Article 1The purpose of this Act is to aim at the sound development of consigned freight forwarding business through ensuring the appropriate and reasonable management of the consigned freight forwarding business and to ensure the smooth provision of freight forwarding business that meets the needs of sophisticated and diversified demand of users in the field of freight distribution, thereby contributing to the protection of the users' interest and their convenience.

Article 2(1)The term "actual forwarding business" as used in this Act means the freight forwarding conducted by the shipping business operator, airline business operator, railway business operator or motor truck transportation business operator (hereinafter referred to as "actual forwarding business operator"), and the term "consigned forwarding" as used in this Act means freight forwarding using transportation means provided by another forwarding business (limited to those pertaining to actual forwarding business).

(2)The term "shipping business operator" as used in this Act means the person that manages the shipping operation business under Article 2, paragraph (2) of the Marine Transportation Act (Act No. 187 of 1949) (including the shipping operation business to which the same Act applies mutatis mutandis pursuant to provisions of Article 44 of the same Act).

(3)The term "airline business operator" as used in this Act means the person that manages the air carrier business prescribed in Article 2, paragraph (16) of the Civil Aeronautics Act (Act No. 231 of 1952).

(4)The term "railway business operator" as used in this Act means the person that manages the first-class railway business prescribed in Article 2, paragraph (2) of the Railway Business Act (Act No. 92 of 1986) or that manages the second-class railway business prescribed in paragraph (3) in the same Article or tramway business operator prescribed in Article 4 of the Act on Rail Tracks (Act No. 76 of 1921).

(5)The term "motor truck transportation business operator" as used in this Act means the person that manages the general trucking business prescribed in Article 2, paragraph (2) of the Motor Truck Transportation Business Act (Act No. 83 of 1989) or specified trucking business prescribed in paragraph (3) of the same Article.

(6)The term "consigned freight forwarding business" as used in this Act means the first-class consigned freight forwarding business and the second-class consigned freight forwarding business.

(7)The term "first-class consigned freight forwarding business" as used in this Act means the business of consigned forwarding by demand of other persons for value, excluding the second-class consigned freight forwarding business.

(8)The term "second class consigned freight forwarding business" as used in this Act means the consistent business of consigned forwarding by demand of other persons for value for the consigned forwarding by shipping business operators, airline business operators or railway business operators and forwarding (including consigned forwarding related to the transportation by motor truck transportation business operators; hereinafter referred to as "collection and delivery of the freight") for collection and delivery of the freight preceding and succeeding to the consigned forwarding related to the consigned forwarding by automobiles (automobiles prescribed in Article 2, paragraph (2) of the Road Transportation Vehicle Act (Act No. 85 of 1951) (excluding transportation by light-duty trucks with three or more wheels and by motorcycles); the same applies hereinafter).

Article 3(1)The person who seeks to manage the first-class consigned freight forwarding business must obtain a registration from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

(2)When the person who has obtained the permission for the second-class consigned freight forwarding business prescribed in Article 20 are to manage the first-class consigned freight forwarding business pertaining to the forwarding business conducted by other operators in the business, within the scope of the section of the consigned forwarding pertaining to the business plan prescribed in Article 21, paragraph (1), item (ii), the person is not required to obtain the registration under the preceding paragraph for the first-class consigned freight forwarding business.

Article 4(1)The person who seeks to obtain the registration under paragraph (1) of the preceding Article must submit an application form that states the following matters to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism:

(2)The application form in the preceding paragraph must be attached with the document that states the business plan and other matters prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

Article 5(1)When application for registration has been made pursuant to the provisions of the preceding Article, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism must register the following matters in the first-class consigned freight forwarding business operator register (hereinafter referred to as "first class register") except when registration is refused pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the following Article.

(2)Upon implementing registration in accordance with the provisions set forth in the preceding paragraph, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism must notify the applicant to that effect without delay.

(3)The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism make the first class register available for public inspection.

Article 6(1)If the applicant for the registration pursuant to the provisions of Article 4 falls under any of the following items, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism must refuse the registration:

(2)Upon refusal of the registration pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism must notify the applicant to that effect by giving the reason without delay.

Article 7(1)A person who has obtained the registration prescribed in Article 3, paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as "first-class consigned freight forwarding business operator") must obtain a registration of changes conducted by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism when changing the matters listed in Article 4, paragraph (1), item (iv); provided, however, that this does not apply to the minor changes provided by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

(2)The provisions in the preceding three Articles apply mutatis mutandis to the registration of changes in the preceding paragraph.In this case, the term "following matters" in Article 4, paragraph (1) and Article 5, paragraph (1) is deemed to be replaced with the "matters pertaining to changes."

(3)Upon changing the matters listed in Article 4 paragraph (1), items (i) through (iii), or making minor changes under the proviso of paragraph (1), the first-class consigned freight forwarding business operator must notify the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to that effect within thirty days after the change was made.

(4)Upon receipt of the notification pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism must register the matters notified in the first class register without delay.

Article 8(1)The first-class consigned freight forwarding business operator must establish the general conditions of the consigned forwarding contract and obtain an approval from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. The same applies when changing the contract.

(2)Upon granting the approval set forth in the preceding paragraph, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism must grant the approval in accordance with the following criteria:

(3)When the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism establishes and publicly notifies the general conditions of the standard consigned forwarding contract (including the cases where the Minister makes a public notice after changing the conditions), if the first-class consigned freight forwarding business operator has provided the general conditions of the consigned forwarding contract which are the same as those of the standard consigned freight forwarding contract or changed the already established general conditions of the consigned freight forwarding contract to those of the standard consigned freight forwarding contract, that consigned freight forwarding contract is deemed to have been granted the approval pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1).

Article 9The first-class consigned freight forwarding business operator must display the fact that the operator is the first-class consigned freight forwarding business operator, the type of facilities for transportation in the consigned forwarding, fares and fees (limited to those having an individual as the subject (excluding the cases where the business operator is the party of the forwarding contract as a business or for its business; hereinafter referred to as "consumer")), general conditions of the consigned freight forwarding contract and other matters provided by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism at places easily visible for the public in its principal office and other business offices.

Article 10The first-class consigned freight forwarding business operator must not unjustly treat certain freight owners in a discriminatory manner.

Article 11The first-class consigned freight forwarding business operator who seeks to enter into an agreement with another forwarding business operator for sharing facilities or joint management, or other agreements on transportation pertaining to the matters provided by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism must notify the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to that effect. The same applies in changing the agreement.

Article 12When the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism finds it necessary for ensuring appropriate and reasonable management of the first-class consigned freight forwarding business, the Minister may order the following matters to the first-class consigned freight forwarding business operator:

Article 13(1)The-first class consigned freight forwarding business operator must not allow other persons to use their name for the first-class consigned freight forwarding business.

(2)The first-class consigned freight forwarding business operator must not allow other persons to manage the first-class consigned freight forwarding business under their name by leasing the business or by any other methods.

Article 14(1)When there has been a transfer of the first class consigned freight forwarding business or merger, split or inheritance of the first-class consigned freight forwarding business, the transferee of the business, heir (if there are two or more heirs, the one which has been decided to be the heir of the first-class consigned freight forwarding business operator upon consultation; the same applies hereinafter in this paragraph) or the corporation that survives after the merger (excluding a corporation that survives after the merger between a first class consigned freight forwarding business operator and a corporation that does not manage the first class consigned freight forwarding business; the same applies hereinafter in this paragraph) or the corporation established by merger or the corporation that has succeeded to the business by split succeeds to the status of the first-class consigned freight forwarding business operator; provided, however, that this does not apply when the transferee of the business or heir, the corporation that survives after the merger, or the corporation that has been established by the merger or the corporation that has succeeded to the business after the split falls under any of the items of Article 6, paragraph (1).

(2)A person who has succeeded to the status of the first-class consigned freight forwarding business operator pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph must notify the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to that effect within thirty days from the date of succession.

(3)The provisions of Article 7, paragraph (4) apply mutatis mutandis to the notification set forth in the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

Article 15Upon discontinuance of the business, the first-class consigned freight forwarding business operator must notify the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to that effect within thirty days from the date of discontinuance.

Article 16If a first class consigned freight forwarding business operator falls under any of the following items, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism may order suspension of the whole or part of the business for a period not longer than three months, or rescind the registration:

Article 17In receiving the notification pursuant to the provisions of Article 15 or rescinding the registration pursuant to the provisions of the preceding Article, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism must cancel the registration of the first-class consigned freight forwarding business.

Article 18(1)The first-class consigned freight forwarding business operator may conduct businesses associated with the first-class consigned freight forwarding business of packaging, storage or assortment of the freight (hereinafter referred to as "packaging of the freight, etc."), collection and advance of the charges and other businesses normally associated with the first-class consigned freight forwarding business.

(2)Upon conducting the packaging of the freight, etc. associated with the first-class consigned freight forwarding business, the first-class consigned freight forwarding business operator must take measures to prevent collapsing of the freight and to provide appropriate instruction to the employees engaged in handling of the freight and other necessary measures for ensuring the safety of transportation prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

(3)The provisions of Article 9 and Article 12 apply mutatis mutandis to the businesses that are normally associated with the first-class consigned freight forwarding business.

Article 19The provisions of this Act do not apply to the consigned motor truck transportation under Article 2, paragraph (7) of the Motor Truck Transportation Business Act.

Article 20A person who seeks to manage the second-class consigned freight forwarding business must obtain a permission from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

Article 21(1)A person who seeks to obtain the permission under the preceding Article must submit an application form that states the following matters to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism:

(2)The application form under the preceding paragraph must be attached with the document that states the matters prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, such as the facilities for the business.

Article 22A person who falls under any of the following items may not be granted the permission under Article 20:

Article 23The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism must not grant the permission under Article 20 unless the Minister finds that the application for the permission under the Article satisfies the following criteria:

Article 24(1)A person who has obtained the permission under Article 20 (hereinafter referred to as "second-class consigned freight forwarding business operator") must comply with the business plan and collection and delivery business plan in conducting business.

(2)When the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism finds that a second-class freight forwarding business operator is violating the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Minister may order the second-class consigned freight forwarding business operator to comply with the business plan and collection and delivery business plan in conducting business.

Article 25(1)The second-class consigned freight forwarding business operator must obtain an approval from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in changing the business plan and the collection and delivery business plan (excluding the change prescribed in paragraph (3)).

(2)The provisions of Article 23 apply mutatis mutandis to the approval set forth in the preceding paragraph.

(3)In changing the collection and delivery business plan prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the second-class consigned freight forwarding business operator must notify the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of the change in advance, and in changing the business plan and collection and delivery business plan on minor matters of prescribed by the Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the business operator must notify the Minister of the change without delay.

Article 26(1)The second-class consigned freight forwarding business operator must establish the general conditions of the consigned forwarding contract and obtain an approval from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. The same applies when making changes to the general conditions.

(2)The provisions of Article 8, paragraphs (2) and (3) apply mutatis mutandis to the approval of the consigned forwarding contract under the preceding paragraph.In this case, the term "the first-class consigned freight forwarding business operator" is deemed to be replaced with "the second-class consigned freight forwarding business operator."

Article 27The second class consigned freight forwarding business operator must display the fact that the operator is a second-class consigned freight forwarding business operator, the type of facilities for transportation pertaining to the consigned forwarding, fares and fees (limited to those which consumers are the subjects), general conditions of the consigned forwarding contract and other matters prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism at places easily visible for the public in the principal office and other business offices.

Article 28When the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism finds it necessary for ensuring appropriate and reasonable management of the second-class consigned freight forwarding business, the Minister may order the following matters to the second-class consigned freight forwarding business operator:

Article 29(1)Transfer or acquisition of the second-class consigned freight forwarding business does not become effective without the approval of the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

(2)Merger and split of a corporation that is a second-class consigned freight forwarding business operator do not become effective without the approval of the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; provided, however, that this does not apply to the case where the corporation that is a second-class consigned freight forwarding business operator is to survive in the merger between a corporation that is a second-class consigned freight forwarding business operator and a corporation that does not manage the second-class consigned freight forwarding business, or the case of a split of a corporation that is a second-class consigned freight forwarding business operator where the second-class consigned freight forwarding business is not to be succeeded.

(3)The provisions of Article 22 and Article 23 apply mutatis mutandis to the approval under the preceding two paragraphs.

(4)The person to whom the second-class consigned freight forwarding business has been transferred with the approval under paragraph (1), or the corporation that survives or the corporation that is established after the merger when a second-class consigned freight forwarding business has merged or split or the corporation that has succeeded to the second-class consigned freight forwarding business after split with the approval under paragraph (2) succeeds to the rights and obligations based on the permission.

Article 30(1)Upon the death of a second-class consigned freight forwarding business operator, if the heir (if there are two or more heirs, the one who has been decided to succeed to the second-class consigned freight forwarding business upon consultation; the same applies in the following paragraph) seeks to continue to manage the second-class consigned freight forwarding business which the decedent had managed, the heir must obtain an approval from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism within sixty days after the death of the decedent.

(2)When the heir has applied for the approval set forth in the preceding paragraph, the permission for the second-class consigned freight forwarding business which had been granted to the decedent is deemed to have been granted to the heir from the date of the death of the decedent until the receipt of the notice of approval or refusal to approve.

(3)The provisions of Article 22 and Article 23 apply mutatis mutandis to the approval under paragraph (1).

(4)A person who has been granted the approval under paragraph (1) succeeds to the rights and obligations based on the permission pertaining to the decedent.

Article 31Upon suspension or discontinuance of business, the second-class consigned freight forwarding business operator must notify the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to that effect within thirty days from the date of suspension or discontinuance.

Article 32In regard to the matters pertaining to appointment of the operation manager in charge of the collection and delivery of the freight using automobiles and ensuring of safety of transportation, etc. by the second-class consigned freight forwarding business operator (excluding those who conduct the collection and delivery of the freight related to the business with the permission prescribed in Article 3 or Article 35, paragraph (1) of the Motor Truck Transportation Business Act), the matters are to be governed by the provisions of the Article 37, paragraph (3) of the Act.

Article 33When the second-class consigned freight forwarding business operator falls under any of the following items, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism may order suspension of the whole or part of the business for a specified period not longer than three months (not longer than six months when falling under item (iii)) or rescind the permission:

Article 34(1)The provisions of Article 10, Article 11, Article 13 and Article 18, paragraphs (1) and (2) apply mutatis mutandis to the second-class consigned freight forwarding business operator.In this case, the term "for the first-class consigned freight forwarding business" in Article 13, paragraph (1) is deemed to be replaced with "for the consigned freight forwarding business" and the term "first-class consigned freight forwarding business" in paragraph (2) of the same Article is deemed to be replaced with "consigned freight forwarding business."

(2)The provisions of Article 27 and Article 28 apply mutatis mutandis to the businesses normally associated with the second-class consigned freight forwarding business.

Article 35(1)Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 3, paragraph (1) and Article 6, paragraph (1) (limited to the part pertaining to item (v)), foreign national, etc.) may manage the first-class consigned freight forwarding business pertaining to international freight forwarding conducted by shipping business operators or the first-class consigned freight forwarding business pertaining to international freight forwarding conducted by airline business operators upon registration by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

(2)The registration under the preceding paragraph is to be made in accordance with the classification of the international freight forwarding prescribed in the same paragraph.

(3)The provisions of Article 3, paragraph (2) apply mutatis mutandis to the person who obtained the permission prescribed in Article 45, paragraph (1).In this case, the term "business plan prescribed in Article 21, paragraph (1), item (ii) " in Article 3, paragraph (2) is deemed to be replaced with "business plan prescribed in Article 45, paragraph (3)."

Article 36(1)A person who seeks to obtain a registration under paragraph (1) of the preceding Article must submit an application form that states the matters listed in the respective items of Article 4, paragraph (1) and other matters prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

(2)Beyond what is set forth in the preceding paragraph, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism may demand submission of the business plan and other documents found to be necessary to the applicant of the registration under paragraph (1) of the preceding Article.

Article 37(1)When application for registration pursuant to the provisions of the preceding Article is made, except for the case of refusing the registration pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the following Article, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism must register the following matters in the foreign national international first-class shipping business operator register (hereinafter referred to as "foreign national international first-class shipping operator register") or the foreign national international first-class freight airline business operator register (hereinafter referred to as "foreign national international first-class airline operator register").

(2)Upon registration pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism must notify the applicant to that effect without delay.

(3)The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism must provide the foreign national international first-class shipping operator register and the foreign national international first-class airline operator register for public inspection.

Article 38(1)If an applicant for the registration pursuant to the provisions of Article 36 falls under any of the following items, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism must refuse the registration:

(2)Upon refusal of registration pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism must notify the applicant to that effect by giving the reason without delay.

Article 39(1)If a person who has been registered pursuant to provisions of Article 35, paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as "foreign national international first-class consigned freight forwarding business operator") seeks to change the matters prescribed in Article 36, paragraph (1) (excluding the matters listed in Article 4, paragraph (1), items (i) through (iii)), the person must obtain a registration of change from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; provided, however, that this does not apply to minor changes prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

(2)The provisions of the preceding three Articles apply mutatis mutandis to the registration of change under the preceding paragraph.In this case, the phrase "matters prescribed in the respective items of Article 4, paragraph (1) and other matters prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism" in Article 36, paragraph (1) and the phrase "following matters" in paragraph (1) of Article 37 are deemed to be replaced with "matters pertaining to changes."

(3)If changes are made to the matters prescribed in Article 36, paragraph (1) (limited to the matters listed in Article 4, paragraph (1), items (i) through (iii)) or minor changes under the proviso of paragraph (1) are made, the foreign national international first-class consigned freight forwarding business operator must notify the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to that effect within thirty days after the date of the changes.

(4)Upon receipt of the notification pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism must register the matters notified in the foreign national international first-class shipping operator register or foreign national international first class airline operator register without delay.

Article 40When the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism finds it necessary, the Minister may order the foreign national first-class consigned forwarding business operator to change the fares or fees.

Article 41Upon discontinuance of business, the foreign national international first- class consigned freight forwarding business operator must notify the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to that effect within thirty days from the date of discontinuance.

Article 42If the foreign national international first-class consigned freight forwarding business operator falls under any of the following items, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism may order the business operator to suspend the whole or part of the business for a specified period, or rescind the registration.

Article 43When a notification pursuant to the provisions of Article 41 is made or the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has rescinded the registration pursuant to the provisions of the preceding Article, the Minister must cancel the registration of the foreign national international first-class consigned freight forwarding business.

Article 44(1)The foreign national international first-class consigned freight forwarding business operator may conduct businesses normally associated with the foreign national international first-class consigned freight forwarding business, such as packaging of the freight, etc., collection and advance of the charges in association with the foreign national international first-class consigned freight forwarding business.

(2)Upon conducting the packaging of the freight, etc. associated with the foreign national international first-class consigned freight forwarding business, the foreign national international first-class consigned freight forwarding business operator must take necessary measures for ensuring the safety of transportation prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, such as measures to prevent collapsing of the freight and to provide appropriate instructions to the employees engaged in handling of the freight.

(3)The provisions of Article 9 and Article 12 apply mutatis mutandis to the businesses that are normally associated with the foreign national international first- class consigned freight forwarding business.

Article 45(1)Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 20 and Article 22 (limited to the part pertaining to item (ii)), foreign national, etc., upon obtaining permission by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, may manage the second-class consigned freight forwarding business pertaining to international freight forwarding conducted by the shipping business operators or the second-class consigned freight forwarding business pertaining to the international freight forwarding conducted by the airline business operators.

(2)The permission under the preceding paragraph is to be given in accordance with the classification of the international freight forwarding prescribed in the same paragraph.

(3)A person who seeks to obtain the permission under paragraph (1) must submit an application form that states the business plan related to the sections of the consigned forwarding and other matters prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

(4)Beyond what is prescribed in the preceding paragraph, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism may demand submission of documents the Minister finds necessary to the applicant of the permission under paragraph (1).

(5)For granting the permission under paragraph (1), the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is to faithfully perform the obligations under international agreements and is to give consideration so that fair business activities in the field of the second-class consigned freight forwarding business pertaining to the international freight forwarding are conducted and the sound development of the business will be ensured.

Article 46(1)A person who has been granted the permission under paragraph (1) of the preceding Article (hereinafter referred to as "foreign national international second-class consigned freight forwarding business operator") must conduct business in accordance with the business plan.

(2)In seeking to change the business plan (excluding those provided in paragraph (4)), the foreign national international second-class freight forwarding business operator must obtain an approval from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

(3)The provisions of paragraph (5) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to the approval under the preceding paragraph.

(4)In seeking to make changes to the business plan prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the foreign national second-class consigned freight forwarding business operator must notify the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to that effect in advance and when changes have been made to the business plan on minor matters prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the business operator must notify the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to that effect without delay.

(5)When the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism finds it necessary, the Minister may order change of the business plan to the foreign national international second-class consigned freight forwarding business operator.

Article 47When the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism finds it necessary, the Minister may order the foreign national international second-class consigned freight forwarding business operator to change the fares or fees.

Article 48Upon discontinuance of business, the foreign national international second-class consigned freight forwarding business operator must notify the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to that effect within thirty days from the date of discontinuance.

Article 49In regard to the matters related to the appointment of the operation manager in charge of the collection and delivery of freight using automobiles and the ensuring of safety of transportation, etc. by the foreign national international second-class consigned freight forwarding business operator (excluding those who conduct the collection and delivery of the freight pertaining to the business with the permission prescribed in Article 3 or Article 35, paragraph (1) of the Motor Truck Transportation Business Act), the matters conform to the provisions of Article 37, paragraph (3) of the Act.

Article 49-2If the foreign national international second-class consigned freight forwarding business operator falls under any of the following items, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism may order suspension of the whole or part of the business for a specified period, or rescind the permission.

Article 49-3The provisions of Article 44 apply mutatis mutandis to the foreign national international second-class consigned freight forwarding business operators.

Article 50Registrations, permissions or approvals prescribed under this Chapter may be attached with conditions or due date and may be changed or conditions or due date may be added after registration or granting of the permission or approval.

Article 50-2(1)In regard to the dispositions pursuant to the provisions of Articles 40, Article 42, Article 44, paragraph (3) or the preceding Article that fall under the cases prescribed in the Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as the grounds necessary for the dispositions to be made in order to ensure fair business activities in the field of the first-class consigned freight forwarding business pertaining to the international freight forwarding, the provisions of Chapter III of the Administrative Procedure Act (Act No. 88 of 1993) do not apply.

(2)In regard to the dispositions pursuant to the provisions of Article 44, paragraph (3) or the preceding Article as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 46, paragraph (5), Article 47, Article 49-2, Article 49-3 that fall under the cases prescribed in the Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as the grounds necessary for the dispositions to be made in order to ensure fair business activities in the field of the second-class consigned freight forwarding business pertaining to the international freight forwarding, the provisions of Chapter III of the Administrative Procedure Act do not apply.

Article 51(1)Persons other than those who manage the consigned freight forwarding business must not make an indication, advertisement or perform other acts that cause misunderstanding to the public that the business they manage is the consigned freight forwarding business.

(2)The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism may order the persons other than those who manage the consigned freight forwarding business to take measures to prevent misunderstanding by the public that they manage the consigned freight forwarding business.

Article 52The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism must endeavor to comprehensively take necessary measures for sound development of the consigned freight forwarding business and improvement and enhancement of the freight forwarding services for the users with due consideration to the trend of preference by the users for sophisticated and diversified freight forwarding services and the trend of the business activities related to distribution of the freight that address the trends in order to contribute to smooth freight distribution.

Article 53(1)The associations organized by those who manage the consigned freight forwarding business with the objective of improvement and enhancement of the freight forwarding services or sound development of the consigned freight forwarding business must notify the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism the matters prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism within thirty days after the date of establishment.

(2)When it is necessary for improving and enhancing the freight forwarding services or promoting sound development of the consigned freight forwarding business, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism may demand the associations that have made the notification pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph give a report on the business.

Article 54(1)Registrations, permissions or approvals prescribed in this Act (excluding the provisions of Chapter IV) may be attached with conditions or due date which may be changed.

(2)The conditions or due date under the preceding paragraph must be limited to the minimum necessary to secure implementation of the matters pertaining to the registrations, permissions or approvals and must not impose unreasonable obligations to the recipients of the registrations, permissions or approvals.

Article 55(1)The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism may order the first-class consigned freight forwarding business operators, second-class consigned freight forwarding business operators, the foreign national international first-class consigned freight forwarding business operators or the foreign national international second-class consigned freight forwarding business operators (hereinafter simply referred to as the "consigned freight forwarding business operators") to report on its business within the limit necessary for the enforcement of this Act pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

(2)The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism may have its officers enter the principal office and other business offices of the consigned freight forwarding business operators to inspect the conditions of its business or accounting or facilities used for business, books, documents and other objects, or ask questions to relevant persons within the limit necessary for the enforcement of this Act.

(3)The officer who conducts the on-site inspection pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph must carry their identification card and present it when requested by relevant persons.

(4)The authority under the provisions of paragraph (2) must not be construed as approved for criminal investigations.

Article 56Upon establishing, amending or repealing an order based on the provisions of this Act, the required transitional measures (including the transitional measures related to penal provisions) may be established within the scope judged to be reasonably necessary for the establishment, amendment or repeal by the order.

Article 57The authority of the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism prescribed in this Act may be delegated to the Director of the Regional Transport Bureau (including the Director of Transport Administration Department) pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

Article 58Deleted

Article 59Beyond what is set forth in this Act, procedures required for the enforcement of this Act and other matters are prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

Article 60A person who falls under any of the following items is punished by imprisonment with work for not more than three years or a fine of not more than three million yen or their cumulative imposition:

Article 61A person who has violated the order to suspend business pursuant to the provisions of Article 33 or Article 49-2 is punished by imprisonment with work for not more than one year or a fine of not more than one million five hundred thousand yen or their cumulative imposition.

Article 62A person who falls under any of the following items is punished by imprisonment with work for not more than one year or a fine of not more than one million five hundred thousand yen or their cumulative imposition:

Article 63A person who has violated the order to suspend business pursuant to the provisions of Article 16 or Article 42 is punished by imprisonment with work for not more than six months or a fine of not more than five hundred thousand yen or their cumulative imposition.

Article 64A person who has violated the order pursuant to the provisions of Article 51, paragraph (2) (limited to those related to the second-class consigned freight forwarding business) is punished by a fine of not more than one million five hundred thousand yen.

Article 65A person who falls under any of the following items is punished by a fine of not more than one million yen:

Article 66A person who falls under any of the following items is punished by a fine of not more than five hundred thousand yen:

Article 67If a representative of a corporation, an agent, an employee or other worker of a corporation or an individual has committed a violation under Articles 60 to the preceding Article with regard to the business of the corporation or individual, not only the offender is punished but also the corporation or individual is punished by the fine prescribed in the respective Articles.

Article 68A person who falls under any of the following items is punished by a civil fine of not more than five hundred thousand yen: