The provisions of Article 245-4, Article 245-7, paragraph (2), item (i), and paragraphs (3) and (4), Article 245-8, paragraphs (12) and (13), and Article 245-9, paragraph (2), item (i), and paragraphs (3) and (4) of the Local Autonomy Act do not apply to processes for family registers.

Article 4 In the cases of special wards, the provisions of this Act concerning city mayors and city offices apply mutatis mutandis to special wards, special ward mayors, and special ward offices; and those provisions apply mutatis mutandis to wards, administratively consolidated wards, ward mayors, administratively consolidated ward mayors, ward offices, and administratively consolidated wards offices in the case of designated cities referred to in Article 252-19, paragraph (1) of the Local Autonomy Act.

Article 5 Deleted

Chapter II Family Register Book

Article 6 A family register is created for each unit consisting of a husband and wife, and any children with the same surname, who have their registered domicile within the area of a municipality; provided, however, that when a new family register is created for a person who has entered into marriage with a person who is not a Japanese national (referred to below as a "foreign national"), or for a person who does not have a spouse, it is created for each unit consisting of the person in question and any children with the same surname.

Article 7 Family registers are compiled into a registry.

Article 8 (1) An original and a duplicate is made for each family register. (2) The original is kept at the city office or town or village office, and the duplicate is preserved by the competent legal affairs bureau or district legal affairs bureau or a related branch office.

Article 9 A family register is identified by the name and registered domicile of the person entered at the head of the register. The family register continues to be identified by this person even after the relevant person's name has been removed from the family register.

Article 10 (1) A person entered in a family register (including a person whose name has been removed from the family register (excluding a person for whom all of the entries the register have been made based on the error of the mayor of a municipality and then corrected pursuant to the provisions of Article 24, paragraph (2))), or their spouse, lineal ascendant, or lineal descendant may request the issuance of a transcript or extract of the family register, or a certificate of the particulars entered in the family register (referred to below as a "family register transcript, extract or certificate"). (2) The mayor of a municipality may refuse the request referred to in the preceding paragraph if it is clear that the request has been made for an unjust purpose. (3) A person who seeks to make the request referred to in paragraph (1) may request that the family register transcript, extract or certificate be sent to them by postal mail or by any other method specified by Ministry of Justice Order.

Article 10-2 (1) A person other than the person prescribed in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article may request the issuance of a family register transcript, extract or certificate only in the cases listed in the following items. In this case, the person who makes the request must clarify the particulars specified in those items: (i) if the person needs to confirm the particulars entered in the family register in order to exercise their own right or perform their own obligation: the cause and content of the right or the obligation, as well as the reasons for which the person needs to confirm the particulars entered in the family register in order to exercise the relevant right or perform the relevant obligation; (ii) if the person needs to submit the family register transcript, extract or certificate to a national or local government agency: the national or local government agency to which they must submit the family register transcript, extract or certificate, and the reasons why the submission to the relevant agency is required; and (iii) beyond the cases listed in the preceding two items, if the person has justifiable grounds for using the particulars entered in the family register: the purpose and the method of use of the entries in the family register, as well as the reasons for requiring that use. (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, a national or local government agency may request the issuance of a family register transcript, extract or certificate if the agency needs it in order to perform processes prescribed by law and regulations. In this case, the official with the authority to take charge of making the request must clarify their government position, the type of processes, and the clauses of the governing law and regulations that constitute the grounds for performing processes, as well as the purpose for which the particulars entered in the family register will be used. (3) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1), an attorney (including a legal professional corporation or attorney at law/registered foreign lawyer joint corporation; the same applies in the following paragraph), a judicial scrivener (including a judicial scrivener corporation; the same applies in the following paragraph), a land and buildings investigator (including a land and buildings investigator corporation; the same applies in the following paragraph), a certified public tax accountant (including a tax accountancy corporation; the same applies in the following paragraph), a public consultant on social and labor insurance (including a corporation of public consultants on social and labor insurance; the same applies in the following paragraph), a patent attorney (including a patent attorney corporation; the same applies in the following paragraph), a marine procedure commission agent, or a certified administrative procedures legal specialist (including a certified administrative procedures legal specialist corporation) may request the issuance of a family register transcript, extract or certificate if they require it in order to execute business concerning a case or function that they have undertaken. In this case, the person who makes the request must clarify their qualifications, the type of the business, the name of the client of the case or function, and the particulars prescribed in the items of paragraph (1) regarding the relevant client. (4) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) and the preceding paragraph, an attorney, judicial scrivener, land and buildings investigator, certified public tax accountant, social insurance and labor public consultant, or patent attorney may request the issuance of a family register transcript, extract or certificate if they require it in order to conduct the following business with regard to a case that they have undertaken. In this case, the person who makes the request must clarify their qualification, the type of the case, the procedures which they are carrying out or seek to carry out as an agent in the course of their business, and the purpose of use of the particulars entered in the family register: (i) for an attorney, services as an agent in court proceedings or in out-of-court proceedings involving civil or administrative dispute resolution (in the case of a legal professional corporation, those services exclude services as an agent as prescribed in the items of Article 30-6, paragraph (1) of the Attorney Act (Act No. 205 of 1949), and in the case of a lawyer and registered foreign lawyer joint corporation, those services exclude services as an agent as prescribed in the items of Article 30-6, paragraph (1) of the Attorney Act as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 80, paragraph (1) of the Act on Special Measures Concerning the Handling of Legal Services by Foreign Lawyers (Act No. 66 of 1986)); (ii) for a judicial scrivener, services as an agent as prescribed in Article 3, paragraph (1), item (iii) and items (vi) through (viii) of the Judicial Scrivener Act (Act No. 197 of 1950) (excluding consultation services prescribed in items (vii) and (viii) of the relevant paragraph; in the case of a judicial scrivener corporation, excluding services as an agent prescribed in item (vi) of the relevant paragraph); (iii) for a land or buildings investigator, services as an agent for handling the procedures for a request for examination prescribed in Article 3, paragraph (1), item (ii) of the Land or Buildings Investigator Act (Act No. 228 of 1950) and services as an agent as prescribed in items (iv) and (vii) of the relevant paragraph; (iv) for a certified public tax accountant, services as an agent for handling an appeal prescribed in Article 2, paragraph (1), item (i) of the Certified Public Tax Accountant Act (Act No. 237 of 1951) and any claim or statement concerning that appeal; (v) for a social insurance and labor public consultant, services as an agent for handling a request for examination or request for re-examination prescribed in Article 2, paragraph (1), item (i)-3 of the Act on Public Consultants on Social and Labor Insurance (Act No. 89 of 1968), and handling any claim or statement made to the administrative organ or other relevant organs with respect to their investigation or disposition related to the request in question, and services as an agent as prescribed in items (i)-4 through (i)-6 of the relevant paragraph (excluding consultation services prescribed in paragraph (3), item (i) of the relevant Article); and (vi) for a patent attorney, services as an agent in procedures with the Japan Patent Office (limited to appeals) and procedures involving the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry with regard to a request for examination or award (limited to revocation of an award) as prescribed in Article 4, paragraph (1) of the Patent Attorneys Act (Act No. 49 of 2000), services as an agent in procedures involving a Director-General of Customs or the Minister of Finance as prescribed in paragraph (2), item (i) of that Article (limited to appeals), services as an agent as prescribed in item (ii) of that paragraph, services as an agent in proceedings in lawsuits as prescribed in Article 6 of that Act, and services as an agent in proceedings in specific infringement lawsuits as prescribed in Article 6-2, paragraph (1) of that Act (in the case of a patent attorney corporation, excluding services as an agent in proceedings in lawsuits as prescribed in Article 6 of that Act and services as an agent in proceedings in specific infringement lawsuits as prescribed in that paragraph). (5) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (1) and (3), an attorney may request the issuance of a family register transcript, extract or certificate if the attorney needs it in order to perform their services in acting as a defense counsel in a criminal case, in acting as an attendant in a juvenile protection case or a treatment case prescribed in Article 3 of the Act on Medical Care and Treatment for Persons Who Have Caused Serious Harm to Others While in a State of Insanity (Act No. 110 of 2003), in acting as an assistant in court in a case involving a request for examination on the extradition of a fugitive, in acting as an agent appointed by the court pursuant to the provisions of Article 14, paragraph (2) of the Act on Protection of Personal Liberty (Act No. 199 of 1948), in acting as a counsel appointed by the presiding judge pursuant to the provisions of Article 13, paragraphs (2) and (3) of the Personal Status Litigation Act (Act No. 109 of 2003), or in acting as a special agent prescribed in Article 35, paragraph (1) of the Code of Civil Procedure (Act No. 109 of 1996). In this case, the person who makes the request must clarify their qualifications as an attorney, the category of services concerned, and the purpose for which the particulars entered in the family register will be used. (6) The provisions of paragraph (3) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to a person who seeks to make a request referred to in the preceding paragraphs.

Article 10-3 (1) When making a request prescribed in Article 10, paragraph (1), or paragraphs (1) through (5) of the preceding Article, the person taking charge of making the request must clarify their name and other particulars specified by Ministry of Justice Order that are necessary for identifying themselves to the mayor of a municipality, by showing their driver's license or by any other method specified by Ministry of Justice Order. (2) For the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, if the person taking charge of making the request is an agent of the person making the request (or for the case of the request referred to in paragraph (2) of the preceding Article, if the person taking charge of making the request is an agent of the official with the authority to do so; referred to below as the "requesting person" in this paragraph and the following Article) or any person other than the requesting person, the person who is taking charge of making the request must submit to the mayor of a municipality a document clarifying that they are taking charge of making the request at the requesting person's direction or pursuant to the provisions of laws and regulations, by a method specified by Ministry of Justice Order.

Article 10-4 If the request referred to in Article 10-2, paragraphs (1) through (5) has been made, and the mayor of a municipality finds that the particulars that the requesting person is required to clarify pursuant to these provisions have not been clarified, they may ask for the necessary explanations from the requesting person.

Article 11 If all or part of a family register book is lost or is likely to be lost, the Minister of Justice must give instructions to take the necessary measures for its replication or supplementation. In this case, if a family registry is lost, the Minister of Justice must give public notice to that effect.

Article 11-2 (1) If an entry in a family register has been made based on a false notification or other related action (meaning a notification, a report, an application, a request, entrustment, issuance of a certified copy of a certificate or logbook, or the rendering of a judicial decision; the same applies below in this paragraph), based on a notification or other related action that was made by mistake, or due to an error that the mayor of a municipality made, and the entry has been corrected pursuant to the provisions of Article 24, paragraph (2), Article 113, Article 114, or Article 116, and if a person entered in that family register (including a person whose name has been removed from that family register; the same applies in the following paragraph) requests the replication of an abridged edition of the family register without the entries containing the particulars subject to the corrections, the Minister of Justice must give instructions to take the necessary measures for that replication; provided, however, that this does not apply when a replicated family register contains errors or omissions in its entries. (2) The provisions of the main clause of the preceding paragraph also apply if the mayor of a municipality has corrected, added, or deleted any characters in a family register when making an entry in it, and a person entered in the family register requests the replication of an abridged edition of the family register without the entries containing the particulars subject to that correction, addition, or deletion.

Article 12 (1) If the names of all of the persons in a family register are removed, the family register is removed from the relevant family register book and compiled into another registry, which is preserved as a registry of removed family registers. (2) The provisions of Article 9, Article 11, and the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to a registry of removed family registers and to those family registers removed.

Article 12-2 The provisions of Articles 10 through 10-4 apply mutatis mutandis to cases in which the issuance of a transcript or extract of a removed family register or a certificate of the particulars entered in a removed family register (referred to below as a "transcript, extract, or certificate of a removed family register") is requested.

Chapter III Entries in a Family Register

Article 13 (1) In addition to the registered domicile, the following particulars must be entered in a family register for each person in the family register: (i) name; (ii) kana characters indicating the name (kana characters used to display the pronunciation of the characters used in the surname (referred to below as the "surname kana characters") and kana characters used to display the pronunciation of the characters used in the given name (referred to below as the "given name kana characters"); the same applies below) (iii) date of birth; (iv) the reason and date of the entry in the family register; (v) the names of the natural parents and the relationship with the natural parents; (vi) in the case of an adopted child, the names of the adoptive parents and the relationship with the adoptive parents; (vii) for a husband and wife, a statement that they are husband and wife; (viii) for a person whose name has been moved from another family register, information identifying the former family register; and (ix) other particulars specified by Ministry of Justice Order. (2) The pronunciation referred to in item (ii) of the preceding paragraph must be the generally accepted pronunciation of the characters when used as part of a name. (3) The range of the characters and marks that may be used as the kana characters for names is specified by Ministry of Justice Order.

Article 14 (1) Names are entered in the following order: First: the name of the husband when the husband and wife take the husband's surname, or the name of the wife when they take the wife's surname; Second: the name of the spouse; Third: the names of any children. (2) The names of any children are entered in the order of their birth. (3) The name of a person for whom the reason to join a family register happened after the family register was created is entered at the end of the family register.

Article 15 Entries in a family register are made based on a notification, a report, an application, a request, entrustment, a certified copy of a certificate or logbook, or a judicial decision.

Article 16 (1) When a notification of marriage is made, a new family register is created for the husband and wife; provided, however, that this does not apply if the husband and wife take the husband's surname and the husband's name is entered as the head of his family register, or if they take the wife's surname and the wife's name is entered as the head of her family register. (2) In the case referred to in the proviso to the preceding paragraph, the wife who takes her husband's surname joins the husband's family register, and the husband who takes his wife's surname joins the wife's family register. (3) When a notification of marriage between a Japanese national and a foreign national is made, a new family register is created for the Japanese national; provided, however, that this does not apply if the Japanese national is entered as the head of their family register.

Article 17 When a person other than the person entered at the head of a family register and their spouse comes to have a child or adopts a child who takes the same surname as them, a new family register is created for that person.

Article 18 (1) A child who takes the surname of their parents joins the parents' family register. (2) Except for the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, a child who takes the surname of their father joins the father's family register, and a child who takes the surname of their mother joins the mother's family register. (3) An adopted child joins the family register of their adoptive parents.

Article 19 (1) If a person who has taken a new surname as a result of marriage or adoption reverts to the surname used before the marriage or adoption as a result of divorce, dissolution of an adoptive relationship, or annulment of the marriage or adoption, that person joins the family register which they joined before the marriage or adoption; provided, however, that if their previous family register has already been removed, or when they request the creation of a new family register, a new family register is created. (2) The provisions of the preceding paragraph apply mutatis mutandis to cases in which a person reverts to the surname used before marriage pursuant to the provisions of Article 751, paragraph (1) of the Civil Code, and a person reverts to their previous surname pursuant to the provisions of Article 791, paragraph (4) of the relevant Code. (3) If a notification has been submitted to the effect that a person will use the surname that they used at the time of their divorce or the annulment of marriage, or at the time of the dissolution of their adoptive relationship or the annulment of their adoption pursuant to the provisions of Article 767, paragraph (2) of the Civil Code (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Articles 749 and 771 of the relevant Code) or Article 816, paragraph (2) of the relevant Code (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 808, paragraph (2) of the relevant Code), and if there is no family register in which the person has been entered as the head, or if any other person is entered in the family register in which the person who has made the notification has been entered as the head, a new family register is created for the person making the notification.

Article 20 Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding two Articles, if a person who is to join another family register pursuant to the provisions of the preceding two Articles has a spouse, a new family register is created for that person and their spouse.

Article 20-2 (1) If a notification has been submitted to the effect that a person is changing their surname pursuant to the provisions of Article 107, paragraph (2) or (3), and any other person has been entered in the family register of the person who has submitted the notification, a new family register is created for the person who has submitted the notification. (2) If a notification has been submitted to the effect that a person is changing their surname pursuant to the provisions of Article 107, paragraph (1) as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph (4) of the relevant Article, a new family register is created for the party to the event under notification.

Article 20-3 (1) If a notification of adoption has been submitted pursuant to the provisions of Article 68-2, a new family register is first created for the adopted child; provided, however, that this does not apply if the adopted child has been entered in the family register of an adoptive parent. (2) The provisions of Article 14, paragraph (3) apply mutatis mutandis to the case referred to in the proviso to the preceding paragraph.

Article 20-4 If the adjudication of a change of gender designation has been rendered pursuant to the provisions of Article 3, paragraph (1) of the Act on Special Cases Involving the Handling of Gender for People with Gender Identity Disorder (Act No. 111 of 2003), and any other person has been entered in the family register of the person to whom the adjudication of the change of gender designation applies (that other person includes a person whose name has been removed from the family register), a new family register is created for the person to whom the adjudication of the change of gender designation applies.

Article 21 (1) A person who has attained the age of majority may separate from their family register; provided, however, that this does not apply to the person entered as the head of a family register and their spouse. (2) When a notification of separation from a family register has been submitted, a new family register is created.

Article 22 Except for a person who will join the family register of their father or mother, when a new entry should be made for a person for whom there is no entry in a family register, a new family register is created.

Article 23 The name of a person for whom a new family register will be created or who will join another family register pursuant to the provisions of Articles 16 thorough 21 is removed from their previous family register. The same applies to a person who has died, a person subject to a declaration of presumed death, or a person who has lost Japanese nationality.

Article 24 (1) If the mayor of a municipality finds that any entry in a family register that is impermissible under law or any mistake or omission is in the entries in a family register, they must notify the notifying person or the party to the event under notification to that effect without delay; provided, however, that this does not apply if the details of and reasons for the correction are clear to the mayor of a municipality from the entries in the family register, entries in the notification, or other documents. (2) In the case referred to in the proviso of the preceding paragraph, the mayor of a municipality may correct the family register with the permission of the director with jurisdiction. (3) Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the permission referred to in that paragraph is not required for minor revisions to the content of a family register that do not have an impact on the familial relationships of the persons entered in the family register. (4) If, in the course of their duty, a court or any other government agency, public prosecutor, or public official has come to know of any entry in a family register that is impermissible under law, or of any mistake or omission in the entries in a family register, they must notify the mayor of a municipality in the locality of the registered domicile of the parties to the event under notification to that effect without delay.

Chapter IV Notifications

Section 1 General Rules

Article 25 (1) A notification must be submitted in the locality of the registered domicile of any of the parties to the event under notification or in the locality of any of the notifying persons' addresses. (2) A notification involving a foreign national must be submitted in the locality of any of the notifying persons' addresses.

Article 26 If a notification has been submitted with regard to a person whose registered domicile is unclear or who has no registered domicile, and subsequently their registered domicile is clarified or they come to have a registered domicile, the notifying person or the party to the event under notification must make the event under notification clear and file a new notification to that effect with the mayor of a municipality who accepted the first notification, within ten days from the day on which they came to know that fact.

Article 27 A notification may be submitted in writing or orally.

Article 27-2 (1) If a notification of an acknowledgment of parentage, adoption, dissolution of an adoptive relationship, marriage, or divorce (referred to below as a "notification of adoption or other prescribed actions" in this Article) that will become effective upon notification is submitted by a person who has appeared at a city office or town or village office, the mayor of a municipality is to require the person who has appeared to present their driver's license or any other documentation showing their name and other particulars specified by Ministry of Justice Order that are necessary for identifying them, or may require the relevant person to explain these particulars, in order to confirm whether or not the person who has appeared is one of the parties to the event under notification (for an acknowledgment of parentage, the person acknowledging parentage; for an adoption as prescribed in Article 797, paragraph (1) of the Civil Code, the person who will become the adoptive parent and the legal representative of the person who will be adopted; and for the dissolution of an adoptive relationship as prescribed in Article 811, paragraph (2) of the relevant Code, an adoptive parent and the person who is to become the legal representative of the adopted child; the same applies in the following paragraph and paragraph (3)), as provided for by Ministry of Justice Order. (2) If a notification of adoption or other prescribed action has been submitted, and the mayor of a municipality is unable to confirm, by taking the measures under the provisions of the preceding paragraph, that one of the parties to the event under notification has appeared at the city office or town or village office and submitted the notification, the mayor must notify the relevant party without delay after accepting the notification and by a method specified by Ministry of Justice Order that the mayor has accepted the notification of the adoption or other prescribed action. (3) Any person may make a request to the mayor of a municipality in the locality of their registered domicile, in advance and by a method specified by Ministry of Justice Order, that even if a notification of adoption or other prescribed action has been submitted with regard to an event under notification to which they are a party, that the mayor of a municipality not accept the relevant notification if it is not possible to confirm through the measures under paragraph (1) that they themselves have appeared at the city office or town or village office to submit the notification. (4) If a notification of adoption or other prescribed action related to a request under the preceding paragraph has been submitted, and the mayor of a municipality is unable to confirm, by taking the measures under paragraph (1), that the person making the request has appeared at the city office or town or village office to submit the notification, the mayor may not accept the notification. (5) If the mayor of a municipality is not permitted to accept a notification of adoption or other prescribed actions pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the mayor, without delay and by a method specified by Ministry of Justice Order, must notify the person who made a request under paragraph (3) that the notification of the adoption or other prescribed actions has been submitted.

Article 27-3 If the mayor of a municipality finds that the circumstances fall under any of the following items, regarding the notifying person, parties to the event under notification, or other relevant persons, the mayor may ask them questions or request that they submit necessary documents. (i) if particulars that the notifying person is required to clarify pursuant to the provisions of this Act have not been clarified at the time the mayor accepts the notification; or (ii) if otherwise necessary to make entries in the family register.

Article 28 (1) The Minister of Justice may specify the forms for notifications by type of event. (2) In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, a notification for each type of event is submitted using the relevant forms; provided, however, that this does not apply if there are any unavoidable grounds for the failure to conform with those forms.

Article 29 The following particulars must be stated in a written notification, and the notifying person must affix their signature to it: (i) the event under notification; (ii) the date of notification; (iii) the date of birth, address, and information identifying the family register of the notifying person; and (iv) the name and the surname kana characters of the party to the event under notification; (v) if the notifying person is different from the party to the event under notification, the name, date of birth, address, and information identifying the family register of the party to the event under notification, and the qualifications of the notifying person.

Article 30 (1) As a result of an event under notification, if the name of the notifying person or of the party to the event under notification should be entered in another family register, information identifying the first family register must be entered in the written notification; if the name of the notifying person or the party should be removed from their previous family register, information identifying the previous family register must be entered in the written notification; and if a new family register should be created for the notifying person or the party, the reason for the creation of a new family register and the new registered domicile must be entered in the written notification. (2) As a result of an event under notification, if a person other than the notifying person or the party to the event under notification should be entered in another family register or if a new family register should be created for the person in question, in addition to their name, date of birth, and address of the person being entered in the written notification, the particulars listed in the preceding paragraph must be entered in it, depending on whether the person in question is being entered into another family register or a new family register is being created for the person in question. (3) If a new family register should be created for a person other than the notifying person, the same location as the person's previously registered domicile is deemed to have been designated as their new registered domicile.

Article 31 (1) If the person who is required to submit a notification is a minor or adult ward, a person with parental authority over the relevant person or the relevant person's guardian is the one who has the duty to submit the notification; provided, however, that this does not preclude a minor or adult ward from submitting the notification themselves. (2) If a person with parental authority or a guardian submits a notification, they must enter the following particulars in the written notification: (i) the name, date of birth, and registered domicile of the person who is required to submit the notification: (ii) the cause of the limitation of the relevant person's capacity to act; and (iii) the fact that the notifying person has parental authority over the relevant person or is the relevant person's guardian.

Article 32 With regard to any act that a minor or adult ward may perform without obtaining the consent of their statutory agent, the minor or adult ward is to submit a notification themselves.

Article 33 If a witness is needed for a written notification of an event to be submitted, the witness must state their date of birth, address, and registered domicile in the written notification, and affix their signature to it.

Article 34 (1) If there are any particulars which should be entered in a written notification but which do not exist or which are not known, the fact must be entered in it. (2) The mayor of a municipality may not accept a written notification that does not include particulars that the mayor finds to be particularly important.

Article 35 In addition to the particulars provided for in this Act and other laws and regulations, anything that is necessary for clarifying the particulars that should be entered in a family register is entered in a written notification.

Article 36 (1) If an entry in a family register should be made at two or more city offices or town or village offices, written notifications must be submitted in the same number as that of the city office or town or village offices concerned. (2) If a notification is submitted in a location other than the locality of the registered domicile, another written notification must be submitted in addition to those to be submitted pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph. (3) In the cases referred to in the preceding two paragraphs, the mayor of municipality must make a certified copy of a written notification and substitute it for the written notification, if they find it appropriate to do so.

Article 37 (1) In order to submit a notification orally, the notifying person must appear at the city office or town or village office and make an oral statement of the particulars that should be entered in a written notification. (2) The mayor of municipality must write down the notifying person's oral statement, state the date of the notification in the document, and read this aloud to the notifying person, and also have the notifying person affix their signature to it. (3) If a notifying person is unable to appear due to illness or for any other reasons, the notifying person may have their agent make the notification; provided, however, that this does not apply to the notifications referred to in Article 60, Article 61, Article 66, Article 68, Articles 70 through 72, Article 74, and Article 76.

Article 38 (1) If the parents or any other persons need to give their consent or approval in relation to an event under notification, a written notification must be accompanied by a document proving the consent or approval; provided, however, that it is sufficient to have the person who gives the consent or approval add a supplementary note to that effect in the written notification, and have that person affix their signature to it. (2) If a judicial decision needs to be rendered or a government agency needs to give its permission in relation to an event under notification, a written notification must be accompanied by a transcript of the judicial decision or a document stating the details of the judicial decision for which the court clerk has certified the contents to be the same as the contents of the judicial decision, or a transcript of the permit.

Article 39 The provisions concerning a written notification apply mutatis mutandis to the documents set forth in Article 37, paragraph (2) and in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article.

Article 40 A Japanese national who lives in a foreign country may submit a notification to the Japanese ambassador, minister, or consul stationed in that country, in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

Article 41 (1) When a Japanese national who lives in a foreign country has a certificate made in accordance with the formalities of that country in relation to an event under notification, they must submit a copy of the relevant certificate to the Japanese ambassador, minister, or consul stationed in that country within three months. (2) Where there is no ambassador, minister or consul stationed in that country, the Japanese national must send a copy of the certificate to the mayor of a municipality in the locality of their registered domicile within three months.

Article 42 When an ambassador, minister, or consul has received a document pursuant to the provisions of the preceding two Articles, they must send it to the mayor of a municipality in the locality of the relevant person's registered domicile via the Minister of Foreign Affairs without delay.

Article 43 (1) The period for submitting a notification commences from the day on which an event under notification takes place. (2) If the period is required to be calculated from the day on which a judicial decision becomes final and binding, but the judicial decision becomes final and binding before it is served or delivered, the period commences from the day of the service or issuance.

Article 44 (1) If the mayor of a municipality becomes aware of any person who has failed to submit a notification, they must specify a reasonable period and request the person who has the duty to submit a notification do so within that period. (2) If the person who has the duty to submit a notification fails to do so within the period referred to in the preceding paragraph, the mayor of a municipality may further specify a reasonable period and request that the person in question submit the notification within that period. (3) If it is not possible to make a request referred to in the preceding two paragraphs or if no notification is submitted after the request, the mayor of a municipality may make entries in the family register with the approval of the director with jurisdiction. (4) The provisions of Article 24, paragraph (4) apply mutatis mutandis to the case in which a court or any other government agency, public prosecutor, or public official who in the course of their duties comes to know of any person who has failed to submit a notification.

Article 45 If the mayor of a municipality has accepted a notification, but they are unable to make an entry in a family register due to a defect in the written notification, they must have the person who has submitted the notification add further information to complete the notification. In this case, the provisions of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis.

Article 46 The mayor of a municipality must accept a notification even if it is made after the expiration of the period for submitting the notification.

Article 47 (1) The mayor of a municipality must accept a written notification even after the death of the notifying person, if the notifying person sent the notification while they were still alive by postal mail or by correspondence delivery as prescribed in Article 2, paragraph (2) of the Act on Correspondence Delivery by Private Business Operators (Act No. 99 of 2002) through a general correspondence delivery operator as prescribed in paragraph (6) of that Article or through a specified correspondence delivery operator as prescribed in paragraph (9) of that Article. (2) When a written notification has been received pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the notification is deemed to have been submitted at the time of the notifying person's death.

Article 48 (1) A notifying person may request a certificate of acceptance or non-acceptance of a notification. (2) A interested person may request to inspect a written notification or any other document that the mayor of a municipality has received, or may request a certificate of the particulars stated in that document, only when there are special reasons for doing so. (3) The provisions of Article 10, paragraph (3) and Article 10-3 apply mutatis mutandis to the cases referred to in the preceding two paragraphs.

Section 2 Birth

Article 49 (1) A notification of birth must be submitted within 14 days (or if the birth took place abroad, within three months). (2) The following particulars must be entered in the written notification: (i) the gender of the child, and whether the child is born in or out of wedlock; (ii) the date, time, and place of birth; (iii) the names and registered domiciles of the parents, and if the father or mother is a foreign national, their names and nationality; and (iv) other particulars specified by Ministry of Justice Order. (3) If a doctor, midwife, or any other person attended the birth, the written notification must be accompanied by a birth certificate that one of them in the order of doctor, midwife, and the other person has prepared in the manner provided for by Order of Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare; provided, however, that this does not apply if there are unavoidable grounds for not doing so.

Article 50 (1) For the given name of a child, characters that are simple and in common use must be used. (2) The scope of characters that are simple and in common use is defined by Ministry of Justice Order.

Article 51 (1) A notification of birth may be submitted in the locality of birth. (2) If the birth takes place within a train or aboard any other mode of transportation (excluding a ship; the same applies below), a notification of birth may be submitted in the locality in which the mother exited that mode of transportation, and if the birth takes place within a ship where no logbook is kept, a notification of birth may be submitted in the locality at which the ship first enters port.

Article 52 (1) A notification of the birth of a child born in wedlock must be submitted by the father or mother, and if the parents were divorced before the birth of the child, it must be submitted by the mother. (2) A notification of the birth of a child born out of wedlock must be submitted by the mother. (3) If the person who is required to submit the notification pursuant to the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs is unable to submit the notification, one of the following persons must do so in accordance with the following order: First: a cohabitant; or Second: the doctor, midwife, or other person who attended the birth. (4) If the person who is required to submit the notification pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or (2) is unable to do so, a legal representative other than them may also submit the notification.

Article 53 A notification of birth must be submitted even if an action to rebut the presumption of legitimacy has been filed.

Article 54 (1) If the court is to determine the paternity of a child pursuant to the provisions of Article 773 of the Civil Code, the notification of birth must be submitted by the mother. In this case, she must enter the grounds that paternity has not yet been ascertained in the written notification. (2) The provisions of Article 52, paragraphs (3) and (4) apply mutatis mutandis to the case referred to in the preceding paragraph.

Article 55 (1) If a birth takes place at sea, the master of the ship must state the particulars listed in Article 49, paragraph (2) in a logbook and affix their signature to it, within 24 hours. (2) If the ship arrives at a port in Japan after the procedure referred to in the preceding paragraph has been performed, the master must send a transcript of the portion of the logbook concerning the birth to the mayor of a municipality in which that port is located, without delay. (3) If the ship arrives at a port in a foreign country, the master must send a transcript of the portion of the logbook concerning the birth to the Japanese ambassador, minister, or consul stationed in that country without delay, and the ambassador, minister, or consul must send it to the mayor of a municipality in the locality of the registered domicile via the Minister of Foreign Affairs without delay.

Article 56 If a birth has taken place in a hospital, penal institution, or any other public institution, and both parents are unable to submit the notification, the head or manager of that public institution must submit the notification.

Article 57 (1) A police official who has found an abandoned child or has received a report that an abandoned child was found must inform the mayor of a municipality to that effect within 24 hours. (2) When having received information as set forth in the preceding paragraph, the mayor of a municipality must give a name to the child and the kana characters indicating the pronunciation of the name, and designate their registered domicile, and must enter in a record any belongings of that child, the place, the date and time, and other circumstances concerning how the child was found, the kana characters indicating the pronunciation of their name, their gender, the presumed date of birth, and the registered domicile. The record in question is deemed to be a written notification.

Article 58 If the abandoned child dies before the procedures prescribed in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article have been performed, a notification of death must be submitted and the relevant procedures must be carried out at the same time.

Article 59 The father or mother who takes custody of an abandoned child must submit a notification of birth and apply for a correction of their family register within one month from the day on which they take custody of the child.

Section 3 Acknowledgment of Parentage

Article 60 A person who seeks to acknowledge parentage of a child must state this and the following particulars in a written notification and submit it: (i) when the father acknowledges paternity, the name and registered domicile of the mother; (ii) when the person acknowledges parentage of a child who has died, the date of the child's death, as well as the name, date of birth, and registered domicile of any of the child's lineal descendants.

Article 61 If a person acknowledges parentage of an unborn child, they must state this and the name and registered domicile of the mother in a written notification and submit it in the locality of the registered domicile of the mother.

Article 62 If parents submit a notification for the birth of a child born in wedlock with regard to a child who is to acquire the status of a child born in wedlock pursuant to the provisions of Article 789, paragraph (2) of the Civil Code, the notification has the effect of a notification acknowledging parentage.

Article 63 (1) When a judicial decision of filiation has become final and binding, the person who filed the action must submit a notification to that effect within ten days from the day on which the judicial decision became final and binding, together with a transcript of the judicial decision or a document stating the details of the judicial decision for which the court clerk has certified the contents to be the same as the contents of the judicial decision. The date that the judicial decision became final and binding must be entered in the written notification. (2) If the person who filed the action does not submit a notification under the preceding paragraph, the other party of the case may submit a notification to the effect that a judicial decision of filiation has become final and binding, together with a transcript of the judicial decision or a document stating the details of the judicial decision for which the court clerk has certified the contents to be the same as the contents of the judicial decision. In this case, the provisions of the second sentence of the relevant paragraph apply mutatis mutandis.

Article 64 In the case of an acknowledgment of parentage made in a will, the executor must submit a notification acknowledging parentage pursuant to the provisions of Articles 60 through 61 within ten days from the day on which they assumed the role, together with a copy of the will in which the acknowledgment is made.

Article 65 If an acknowledged child is stillborn, the person who has the duty to submit a notification of birth must submit a notification to that effect within 14 days from the day on which they became aware of that fact, in the locality in which the notification acknowledging parentage was submitted; provided, however, that an executor must submit this notification if they have submitted the notification set forth in the preceding Article.

Section 4 Adoption

Article 66 A person who seeks to adopt must submit a notification to that effect.

Article 67 Deleted

Article 68 If consent is given for adoption pursuant to the provisions of Article 797 of the Civil Code, the notification of adoption must be submitted by the person who gives consent.

Article 68-2 The provisions of Article 63, paragraph (1) apply mutatis mutandis to the case in which a judicial decision of adoption has become final and binding.

Article 69 The provisions of Article 63 apply mutatis mutandis to the case in which a judicial decision of annulment of adoption has become final and binding.

Article 69-2 The provisions of Article 73-2 apply mutatis mutandis to the case in which a person seeks to take the surname they were using at the time of the annulment of their adoption pursuant to the provisions of Article 816, paragraph (2) of the Civil Code as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 808, paragraph (2) of the relevant Code.

Section 5 Dissolution of Adoptive Relationship

Article 70 A person who seeks to dissolve an adoptive relationship must submit a notification to that effect.

Article 71 If an adoptive relationship is dissolved by agreement pursuant to the provisions of Article 811, paragraph (2) of the Civil Code, a notification concerning the dissolution of the adoptive relationship must be submitted by the persons who have agreed on the dissolution.

Article 72 If an adoptive relationship is dissolved pursuant to the provisions of Article 811, paragraph (6) of the Civil Code, a notification concerning the dissolution of the adoptive relationship may be submitted by the surviving parties alone.

Article 73 (1) The provisions of Article 63 apply mutatis mutandis to the case in which a judicial decision for the dissolution of an adoptive relationship or for the annulment of an adoption has become final and binding. (2) The provisions of Article 75, paragraph (2) apply mutatis mutandis to the case in which a public prosecutor has sought a judicial decision for the dissolution of an adoptive relationship.

Article 73-2 A person who seeks to take the surname they were using at the time of the dissolution of their adoptive relationship pursuant to the provisions of Article 816, paragraph (2) of the Civil Code must state this and the date of the dissolution of the adoptive relationship in a written notification and submit this.

Section 6 Marriage

Article 74 Persons who seek to marry must state this and the following particulars in a written notification and submit it: (i) the surname that the husband and wife will take; and (ii) other particulars specified by Ministry of Justice Order.

Article 75 (1) The provisions of Article 63 apply mutatis mutandis to the case in which a judicial decision of annulment of a marriage has become final and binding. (2) If a public prosecutor filed the action, they must request an entry to be made in a family register without delay after the judicial decision has become final and binding.

Article 75-2 The provisions of Article 77-2 apply mutatis mutandis to the case in which a person seeks to take the surname they were using at the time of the annulment of their marriage, pursuant to the provisions of Article 767, paragraph (2) of the Civil Code as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 749 of the relevant Code.

Section 7 Divorce

Article 76 Persons who seek to divorce must state this and the following particulars in the written notification and submit it: (i) the name of the party who is to have parental authority, and the name of the children subject to that party's parental authority; and (ii) other particulars specified by Ministry of Justice Order.

Article 77 (1) The provisions of Article 63 apply mutatis mutandis to the case in which a judicial decision of divorce or annulment of a divorce has become final and binding. (2) The following particulars must also be entered in a written notification regarding a divorce as set forth in the preceding paragraph: (i) the name of the party who is to have parental authority, and the name of the children subject to that party's parental authority; and (ii) other particulars specified by Ministry of Justice Order.

Article 77-2 A person who seeks to use the surname they were using at the time of divorce pursuant to the provisions of Article 767, paragraph (2) of the Civil Code (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 771 of the relevant Code) must state this and the date of their divorce in the written notification and submit it.

Section 8 Parental Authority and Guardianship over Minors

Article 78 Persons who seek to determine the party who will have parental authority by agreement pursuant to the proviso to Article 819, paragraph (3) or (4) of the relevant Article of the Civil Code must submit a notification to that effect.

Article 79 The provisions of Article 63, paragraph (1) apply mutatis mutandis to the person who has parental authority if adjudication standing in place of an agreement as set forth in the proviso to Article 819, paragraph (3) or (4) of the relevant Article of the Civil Code has become final and binding, or a judicial decision changing the party who has parental authority has become final and binding; those provisions also apply mutatis mutandis to the person seeking the judicial decision if the judicial decision revoking an adjudication of loss of parental authority, suspension of parental authority, or loss of the right to administer property has become final and binding.

Article 80 A person who seeks to surrender or resume parental authority or the right to administer property must submit a notification to that effect.

Article 81 (1) A notification of the commencement of guardianship that will commence in the case prescribed in Article 838, item (i) of the Civil Code (referred to below as "guardianship over a minor") must be submitted by the guardian of a minor designated pursuant to the provisions of Article 839 of the Civil Code within ten days from the day on which they assumed the role of guardian. (2) The written notification must state the following particulars and be accompanied by a copy of the will relating to the designation of the guardian of a minor: (i) the cause and date of the commencement of guardianship; and (ii) the date that the guardian of the minor assumed that role.

Article 82 (1) If a guardian of a minor dies or loses their status as a result of coming to fall under the category of a person specified in Article 847, items (ii) through (v) of the Civil Code and the position of guardian of the minor is vacant, their successor must submit a notification to the effect that the guardian has lost their status, within ten days from the day on which the successor assumed the role. (2) If any of the guardians of a minor die or lose their status as a result of coming to fall under the category of a person specified in Article 847, items (ii) through (v) of the Civil Code, the other guardians of the minor must submit a notification to the effect that the persons in question have lost their status, within ten days from the day in which the other guardians came to know that fact. (3) A minor or their relative or guardian may submit the notification referred to in the preceding two paragraphs. (4) The notification must state the reason why and the date that the guardians of the minor lost their status.

Article 83 Deleted

Article 84 A notification of the termination of guardianship over a minor must be submitted by the guardian of the minor within ten days. The cause and date of the termination of their guardianship over the minor must be entered in the written notification.

Article 85 The provisions of this Section concerning the guardian of a minor apply mutatis mutandis to the supervisor of a minor's guardianship.

Section 9 Death and Disappearance

Article 86 (1) A notification of death must be submitted by the person who has the duty to submit the relevant notification within seven days from the day on which they came to know of the death (or if the death took place abroad, within three months from the day on which the person came to know of that fact). (2) The written notification must state the following particulars and be accompanied by a medical certificate or autopsy report: (i) the date and time and place of death; and (ii) other particulars specified by Ministry of Justice Order. (3) If a medical certificate or autopsy report is unavailable due to unavoidable circumstances, a document proving the fact of death may be substituted for them. In this case, the grounds for the lack of availability of a medical certificate or autopsy report must be entered in the written notification.

Article 87 (1) In accordance with the following order, one of the following persons must submit a notification of death; provided, however, that any of them may submit the notification, irrespective of that order: First: a cohabiting relative; Second: any other cohabitant; and Third: the owner or person who managed the house or land where the deceased person resided. (2) A notification of death may also be submitted by a relative other than cohabiting relatives, and may be made by the guardian, curator, assistant, voluntary guardian, and mandatory of voluntary guardianship of the deceased person.

Article 88 (1) A notification of death may be submitted in the locality of the death. (2) If the locality of death is unclear, a notification of death may be submitted in the locality where the body is first found; if the death takes place within a train or aboard any other mode of transportation, a notification of death may be submitted in the locality where the body is unloaded from the mode of transportation; and if the death takes place aboard a ship where no logbook is kept, a notification of death may be submitted in the locality at which the ship first enters port.

Article 89 If a person has died due to a flood, fire, or any other serious event, the government agency or public office that carried out any investigation must report the death to the mayor of a municipality in the locality of the death; provided, however, that if a death has taken place in a foreign country or any other territory specified by Ministry of Justice Order, the death must be reported to the mayor of a municipality in the locality of the deceased person's registered domicile.

Article 90 (1) If the death penalty has been enforced, the head of the penal institution must report the death to the mayor of a municipality in the locality of the penal institution without delay. (2) The provisions of the preceding paragraph apply mutatis mutandis to the case in which there is no person who claims the body of a person who has died during their detention at a penal institution. In this case, the written report of death must be accompanied by a medical certificate or autopsy report.

Article 91 The particulars listed in Article 86, paragraph (2) must be stated in the written report of death prescribed in the preceding two Articles.

Article 92 (1) If the registered domicile of a deceased person is not apparent or a deceased person cannot be identified, a police official must prepare a postmortem inspection report and submit the written report of death together with it to the mayor of a municipality in the locality of the relevant person's death without delay. (2) If the registered domicile of a deceased person has been clarified or a deceased person has been identified, a police officer must report to that effect without delay. (3) If any of the persons listed in Article 87, paragraph (1), item (i) or (ii) has identified a deceased person after the report referred to in paragraph (1) was made, the person in question must submit a notification of death within ten days from the day on which they identified the deceased person.

Article 93 The provisions of Articles 55 and 56 apply mutatis mutandis to a notification of death.

Article 94 The provisions of Article 63, paragraph (1) apply mutatis mutandis to the person seeking a judicial decision consisting of a declaration of presumed death or rescinding a declaration of presumed death, if the judicial decision in question has become final and binding. In this case, the date on which a person is deemed to have died pursuant to the provisions of Article 31 of the Civil Code must also be entered in the written notification of the declaration of the person's presumed death.

Section 10 Surviving Spouse Reverting to Previous Surname and End of Relationship by Affinity

Article 95 A person who seeks to revert to the surname used before marriage pursuant to the provisions of Article 751, paragraph (1) of the Civil Code must submit a notification to that effect.

Article 96 A person who seeks to manifest their intention to end the relationship between relatives by affinity pursuant to the provisions of Article 728, paragraph (2) of the Civil Code must state this and the name and registered domicile of the deceased spouse and the date of their death in a written notification and submit it.

Section 11 Disinheritance of Presumptive Heirs

Article 97 The provisions of Article 63, paragraph (1) apply mutatis mutandis to the person seeking a judicial decision disinheriting a presumptive heir or revoking disinheritance if the judicial decision in question has become final and binding.

Section 12 Entry of Names in a Family Register

Article 98 (1) A person who seeks to take the surname of their mother or father pursuant to the provisions of Article 791, paragraphs (1) through (3) of the Civil Code must state this and the name and registered domicile of the father or mother in a written notification and submit it. (2) If a person who seeks to take the surname of their mother or father pursuant to the provisions of Article 791, paragraph (2) of the Civil Code has a spouse, they must submit the notification jointly with their spouse.

Article 99 (1) A person who seeks to revert to their previous surname pursuant to the provisions of Article 791, paragraph (4) of the Civil Code must state this and the date of reversion to their surname under paragraphs (1) thorough (3) of the relevant Article in the written notification, and submit it. (2) If the person referred to in the preceding paragraph has a spouse, they must submit the notification jointly with their spouse.

Section 13 Separation from a Family Register

Article 100 (1) A person who intends to separate from their family register must submit a notification to that effect. (2) If the person designates a place in another city, town or village as their new registered domicile, they must have the written notification accompanied by a copy of their family register.

Article 101 A notification of separation from a family register may be submitted in the locality where the relevant person's new family register is created.

Section 14 Acquisition or Loss of Japanese Nationality

Article 102 (1) If a person acquires Japanese nationality pursuant to the provisions of Article 3, paragraph (1) or Article 17, paragraph (1) or (2) of the Nationality Act (Act No. 147 of 1950), the person acquiring Japanese nationality must submit a notification of acquisition of Japanese nationality within one month from the date of that acquisition (or if the person was abroad on that date, within three months). (2) The written notification must state the following particulars, and be accompanied by a document certifying the acquisition of Japanese nationality: (i) the date of acquisition of Japanese nationality; (ii) the foreign nationality that the person had at the time of their acquisition of Japanese nationality; (iii) the names and registered domiciles of their parents, or if the mother or father is a foreign national, their name and nationality; (iv) the name and registered domicile of any spouse, or if their spouse is a foreign national, their name and nationality; and (v) other particulars specified by Ministry of Justice Order.

Article 102-2 A notification of naturalization must be submitted by the naturalized person, within one month from the date of public notice. The provisions of paragraph (2) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to the particulars to be entered in a written notification in this case.

Article 103 (1) A notification of the loss of Japanese nationality must be submitted by the party to the event under notification, or their spouse or relative within the fourth degree of kinship, within one month from the day on which they came to know of loss of Japanese nationality (or if the person who is required to submit the notification was abroad on the day on which they came to know of the fact, within three months from that day). (2) The written notification must state the following particulars, and be accompanied by a document certifying the loss of Japanese nationality: (i) the cause and date of the loss of Japanese nationality; and (ii) if the person has newly acquired nationality in a foreign country, the nationality in question.

Article 104 (1) In order to manifest the intention to reserve Japanese nationality as prescribed in Article 12 of the Nationality Act, a person entitled to submit a notification of birth (excluding a person who is required to submit a notification pursuant to the provisions of Article 52, paragraph (3)) must submit a notification of the intention to reserve Japanese nationality within three months from the date of birth. (2) The notification referred to in the preceding paragraph must be submitted together with the notification of birth. (3) If the person prescribed in paragraph (1) is unable to submit a notification during the period referred to in the relevant paragraph due to a natural disaster or any other grounds not attributable to them, that period is 14 days from the time when it has become possible to submit a notification.

Article 104-2 (1) In order to make a declaration of the selection of Japanese nationality under Article 14, paragraph (2) of the Nationality Act, the person who seeks to make the declaration must submit a notification to that effect. (2) The person's foreign nationality must be entered in the written notification.

Article 104-3 If, in the course of administering processes for family registers, the mayor of a municipality finds that a person who should select their nationality pursuant to the provisions of Article 14, paragraph (1) of the Nationality Act has not made that selection within the period set forth in the relevant paragraph, they must give notice of the name and registered domicile of the person and other particulars specified by Ministry of Justice Order to the director of the legal affairs bureau with jurisdiction.

Article 105 (1) If a government agency or public office comes to know of any person who has lost Japanese nationality in the course of its duties, it must submit a written report of the loss of Japanese nationality together with a document certifying the loss of Japanese nationality to the mayor of a municipality in the locality of the relevant person's registered domicile without delay. (2) The particulars listed in Article 103, paragraph (2) must be entered in a written report.

Article 106 (1) If a Japanese national who has nationality in a foreign country has lost nationality in that foreign country, they must submit a notification to that effect within one month from the day on which they came to know of that loss (or if the person was abroad on the day on which they came to know the fact, within three months from that day). (2) The written notification must state the cause and date of the loss of foreign nationality, and be accompanied by a document certifying that loss.

Section 15 Change of Name

Article 107 (1) If a person entered at the head of a family register and their spouse seek to change their surname due to unavoidable grounds, after obtaining the permission of the family court concerning the change of name and surname kana characters, they must submit a notification of the name and the surname kana characters for which permission has been received. (2) If a person who has married a foreign national seeks to change their surname to the surname used by their spouse, they may submit a notification to that effect and the surname kana characters they seek to change without obtaining the permission of the family court, but only within six months from the date of their marriage. (3) If on or after the day of their divorce, annulment of their marriage, or the death of their spouse, a person who has changed their surname pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph seeks to change their surname back to the surname they were using at the time that they first changed their surname, they may submit a notification to that effect without obtaining the permission of the family court, but only within three months from the day in question. (4) The provisions of paragraph (1) apply mutatis mutandis to a person (excluding a person entered at the head of a family register or their spouse) whose mother or father is a foreign national and who seeks to change their surname to the surname used by their mother or father.

Article 107-2 A person who wishes to change their given name or given name kana characters on justifiable grounds must obtain permission from the family court concerning the change of given name and given name kana characters, and submit a notification of the given name and the given name kana characters for which permission has been received.

Section 15-2 Change of the Kana Characters Indicating the Pronunciation of the Name

Article 107-3 If a person entered at the head of a family register and their spouse seek to change their surname kana characters due to unavoidable grounds, after obtaining the permission of the family court, they must submit a notification to that effect.

Article 107-4 A person who wishes to change their given name kana characters on justifiable grounds must submit a notification to that effect after obtaining the permission of the family court.

Section 16 Transfer of Registered Domicile and Registration of Unregistered Persons

Article 108 (1) If a person entered at the head of a family register and their spouse seek to transfer their registered domicile to another place, they must state this and their intended new registered domicile in a written notification and submit this. (2) If the registered domicile is transferred to a place in another city, town, or village, the written notification must be accompanied by a copy of the family register.

Article 109 A notification of the transfer of registered domicile may be submitted in the locality of the intended new registered domicile.

Article 110 (1) A person who has no registered domicile must obtain the permission of the family court and submit a notification for the registration of an unregistered person within ten days from the day on which they obtained the permission. (2) In addition to the particulars listed in Article 13, the date of permission for the registration of an unregistered person must be entered in the written notification.

Article 111 The provisions of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to the case in which a notification for the registration of an unregistered person is required to be made based on a final and binding judgment. In this case, the written notification must be accompanied by a transcript of the judgment or a document stating the details of the judgment for which the court clerk has certified the contents to be the same as the contents of the judicial decision.

Article 112 A notification for the registration of an unregistered person may be submitted in the locality where the person intends to register.

Chapter V Correction of a Family Register

Article 113 If an interested person finds any entry in a family register that is impermissible under law or any mistake or omission in the entries in a family register, they may apply for the correction of the family register after obtaining the permission of the family court.

Article 114 If an entry has been made in the family register concerning any act that becomes effective through notification (excluding acts relating to a notification made pursuant to the provisions of Article 60, Article 61, Article 66, Article 68, Articles 70 through 72, Article 74, and Article 76), but after that, the person who submitted the notification or a party to the event under notification finds that the act in question is void, they may apply for correction of the family register after obtaining the permission of the family court.

Article 115 If a judicial decision granting the permission referred to in the preceding two Articles has been rendered, the relevant person must file an application for correction of the family register together with a transcript of the judicial decision or a document stating the details of the judicial decision for which the court clerk has certified the contents to be the same as the contents of the judicial decision, within one month.

Article 116 (1) If correction of a family register is required to be made based on a final and binding judgment, the person who filed the action must file an application for correction of the family register together with a transcript of the judgment or a document stating the details of the judicial decision for which the court clerk has certified the contents to be the same as the contents of the judgment, within one month from the day on which the judgment has become final and binding. (2) If a public prosecutor filed the action, they must request correction of the family register without delay after the judgment has become final and binding.

Article 117 The provisions of Article 25, paragraph (1), Articles 27 through 32, Articles 34 through 39, Articles 43 through 48, and the first sentence of Article 63, paragraph (2) apply mutatis mutandis to an application for the correction of a family register.

Chapter VI Special Provisions on the Handling of Processes for Family Registers by Electronic Data Processing Systems

Article 118 (1) The mayors of the municipalities designated by the Minister of Justice are to handle the processes related to family registers by means of electronic data processing systems (meaning electronic data processing systems connecting the computers (including magnetic disks (including objects that can record certain matters securely by equivalent means; the same applies below) and input/output devices; the same applies below) used by the Minister of Justice with the computers used by the mayor of a municipality by telecommunications line; the same applies below), as provided for by Ministry of Justice Order; provided, however, that this does not apply to processes related to family registers or removed family registers specified by Ministry of Justice Order as that which is not appropriate to handle using electronic data processing systems. (2) The designation under the preceding paragraph must be made by public notice at the request of the mayor of a municipality.

Article 119 (1) In the case referred to in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, family registers are recorded on magnetic disks and prepared by means of magnetic disks. (2) In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, family registers prepared by means of magnetic disks are accumulated and compiled into family register books, and family registers prepared by means of magnetic disks and removed from a family registry are accumulated and compiled into registries of removed family registers.

Article 119-2 Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 8, paragraph (2), duplicates of family registers or removed family registers prepared by means of magnetic disks pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph are kept by the Minister of Justice.

Article 120 (1) If a family register or a removed family register is prepared by means of a magnetic disk pursuant to the provisions of the Article 119, the request referred to in Article 10, paragraph (1) or Article 10-2, paragraphs (1) to (5) (including if these provisions are applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 12-2) may be made to obtain a document certifying all or part of the particulars recorded in the family register prepared by means of a magnetic disk (referred to below as a "family register certificate") or a document certifying all or part of the particulars recorded in the removed family register prepared by means of a magnetic disk (referred to below as a "removed family register certificate") in lieu of obtaining the family register transcript, extract or certificate or obtaining a transcript, extract, or certificate of the removed family register. (2) For the purpose of the application of the provisions of Article 100, paragraph (2) and Article 108, paragraph (2) as well as the provisions of the Passport Act (Act No. 267 of 1951) and other laws and regulations, a family register certificate or removed family register certificate is deemed to be a transcript or extract of the family register or the removed family register.

Article 120-2 (1) If a family register or a removed family register is prepared by means of a magnetic disk pursuant to the provisions of Article 119, the requests in the following items may be made to the persons specified in the relevant items: (i) the request in Article 10, paragraph (1) (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 12-2; the same applies in the following paragraph and the following Article (excluding paragraph (3)): any of the mayors of a designated municipality (referring to a mayor of a municipality receiving the designation pursuant to the provisions of Article 118, paragraph (1); the same applies below)); (ii) the request in Article 10-2, paragraph (2) (limited to those made by organs of the municipality) (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 12-2; the same applies in the following Article (excluding paragraph (3)): the relevant mayor (limited to a mayor of a designated municipality)). (2) Concerning the request in Article 10, paragraph 1 pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph (limited to those made to a mayor of a designated municipality other than the municipal mayor of a place of the registered domicile), the provisions of paragraph (3) of that Article and Article 10-3, paragraph (2) do not apply, and in the provisions of Article 10-3, paragraph (1), the terms "the person taking charge of making the request" and "themselves " are deemed to be replaced with "the person who makes the request".

Article 120-3 (1) The request in Article 10, paragraph (1) made pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, or the request in Article 10-2, paragraph (2) made pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article (limited to the relevant requests that are necessary to perform the processes specified by Ministry of Justice Order; the same applies in this Article (excluding paragraph (3))) may be made for a family register electronic certificate (meaning an electronic or magnetic record (meaning a record that is created in an electronic format, a magnetic format, or any other format that cannot be perceived by the human senses, and that is specified by Ministry of Justice Order as being used in computerized information processing; the same applies below) prepared by means of a magnetic disk certifying all or part of the particulars recorded in the family register pursuant to the provisions of Article 119) or also for an electronic certificate of a removed family register (meaning an electronic or magnetic record prepared by means of a magnetic disk certifying all or part of the particulars recorded in the removed family register pursuant to the provisions of Article 119; the same applies below). (2) When a request in Article 10, paragraph (1) or Article 10-2 paragraph (2) is made pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the mayor of a designated municipality is to issue to the person who made the request the identification code for provision of the family register electronic certificate (meaning an attached code that makes it possible to identify the family register electronic certificate related to the relevant request, which is specified by Ministry of Justice Order; the same applies below) or the identification code for the provision of electronic certificate of a removed family register (meaning an attached code that makes it possible to identify the electronic certificate of a removed family register related to the relevant request, which is specified by Ministry of Justice Order; the same applies below). (3) When the mayor of a designated municipality receives a request pursuant to Ministry of Justice Order from an administrative organ or other relevant organ (meaning an administrative organ or other relevant organ and other persons specified by Ministry of Justice Order prescribed in Article 3, item (ii) of the Act on the Advancement of Government Administration Processes That Use Information and Communications Technology (Act No. 151 of 2002)) for provision of a family register electronic certificate or an electronic certificate of a removed family register electronic certificate that indicates the identification code for the provision of the family register electronic certificate or the identification code for the provision of the electronic certificate of a removed family register issued pursuant to the preceding paragraph, the mayor of a designated municipality is to provide, pursuant to Ministry of Justice Order, a family register electronic certificate corresponding to the identification code for the provision of the family register electronic certificate or the electronic certificate of a removed family register corresponding to the identification code for the provision of the electronic certificate of a removed family register. (4) Concerning the requests in Article 10, paragraph (1) and Article 10-2, paragraph (2) made pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), in these provisions, the term "issuance" is deemed to be replaced with "provision by an administrative organ or other relevant organ pursuant to paragraph (3) of Article 120-3, as prescribed in the paragraph", and concerning the request in Article 10, paragraph (1) (limited to a request to the mayor of a designated municipality other than the mayor of a municipality of the place of the registered domicile) made pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), the provisions in paragraph (3) of that Article and Article 10-3, paragraph (2) do not apply, and in the provisions of Article 10-3, paragraph (1), the terms "the person taking charge of making the request" and "themselves" are deemed to be replaced with "the person who makes the request".

Article 120-4 (1) When the mayor of a designated municipality receives the written application and other documents that are specified by Ministry of Justice Order as being necessary to make an entry in a family register (referred to below as "written application and other documents" in this paragraph), pursuant to Ministry of Justice Order, the mayor is to create image files of the relevant written applications and other documents (referred to below as "information regarding written application and other documents") and submit them to the Minister of Justice, utilizing an electronic data processing system. (2) When the Minister of Justice receives the provision of information regarding written application and other documents pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Minister is to record the information on a magnetic disk.

Article 120-5 (1) If entries should be made in a family register in two or more ward offices or town halls, if a mayor of a municipality that received the notification or application is a mayor of a designated municipality, and, if a mayor of a designated municipality (referred to below in the paragraph as "mayor of a designated municipality that makes entries in a family register") is one of the mayors of a municipality who should make the entry in a family register based on the relevant notification or application (excluding the mayor of a municipality who received the relevant notification or application), the Minister of Justice is to inform the mayor of a designated municipality that makes entries in a family register to the effect that the Minister has received the information regarding the written application and other documents as stated in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article. (2) In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, notwithstanding the provisions of Article 36, paragraphs (1) and (2) (including cases where these provisions are applied mutatis mutandis in Article 117), the number of notifications or applications that should be provided is the number arrived at when the number of mayors of a designated municipality among mayors of a municipality that should make entries in a family register is first subtracted from the mayors of a municipality that should make entries in a family register, and then one is added. (3) If there is a notification or an application outside of the place of the registered domicile (excluding the case where entries should be made in a family register in two or more ward offices or town halls), if both the mayor of a municipality that received the notification or application and the mayor of a municipality who should make the entry in a family register based on the relevant notification or application are mayors of a designated municipality, the Minister of Justice is to inform the mayors of a designated municipality that makes entries in a family register to the effect that the Minister has received the written application and other documents stated in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article. (4) In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, the provisions of Article 16, paragraph (2) (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to the provisions of Article 117) do not apply.

Article 120-6 (1) Limited to cases for which there is a special reason, an interested person may make a request to the mayor of a designated municipality who received the notification or application or to the mayor of a designated municipality who made an entry in a family register based on the relevant notification or application to inspect the information regarding a written application and other documents related to the relevant notification and application by the means specified by Order of the Ministry of Justice, or for a certificate concerning the contents of the information regarding a written application and other documents. (2) The provisions of Article 10, paragraph (3) and Article 10-3 apply mutatis mutandis to the case under the preceding paragraph.

Article 120-7 If the family register of an individual in the event under notification is prepared by means of a magnetic disk pursuant to the provisions of Article 119, if both the mayor of a municipality where the notification of separation is made and the mayor of a municipality where the relevant person's new family register is created are mayors of a designated municipality, the provisions of Article 100, paragraph (2) do not apply.

Article 120-8 If the family register of an individual in the event under notification is prepared by means of a magnetic disk pursuant to the provisions of Article 119, if both the mayor of a municipality where the notification of transfer of a registered domicile is made and the mayor of a municipality to which the relevant person's registered domicile is transferred are mayors of a designated municipality, the provisions of Article 108, paragraph (2) do not apply.

Article 121 The Minister of Justice and the mayor of a designated municipality must take measures to ensure the security and reliability of electronic data processing systems and other necessary measures in order to prevent leaks and perform other appropriate management with regard to confidentiality concerning processes regarding the construction, maintenance, management, and operation of electronic data processing systems.

Article 121-2 Persons engaged or formerly engaged in processes concerning particulars related to the construction, maintenance, management, and operation of electronic data processing systems must not leak or misappropriate secrets concerning processes that they have come to know in relation to their duties.

Article 121-3 The Minister of Justice may use information recorded in duplicates of family registers or removed family registers in the form of a magnetic disk pursuant to the provisions of Article 119 of this Act in order to prepare relationship data from family registers (meaning relationship data from family registers as prescribed in Article 9, paragraph (3) of the Act on the Use of Numbers to Identify a Specific Individual in Administrative Procedures (Act No. 27 of 2013)) that is to be used for providing the relevant information pursuant to the provisions of Article 19, item (viii) or (ix) of that Act.

Chapter VII Appeals

Article 122 A person who considers a disposition made by the mayor of a municipality with regard to an event involving a family register (excluding an event related to the request prescribed in Article 124) to be unjust may file an appeal with the family court.

Article 123 No request for examination concerning a disposition or inaction by the mayor of a municipality with regard to an event involving a family register may be made (excluding an event subject to a request prescribed in the following Article).

Article 124 A person who is dissatisfied with a disposition or inaction by the mayor of a municipality with regard to the request referred to in Article 10, paragraph (1) or Article 10-2, paragraphs (1) through (5) (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 12-2), Article 48, paragraph (2), and Article 120, paragraph (1) may make a request for examination to the director with jurisdiction.

Article 125 Deleted

Chapter VIII Miscellaneous Provisions

Article 126 The mayor of a municipality or the head of a legal affairs bureau or district legal affairs bureau may provide information on the particulars entered in a family register or removed family register or information on the particulars entered in a written notification or any other document received by the mayor of a municipality, according to the standards and procedures specified by Ministry of Justice Order, for the production of statistics or the academic research that is found to be conducive to the public interest, if the information in question needs to be used in order to produce the statistics or achieve the academic research, to the extent of that necessity.

Article 127 The provisions of Chapters II and III of the Administrative Procedure Act (Act No. 88 of 1993) do not apply to a disposition made by the mayor of a municipality with regard to an event involving a family register.

Article 128 The provisions of the Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs (Act No. 42 of 1999) do not apply to a duplicate of a family register, or a removed family register and information in a written application and other documents prescribed in Article 48, paragraph (2).

Article 129 The provisions of Chapter V, Section 4 of the Act on the Protection of Personal Information (Act No. 57 of 2003) do not apply to the personal information the administrative entity holds (meaning the personal information the administrative entity holds as prescribed in Article 60, paragraph (1) of that Act) that is recorded in an original and a duplicate of a family register or a removed family register, and in a document and a written application prescribed in Article 48, paragraph (2).

Article 130 (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of Chapters IV and V, the place of notification is governed by the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order if the notification is submitted using electronic data processing systems prescribed in Article 6, paragraph (1) of the Act on the Promotion of Administrative Affairs through the Use of Information and Communications Technology (Act No. 151 of 2002) pursuant to the provisions of the relevant paragraph; and the place of application is also governed by the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order if the application is filed using the electronic data processing systems prescribed in the relevant paragraph pursuant to the provisions of the relevant paragraph. (2) The provisions of Article 47 apply mutatis mutandis to the notifications and applications submitted using the electronic data processing system prescribed in Article 6, paragraph (1) of the Act on Promotion of Administration Using Information and Telecommunications Technology pursuant to the provisions of the relevant paragraph.

Article 131 Beyond what is provided for in this Act, the particulars necessary for the handling of written notifications and other processes related to family registers are prescribed by Ministry of Justice Order.

Chapter IX Penal Provisions

Article 132 A person who has divulged or misappropriated any secret in violation of the provisions of Article 32 or Article 121-2 is subject to imprisonment with work for not more than two years or a fine of not more than one million yen.

Article 133 An official or former official of a municipality engaged in processes for family registers or a person engaged or formerly engaged in performing processes for family registers under entrustment (including further entrustment at the second or higher degree of separation from the original entrustment) from a mayor of a municipality has provided or misappropriated information that they have come to know in relation to their processes, in order to receive unjust gains by themselves or a third party, is subject to imprisonment with work for not more than one year or a fine of not more than 500,000 yen.

Article 134 A person who has submitted a false notification with regard to particulars which are not required to be entered or recorded in a family register, is subject to imprisonment with work for not more than one year or a fine of not more than 200,000 yen. The same applies to a person who has submitted a false notification with regard to particulars that involve a foreign national.

Article 135 A person who has been issued a family register transcript, extract or certificate prescribed in Article 10, paragraph (1) or Article 10-2, paragraph (1) through (5), a transcript, extract, or certificate of a removed family register prescribed in Article 12-2, or a family register certificate or a removed family register certificate prescribed in Article 120, paragraph (1), the identification code for provision of the family register electronic certificate or the identification code for the provision of the electronic certificate of a removed family register prescribed in Article 120-3, paragraph (2), or the family register electronic certificate or the electronic certificate of a removed family register prescribed in paragraph (3) of that Article, by deception or other wrongful means, is subject to a fine of not more than 300,000 yen.

Article 136 A person who has conducted an inspection under Article 48, paragraph (2) (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 117) or who has been issued a certificate under that Article by deception or other wrongful means is subject to a civil fine of not more than 100,000 yen.

Article 137 A person who has not submitted a notification or application that they are required to submit during the prescribed period without just cause is subject to a civil fine of not more than 50,000 yen.

Article 138 If the mayor of a municipality has specified a period and given notice regarding a notification or application pursuant to the provisions of Article 44, paragraph (1) or (2) (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 117), the person who has not submitted the notification or application within that period without just cause, is subject to a civil fine of not more than 100,000 yen.

Article 139 In the following cases, the mayor of a municipality is subject to a civil fine of not more than 100,000 yen: (i) if they do not accept a notification or application without just cause; (ii) if they have failed to make an entry or record in a family register; (iii) if they have refused to make a written notification or any other document they received for inspection without just cause; (iv) if the mayor of a municipality does not issue a family register transcript, extract or certificate, a transcript, extract, or certificate of a removed family register, a certificate referred to in Article 48, paragraph (1) or (2) (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 117), or the identification code for provision of the family register electronic certificate or the identification code for the provision of the electronic certificate of a removed family register, or the family register electronic certificate or the electronic certificate of a removed family register without just cause; and (v) if they have otherwise neglected their duties with regard to an event involving a family register.

Article 140 Judicial decisions on civil fines are made by the summary court.

(Transitional Measures upon Partial Revision of the Family Register Act) Article 6 (1) The person entered at the head of the family register (referred to below as the "head person") at the time of enforcement of the provisions listed in Article 1, item (iii) of the Supplementary Provisions (excluding a person who has already made a notification under the provisions of this paragraph or the following paragraph) may make a notification regarding the surname kana characters of the surname listed in the head person's family register, limited to a period within one year from the effective date of item (iii). (2) If a head person who is allowed to make the notification stated in the preceding paragraph uses a pronunciation other than the pronunciation referred to in Article 13, paragraph (1), item (ii) (referred to below as the "general pronunciation") under the provisions of Article 13, paragraph (2) of the Family Register Act as amended by the provisions of Article 7 (referred to below as the "New Family Register Act") at the time of enforcement of the provisions listed in Article 1, item (iii) of the Supplementary Provisions, the head person may make a notification to the effect that the characters displaying the pronunciation being used are to be particulars entered into the family register in lieu of the notification in the preceding paragraph, limited to within one year from the effective date of item (iii). In this case, in applying the provisions of Article 13, paragraph (1), item (ii), Article 29, item (iv), Article 107, paragraph (1) and Article 107-3, and other laws and regulations, to the person entered in the family register related to the notification, the characters used in the relevant notification are deemed to be the surname kana characters. (3) If the head person who is allowed to make the notification stated in the preceding paragraph is removed from the relevant family register, limited to within one year from the effective date of item (iii), in accordance with the order, the persons listed below may make the notifications referred to in the preceding two paragraphs; provided, however, that this does not apply if the notifications referred to in the preceding two paragraphs have already been made: (i) spouse (This excludes persons who have already been removed from the family register); (ii) child (This excludes persons who have already been removed from the family register). (4) The person making the notification referred to in paragraph (2) must submit a document certifying that the pronunciation of the surname that is being used is generally accepted.

Article 7 (1) A person who is entered in the family register at the time of enforcement of the provisions listed in Article 1, item (iii) of the Supplementary Provisions (excluding the head person), and who is entered as the head person (excluding the person who has already made a notification under the provisions of this paragraph or the following paragraph) in a family register created after the time of enforcement of the provisions of item (iii) (referred to below as "new family register" in this Article and in Article 11 of the Supplementary Provisions) may make a notification regarding the surname kana characters related to the surname entered into the relevant new family register, limited to within one year from the effective date of item (iii). (2) Limited to within one year from the effective date of item (iii), the person prescribed in the preceding paragraph: who uses a pronunciation other than the general pronunciation for the surname referred to in the preceding paragraph at the time of enforcement of the provisions set forth in Article 1, paragraph (3) of the Supplementary Provisions, may make a notification to the effect that the characters displaying the pronunciation of the surname that are being used are to be particulars entered into the family register for the person in lieu of the notification in the preceding paragraph. In this case, in applying the provisions of Article 13, paragraph (1), item (ii), Article 29, item (iv), Article 107, paragraph (1) and Article 107-3 of the New Family Register Act, and other laws and regulations, to the person entered in the new family register related to the relevant notification, the characters related to the relevant notification are deemed to be the surname kana characters. (3) If the person prescribed in paragraph (1) is removed from the new family register related to the person, limited to within one year from the effective date of item (iii), in accordance with the order, the persons listed below may make the notifications referred to in the preceding two paragraphs; provided, however, that this does not apply if the notifications referred to in the preceding two paragraphs have already been made: (i) spouse (This excludes persons who have already been removed from the family register); (ii) child (This excludes persons who have already been removed from the family register). (4) If the notification in the paragraph (1) or (2) of the preceding Article has been made concerning the surname entered in the new family register before the day that family register was created, the provisions of the preceding three paragraphs do not apply. (5) The person making the notification referred to in paragraph (2) must submit a document certifying that the pronunciation of the surname that is being used is generally accepted.

Article 8 (1) The person entered at the head of the family register at the time of enforcement of the provisions listed in Article 1, item (iii) of the Supplementary Provisions (excluding a person who has already made a notification under the provisions of this paragraph or the following paragraph) may make a notification regarding the surname kana characters of the surname listed in the person's family register, limited to a period within one year from the effective date of item (iii). (2) Limited to within one year from the effective date of item (iii), the person prescribed in the preceding paragraph: who uses a pronunciation other than the general pronunciation for the given name referred to in the preceding paragraph at the time of enforcement of the provisions set forth in Article 1, paragraph (3) of the Supplementary Provisions, may make a notification to the effect that the characters displaying the pronunciation of the given name that are being used are to be particulars entered into the family register for the person in lieu of the notification in the preceding paragraph. In this case, in applying the provisions of Article 13, paragraph (1), item (ii), Article 29, item (iv), Article 107, paragraph (1) and Article 107-3 of the New Family Register Act, and other laws and regulations, to the person making the notification, the characters related to the relevant notification are deemed to be the given name kana characters. (3) The person making the notification referred to in the preceding paragraph must submit a document certifying that the pronunciation of the given name that is being used is generally accepted.

Article 9 (1) On the day after the final day in the one year period commencing on the effective date referred to in item (iii), the mayor of a municipality for the place of the registered domicile (including a special ward mayor; with respect to a designated city set forth in Article 252-19, paragraph (1) of the Local Autonomy Act (Act No. 67 of 1947) (referred to below as "designated cities" in this paragraph), a ward mayor or administratively consolidated ward mayor; the same applies below in this Article and in Article 13 of the Supplementary Provisions) is to obtain the permission of the director of a legal affairs bureau or district legal affairs bureau with jurisdiction over the location of a city office (including a ward office of a special ward, with respect to a designated city, a ward office of a ward or administratively consolidated ward) or town or village office (referred to below as the "director with jurisdiction" in the following paragraph) and enter into the family register the surname kana characters related to the person entered into the family register at the time of enforcement of the provisions listed set forth in Article 1, item (iii) of the Supplementary Provisions; provided, however, that this does not apply if the notification referred to in Article 6, paragraph (1) or (2) of the Supplementary Provisions, or the notification referred to in Article 7, paragraph (1) or (2) of the Supplementary Provisions has been made on the day before the day which is one year from the effective date. (2) On the day after the final day in the one year period commencing on the effective date referred to in item (iii), the mayor of a municipality for the place of the registered domicile is to obtain the permission of the director with jurisdiction and enter into the family register the given name kana characters related to the person entered into the family register at the time of enforcement of the provisions listed set forth in Article 1, item (iii) of the Supplementary Provisions (excluding the person who made the notification referred to in paragraph (1) or (2) of the preceding Article on the day before the day which is one year from the effective date). (3) In the case referred to in the preceding two paragraphs, when the mayor of a municipality for the place of the registered domicile finds that the person entered into the family register at the time of enforcement of the provisions listed set forth in Article 1, item (iii) of the Supplementary Provisions is using a surname pronunciation or given name pronunciation other than the general pronunciation, notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs, the mayor may enter the characters displaying the pronunciation of the surname and the pronunciation of the given name that are being used in the family register of the person in lieu of the surname kana characters and the given name kana characters. In this case, in applying the provisions of Article 13, paragraph (1), item (ii), Article 29, item (iv), Article 107, paragraph (1) and Article 107-2, and other laws and regulations related to the person for whom the characters are entered in the family register pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph, the characters related to the entry are deemed to be the surname kana characters and the given name kana characters. (4) Without delay after the enforcement date stated in item (iii), the mayor of a municipality for the place of the registered domicile must notify a person who is entered in the family register at the time of enforcement of the provisions listed in Article 1, item (iii) of the Supplementary Provisions, of the surname kana characters, or given name kana characters, or of the characters displaying the pronunciation of the surname or the given name other than the general pronunciation, that the mayor intends to enter into the person's family register pursuant to the provisions of the preceding three paragraphs; provided, however, that this does not apply if it is difficult to notify the person in advance.

Article 10 (1) Pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, if the surname kana characters are entered into the family registry, the head person of the family registry (excluding a person who has already made the notification under the provisions of this paragraph or the following paragraph; the same applies in this paragraph) may make a notification to change the surname kana characters. (2) In the case that the surname kana characters have been entered pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, at the time of enforcement of the provisions set forth in Article 1, item (iii) of the Supplementary Provisions, if the head person of the family register has been using a pronunciation other than the general pronunciation for the surname, the head person may make a notification to the effect that the surname kana characters will be changed to the characters displaying the pronunciation of the surname that are being used. In this case, in applying the provisions of Article 13, paragraph (1), item (ii), Article 29, item (iv), Article 107, paragraph (1) and Article 107-3, and other laws and regulations, to the person entered in the family register related to the notification, the characters used in the relevant notification are deemed to be the surname kana characters. (3) Pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (3) of the preceding Article, if characters displaying a pronunciation of the surname other than the general pronunciation are entered into the family register, the head person of the family registry (excluding a person who has already made the notification under the provisions of this paragraph or the following paragraph; the same applies in this paragraph) may make a notification to the effect that the particulars entered in the family register regarding the surname kana characters be changed to the general pronunciation. (4) Pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (3) of the preceding Article, in the case that characters displaying a pronunciation of the surname other than the general pronunciation are entered into the family register at the time of enforcement of the provisions set forth in Article 1, item (iii) of the Supplementary Provisions, if the head person of the registry is using a pronunciation of the surname that differs from the pronunciation entered into the family registry and that is a pronunciation other than the general pronunciation, the head person of the registry may make a notification to the effect that the particulars entered in the family register be changed to the surname pronunciation being used. In this case, in applying the provisions of Article 13, paragraph (1), item (ii), Article 29, item (iv), Article 107 paragraph (1) and Article 107-3, and other laws and regulations, to the person entered in the family register related to the notification, the characters used in the relevant notification are deemed to be the surname kana characters. (5) The provisions of Article 107-3 of the New Family Register Act do not apply to the notifications in the preceding paragraphs. (6) If the person who seeks to make the notifications in paragraphs (1) through (4) has a spouse, the notifications must be made together with the spouse. (7) The provisions of Article 6, paragraph 3 of the Supplementary Provisions apply mutatis mutandis to the cases in which the head person in the paragraphs (1) through (4) is removed from the family register. In these cases, the term "limited to within one year from the effective date of item (iii), in" in paragraph (3) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "in". (8) The person making the notifications in paragraph (2) or (4) must submit a document certifying that the pronunciation of the surname that is being used that is related to the notifications, is generally accepted.

Article 11 Pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or (3) of the Supplementary Provisions, the provisions of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to the person entered into the family register for whom characters displaying a pronunciation of the surname other than the general pronunciation are entered into the family register and who is entered as the head person in the new family register; provided, however, that this does not apply if the notifications referred to in paragraphs (1) though (4) of the preceding Article or the notifications referred to in paragraphs (1) through (4) of the preceding Article as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to this Article have been made concerning the surname entered in the new family register before the day that family register was created.

Article 12 (1) Pursuant to the provisions of Article 9, paragraph (2) of the Supplementary Provisions, the person for whom the given name kana characters have been entered into a family register (excluding a person who has already made the notification under the provisions of this paragraph or the following paragraph; the same applies in that paragraph) may make a notification to change the given name kana characters. (2) Pursuant to the provisions of Article 9, paragraph (2) of the Supplementary Provisions, a person for whom the given name kana characters have been entered into a family register who uses a pronunciation other than the general pronunciation for the given name at the time of enforcement of the provisions set forth in Article 1, item (iii) of the Supplementary Provisions, may make a notification to the effect that the particulars entered in the family register be changed to the given name pronunciation being used. In this case, in applying the provisions of Article 13, paragraph (1), item (ii), Article 29, item (iv), Article 107-2 and Article 107-4, and other laws and regulations, to the person that changed the particulars entered in the family register related to the notification, the characters used in the relevant notification are deemed to be the given name kana characters. (3) Pursuant to the provisions of Article 9, paragraph (3) of the Supplementary Provisions, a person for whom characters displaying a pronunciation of the given name other than the general pronunciation (excluding a person who has already made the notification under the provisions of this paragraph or the following paragraph; the same applies in that paragraph) have been entered into a family register, may make a notification to the effect that the particulars entered in the family register regarding the given name kana characters be changed to the general pronunciation. (4) A person for whom characters displaying a pronunciation of the given name other than the general pronunciation are entered in the family register pursuant to the provisions of Article 9, paragraph (3) of the Supplementary Provisions and who is using a pronunciation of the given name that differs from the pronunciation entered into the family registry that is a pronunciation other than the general pronunciation at the time of enforcement of the provisions set forth in Article 1, item (iii) of the Supplementary Provisions, may make a notification to the effect that the particulars entered in the family register be changed to the given name pronunciation being used. In this case, in applying the provisions of Article 13, paragraph (1), item (ii), Article 29, item (iv), Article 107-2 and Article 107-4, and other laws and regulations. to the person entered in the family register related to the notification, the characters used in the relevant notification are deemed to be the given name kana characters. (5) The provisions of 107-4 of the New Family Register Act do not apply to the notifications in the preceding items. (6) The person making the notification referred to in paragraph (2) or (4) must submit a document certifying that the pronunciation of the given name that is being used in that notification is generally accepted.

Article 13 To the extent necessary for the enforcement of Articles 6 through the preceding Article of the Supplementary Provisions, the mayor of a municipality for the place of the registered domicile may request the head of a relevant local government or any other person for the provision of information related to kana characters indicating the pronunciation of the name of the person entered into the family register and the characters displaying the pronunciation of the surname and the given name, that are being used by the person at the time of enforcement of the provisions stated in Article 1, item (iii) of the Supplementary Provisions.

Article 14 The range of the characters and marks that may be used as the kana characters displaying the pronunciation of the surname or the given name other than the general pronunciation is to be the range of the kana characters and marks specified by Ministry of Justice Order in the provisions of Article 13, paragraph (3) of the New Family Register Act.