Article 1The purpose of this Act is to comprehensively take measures for the promotion of organic agriculture by establishing basic principles and clarifying responsibilities of the national and local governments with regard to the promotion of organic agriculture, as well as establishing basic matters for measures for the promotion of organic agriculture, and thereby to promote the development of organic agriculture.

Article 2The term "organic agriculture" in this Act means agriculture carried out using agricultural production methods that have as low of an environmental load possible, resulting from agricultural production methods with the basis that chemically synthesized fertilizers and agricultural chemicals are not used and genetically modified technology is not used.

Article 3(1)The promotion of organic agriculture must be carried out with the aim of enabling farmers to easily engage in organic agriculture, in consideration of the fact that it is important to secure sustainable development of agriculture and agricultural production in harmony with the environment, and organic agriculture greatly enhances the natural cyclical function of agriculture (meaning the function whereby agricultural production activities depend on and promote the circulation of materials through living organisms in nature) and reduces the environmental load resulting from agricultural production.

(2)The promotion of organic agriculture must be carried out with the aim of enabling farmers and other relevant persons to actively engage in the production, distribution or sale of agricultural products produced by organic agriculture, as well as enabling consumers to easily obtain agricultural products produced by organic agriculture, in consideration of the fact that consumer demand for safe and high-quality agricultural products is increasing amid the sophistication and diversification of their demand for food, and organic agriculture contributes to the supply of agricultural products that meet such demand.

(3)The promotion of organic agriculture must be carried out so that coordination between farmers engaged in organic farming (hereinafter referred to as "organic farmers") or other relevant persons and consumers is facilitated, in consideration of the fact that it is important to enhance consumer understanding of organic agriculture and agricultural products produced by organic agriculture.

(4)The promotion of organic agriculture must be carried out while respecting the autonomy of farmers and other relevant persons.

Article 4(1)The national and local governments are responsible for comprehensively formulating and implementing measures for the promotion of organic agriculture in line with the basic principles specified in the preceding Article.

(2)The national and local governments are to promote organic agriculture in cooperation with farmers, other relevant persons, and consumers.

Article 5The government must take legislative, financial and other measures necessary to take measures for the promotion of organic agriculture.

Article 6(1)The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is to establish a basic policy for the promotion of organic agriculture (hereinafter referred to as the "basic policy").

(2)The basic policy is to prescribe the following particulars:

(3)The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must consult with the heads of relevant administrative organs and hear the opinions of the Council of Food, Agriculture and Rural Area Policies when the minister intends to establish or change the basic policy.

(4)When establishing or modifying the basic policy, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must make it public without delay.

Article 7(1)Prefectures must endeavor to establish plans with regard to measures for the promotion of organic agriculture (hereinafter referred to as the "promotion plan" in the following paragraph) in line with the basic policy.

(2)Upon establishing or revising its promotion plan, the prefecture must endeavor to publicize that plan without delay.

Article 8The national and local governments are to take measures necessary for supporting organic farmers and persons that intend to engage in organic agriculture.

Article 9The national and local governments are to take measures necessary to develop research facilities, provide guidance and give information about the results of the research and development, and take other necessary measures in order to promote research and development of technology concerning organic agriculture and dissemination of the results.

Article 10The national and local governments are to take measures necessary for carrying out public relations activities to disseminate knowledge and raise awareness on organic agriculture, and take measures necessary for enhancing consumer understanding of and interest in organic agriculture.

Article 11The national and local governments are to take measures necessary for promoting exchanges and other activities between organic farmers and consumers in order to enhance mutual understanding between organic farmers and consumers.

Article 12The national and local governments are to conduct surveys necessary for the promotion of organic agriculture.

Article 13The national and local governments are to take measures necessary for supporting the activities by persons other than the national and local governments for the promotion of organic agriculture.

Article 14The national government may provide necessary guidance, advice and other assistance with regard to local governments' measures for the promotion of organic agriculture.

Article 15In formulating measures for the promotion of organic agriculture, the national and local governments are to give opportunities to organic farmers, relevant persons and consumers to state their opinions on the measures, and take measures necessary for reflecting their opinions in the measures.