Article 4(1)Any person who intends to perform the specified certification business may obtain accreditation from competent minister.

(2)Any person who seeks the accreditation set forth in the preceding paragraph must submit to the competent minister an application stipulating the matters listed below and other documents as provided by order of the competent ministry, pursuant to the provisions of order of the competent ministry:

(3)The competent minister must, when the minister grants the accreditation set forth in paragraph 1, publicly notify the fact.

Article 5Any person who falls under any of the following items may not obtain the accreditation set forth in paragraph 1 of the preceding Article:

Article 6(1)The competent minister must, only when the minister finds that an application for the accreditation conforms to all of the following items, grant the accreditation set forth in paragraph 1 of Article 4:

(2)In performing an examination for the accreditation set forth in paragraph 1 of Article 4, the competent minister is to perform an on-site investigation of the business system pertaining to the application, pursuant to the provisions of order of the competent ministry.

Article 7(1)Unless the accreditation set forth in paragraph 1 of Article 4 is renewed for each period of less than one (1) year provided by Cabinet Order, the accreditation ceases to be effective upon the passing of the period.

(2)The provisions of paragraph 2 of Article 4 and the preceding two Articles apply mutatis mutandis to the renewal of accreditation set forth in the preceding paragraph.

Article 8If any person who has obtained the accreditation set forth in paragraph 1 of Article 4 (hereinafter referred to as the "accredited certification business operator") transfers the whole of the business pertaining to the accreditation, or a succession, merger or division (limited to what under which the whole of the business pertaining to the accreditation is succeeded) occurs with respect to the accredited certification business operator, any person who has accepted the whole of the business, or an heir (or a person in cases where there are two or more heirs, if an heir to succeed to the business is selected with the consent of all of the heirs; hereinafter the same applies in this Article), the juridical person surviving after the merger or established by the merger succeeds to the position of the accredited certification business operator; provided, however, that this does not apply to cases where the person who has accepted the whole of the business, the heir, or the juridical person that survives after the merger, is established by the merger, or succeeds to the whole of the business by division falls under any of the items of Article 5.

Article 9(1)If the accredited certification business operator intends to modify matters set forth in item 2 or item 3 of paragraph 2 of Article 4, it must obtain the accreditation from the competent minister; provided, however, that this does not apply to minor modifications as provided by order of the competent ministry.

(2)Any person who seeks the accreditation of modification set forth in the preceding paragraph must, submit to the competent minister an application stipulating matters pertaining to the modification and other documents as provided by order of the competent ministry, pursuant to the provisions of order of the competent ministry.

(3)The provisions of paragraph 3 of Article 4 and Article 6 apply mutatis mutandis to the accreditation of modification set forth in paragraph 1.

(4)If any modification has occurred to matters set forth in item 1 of paragraph 2 of Article 4, the accredited certification business operator must, without delay, notify the competent minister of the fact.

Article 10(1)If the accredited certification business operator intends to abolish the business pertaining to the accreditation, it must, in advance, notify the competent minister of the intention, pursuant to the provisions of order of the competent ministry.

(2)The competent minister must, when the minister receives the notification set forth in the provisions of the preceding paragraph, publicly notify the fact.

Article 11The accredited certification business operator must prepare and preserve books and documents relating to the business pertaining to the accreditation, pursuant to the provisions of order of the competent ministry.

Article 12The accredited certification business operator must not use information to which it becomes privy in confirming the identity of users of the business pertaining to the accreditation, for purposes other than the purpose of provision for use of the business pertaining to the accreditation.

Article 13(1)The accredited certification business operator may place on an electronic certificate, etc. (which means an electronic or magnetic record prepared for certifying that matters used to confirm that the user has performed the electronic signature are pertaining to the relevant user, and others provided by order of the competent ministry; the same applies in the following paragraph), a mark to the effect that the relevant business has obtained the accreditation, pursuant to the provisions of order of the competent ministry.

(2)Except for cases prescribed in the preceding paragraph, no person must place the mark set forth in the preceding paragraph or any mark that can be confused with this mark, on any electronic certificate, etc.

Article 14(1)If the accredited certification business operator falls under any of the following items, the competent minister may rescind the accreditation:

(2)The competent minister must, when the minister rescinds the accreditation pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, publicly notify the fact.

Article 15(1)Any person who intends to perform the specified certification business through an office located in a foreign country may obtain the accreditation from the competent minister.

(2)The provisions of paragraph 2 and paragraph 3 of Article 4 and Article 5 to Article 7 apply mutatis mutandis to the accreditation set forth in the preceding paragraph, and the provisions of Article 8 to Article 13 apply mutatis mutandis to a person who has obtained the accreditation set forth in the preceding paragraph (hereinafter referred to as the "accredited foreign certification business operator").In this case, the term "no person" in paragraph 2 of Article 13 is to be deemed to be replaced with "no accredited foreign certification business operator."

(3)In cases where a person who seeks the accreditation set forth in paragraph 1 or its renewal, or the accreditation of modification set forth in paragraph 1 of Article 9 applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to the preceding paragraph performs the certification business through an office located in a foreign country based on a system relating to the certification business under the laws and regulations of the relevant foreign country, and is similar to the system for the accreditation set forth in paragraph 1 of Article 4, the competent minister may, when the minister finds it necessary in order for the Japanese government to faithfully perform a treaty entered into with the relevant foreign country and other international agreements, cause those persons to submit documents stipulating matters provided by order of the competent ministry, in lieu of the investigation pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 2 of Article 6 applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to the preceding paragraph (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph 2 of Article 7 applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to the preceding paragraph, and it is applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph 3 of Article 9).

(4)In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, if the relevant documents are submitted from these persons, the competent minister must perform the examination for the accreditation set forth in paragraph 1 or its renewal, or the accreditation of modification set forth in paragraph 1 of Article 9 applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph 2, in consideration of the relevant documents.

Article 16(1)If the accredited foreign certification business operator falls under any of the following items, the competent minister may rescind the accreditation:

(2)The competent minister must, when the minister rescinds the accreditation pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, publicly notify the fact.

Article 17(1)The competent minister may have a person who the minister has designated (the "designated investigative organization") perform an investigation (hereinafter referred to as the "investigation"; except for in the following section), in whole or in part, which is set forth in the provisions of paragraph 2 of Article 6 (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph 2 of Article 7 [including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph 2 of Article 15], paragraph 3 of Article 9 [including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph 2 of Article 15], and paragraph 2 of Article 15).

(2)If the competent minister makes the designated investigative organization perform the Investigation, in whole or in part, pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, they are not to perform the investigation, in whole or in part.In this case, the competent minister must perform an examination for the accreditation set forth in paragraph 1 of Article 4 or its renewal, or the accreditation of modification set forth in paragraph 1 of Article 9 (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph 2 of Article 15), or the accreditation set forth in paragraph 1 of Article 15 or its renewal, in consideration of the results of the Investigation notified by the designated investigative organization pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 4.

(3)If the competent minister makes the designated investigative organization perform the Investigation, in whole or in part, pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 1, with respect to the Investigation performed by the designated investigative organization, any person who seeks the accreditation set forth in paragraph 1 of Article 4 or its renewal, the accreditation of modification set forth in paragraph 1 of Article 9 (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph 2 of Article 15), or the accreditation set forth in paragraph 1 of Article 15 or its renewal must make an application to the designated investigative organization pursuant to the provisions of order of the competent ministry, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 2 of Article 4 (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph 2 of Article 7 [including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph 2 of Article 15], and paragraph 2 of Article 15), and paragraph 2 of Article 9 (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph 2 of Article 15).

(4)If the designated investigative organization performs the Investigation pertaining to the application set forth in the preceding paragraph, it must, without delay, notify the competent minister of the results of the relevant Investigation, pursuant to the provisions of order of the competent ministry.

Article 18The designation set forth in the provisions of paragraph 1 of the preceding Article (hereinafter referred to as the "designation") is made pursuant to the provisions of order of the competent ministry, in accordance with the application made by a person who intends to perform the Investigation (except for a person who intends to perform it through an office located in a foreign country).

Article 19Any person who falls under any of the following items may not receive the designation:

Article 20The competent minister must, only when the minister finds that the application for designation conforms to all of the following items, make the designation:

Article 21(1)The competent minister must, when the minister makes the designation, publicly notify the corporate name and address of the designated investigative organization, and the location of the office performing the investigation business.

(2)The designated investigative organization must, when it intends to modify its corporate name or address, or the location of the office performing the investigation business, notify the competent minister of the fact at least two (2) weeks prior to the day of the modification.

(3)The competent minister must, when the minister receives the notification set forth in the provisions of the preceding paragraph, publicly notify the fact.

Article 22(1)Unless the designation is renewed for each period of five (5) years to ten (10) years provided by Cabinet Order, the designation ceases to be effective upon the passing of the period.

(2)Provisions of Article 18 to Article 20 apply mutatis mutandis to the renewal of designation set forth in the preceding paragraph.

Article 23(1)Any director or officer of the designated investigative organization (or any individual who has received that designation, if the designated investigative organization is not a juridical person; the same applies in the following paragraph, and Article 43 and Article 45), or any employee or person who has assumed these positions must not divulge any secret relating to the investigation business to which they become privy.

(2)Any director or officer, or employee of the designated investigative organization who is engaged in the investigation business is deemed to be an employee engaged in public service pursuant to the laws and regulations, with respect to the application of the Penal Code (Act No. 45 of 1907) and other penal provisions.

Article 24If the designated investigative organization is requested to perform the investigation, it must, without delay, perform the investigation except for cases where it has any reasonable grounds.

Article 25(1)The designated investigative organization must provide rules for the investigation business (hereinafter referred to as the "investigation business rules"), and receive the approval of the competent minister. The same applies to any modification of the investigation business rules.

(2)Matters to be provided in the investigation business rules are provided by order of the competent ministry.

(3)The competent minister may, when the minister finds that the investigation business rules approved in paragraph 1 become inappropriate in the fair implementation of the investigation, order modification of the investigation service rules.

Article 26The designated investigative organization must, pursuant to the provisions of order of the competent ministry, prepare and preserve the books upon entering matters as provided by order of the competent ministry, with respect to the investigation business.

Article 27The competent minister may, when the minister finds that the designated investigative organization fails to conform to item 1 through item 3 of Article 20, order the designated investigative organization to take necessary measures to conform to these provisions.

Article 28(1)The designated investigative organization must not discontinue or abolish the investigation business, in whole or in part, without the permission of the competent minister.

(2)The competent minister must, when the minister grants the permission set forth in the preceding paragraph, publicly notify the fact.

Article 29(1)If the designated investigative organization falls under any of the following items, the competent minister may rescind the designation, or order suspension of the investigation business, in whole or in part, within a prescribed period of time:

(2)The competent minister must, when the minister rescinds the designation or orders to suspend the investigation business, in whole or in part, pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, publicly notify the fact.

Article 30(1)If the designated investigative organization suspends the investigation business, in whole or in part, pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 1 of Article 28, the competent minister orders the designated investigative organization to discontinue the investigation business, in whole or in part, pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 1 of the preceding Article, or the designated investigative organization falls into a difficult state to implement the investigation business, in whole or in part, due to natural disasters or other reasons, the competent ministry themselves is to, when the minister finds necessary, perform the investigation business, in whole or in part, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 2 of Article 17.

(2)The competent minister is to perform the investigation business pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, or if the minister decides not to perform the investigation business performed pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the competent minister must publicly notify the fact, in advance.

(3)In cases where the competent minister performs the investigation business pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 1, and permits abolition of the investigation business pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 1 of Article 28, or rescinds the designation pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 1 of the preceding Article, the succession of the investigation service or other necessary matters are provided by order of the competent ministry.

Article 31(1)If any person who intends to perform (limited to a person who intends to perform through an office located in a foreign country) the investigation (hereinafter referred to as the "investigation" in this Section), in whole or in part, pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 2 of Article 6 applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph 2 of Article 15 (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph 2 of Article 7 applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph 2 of Article 15, and paragraph 3 of Article 9) makes an application, the competent minister may approve this application pursuant to the provisions of order of the competent ministry.

(2)If the competent minister has made the approval set forth in the preceding paragraph, with respect to the investigation performed by a person who has received the approval set forth in the preceding paragraph (hereinafter referred to as the "approved investigative organization"), any person who seeks the accreditation set forth in paragraph 1 of Article 15 or its renewal, or the accreditation of modification set forth in paragraph 1 of Article 9 applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph 2 of Article 15, may make an application to the approved investigative organization, pursuant to the provisions of order of the competent ministry, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 2 of Article 4 applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph 2 of Article 15 (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph 2 of Article 15), paragraph 2 of Article 9 applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph 2 of Article 15, and paragraph 3 of Article 17. In this case, the competent minister must perform the examination for the accreditation set forth in paragraph 1 of Article 15 or its renewal, or the accreditation of modification set forth in paragraph 1 of Article 9 applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph 2 of Article 15, in consideration of the results of the investigation notified by the approved investigative organization pursuant to the provisions of the following paragraph.

(3)If the approved investigative organization performs the investigation pertaining to the application set forth in the preceding paragraph, it must, without delay, notify the competent minister of the results of the investigation, pursuant to the provisions of order of the competent ministry.

(4)If the approved investigative organization discontinues or abolishes the investigation business, in whole or in part, it must, without delay, notify the competent minister of such event.

(5)The competent minister must, when the minister receives the notification set forth in the provisions of the preceding paragraph, publicly notify the fact.

(6)The provisions of Article 19 to Article 22 apply mutatis mutandis to the approval set forth in paragraph 1, and the provisions of Article 24 to Article 27 apply mutatis mutandis to the approved investigative organization. In this case, the term "order" in paragraph 3 of Article 25, and Article 27 is to be deemed to be replaced with "request."

Article 32(1)If the approved investigative organization falls under any of the following items, the competent minister may rescind the approval:

(2)The competent minister must, when the minister rescinds the approval pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, publicly notify the fact.