Article 1The purpose of this Act is to sustain the quality, etc. of fertilizers and to ensure fair trade of fertilizers and their safe application, by establishing official specifications and application standards for fertilizers and by registering fertilizers, and conducting fertilizer analysis, etc., thereby contributing to maintaining and increasing agricultural productivity, as well as helping to protect the health of the people .

Article 2(1)The term a "fertilizer" as used in this Act means a substance applied to the ground for the purpose of bringing about a chemical change in the soil to supply nutrients to plants or help plants to grow, or a substance applied to a plant for the purpose of feeding plants.

(2)The term a "special-purpose fertilizer" as used in this Act means rice bran, compost, or other fertilizers designated by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and a "general-purpose fertilizer" means a fertilizer other than a special-purpose fertilizer.

(3)The term "guaranteed amount of components" in this Act means the minimum amount of main components (meaning main components of each type of fertilizer specified by Cabinet Order; the same applies hereinafter) to be included in general-purpose fertilizer that is expressed as a percentage thereof, which is guaranteed by the manufacturer, importer, or seller who produces, imports, or sells a general-purpose fertilizer.

(4)The term "manufacturer" as used in this Act means a person who produces a fertilizer (including formulation, processing, or collecting process of fertilizer; the same applies hereinafter) in the course of trade, and the term "importer" means a person who imports fertilizer in the course of trade, and the term "seller" means a person other than a manufacturer or importer, who sells fertilizer in the course of trade.

Article 3(1)The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries establishes specifications for the particulars specified in each of the following items in accordance with the types of general-purpose fertilizers set forth in the relevant items (hereinafter referred to as the "official specifications").

(2)If the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries intends to establish, change, or repeal the official specifications, the minister must issue public notice of this, at least 30 days prior to that date.

Article 4(1)A person who intends to produce a general-purpose fertilizer in the course of trade must have the fertilizer set forth in items (i) through (vi) registered by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and the fertilizer set forth in item (vii) by the prefectural governor who has jurisdiction over the location of the place of business where the fertilizer is produced, according to the following types; provided, however, that this does not apply to a general-purpose fertilizer for which official specifications have not been established or a general-purpose fertilizer including the raw material as components that is exclusively registered as a general-purpose fertilizer (excluding a general-purpose fertilizer set forth in items (iii) through (v)), which is specified by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (hereinafter referred to as a "designated blended fertilizer").

(2)If an agricultural cooperative covering the area within the prefectural area or any other person specified by Cabinet Order (hereinafter referred to as an "agricultural cooperative, etc.") intends to produce a general-purpose fertilizer set forth in item (vi) of the preceding paragraph for which official specifications have been established (excluding a blended fertilizer made by blending one or more types of general-purpose fertilizers set forth in items (iii) through (v) of that paragraph as the raw material) in the course of trade, it must be registered by the prefectural governor who has jurisdiction over the location of the place of business where the fertilizer is produced, notwithstanding the provisions of that paragraph.

(3)A person who intends to import a general-purpose fertilizer in the course of trade must have each fertilizer brand registered by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; provided, however, that this does not apply to a general-purpose fertilizer for which official specifications have not been established, a designated blended fertilizer, and a general-purpose fertilizer which has been registered pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of Article 33-2.

Article 5A person who intends to produce or import a general-purpose fertilizer for which official specifications have not been established (excluding a designated blended fertilizer and a general-purpose fertilizer which has been provisionally registered pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of Article 33-2) in the course of trade, must have each fertilizer band provisionally registered by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

Article 6(1)A person intending to register or provisionally register a fertilizer must submit a written application providing the following particulars, along with a fertilizer sample for which registration or provisional registration is applied, to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or the prefectural governor, in accordance with the procedures prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Land:

(2)A person who applies for registration or provisional registration with the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must pay the amount of fee specified by Cabinet Order in consideration of the actual costs to examine the application.

Article 7(1)When an application for registration is filed pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must have the Food and Agricultural Materials Inspection Center (hereinafter referred to as the "Center"), or the prefectural governor must have their staff, examine the particulars provided in the written application and the fertilizer sample, and then must register the fertilizer if the minister or governor confirmed that the fertilizer meets the official specifications and that the name of the fertilizer does not violate the provisions of paragraph (2) of Article 26; provided, however, that this does not apply if, as a result of the examination, it is found that fertilizer designated by Ordinance of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries referred to in item (vi) of the preceding Article or fertilizer set forth in items (iii) through (v) of paragraph (1) of Article 4, is harmful to plants when it is applied to plants by using a regular application method, or if it is found that an agricultural product that may cause harm to humans or animals when it is applied to the agriculture product according to the list of applicable plants and the method provided in the written application.

(2)Examination items, examination methods, and other particulars necessary for the implementation of the examination referred to in the preceding paragraph are prescribed by an Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

(3)The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must consult the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare and the Minister of Environment when the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries intends to register a specified general-purpose fertilizer pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1).

Article 8(1)When an application for provisional registration is filed pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of Article 6, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must have the Center examine the particulars provided in the written application and the fertilizer sample; provided, however, that the minister may reject the application without having the Center perform an examination if the provisional registration of the fertilizer for which the application was filed has been revoked pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (3) of the following Article.

(2)The provisions of paragraph (2) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to the examination referred to in the preceding paragraph.

(3)When, as a result of the examination pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), when the amount of the main components, the effectiveness, and the quality of the fertilizer are found to be equivalent to those of a fertilizer similar to that for which official specifications have been established, and the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries confirms that the name of the fertilizer does not violate the provisions of paragraph (2) of Article 26, the minister must provisionally register the fertilizer; provided, however, that this does not apply if the fertilizer is found to be harmful to plants when it is applied to the plants according to the application method provided in the written application, or if it is apparent that an agricultural product that may cause harm to humans and animals will be produced when a specified general-purpose fertilizer is applied to the agricultural product included in the list of applicable plants according to the method provided in the written application.

(4)The provisions of paragraph (3) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to the provisional registration of a specified general-purpose fertilizer under the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

Article 9(1)If the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries finds that the results of the plant growth test provided in a written application are trustworthy after having had the Center test the effectiveness of the provisionally registered fertilizer on plants, the minister must establish official specifications pursuant to the provisions of Article 3 without delay, and must register the fertilizer.

(2)The provisions of paragraph (2) of Article 7 apply mutatis mutandis to the fertilizer effectiveness test referred to in the preceding paragraph.

(3)If the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries finds the results of the plant growth test provided in a written application are not trustworthy as a result of the testing referred to in paragraph (1), the Minister must revoke the provisional registration of the fertilizer, even if the provisional registration is currently valid.

(4)A person who has had their provisional registration revoked pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph must return the provisional registration certificate to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries without delay.

Article 10When the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or a prefectural governor registeres or provisionally registeres a fertilizer, the minister or the governor must issue a registration certificate or provisional registration certificate providing the following particulars to the person whose fertilizer is registered or provisionally registered:

Article 11A person whose fertilizer has been registered or provisionally registered must keep the registration certificate or provisional registration certificate in the principal office and a manufacturer must keep a copy thereof in the place of business where the fertilizer is produced.

Article 12(1)The valid period of registration of a fertilizer is three years (or six years, in the case of a general-purpose fertilizer whose type is specified by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) and the valid period of provisional registration thereof is one year.

(2)The valid period of registration of fertilizer referred to in the preceding paragraph may be renewed by filing an application; provided, however, that this does not apply to a general-purpose fertilizer that no longer meets the official specifications due to a change in the specifications or to a general-purpose fertilizer for which official specifications of the relevant type thereof do not exist due to the discontinuation of the official specifications.

(3)The valid period of provisional registration referred to in paragraph (1) may be renewed by filing an application, only if the effectiveness of the fertilizer cannot be determined based on the fertilizer effectiveness test referred to in paragraph (1) of Article 9 during the valid period thereof.

(4)A person who intends to renew their registration or provisional registration must submit a written application providing the particulars set forth in items (i) through (v) and item (ⅺ) of paragraph (1) of Article 6, along with the registration certificate or provisional registration certificate, to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or the prefectural governor according to the procedure specified by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

(5)A person who intends to renew the registration or provisional registration by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must pay the amount of fee specified by Cabinet Order in consideration of the actual costs to examine the application.

Article 13(1)If any of the following particulars changes, the person for whom a fertilizer has been registered or provisionally registered must notify the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or the prefectural governor of the particular that has changed and the date of the change according to the procedures prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries within two weeks from that date, and if the particular that has changed is the particular provided in the registration certificate or the provisional registration certificate, the person must apply for a revised registration or provisional registration certificate:

(2)A person who is a successor to the person for whom a fertilizer has been registered or provisionally registered, by inheritance or in the merger or splitting of a juridical person, must notify the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or the prefectural governor of this in accordance with the procedures prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, within two weeks from that date, and apply for a revised registration certificate or provisional registration certificate (a person who has inherited a general-purpose fertilizer manufacturing business or a part of the business importing general-purpose fertilizers due to the split-up of a juridical person must apply for the relevant registration or provisional registration certificate).

(3)A person who has lost their registration certificate or provisional registration certificate or damaged/soiled them must notify the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or the prefectural governor of this according to the procedures prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and apply for replacement thereof.

(4)If a manufacturer or importer whose general-purpose fertilizer has been registered or provisionally registered intends to change the name thereof, the manufacturer or importer must notify the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or the prefectural governor of this according to the procedures prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and apply for a revised registration certificate or provisional registration certificate.

Article 13-2(1)A person for whom a specified general-purpose fertilizer has been registered or provisionally registered may file an application for register or provisionally register the change, if it is necessary to change the list of applicable plants or the application method related to the registration or provisional registration, by submitting a written application providing the particulars prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the registration certificate or provisional registration certificate, and the specified general-purpose fertilizer sample to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

(2)When the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries receives a written application pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the minister must have the Center examine the particulars provided in the written application and the specified general-purpose fertilizer sample, and as a result of the examination, if the specified general-purpose fertilizer will be applied to the plants included in the list of applicable plants according to the list of applicable plants and the application method related to the application, the minister must register or provisionally register the change without delay and issue a revised registration certificate or provisional registration certificate, unless it is apparent that an agricultural product that may cause harm to humans or animals could be produced.

(3)The provisions of paragraph (2) of Article 6 apply mutatis mutandis to a person who applies for the registration or provisional registration of a change pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), and the provisions of paragraph (2) of Article 7 apply mutatis mutandis to the examination referred to in the preceding paragraph, and the provisions of paragraph (3) of Article 7 apply mutatis mutandis to the registration or provisional registration of a change pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

Article 13-3(1)When a registered or provisionally registered specified general-purpose fertilizer is applied in accordance with the list of applicable plants and the application method related to the registration or provisional registration, and if an agricultural product that may cause harm to humans or animals could be produced, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may register or provisionally register a change in the application method related to the registration or provisional registration or may revoke the registration or provisional registration of the specific general-purpose fertilizer, if it is necessary to prevent this situation from occurring.

(2)The provisions of paragraph (3) of Article 7 apply mutatis mutandis to the registration or provisional registration of a change or the revocation of registration or provisional registration pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

(3)When the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries registeres or provisionally registeres a change or revokes a registration or provisional registration pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), the Minister must notify the party against which the disposition is imposed of this and of the reasons therefor without delay, and if a change has been registered or provisionally registered, the Minister must issue a registration certificate or provisional registration certificate providing the application method that has been changed.

Article 14If the registration or provisional registration falls under any of the following items, it expires:

Article 15(1)When the valid period of registration or provisional registration has expired or a registration or provisional registration has expired pursuant to the provisions of the preceding Article (excluding item (v)), the person whose fertilizer had been registered or provisionally registered (or the liquidator in a case referred to in item (i) of that Article) must notify the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or the prefectural governor of the reason for the expiration and the expiration date without delay, together with the registration certificate or provisional registration certificate.

(2)In the cases referred to in the following items, the person specified in the relevant item must return the registration certificate or provisional registration certificate (or if the person falls under item (i), the registration certificate or provisional registration certificate providing the application method before it has been changed) to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or a prefectural governor without delay:

Article 16(1)When the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or a prefectural governor registers or provisionally registers a fertilizer, renews the valid period of registration or provisional registration, revokes the provisional registration pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (3) of Article 9, revokes the registration or provisional registration pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of Article 13-3 or paragraphs (1) through (3) of Article 31, or when the registration or provisional registration expires pursuant to the provisions of Article 14, the minister or governor must publicize the following particulars:

(2)When the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or a prefectural governor receives notice of change in the name of a fertilizer referred to in item (ii) of the preceding paragraph or in the particulars referred to in item (vi) of that paragraph pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or (4) of Article 13, the minister or the governor must publicize the particulars that have been changed.

(3)When the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries registeres or provisionally registeres a change pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2) of Article 13-2 or paragraph (1) of Article 13-3, the minister must publicize the particulars that have been changed.

(4)A prefectural governor must notify the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and all other prefectural governors of the particulars publicized by the governor immediately.

Article 16-2(1)An importer of a designated blended fertilizer and a manufacturer of a designated blended fertilizer made by blending one or more types of general-purpose fertilizers referred to in item (i) or (ii) of paragraph (1) of Article 4 as the raw material must notify the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and other manufacturers thereof must notify the prefectural governor who has jurisdiction over the location of the place of business where the designated blended fertilizer is produced, of the following particulars, at least two weeks before the manufacturer or importer of the designated blended fertilizers start their business:

(2)If the agricultural cooperative, etc. is the manufacturer of a designated blended fertilizer made by blending one or more types of general-purpose fertilizers referred to in item (i) or (ii) of paragraph (1) of Article 4 as the raw material, the manufacturer must notify the prefectural governor who has jurisdiction over the location of the place of business where the fertilizer is produced, of the particulars set forth in the respective items of that paragraph, notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

(3)If any of the particulars to be notified referred to in paragraph (1) has changed, the manufacturer or importer of the designated blended fertilizer must notify the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or the prefectural governor of this within two weeks from the date on which the change occurred. The same applies when the manufacturer or importer discontinues their business.

Article 17(1)When a manufacturer or importer produces or imports a general-purpose fertilizer, a written guarantee by manufacturer or a written guarantee by importer including the following particulars must be applied on the container of the fertilizer or package thereof (or applied to each fertilizer to be shipped or a fertilizer in bulk or in bags, if a container or package of fertilizer is not used, the same applies hereinafter) without delay, pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The same applies if the written guarantee has been lost or the particulars included therein is totally illegible during the time when the fertilizer is being possessed or managed by the manufacturer or importer themselves; provided, however, that this does not apply if the importer imports a general-purpose fertilizer which has been registered or provisionally registered pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of Article 33-2:

(2)An importer of a general-purpose fertilizer which has been registered or provisionally registered pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of Article 33-2, a written guarantee by importer including the following particulars must be affixed on the container or package of the fertilizer without delay, pursuant to Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, if the importer opens or changes the container or package of the fertilizer or puts a fertilizer without a container or package into a container or package. The same applies if an importer imports a fertilizer on which a written guarantee by manufacturer is not affixed or the fertilizer whose particulars included therein are illegible, or if the written guarantee by manufacture has been lost or the particulars included therein are illegible during the time when the imported fertilizer is being possessed or managed by the importer themselves:

(3)The particulars referred to in items (v) through (vii) of the preceding paragraph and other particulars prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries need not be provided in a written guarantee by importer referre to in that paragraph, if the importer referred to in that paragraph does not know the particulars.

Article 18(1)If a seller opens or changes the container or package of a general-purpose fertilizer or puts a general-purpose fertilizer without a container or packaging into a container or package, the seller must apply a written guarantee by seller including the following particulars, on the container or package of the fertilizer without delay, as prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The same applies if the seller receives a general-purpose fertilizer on which a written guarantee by manufacturer, a written guarantee by importer, or a written guarantee by seller (hereinafter referred to as a "written guarantee") is not affixed or if the particulars included therein are illegible, or if a written guarantee has been lost or the particulars included therein are illegible during the time when the general-purpose fertilizer is being possessed or managed by the seller themselves.

(2)The particulars referred to in items (v) and (vi) of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article and in item (v) of the preceding paragraph and other particulars prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries need not be provided in a written guarantee by seller referred to in that paragraph, if the seller does not know the particulars.

Article 19(1)No manufacturer, importer, or seller may distribute a general-purpose fertilizer (except for a designated blended fertilizer) to others unless the general-purpose fertilizer has been registered or provisionally registered and a written guarantee is affixed to it, nor may a manufacturer, importer, or seller distribute a designated blended fertilizer unless a written guarantee is affixed to it.

(2)Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, a manufacturer, importer, or seller may distribute a general-purpose fertilizer to others if the manufacturer, importer, or seller has obtain the permission from the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or the prefectural governor, pursuant to the provisions of an order, if the fertilizer no longer meets the specifications provided in the registration certificate or provisional registration certificate due to a natural disaster, and if a compelling reason specified by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has occurred.

(3)If a change in the application method related to registration or provisional registration or the registration or provisional registration has been revoked pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of Article 13-3 (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph (6) of Article 33-2) or in any other case, if it is necessary to prevent a situation in which an agricultural product that may cause harm to humans or animals could be produced by applying the specified general-purpose fertilizer to it, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may inform a manufacturer, importer, or seller that they are not allowed to distribute or deliver a specified general-purpose fertilizer unless the details of the written guarantee are changed, and the minister may restrict the manufacturer, importer or seller from distributing or delivering the fertilizer, or prohibit them from distributing or delivering the fertilizer.

Article 20A written guarantee must not include particulars other than those set forth in the items of paragraph (1) or (2) of Article 17 or the items of paragraph (1) of Article 18 or any false information, and a trademark and a trade name, and a written guarantee by manufacture or a written guarantee by importer must not include particulars other than the shipping number and shipping date, and must not include any false information.

Article 21If the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or the prefectural governor may order the manufacturer or importer of a general-purpose fertilizer that has been registered or provisionally registered or those of a designated blended fertilizer of which notification has been accepted by the minister or the prefectural governor, to indicate a caution sign for the fertilizer to apply or store, or blending ratio of raw materials, and any particulars necessary to clearly specify the quality and effectiveness, on the container or package of the fertilizer.

Article 21-2A person applying a fertilizer may not apply any specified general-purpose fertilizer unless a written guarantee is affixed to it (except a specified general-purpose fertilizer if of which distribution or delivery is prohibited pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (3) of Article 19); provided, however, that this does not apply if the specified general-purpose fertilizer is applied for testing and research purposes and in other cases prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Article 21-3(1)When the specified general-purpose fertilizer is established pursuant to the provisions of item (iv) of paragraph (1) of Article 4, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must specify the time to apply, method to apply the specified general-purpose fertilizer and establish the standards for each type of specified general-purpose fertilizer, by issuing Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, which must be complied with by the person who applies the specified general purpose-fertilizer.

(2)The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may change the standards referred to in the preceding paragraph if the minister finds it necessary.

(3)A specified general-purpose fertilizer must not be applied in violation of the standards referred to in paragraph (1) (or if the standards have been changed pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the revised standards).

(4)If the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries intends to enact, amend, or repeal the Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries referred to in paragraph (1), the minister must hear the opinions of the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare and the Minister of the Environment before doing so.

Article 22(1)A manufacturer or importer of a special fertilizer must notify the prefectural governor who has jurisdiction over the location of the place of business where the fertilizer is produced or the place where it is imported of the following particulars by two weeks prior to the start of business:

(2)When any of the particular to be notified referred to in the preceding paragraph has changed, the manufacturer or importer of the special-purpose fertilizer must notify the relevant prefectural governor of this no later than two weeks from the date on which the change occurred. The same applies when the manufacturer or importer discontinues the business.

Article 22-2(1)The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is to prescribe the particulars of labeling standards regarding the following particulars, for each type of special-purpose fertilizer prescribed by Cabinet Order as those for which proper labeling of fertilizer quality needs to be enforced, due to the fact that it is very difficult for consumers to discern the quality when purchasing the special-purpose fertilizer and it is particularly necessary for the consumers to discern the quality for the purpose of fertilizer application, and is to issue public notice of particulars concerning the labeling standards:

(2)A prefectural governor may suggest that the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries should prescribe the details of requirements that should be used as the labeling standard referred to in the preceding paragraph, by providing the types of special-purpose fertilizers.

Article 22-3(1)If any of the manufacturers, importers, or sellers does not indicate the particulars set forth in item (i) of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article which was publicized pursuant to the provisions of that paragraph (hereinafter referred to as the "particulars to be indicated") or does not comply with the requirements referred to in item (ii) of that paragraph that have been publicized pursuant to the provisions of that paragraph (hereinafter referred to as the "particulars to be followed"), the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may provide the details of requirements to the manufacturer, importer, or seller, or provide instructions for them to comply with the requirements to be followed.

(2)If any of the manufacturer, importer, or seller does not comply with the instructions referred to in the preceding paragraph, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries publicize the fact.

Article 23(1)A manufacturer, importer, or seller must notify the prefectural governor who has jurisdiction over the location of its place of business of the following particulars for each place of business that sells fertilizer, no later than two weeks from the date on which the place of business stared to sell fertilizer:

(2)If any of the particulars to be notified referred to in the preceding paragraph has changed, the manufacturer, importer, or seller must notify the relevant prefectural governor of this within two weeks from the date on which the change has occurred. The same applies if the manufacturer, importer, or seller discontinues the sale of fertilizer.

Article 24(1)It is prohibited for any person to counterfeit, alter, or improperly use a written guarantee, or to affix a forged or altered written guarantee or any thing similar to a written guarantee which is likely to mislead consumer, to a fertilizer sold by the person or to its container or package.

(2)It is prohibited for any person to use a container or package labeled with the name, trademark, or trade name of any other manufacturer , importer, or seller, or labeled with the name or components of any other fertilizer, as the container or package of a fertilizer sold by the person, unless the indications are erased.

Article 25A manufacturer, importer, or seller must not mix any foreign substance into a fertilizer produced, imported, or sold by them, that may result in reduced quality of the fertilizer; provided, however, that this does not apply if the manufacturer of a general-purpose fertilizer of which type is specified by Cabinet Order mixes an agricultural chemical or any other substance specified by the official specifications into a general-purpose fertilizer, according to the official specifications.

Article 26(1)A manufacturer, importer, or seller must not falsely advertise the amount of main components, or the effectiveness of a fertilizer produced, imported, or sold by them.

(2)A manufacturer, importer, or seller must not use a name that is likely to mislead consumer about the components or effectiveness of a fertilizer produced, imported, or sold by them.

Article 27(1)The manufacturer of a fertilizer must maintain the books of accounts at each place of business that produces fertilizer, and must include the name and quantity of fertilizer in the books of accounts each day, when it is produced.

(2)The manufacturer, importer, or seller of a fertilizer must maintain the books of accounts at each place of business at which the fertilizer is produced, imported, or sold, and the name and quantity of the fertilizer, the date, and the name of the other party must be entered in the books of accounts each time the manufacturer, importer or seller purchases or imports or sells the fertilizer to any other manufacturer, importer, or seller.

(3)The books of accounts referred to in the preceding two paragraphs must be preserved for two years.

Article 28Deleted

Article 29(1)If the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or a prefectural governor finds it necessary to achieve the purpose of this Act, the minister or the prefectural governor may collect a report on the business or the application of fertilizers from a manufacturer, importer, transport service provider, forwarding agent, or warehousing service providers of fertilizers, or from a person who applies the fertilizer.

(2)The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may collect a report on the business from a seller to the extent necessary for the enforcement of the provisions of paragraph (3) of Article 19, Article 22-3 and paragraph (4) of Article 31 or Article 31-2.

(3)A prefectural governor may collect a report on the business from a seller if the governor finds it necessary to achieve the purpose of this Act.

(4)When the prefectural governor collects a report under the provisions of paragraph (1) or the preceding paragraph and it is apparent that a manufacturer, importer, or seller fails to indicate the particulars to be indicated or fails to comply with the requirements to be followed, or that a manufacturer, importer, or seller has distributed or delivered the fertilizers in violation of the provisions of paragraph (1) or (3) of Article 19 or paragraph (4) of Article 31, the prefectural governor must report this to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Article 30(1)If the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or a prefectural governor finds it necessary to regulate fertilizers, the minister or the prefectural governor may have their officials enter the place of work, warehouse, vehicle, farm, or any other place related to the service to store the fertilizer or where the fertilizer is applied, of the manufacturer, importer, transport service provider, forwarding agent, or warehousing service provider, or a person who applies the fertilizer, and have them inspect the fertilizer, its raw materials, or books of accounts and documents and other necessary items related to the conditions of business or the application of the fertilizer, or question the relevant persons, or may have the officials take a sample of the fertilizer or its raw materials without any charge, but only the minimum amount needed for an analysis.

(2)The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may have their officials enter a place of work, warehouse, or any other place of the seller, inspect the books of accounts and documents related to the fertilizer or the business (including electronic or magnetic records (meaning records used in computer data processing which are prepared in an electronic form, magnetic form, or any other form that cannot be perceived by human senses) if electronic or magnetic records have been prepared, maintained, and preserved instead of books of accounts and documents); the same applies in paragraphs (1) and (2) of Article 33-3 and item (vi) of paragraph (1) of Article 33 of the following paragraph), or question the relevant persons, to the extent necessary for the enforcement of the provisions of paragraph (3) of Article 19, Article 22-3, paragraph (4) of Article 31 or Article 31-2.

(3)If a prefectural governor finds it necessary to regulate a fertilizer, the prefectural governor may have their officials enter a place of work, warehouse of the seller, or any other place related to the sale of the fertilizer, inspect the books of accounts and documents related to the fertilizer or the business, or question the relevant persons, and may have the officials take a sample of the fertilizer without charge, but only the minimum amount needed for an analysis.

(4)If an on-site inspection or questioning has been carried out pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or the preceding paragraph, and it is apparent that a manufacturer, importer, or seller fails to indicate the particulars to be indicated or fails to comply with the particulars to be followed, or that a manufacturer, importer, or seller distributes or delivers fertilizers in violation of the provisions of paragraph (1) or (3) of Article 19 or paragraph (4) of Article 31, the relevant prefectural governor must report this to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

(5)The authority for on-site inspections, questioning, and sample taking under the provisions of paragraphs (1) through (3) may not be interpreted as having been granted for the purpose of criminal investigation.

(6)In the cases referred to in paragraphs (1) through (3), an official of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or prefecture who performs the duties must carry an identification card and present it when the official is requested to so by the relevant persons.

(7)If the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or a prefectural governor has had their official taken a sample of fertilizer or its raw materials pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or (3), a summary of the analysis results of the fertilizer or raw materials are publicized in a newspaper or by other means.

Article 30-2(1)If the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries finds it necessary in a case referred to in paragraph (1) or (2) of the preceding Article, the minister may have the Center enter the place of work, warehouse, vehicle, farm, or any other place related to the manufacture, import or sale of a fertilizer or place related to the service to store the fertilizer or where the fertilizer is applied, of the person or a seller specified in paragraph (1) of that Article, and have the Center analyze the fertilizer, its raw materials, or inspect the books of accounts and documents and other necessary items related to the conditions of business and the application of the fertilizer, or question the relevant persons, or may have the Center take a sample of a fertilizer or its raw materials without charge, but only the minimum amount needed for analysis.

(2)If the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has the Center carry out an on-site inspection, questioning, or taking a sample of a fertilizer (hereinafter referred to as "on-site inspection, etc.") pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the minister is to provide the date, place, and other necessary particulars regarding the on-site inspection, etc. and give instruction to the Center to implement the on-site inspection.

(3)When the Center carries out an on-site inspection, etc. referred to in paragraph (1) in accordance with the instructions referred to in the preceding paragraph, the Center must report the results to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries as provided for by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

(4)The provisions of paragraphs (5) and (6) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to an on-site inspection, etc. under the provisions of paragraph (1), and the provisions of paragraph (7) of that Article apply mutatis mutandis to taking a sample of a fertilizer under the provisions of paragraph (1).

Article 31(1)If the manufacturer or importer of a general-purpose fertilizer that has been registered or provisionally registered by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or the manufacturer or importer of a designated blended fertilizer related to the notification, violates the provisions of this Act or an order under this Act, the minister may restrict or prohibit the person from distributing or delivering the fertilizer or may revoke the registration or provisional registration of the fertilizer.

(2)If a seller related to the notification, the manufacture of a general-purpose fertilizer registered or a designated blended fertilizer related to the notification, or the manufacturer or importer of a special-purpose fertilizer related to the notification, violates the provisions of this Act or an order under this Act (excluding when the person fails to indicate the particular to be indicated or fails to comply with the particulars that must be followed), the prefectural governor may restrict or prohibit the person from distributing or delivering the fertilizer, or may revoke the registration of the fertilizer.

(3)If it is apparent that a registered or provisionally-registered general-purpose fertilizer, a designated blended fertilizer, or a special-purpose fertilizer cause harm to plants when applied according to the normal application method, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may restrict or prohibit the manufacturer or importer of a fertilizer specified in paragraph (1) from distributing or delivering the fertilizer or may revoke the registered or provisional registered fertilizer, and the prefectural governor may restrict or prohibit the manufacturer, importer, or seller of a fertilizer specified in the preceding paragraph from distributing or delivering the fertilizer or may revoke the registered or provisional registered fertilizer, if it is necessary to prevent the harm from occurring.

(4)If the quality of a fertilizer is turned out to be poor as a result of the analysis conducted by the Center according to the inspection method specified by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Minister may restrict or prohibit the distribution, delivery or application of the fertilizer, if it is necessary to prevent such a situation from occurring.

(5)If a seller is selling a fertilizer that is apparently harmful to plants because a foreign substance was mixed into it in violation of the provisions of Article 25 or is selling a fertilizer that is apparently harmful to plants when applied according to the normal application method, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may give instructions to the prefectural governor who has jurisdiction over the place of business that the governor should implement a disposition against the seller under the provisions of paragraphs (2) and (3), if it is necessary to prevent the wide spread of the harm.

(6)A person whose registered or provisionally registered fertilizer has been revoked pursuant to the provisions of paragraphs (1) through (3) must return the registration certificate or provisional registration certificate to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or to the prefectural governor without delay.

(7)If a disposition referred to in paragraphs (1) through (4) is implemented (excluding the revocation of a registration or provisional registration), the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must promptly notify all prefectural governors of this, if it is implemented by the minister, and the governor must promptly notify the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and all other prefectural governors of this, if it is implemented by the governor.

Article 31-2If a manufacturer, importer, or seller distributes or deliveres a fertilizer in violation of the provisions of paragraph (1) or (3) of Article 19 or paragraph (4) of the preceding Article, and it is necessary to prevent the situation in which an agricultural product could be produced that may cause harm to humans or animals due to the fertilizer application, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may order the person to recall the fertilizer and to take any other necessary measures.

Article 32A person whose registered or provisionally registered fertilizer has been revoked pursuant to the provisions of paragraphs (1) through (3) of Article 31 may not apply for registration or provisional registration of the general-purpose fertilizer for the second time during the one-year period after the revocation date.

Article 33(1)If the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or a prefectural governor intends to register or provisionally register a change pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of Article 13-3, to restrict or prohibit the distribution or delivery of a fertilizer pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (3) of Article 31, or to implement a disposition so that the minister or prefectural governor may restrict or prohibit the distribution, delivery, or application of a fertilizer under the provisions of paragraph (4) of Article 31, the minister or prefectural governor must conduct a hearing, regardless of the categories of procedures for statement of opinions under the provisions of paragraph (1) of Article 13 of the Administrative Procedure Act (Act No. 88 of 1993).

(2)The proceedings on the hearing date for the revocation of registration or provisional registration under the provisions of paragraph (3) of Article 9, paragraph (1) of Article 13-3 or the provisions of paragraphs (1) through (3) of Article 31, for registration or provisional registration of a change under the provisions of paragraph (1) of Article 13-3, for the restriction or prohibition of the distribution or delivery of a fertilizer under the provisions of paragraph (3) of Article 31, or for a disposition implemented to restrict or prohibit the distribution, delivery, or application of a fertilizer under the provisions of paragraph (4) of that Article must be open to the public.

Article 33-2(1)A person who, in the course of trade, produces a general-purpose fertilizer in a foreign country exported to Japan (excluding a designated blended fertilizer) may have the each general-purpose fertilizer brand registered by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for which official specifications have been established or may have each feneral-purpose fertilizer brand for which official specifications have not been established provisionall registered by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries .

(2)A person who intends to register or provisionally register a fertilizer pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, when applying for the registration or provisional registration, must appoint a person who takes necessary measures to prevent the distribution of poor-quality fertilizers in Japan, from among persons whose address is registered in Japan (including the representative of the office of a foreign juridical person having the office in Japan).

(3)If the person whose fertilizer has been registered or provisionally registered pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as a "registered foreign manufacturer") changes the person appointed pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph (hereinafter referred to as a "domestic administrator"), or the name or address of the domestic administrator has changed, a person must notify the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of this in accordance with the procedures prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries within thirty days from the relevant date.

(4)A registered foreign manufacturer must maintain the books of accounts at each place of business that produces or sells fertilizer, and must enter the name and quantity of general-purpose fertilizer that has been registered or provisionally registered pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) therein, each day they produce the general-purpose fertilizer to export from their country to Japan, and must enter the name and quantity of the fertilizer, the date, and the name of the other party therein each time they sell the fertilizer, and must inform the domestic administrator of the particulars entered in the books of accounts which must be preserved for two years.

(5)A domestic administrator must maintain the books of accounts at their domicile or principal office, and enter the particulars therein which they have been informed of pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, and preserve the books for two years.

(6)The provisions of Articles 6 through 8, paragraphs (1) through (3) of Article 9, Article 10, Article 12, Article 14 (excluding item (iii)), and paragraphs (1) through (3) of Article 16 apply mutatis mutandis to registration or provisional registration under the provisions of paragraph (1); the provisions of paragraph (4) of Article 9, Articles 11, 13, 13-2, and 15, paragraph (1) of Article 17 (excluding the proviso), Articles 20, 21, and 25 apply mutatis mutandis to a registered foreign manufacturer; the provisions of Article 13-3 apply mutatis mutandis to specified general-purpose fertilizer that has been registered or provisionally registered pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1); the provisions of Article 26 apply mutatis mutandis to a registered foreign manufacturer and their domestic administrator; and the provisions of paragraph (1) of Article 29 apply mutatis mutandis to a domestic administrator.In this case, the phrase the "Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or a prefectural governor" in these provisions is deemed to be replaced with the "Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries"; the phrase the "name and address" in item (i) of paragraph (1) of Article 6 is deemed to be replaced with the "name and address of the person intending to file an application for registration or provisional registration under the provisions of paragraph (1) of Article 33-2 and the name and address of the person appointed by the person pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2) of that Article"; the phrase a "manufacturer that produces" in item (iv) of that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "that produces"; the phrase a " copy thereof in case of a manufacturer" in Article 11 is deemed to be replaced with "a copy thereof"; the phrase "two weeks" in paragraph (1) of Article 13 is deemed to be replaced with "thirty days"; the phrase a "manufacturer that produces" in item (ii) of that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "that produces"; the phrase "two weeks" in paragraph (2) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "thirty days"; the phrase "manufactuer or import" in item (ii) of Article 14 is deemed to be replaced with "manufacture"; the phrase "paragraphs (1) through (3) of Article 31" in paragraph (1) of Article 16 is deemed to be replaced with "paragraph (1) of Article 33-5"; the phrase a "manufacturer or importer" in item (vi) of that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "person whose fertilizer has been registered or provisionally registered pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of Article 33-2 and the person appointed by the person pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2) of that Article"; the phrase "paragraph (1) or (4) of Article 13" in paragraph (2) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "paragraph (1) or (4) of Article 13 or paragraph (3) of Article 33-2"; the phrases "has produced or imported a general-purpose fertilizer" in paragraph (1) of Article 17 is deemed to be replaced with "has produced a general-purpose fertilizer that has been registered or provisionally registered pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of Article 33-2 to be exported from their country to Japan" and a "written guarantee by manufacturer or a written guarantee by importer," is deemed to be replaced with a "written guarantee by manufacturer" respectively; the phrase "produced or imported" in item (v) of that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "produced"; the phrase a "manufacturer that produced" in item (vi) of that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "has produced"; the phrase a "statement indicating that it is a provisionally registered fertilizer or a designated blended fertilizer" in item (xi) of that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with a "statement indicating that it is a general-purpose fertilizer that has been registered or provisionally registered pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of Article 33-2"; the phrases the "items of paragraph (1) or items of paragraph (2) of Article 17 or the items of paragraph (1) of Article 18" in Article 20 is deemed to be replaced with the "items of paragraph (1) of Article 17" and the term "and in case of a written guaranted by manufacture or a written guarantee by importer" in Article 20 is deemed to be replaced with "and" respectively; the phrase "may order" in Article 21 is deemed to be replaced with "may request"; and the phrase a "fertilizer produced, imported, or sold by" in Articles 25 and 26 is deemed to be replaced with a "general-purpose fertilizer that has been registered or provisionally registered pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of Article 33-2 and that is to be exported from their country to Japan."

Article 33-3(1)If the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries finds it necessary to enforce regulations on a fertilizer, the minister may have their officials enter a domestic administrator's office or any other place related to the business, inspect the books of accounts and documents related to the business, and question the relevant persons.

(2)If the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries finds it necessary in the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, the minister may have the Center enter a domestic administrator's office or any other place related to the business, inspect the books of accounts and documents related to the business, and question the relevant persons.

(3)The provisions of paragraphs (5) and (6) of Article 30 apply mutatis mutandis to an on-site inspection or questioning pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), and the provisions of paragraphs (2) through (4) of Article 30-2 apply mutatis mutandis to an on-site inspection or questioning pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2) respectively.

Article 33-4(1)The importer of a general-purpose fertilizer that has been registered or provisionally registered pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of Article 33-2 must notify the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of the following particulars at least two weeks before they start the business; provided, however, that this does not apply if the importer is the registered foreign manufacturer or the domestic administrator of the fertilizer.

(2)If any of the particulars to be notified referred to in the preceding paragraph has changed, the importer who submitted the notification pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph must notify the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of this. The same applies when the importer discontinues the business.

(3)An importer must not distribute any imported fertilizer to which a written guarantee which is wrongfully used, forged, or altered, or anything that is likely to mislead consumers is affixed to any other person (including the fertilizer, if any of these are affixed to its container or package).

(4)An importer must not distribute an imported fertilizer whose container or package indicating the name, trademark, or trade name, or the components of the imported fertilizer produced by another person to any other person, without erasing the information on the label .

Article 33-5(1)If a registered foreign manufacturer falls under any of the following items, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may revoke the registration or provisional registration:

(2)A person whose registered or provisionally registered fertilizer has been revoked pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph must return the registration certificate or provisional registration certificate to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries without delay.

(3)A person whose registered or provisionally registered fertilizer has been revoked pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) may not file an application for registration of the general-purpose fertilizer registered or provisionally registered for the second time for one year from the revocation date.

(4)The provisions of paragraph (1) of Article 33 apply mutatis mutandis to a disposition implemented to register or provisionally register a change under the provisions of paragraph (1) of Article 13 as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph (6) of Article 33-2; the provisions of paragraph (2) of Article 33 apply mutatis mutandis to the revocation of registration or provisional registration under the provisions of paragraph (3) of Article 9 or paragraph (1) of Article 13-3 or under the provisions of paragraph (1) as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph (6) of Article 33-2, or to a hearing regarding a disposition implemented to register or provisionally register a change under the provisions of paragraph (1) of Article 13-2 as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph (6) of Article 33-2; and the provisions of paragraph (2) of Article 34 apply mutatis mutandis to the disposition implemented against an application to register or provisionally register a change under the provisions of paragraph (1) of Article 13-2 as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph (6) of Article 33-2.

Article 33-6If the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries finds it necessary to ensure the proper implementation of duties to conduct an examination referred to in paragraph (1) of Article 7, paragraph (1) of Article 8 or paragraph (2) of Article 13-2 (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph (6) of Article 33-2), the testing of fertilizer effectiveness referred to in paragraph (1) of Article 9 (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph (6) of Article 33-2), an on-site inspection, etc. referred to in paragraph (1) of Article 30-2, an analysis referred to in paragraph (4) of Article 31, or on-site inspection and questioning referred to in paragraph (2) of Article 33-3, the Minister may issue orders to the Center necessary for the duties.

Article 34(1)A person who has filed an application for registration by the prefectural governor pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of Article 6 may request for an administrative review, if the prefectural governor fails to implement a disposition regarding the application within fifty days from the date on which the application was filed, and thereby the application is deemed to have been dismissed.

(2)When a request for an administrative review or an objection against the disposition implemented for an application for registration or provisional registration, the disposition implemented for an application to register or provisionally register a change under the provisions of paragraph (1) of Article 13-2, a disposition implemented to restrict or prohibit the distribution or delivery of a fertilize under the provisions of paragraph (1) or (2) of Article 31 (excluding a disposition implemented against a seller under the provisions of paragraph (2) of Article 31) or a disposition implemented to issue an order under the provisions of Article 31-2, is filed with the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the minister must hear the opinions of the person who requested the administrative review or the person filing the objection in public, by informing them of the date and place in advance.

(3)When an objection for disposition to restrict or prohibit the distribution or delivery of a fertilizer under the provisions of paragraph (2) of Article 31 (limited to a disposition against sellers) is filed with the prefectural governor, the governor must hear the opinions of the person filing the objection in public, by informing them of the date and place in advance.

Article 35(1)If a fertilizer is produced, imported, distributed, transported, or stored to export to another country, or if a fertilizer designated by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is produced, imported, distributed, transported, or stored for industrial use or being used as feed, this Act does not apply to these cases pursuant to the Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The same applies if a fertilizer designated by a prefectural governor is produced, imported, distributed, transported, or stored within the prefectural area for industrial use or being used as feed.

(2)In order to designate a fertilizer pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the prefectural governor must consult with the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in advance.

Article 35-2The authority of the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries as provided for in this Act may be partially delegated to the Director of Regional Agricultural Administration Office, pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Article 35-3The administrative functions set forth in the following items among those that are to be administered by the prefecture pursuant to the provisions of this Act, are Type 1 statutorily entrusted functions specified in item (i) of paragraph (9) of Article 2 of the Local Autonomy Act (Act No. 67 of 1947):

Article 35-4If an order is enacted or amended or repealed pursuant to the provisions of this Act, the order may prescribe any necessary transitional measures (including transitional measures for penal provisions) to the extent considered reasonably necessary for the enactment or amendment to or repeal of the order.

Article 36A person who falls under any of the following items is punished by imprisonment with work for up to three years, a fine of up to one million yen, or both:

Article 37A person who falls under any of the following items is punished by imprisonment with work for up to one year, a fine of up to 500,000 yen, or both:

Article 38A person who falls under any of the following items is punished by a fine of up to 500,000 yen:

Article 39A person who falls under any of the following items is punished by a fine of up to 300,000 yen.

Article 40If the representative of a juridical person or the agent, worker, or any other worker of a juridical person or individual commits a violation referred to in Article 36 through the preceding Article in connection with the business of the juridical person or individual, not only the offender is punished but also, the juridical person or individual is punished by the fine prescribed respectively in the following items, and the violator is punished by the fine prescribed in the respective Articles:

Article 41If a person violats an order under the provisions of Article 33-6, the officer of the Center who commits the violation is punished with a civil fine of up to 200,000 yen.

Article 42A person who violates the provisions of paragraph (4) of Article 9; paragraph (2) of Article 15; paragraph (3) of Article 27; paragraph (6) of Article 31; or paragraph (5) of Article 33-2 is punished by a civil fine of up to 100,000 yen.