Article 6-2(1)National government and local governments must endeavor to undertake the necessary measures to enable medical care recipients to easily acquire the necessary information for choosing a hospital, clinic, or birthing center.

(2)Organizers and administrators of medical institutions must endeavor to provide accurate and well-suited information on the medical care provided thereby, and to appropriately respond to queries from patients or their families, to enable medical care recipients to choose appropriate health and medical services.

(3)In order to contribute to the efficient provision of high-quality and appropriate medical care, citizens must endeavor to deepen their understanding of the importance of the sharing of functions and the coordination of operations among medical institutions, and to choose and receive medical care appropriately according to the functions of medical institutions.

Article 6-3(1)The administrator of a hospital, clinic, or birthing center (hereinafter referred to as "hospital, etc." in this Article) must report the particulars prescribed by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as necessary information for enabling medical care recipients to choose an appropriate hospital, etc. to the prefectural governor of the location of the relevant hospital, etc., pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and must make documents describing such particulars available for inspection within the relevant hospital, etc.

(2)If a change arises with regard to particulars reported pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the administrator of a hospital, etc. must promptly promptly to the prefectural governor of the location of the relevant hospital, etc., and amend the details of the documents provided for in the preceding paragraph, pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(3)In lieu of making documents pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) available for inspection, the administrator of a hospital, etc., pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, may provide the particulars that should be stated in the relevant documents by electronic or magnetic means (which means a method using an electronic data processing system or other information communication technology; the same applies in paragraph (2) of the following Article and Article 6-4-2, paragraph (2)) specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(4)If a prefectural governor finds it necessary in order to confirm the details of a report pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or paragraph (2), the governor may request the necessary information concerning a hospital, etc. situated within the boundaries of the relevant prefecture from a municipality or other public agency.

(5)A prefectural governor is to make public the particulars reported thereto pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) and paragraph (2), pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(6)If the administrator of a hospital, etc. fails to report pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or paragraph (2) or has made a false report, the prefectural governor may order the organizer of the relevant hospital, etc. to have the relevant administrator give the relevant report or correct the details of the relevant report within a period that the governor prescribes.

Article 6-4(1)When a patient has been admitted, the administrator of a hospital or clinic must have the physician or dentist responsible for their treatment prepare documents describing the following information, deliver them to the relevant patient or their family, and give an appropriate explanation thereof, pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare; provided, however, that this does not apply where the patient is expected to be discharged from the hospital in a short period of time or where prescribed by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare:

(2)In lieu of delivering the documents as set forth in the preceding paragraph, the administrator of a hospital or clinic, pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, may provide the particulars that should be stated in the relevant documents by electronic or magnetic means specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, with the consent of the patient or their family.

(3)When a patient is being discharged from the hospital, the administrator of the relevant hospital or clinic must endeavor to have documents that describe the particulars related to health and medical services or welfare services that will be necessary for their treatment after being discharged from the hospital prepared, delivered, and appropriately explained.

(4)In preparing the documents as set forth in paragraph (1), the administrator of a hospital or clinic must endeavor to properly reflect the opinions of the physicians, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, and other employees who work at the relevant hospital or clinic, and to appropriately provide medical care during hospitalization through organic coordination between these parties, based on the contents of the relevant documents.

(5)In preparing the documents set forth in paragraph (3), the administrator of a hospital or clinic must endeavor to seek cooperation with providers of the health and medical services or welfare services that are necessary for the relevant patient's treatment after the patient is discharged from the hospital.

Article 6-4-2(1)The administrator of a birthing center (or in the case of a midwife who only does house calls, the relevant midwife; the same applies in the following paragraph), when the administrator has promised to provide midwifery services to a pregnant woman or a woman in labor (hereinafter referred to as "pregnant woman, etc." in this Article and Article 19, paragraph (2)), must ensure, pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare that the midwife in charge of providing midwifery services to the relevant pregnant woman, etc. delivers a document stating the following information and provides appropriate explanation to the relevant pregnant woman, etc. or her family;

(2)In lieu of delivering the documents as set forth in the preceding paragraph, the administrator of a birthing center, pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, provide the particulars that should be stated in the relevant documents by electronic or magnetic means specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, with the consent of the pregnant woman, etc. or her family.

Article 6-5(1)No party, when placing any advertisement or making any other representation as a means of inducing medical care recipients (hereinafter simply referred to as "advertisement" in this Section) with regard to medical practice or dental practice, or hospitals or clinics, are to run false advertisements, regardless of whether it is made in writing or by any other means.

(2)In the case prescribed in the preceding paragraph, the contents and methods of the advertisement must conform to the following standards so as not to hinder appropriate selection of medical care by medical care recipients:

(3)In the case prescribed in paragraph (1), advertisement of particulars other than those listed below must not be placed, except in cases specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as cases where there is little risk of hindering appropriate selection of medical care by medical care recipients even if advertisement of particulars other than those listed below is placed:

(4)When the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare intends to plan the enactment, revision or abolition of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare set forth in item (iv) of paragraph (2) or the preceding paragraph, or to prepare a draft of the particulars listed in item (viii) or items (xii) through (xiv) of the preceding paragraph, the minister must hear the opinions of groups of persons with the relevant knowledge and experience in medical practice in order to plan or prepare based on expert scientific opinions on medical care.

Article 6-6(1)Clinical department names pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (3), item (ii) of the preceding Article are to be the clinical department names of medical practices and dental practices prescribed by a Cabinet Order, or clinical department names other than such clinical department names in which the practicing physician or dentist has been given permission by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(2)The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare must hear the opinions of academic societies of medicine and medical science and the Medical Ethics Council, when planning to enact, amend, or abolish the Cabinet Order set forth in the preceding paragraph.

(3)In granting the permission set forth in paragraph (1), the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare must hear the opinions of the Medical Ethics Council in advance.

(4)If an advertisement of a clinical department name that is related to the permission under the provisions of paragraph (1) is placed, the name of the physician or dentist who received that permission must be advertised alongside the relevant clinical department name.

Article 6-7(1)No party, when placing any advertisement with regard to midwifery services or birthing centers, is to run false advertisement, regardless of whether it is made in writing or by any other means.

(2)In the case prescribed in the preceding paragraph, the contents and methods of the advertisement must conform to the following standards so as not to hinder appropriate selection of medical care by medical care recipients:

(3)In the case prescribed in paragraph (1), no advertisement of particulars other than those listed below are to be placed, except in cases specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as cases where there is little risk of hindering appropriate selection of medical care by medical care recipients even if advertisement of particulars other than those listed below is placed:

Article 6-8(1)If a prefectural governor, a mayor of a city with a public health center, or a mayor of a special ward of Tokyo finds that the advertisement related to a medical practice, a dental practice, or midwifery services, or to a hospital, clinic, or birthing center violates the provisions of Article 6-5, paragraphs (1) through (3) or the preceding Article, the governor or mayor may order the party that placed the relevant advertisement to report as required, or may have the relevant official enter the offices of the party that placed the relevant advertisement, and inspect documents or other articles related to the relevant advertisement.

(2)If a prefectural governor, a mayor of a city with a public health center, or a mayor of a special ward of Tokyo finds that the advertisement related to a medical practice, a dental practice, or midwifery services, or to a hospital, clinic or birthing center violates the provisions of Article 6-5, paragraph (2) or (3), or paragraph (2) or (3) of the preceding Article, the governor or mayor may order the party that placed the relevant advertisement to discontinue the relevant advertisement or correct its contents by a set deadline.

(3)An official who enters and inspects pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) must carry a certificate for identification and present it when requested by the concerned parties.

(4)The authority granted pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) is not be construed as being approved for a criminal investigation.

Article 6-9The national government, prefectures, cities with public health centers and special wards of Tokyo must endeavor to undertake the necessary measures to ensure safety in medical care, including the provision of information on safety in medical care, training, and raising awareness on compliance.

Article 6-10(1)The administrator of a hospital, clinic, or birthing center (hereinafter referred to as "hospital, etc." in this Chapter), when a medical accident (meaning a death or stillbirth caused or suspected to be caused by medical care provided by medical care professionals working in the relevant hospital, etc. and determined by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as a death or stillbirth which the relevant administrator did not expect; the same applies hereinafter in this Chapter) has occurred, the administrator must immediately report the date, time, place and circumstances of the relevant medical accident and other particulars specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to the medical accident investigation and support center set forth in Article 6-15, paragraph (1), pursuant to an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(2)Prior to the submission of a report pursuant to the provision of the preceding paragraph, the administrator of the hospital, etc. must explain to the bereaved family of the deceased pertaining to the medical accident or the parents of the stillborn baby pertaining to the medical accident and other persons specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (hereinafter simply referred to as "bereaved family" in this Chapter) about the particulars specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare; provided, however, that this does not apply when there is no bereaved family or the whereabouts of the bereaved family are unknown.

Article 6-11(1)In the event of a medical accident, the administrator of a hospital, etc., pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, must immediately conduct an investigation necessary to clarify the cause of the accident (hereinafter referred to as "medical accident investigation" in this Chapter).

(2)The administrator of a hospital, etc. is to seek the support necessary for conducting medical accident investigations from an academic organization related to medicine and medical science or any other organization specified by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare (in the case of an organization that is not a corporation, it is to be limited to an organization with a designated representative or administrator; referred to as "medical accident investigation support organization" in the following paragraph and Article 6-22).

(3)When a medical accident investigation support organization is requested to provide support in accordance with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, it is to provide the necessary support for medical accident investigation.

(4)When the administrator of a hospital, etc. has completed a medical accident investigation, the administrator must immediately report the results to the medical accident investigation and support center set forth in Article 6-15, paragraph (1), pursuant to an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(5)Prior to the submission of a report pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the administrator of the hospital, etc. must explain to the bereaved family about the particulars specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare; provided, however, that this does not apply when there is no bereaved family or the whereabouts of the bereaved family are unknown.

Article 6-12Beyond what is provided for in the preceding two Articles, the administrator of a hospital, etc., pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, must take measures to ensure the safety of medical care in the relevant hospital, etc., such as formulating guidelines to ensure the safety of medical care and providing training for employees.

Article 6-13(1)Prefectures, cities with public health centers, and special wards (hereinafter referred to as "prefectures, etc." in this Article and the following Article) must endeavor to provide facilities (hereinafter such a facility is referred to as a "medical care safety support center") for the implementation of the following operations, in order to undertake the measures provided for in Article 6-9:

(2)When a medical care safety support center has been established pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the prefecture, etc. must provide public notice of its name and location.

(3)A prefecture, etc. may entrust the operations of a medical care safety support center to a general incorporated association, general incorporated foundation, or to another party prescribed by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(4)Personnel (including parties to whom operations have been entrusted pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph (and their officers in the case that such a party is a corporation) and their personnel) who are or have been engaged in the operations of a medical care safety support center must not divulge any secret acquired in relation to the relevant operations without justifiable grounds.

Article 6-14The national government, beyond providing information on safety in medical care, provide advice and other support on the management of medical care safety support centers to prefectures, etc., to contribute to the appropriate implementation of operations in medical care safety support centers.

Article 6-15(1)The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, upon application, may designate as a medical accident investigation and support center a general incorporated association or general incorporated foundation whose purpose is to contribute to ensuring the safety of medical care by conducting medical accident investigations and providing support for medical accident investigations conducted by the administrators of hospitals, etc. in which medical accidents have occurred, and which is found to be capable of appropriately and reliably performing the services prescribed in the following Article.

(2)When the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare has made a designation under the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the minister must make public the name, address, and office location of the relevant medical accident investigation and support center.

(3)When a medical accident investigation and support center intends to change its name, address, or the location of its office, the center must notify the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare to that effect in advance.

(4)When the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare has received a notification under the preceding paragraph, the minister must make public the particulars pertaining to the relevant notification.

Article 6-16The medical accident investigation and support center are to perform the following services:

Article 6-17(1)The medical accident investigation and support center may conduct necessary investigations when the administrator of a hospital, etc. where a medical accident has occurred or a bereaved family requests an investigation of the relevant medical accident.

(2)When the medical accident investigation and support center finds it necessary to conduct the investigation set forth in the preceding paragraph, it may request the administrator set forth in the same paragraph to provide written or oral explanations or submit materials or other forms of necessary cooperation.

(3)The administrator prescribed in paragraph (1) must not refuse a request made by the medical accident investigation and support center pursuant to the preceding paragraph.

(4)When the administrator prescribed in paragraph (1) refuses a request under the provisions of paragraph (2), the medical accident investigation and support center may make a public announcement to that effect.

(5)When the medical accident investigation and support center has completed the investigation under paragraph (1), it must report the results of the investigation to the administrator and the bereaved family prescribed in the same paragraph.

Article 6-18(1)When the medical accident investigation and support center performs the services listed in each item of Article 6-16 (hereinafter referred to as "investigation services, etc."), prior to performance of such services, the center must establish rules for investigation services, etc. covering particulars concerning the implementation method of investigation services, etc. and other particulars specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (referred to as the "service rules" in the following paragraph and Article 6-26, paragraph (1), item (iii)), and obtain approval from the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare. The same applies when the medical accident investigation and support center intends to change the relevant rules.

(2)When the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare finds that the service rules approved under the preceding paragraph have become inappropriate for the proper and reliable implementation of the investigation services, etc., the minister may order that the relevant service rules be changed.

Article 6-19(1)Each business year, the medical accident investigation and support center, pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, must prepare a business plan and a budget for income and expenditure with respect to the investigation services, etc. and obtain the approval from the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare. The same applies when the medical accident investigation and support center intends to change the relevant business plan and budget.

(2)The medical accident investigation and support center, pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, must prepare and submit to the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare a business report and a statement of income and expenditure with respect to the investigation services, etc. after the end of each business year.

Article 6-20The medical accident investigation and support center must not suspend or abolish all or part of the investigation services, etc. without obtaining approval from the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 6-21No officer or employee of the medical accident investigation and support center, or any former officer or employee thereof must divulge any secret obtained in connection with the investigation services, etc. without justifiable grounds.

Article 6-22(1)The medical accident investigation and support center may entrust a part of the investigation services, etc. to a medical accident investigation support organization.

(2)An officer or employee of a medical accident investigation support organization entrusted with the investigation services, etc. under the preceding paragraph, or a person who used to be such an officer or employee must not divulge any secret obtained in connection with the relevant investigation services, etc. entrusted to them without justifiable grounds.

Article 6-23The medical accident investigation and support center, pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, must keep books, describe particulars specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare concerning the investigation services, etc. therein, and store them.

Article 6-24(1)When the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare finds it necessary in order to ensure the proper operation of investigation services, etc., the minister may order the medical accident investigation and support center to make necessary reports on the status of the investigation services, etc. or assets, or have the relevant officials enter the office of the medical accident investigation and support center and inspect the status of the investigation services, etc. or books, documents or other objects.

(2)The official who enters and inspects under the provisions of the preceding paragraph must carry a certificate for identification and present it to the persons concerned.

(3)The authority under the provisions of paragraph (1) must not be construed as being granted for the purpose of criminal investigation.

Article 6-25The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, to the extent necessary to enforce the provisions of this Section, may issue to the medical accident investigation and support center orders necessary for the supervision of the investigation services, etc.

Article 6-26(1)When the medical accident investigation and support center falls under any of the following items, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare may rescind the designation under the provisions of Article 6-15, paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as "designation" in this Article):

(2)When the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare has rescinded a designation pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the minister must make a public announcement to that effect.

Article 6-27Beyond what is provided for in this Section, necessary particulars concerning the medical accident investigation and support center are to be specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 7(1)When a person wishes to establish a hospital, when a person who is neither a person registered pursuant to the provisions of Article 16-6, paragraph (1) of the Medical Practitioners Act (Act No. 201 of 1948) (limited to persons registered pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2) of the same Article who have been issued an order by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare pursuant to the provisions of Article 7-2, paragraph (1) of the same Act; hereinafter referred to as a "clinically trained physician") nor a person registered pursuant to the provisions of Article 16-4, paragraph (1) of the Dentists Act (Act No. 202 of 1948) (limited to persons registered pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2) of the same Article who have been issued an order by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare pursuant to the provisions of Article 7-2, paragraph (1) of the same Act; hereinafter referred to as a "clinically trained dentist") wishes to establish a clinic, and when a person who is not a midwife (limited to persons who have been issued an order by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare pursuant to the provisions Article 15-2, paragraph (1) of the Act on Public Health Nurses, Midwives and Nurses (Act No. 203 of 1948) and who are registered pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (3) of the same Article; hereinafter the same applies in this Article, Article 8 and Article 11) wishes to establish a birthing center, the person must first acquire permission to do so from the prefectural governor for the location of the relevant facility (the mayor of a city with a public health center or the mayor of a special ward in the case that the location of the relevant clinic or birthing center is within such a city with a public health center or a special ward; the same applies in Article 8 through Article 9, Article 12, Article 15, Article 18, Article 24, Article 24-2, Article 27, and Article 28 through Article 30).

(2)When a person who has established a hospital wishes to alter the number of beds, the classification of beds described in each of the following items (hereinafter referred to as "bed classifications"), or other particulars prescribed by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, when a person who is neither a clinically trained physician nor a clinically trained dentist but has established a clinic or a person who is not a midwife but has established a birthing center, wishes to alter the number of beds or other particulars prescribed by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the same applies as in the preceding paragraph, except where prescribed by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare:

(3)When a person wishes to provide beds in a clinic, or when the person wishes to alter the number of beds in a clinic, the bed classifications, or other particulars prescribed by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the person must first acquire permission to do so from the prefectural governor of the area in which the relevant clinic is situated, except where prescribed by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(4)Where there has been an application for permission as set forth in the preceding three paragraphs, the prefectural governor, mayor of a city with a public health center or mayor of a special ward must grant permission as set forth in the preceding three paragraphs if the buildings, equipment, and personnel of the facility pertaining to the relevant application comply with the requirements prescribed by the Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare set forth in Article 21 and Article 23 and the Prefectural Ordinance set forth in Article 21.

(5)When a prefectural governor grants permission for an application for permission to establish a hospital, or permission to increase the number of beds or alter bed classifications in a hospital, or permission to set up new beds in a clinic, or permission to increase the number of beds or alter bed classifications in a clinic, the governor, if with regard to the beds pertaining to the relevant application, out of the functional classification of beds prescribed in Article 30-13, paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as "functional classification of beds" in this paragraph), the number of existing beds according to the functional classification of beds in the vision area (meaning the "vision area" prescribed in Article 30-4, paragraph (2), item(vii), which is specified in a medical care plan prescribed in Article 30-4, paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as "medical care plan" in this paragraph, the following Article and Article 7-3, paragraph (1)); the same applies in Article 7-3, paragraph (1)) including the location of the hospital or clinic pertaining to the relevant application has not reached the future requirements for the number of beds prescribed in (a) of the same item in the relevant vision area specified in the medical care plan, may attach conditions specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as necessary for the provision of medical care pertaining to such a case and for the promotion of the achievement of the other regional medical care vision prescribed in the same item specified in the medical care plan.

(6)Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (4), the permission set forth in paragraph (1) may be refused to a person who wishes to establish a hospital, clinic or birthing center for profit.

Article 7-2(1)Where the following persons have applied for permission to establish a hospital, to increase the number of beds, or to alter bed classifications in a hospital, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (4) of the preceding Article, the prefectural governor may refuse the permission set forth in paragraph (1) or paragraph (2) of the same Article when, in the area that includes the hospital to which the relevant application relates (where the beds to which the relevant application relates are recuperation or general beds only (hereinafter referred to as "long-term care beds, etc." in this Article and paragraph (1) of the following Article), this may be the area provided for in Article 30-4, paragraph (2), item (xiv) as prescribed by the medical care plan; where the beds to which the relevant application relates are psychiatric beds, infectious disease beds, or tuberculosis beds only (hereinafter referred to as "psychiatric beds, etc." in this paragraph), this is to be the prefectural area; and where the beds to which the relevant application relates are long-term care beds, etc. and psychiatric beds, etc., this is to be the area provided for in Article 30-4, paragraph (2), item (xiv) and the prefectural area), the number of hospital or clinic beds that correspond to the classifications of the beds that the relevant application relates to (or the number of long-term care beds and general beds in the relevant area, where the beds that the relevant application relates to are long-term care beds, etc. only) has already reached the target number of beds for the relevant area, as prescribed in a medical care plan that is in accordance with the requirements prescribed by the Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare set forth in paragraph (8) of the same Article, or if it is considered that establishing a hospital, increasing the number of beds, or altering the bed classifications as per the relevant application would exceed the relevant target:

(2)Where a person listed in any of the items of the preceding paragraph has applied for permission to establish beds in a clinic or to increase the number of beds in a clinic, the prefectural governor may, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (4) of the preceding Article, refuse the permission set forth in paragraph (3) of the same Article, when, in the area that includes the clinic to which the relevant application relates (an area provided for in Article 30-4, paragraph (2), item (xiv) as prescribed by the medical care plan) the number of long-term care beds and general beds has already reached the target number of long-term care beds and general beds for the relevant area as prescribed in a medical care plan that is in accordance with the requirements prescribed by the Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as set forth in paragraph (8) of the same Article, or if it is considered that establishing beds or increasing the number of beds as per the relevant application would exceed the relevant target.

(3)Where the number of long-term care beds and general beds in the area (an area provided for in Article 30-4, paragraph (2), item (xiv) as prescribed by a medical care plan) in which a hospital (limited to those with long-term care beds, etc.) or clinic (limited to those with beds permitted as set forth in paragraph (3) of the preceding Article) established by a person listed in any of the items of paragraph (1) has already reached the target number for long-term care beds and general beds in the relevant area as specified in a medical care plan that is in accordance with the requirements prescribed by the Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, as set forth in paragraph (8) of the same Article, when the relevant hospital or clinic is not engaging in all or some of the services related to long-term care beds, etc. under the permission set forth in paragraph (1) or paragraph (2) of the preceding Article or beds for which the permission set forth in paragraph (3) of the same Article has been received, without justifiable grounds, the prefectural governor may order the organizer or administrator of the relevant hospital or clinic to adopt measures to amend such permission so as to reduce the number of beds, up to and including the number of beds which are not used for the relevant services.

(4)In the cases set forth in the preceding three paragraphs, in calculating the number of existing beds in the relevant area and the number of beds to which the relevant application relates, the prefectural governor must carry out any necessary adjustments in consideration of the function and nature of the hospital or clinic, pursuant to the provisions of the Prefectural Ordinance in accordance with the requirements prescribed by the Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare set forth in Article 30-4, paragraph (8).

(5)The prefectural governor must hear the opinions of the Prefectural Council on Medical Service Facilities in advance, when the governor wishes to refuse permission as set forth in paragraph (1) through paragraph (3) of the preceding Article pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or paragraph (2) or if the governor wishes to issue an order pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (3).

(6)When a prefectural governor has issued an order as prescribed in paragraph (3) and the organizer or administrator of the hospital or clinic that has received the relevant order fails to comply with it, the prefectural governor may make a public announcement to that effect.

(7)When an incorporated administrative agency (an incorporated administrative agency as provided for in Article 2, paragraph (1) of the Act on General Rules for Independent Administrative Agencies (Act No. 103 of 1999)) that has been specified by a Cabinet Order wishes to establish a hospital, increase bed numbers, or alter bed classifications at a hospital it has established, or where it wishes to establish beds in a clinic or increase bed numbers or alter bed classifications at a clinic, the agency must consult (or give notice where specially prescribed by Cabinet Order) with the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare in advance regarding such plans. The same applies when it wishes to amend such plans.

Article 7-3(1)Where a prefectural governor has received an application for permission to establish a hospital or permission to increase the number of beds in a hospital (limited to those related to long-term care beds, etc.), if the governor finds that the total number of long-term care beds and general beds in the vision area including the location of the hospital pertaining to the relevant application has already reached the total number of beds required in the future prescribed in Article 30-4, paragraph (2), item (vii),(a) in the relevant vision area as specified in the medical care plan, or will exceed the total number of beds required due to the establishment of the hospital or the increase in the number of beds in the hospital pertaining to the relevant application, the governor may request the person who has filed the relevant application (hereinafter referred to as the "applicant" in this Article) to submit a document stating the reason why it is necessary to establish a hospital or increase the number of beds in the hospital in the relevant vision area and other particulars specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (hereinafter referred to as the "reasons, etc." in this Article).

(2)When the prefectural governor finds that the reasons, etc. are not sufficient, the governor may request the applicant to participate in the consultation at the place of consultation prescribed in Article 30-14, paragraph (1).

(3)The applicant, when requested by the prefectural governor pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, must endeavor to respond to the request.

(4)The prefectural governor, when an agreement is not reached through the consultation at the place of consultation set forth in paragraph (2) or when otherwise specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, may request the applicant to attend a meeting of the Prefectural Council on Medical Service Facilities and explain the reasons, etc.

(5)The applicant, when requested by the prefectural governor pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, must endeavor to attend the meeting of the Prefectural Council on Medical Service Facilities and explain the reasons, etc.

(6)Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 7, paragraph (4), the prefectural governor, if the reasons, etc. are not found to be unavoidable based on the content of the consultation at the place of consultation set forth in paragraph (2) and the content of the explanation set forth in paragraph (4), may decide not to grant the permission set forth in paragraph (1) or (2) of the same Article to the applicant (limited to those listed in the items of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article).

(7)When the prefectural governor decides not to grant the permission set forth in paragraph (1) or (2) of Article 7 under the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the governor must hear the opinions of the Prefectural Council on Medical Service Facilities in advance.

(8)The provisions of the preceding paragraphs apply mutatis mutandis to an application for permission to set up new beds in a clinic or permission to increase the number of beds in a clinic.In this case, the term "paragraph (1) or (2) of the same Article" in paragraph (6) is to be replaced with "paragraph (3) of the same Article", and the term "paragraph (1) or (2) of Article 7" in the preceding paragraph is to be replaced with "paragraph (3) of Article 7".

Article 8When a clinically trained physician, a clinically trained dentist, or a midwife establishes a clinic or birthing center, the physician must notify the prefectural governor of the area in which the clinic or birthing center is situated within ten days of its establishment.

Article 8-2(1)The organizer of a hospital, clinic, or birthing center must not suspend the operation of the relevant hospital, clinic or birthing center for more than one year without justifiable grounds; provided, however, that this does not apply to the organizer of a clinic or birthing center of which the prefectural governor was notified and that was established pursuant to the provisions of the preceding Article.

(2)When the organizer of a hospital, clinic, or birthing center suspends the operation of the relevant hospital, clinic, or birthing center, the organizer must notify the prefectural governor within ten days. The same applies when a hospital, clinic, or birthing center whose operation was suspended is re-opened.

Article 9(1)When the organizer of a hospital, clinic, or birthing center discontinues the operation of the relevant hospital, clinic, or birthing center, the organizer must notify the prefectural governor within ten days.

(2)When the organizer of a hospital, clinic, or birthing center has died or has become the subject of an adjudication of disappearance, the person who is obligated to submit a notification of such person's death or disappearance pursuant to the provisions of the Family Register Act (Act No. 224 of 1947) must notify the prefectural governor of their area of the same within ten days.

Article 10(1)The organizer of a hospital (excluding hospitals specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare set forth in paragraph (3); the same applies in the following paragraph) or clinic is to have it managed by a clinically trained physician where a medical practice is operated at the relevant hospital or clinic, or must have it managed by a clinically trained dentist where a dental practice is operated at the relevant hospital or clinic.

(2)Where both a medical practice and dental practice are operated at a hospital or clinic, the organizer of the relevant hospital or clinic is to have it managed by a clinically trained physician where it is primarily for the operation of a medical practice, or must have it managed by a clinically trained dentist where it is primarily for the operation of a dental practice.

(3)The organizer of a hospital that provides necessary support for securing medical care in an acute physician shortage area or other hospitals specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, in the case that the hospital is engaged in medical practice or in the case that the hospital is engaged in both medical practice and dental practice and mainly engages in medical practice, may have it managed by a clinically trained physician certified under Article 5-2, paragraph (1); provided, however, that in the case that affects the provision of medical care in the region or in other cases specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the hospital may be managed by a clinically trained physician who has not been certified under Article 5-2, paragraph (1).

Article 10-2(1)The organizer of an advanced treatment hospital who intends to have it managed in accordance with the provisions of the preceding Article, pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, must appoint as its administrator a person who has the necessary ability and experience to perform the particulars listed in each item of Article 16-3, paragraph (1) and other tasks related to the management and operation of the advanced treatment hospital.

(2)The appointment of an administrator of an advanced treatment hospital under the provisions of the preceding paragraph, pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, must be made based on the results of the examination by a council for selecting a candidate for administrator, which consists of the organizer of the advanced treatment hospital and persons other than those who have a special relationship as specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 11An organizer of a birthing center must have the relevant birthing center managed by a midwife.

Article 12(1)The organizer of a hospital, clinic, or birthing center must manage the relevant hospital, clinic, or birthing center themselves if they are a person capable of being the administrator of a hospital, clinic, or birthing center; provided, however, that it is permissible for the organizer to have another party manage where permitted by the prefectural governor of the area in which the hospital, clinic, or birthing center is situated.

(2)The physician, dentist, or midwife who manages a hospital, clinic, or birthing center must be a person who does not manage any other hospital, clinic, or birthing center, except where permitted by the prefectural governor of the area in which the relevant hospital, clinic, or birthing center is situated as falling under any of the following items:

Article 12-2(1)The organizer of a regional medical care support hospital must submit reports concerning its operation to the prefectural governor pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(2)The prefectural governor must make public the details of the reports set forth in the preceding paragraph pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 12-3(1)The organizer of an advanced treatment hospital must submit reports concerning its operation to the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(2)The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare must make public the details of the reports set forth in the preceding paragraph pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 12-4(1)The organizer of a core hospital for clinical research must submit a report on its operations to the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

(2)The Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare is to make public the content of the report prescribed in the preceding paragraph pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

Article 13The administrator of a clinic with facilities for the hospitalization of patients is to endeavor to ensure a system for the relevant clinic's physicians to make prompt diagnoses that enable appropriate medical treatment to be provided, even where the symptoms of a hospitalized patient change suddenly, and must ensure close cooperation with other hospitals or clinics.

Article 14The administrator of a birthing center is not to allow ten or more pregnant women, women in labor, or women resting after childbirth to be admitted at the same time; provided, however, that this does not apply to temporary and emergency admissions in the case that there are no other appropriate facilities for hospitalization or admission.

Article 14-2(1)The administrator of a hospital or clinic must post the following information concerning the relevant hospital or clinic in a visible location within the relevant hospital or clinic, pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare:

(2)The administrator of a birthing center must post the following information concerning the relevant birthing center in a visible location within the relevant birthing center, pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare:

Article 15(1)The administrator of a hospital or clinic must supervise the physicians, dentists, pharmacists, and other employees working at the relevant hospital or clinic, and must take other necessary precautions for the management and operation of the relevant hospital or clinic, so that they can fulfill their responsibilities prescribed in this Act.

(2)The administrator of a birthing center must supervise the midwives and other employees working at the relevant birthing center, and must take other necessary precautions for the management and operation of the relevant birthing center, so that they can fulfill their responsibilities prescribed in this Act.

(3)The administrator of a hospital or clinic must notify the prefectural governor of the area in which the hospital or clinic is situated, pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, where the relevant hospital or clinic has an x-ray unit for medical treatment, or in other cases prescribed by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 15-2The administrator of a hospital, clinic or birthing center, when performing specimen testing prescribed in Article 2 of the Act on Clinical Laboratory Technicians (Act No. 76 of 1958) (hereinafter referred to as "specimen testing" in this Article and paragraph (1) of the following Article) in the relevant hospital, clinic or birthing center, must ensure that the buildings and equipment of the facilities where specimen testing is performed, management organization, methods for ensuring the accuracy of specimen testing and other particulars conform to the standards specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as necessary for the proper performance of specimen testing.

Article 15-3(1)When the administrator of a hospital, clinic or birthing center wishes to entrust specimen testing, the administrator must do so to the following persons:

(2)Beyond what is provided for in the preceding paragraph, when the administrator of a hospital, clinic, or birthing center wishes to entrust the operation of the hospital, clinic, or birthing center that are prescribed by Cabinet Order as having a significant influence on physicians' or dentists' diagnoses, on the services of midwives, or on the hospitalization or admission of patients, pregnant women, women in labor, or women resting after childbirth, the administrator must entrust the relevant operations to a party who conforms to the requirements prescribed by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as a party with the ability to properly undertake its operation, in accordance with the type of operation undertaken at the relevant hospital, clinic, or birthing center.

Article 16The administrator of a hospital that carries out a medical practice must have a physician on night duty in the hospital; provided, however, that this does not apply to the case where the physicians of the relevant hospital stand by at a place adjacent to the relevant hospital or other cases specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as those where a system is in place which ensures that the physicians of the relevant hospital promptly provide medical treatment in the event of a sudden change in the medical condition of an inpatient of the relevant hospital.

Article 16-2(1)The administrator of a regional medical care support hospital must undertake the following particulars, pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare:

(2)The administrator of a regional medical care support hospital must provide necessary support concerning the promotion of in-home medical care provision by medical institutions providing in-home medical care, designated in-home service providers pursuant to the provisions of Article 41, paragraph (1) of the Long-Term Care Insurance Act who undertake in-home nursing under Article 8, paragraph (4) of the same Act, and other persons providing in-home medical care (hereinafter referred to as "in-home medical care providers, etc." in this paragraph), such as supporting close coordination with in-home medical care providers, etc., and providing information concerning in-home medical care providers, etc. to recipients of medical care or medical institutions in the area.

Article 16-3(1)The administrator of an advanced treatment hospital must undertake the following particulars pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare:

(2)The administrator of an advanced treatment hospital, when carrying out particulars specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as important particulars concerning the management and operation of the advanced treatment hospital, must do so based on a resolution of a council composed of the relevant administrator and physicians, dentists, pharmacists, nurses and other persons working in the relevant advanced treatment hospital, pursuant to an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(3)The administrator of an advanced treatment hospital must make arrangements so that a medical care coordination system as provided for in Article 30-4, paragraph (2), item (ii) is properly constructed.

Article 16-4The administrator of a core hospital for clinical research, pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, must carry out the following particulars:

Article 17Beyond the provisions of Article 6-10 through Article 6-12 and Article 13 through the preceding Article, particulars that should be observed by the administrator of a hospital, clinic, or birthing center in the management of their buildings and equipment, medical supplies, and other articles, and in the hospitalization or admission of patients, pregnant women, women in labor, and women resting after childbirth, are to be as prescribed by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 18The organizer of a hospital or clinic must provide an exclusive pharmacist in the relevant hospital or clinic in accordance with the standards specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and in accordance with Ordinances of the Prefecture (or, in the case of a clinic situated in a city or special ward with a public health center, the relevant city or special ward with a public health center); provided, however, that this does not apply where permitted by the prefectural governor of the area in which the hospital or clinic is situated.

Article 19(1)The organizer of a birthing center must provide for contract physicians and hospitals or clinics pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(2)When a midwife who only does house calls enters into a contract which provides that she will give midwifery services to a pregnant woman, etc., she must specify the hospital or clinic that responds to the abnormality of the relevant pregnant woman, etc., pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 19-2The organizer of an advanced treatment hospital, pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, must take the following measures to ensure that the administrator of the relevant advanced treatment hospital properly executes the management and operation of the relevant advanced treatment hospital:

Article 20A hospital, clinic, or birthing center is to be maintained in a clean state, and its buildings and equipment must be recognizable as being safe in terms of sanitation, fire safety, and security.

Article 21(1)A hospital is to have the following personnel and facilities and must prepare the following records, pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (in the case of employees listed in item (i) (excluding physicians and dentists) and facilities listed in item (xii), Prefectural Ordinances):

(2)A clinic with long-term care beds must have the following personnel and facilities, pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (in the case of employees listed in item (i) (excluding physicians and dentists) and facilities listed in item (iii), Prefectural Ordinances):

(3)When formulating the ordinances set forth in the preceding two paragraphs, prefectures is to determine the employees and the number of employees of hospitals and clinics with long-term care beds (limited to those specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) in accordance with the standards specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and other particulars with reference to the standards specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 22Beyond the provisions of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article (excluding item (ix)), a regional medical care support hospital is to have the following facilities and must prepare the following records, pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare:

Article 22-2Beyond the provisions of Article 21, paragraph (1) (excluding items (i) and (ix)), an advanced treatment hospital is to have the following personnel and facilities and must prepare the following records, pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare:

Article 22-3Beyond the provisions of Article 21, paragraph (1) (excluding items (i) and (ix)), a core hospital for clinical research is to have the following personnel and facilities and must prepare the following records, pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare:

Article 23(1)Beyond the provisions of Article 21 through the preceding Article, the necessary standards for ensuring satisfactory ventilation, lighting, illumination, damp proofing, security, emergency evacuation, cleanliness, and other sanitary conditions with regard to the buildings and equipment of a hospital, clinic or birthing center, is to be prescribed by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(2)Regulations may be established by Cabinet Order to sentence persons who have violated the provisions of the Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as set forth in the provisions of the preceding paragraph to a fine of up to 200,000 yen.

Article 23-2When the distribution of personnel in a hospital or in a clinic with long-term care beds is significantly lacking in terms of the standards prescribed by the Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare or prefectural ordinances set forth in Article 21, paragraph (1) (limited to the parts pertaining to item (i)) or paragraph (2) (limited to the part pertaining to item (i)), and falls under cases prescribed by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as cases that cause a significant impediment to the suitable provision of medical care, the prefectural governor may order the organizer to increase the number of personnel by a set deadline, or may suspend all or a part of its operations for a period that the governor prescribes.

Article 24(1)When a hospital, clinic, or birthing center is lacking in cleanliness, or when its buildings and equipment violate the provisions of Article 21, paragraph (1) or (2), or Article 22, or violate the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare that is based on the provisions set forth in Article 23, paragraph (1), or are found to be a sanitation hazard or safety risk, the prefectural governor may prescribe a period of time and order the organizer to fully or partially limit or prohibit the use thereof, or may order repairs or reconstruction to be carried out by a set deadline.

(2)When the buildings and equipment of an advanced treatment hospital or core hospital for clinical research (hereinafter referred to as "advanced treatment hospital, etc." in this Section) violate the provisions of Article 22-2 or Article 22-3, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare may order their repair or reconstruction to be carried out by the organizer of the relevant advanced treatment hospital, etc. by a set deadline.

Article 24-2(1)When a prefectural governor finds that the business of a hospital, clinic or birthing center violates laws and regulations or dispositions under laws and regulations, or that the operation of a hospital, clinic or birthing center is extremely inappropriate (excluding the cases prescribed in Article 23-2 or paragraph (1) of the preceding Article), the governor may, to the extent necessary for the enforcement of this Act, order the organizer of the relevant hospital, clinic or birthing center to take necessary measures by a set deadline.

(2)In the event that the organizer set forth in the preceding paragraph does not comply with the order as prescribed in the same paragraph, the prefectural governor may order the relevant organizer to suspend all or part of the business of the relevant organizer's hospital, clinic or birthing center for a specified period of time.

Article 25(1)When a prefectural governor, the mayor of a city with a public health center, or the mayor of a special ward of Tokyo finds it necessary, the governor or mayor may order the organizer or administrator of a hospital, clinic, or birthing center to report as necessary, and may have the relevant officials enter the relevant hospital, clinic, or birthing center and inspect the personnel or the state of cleanliness, its buildings, and equipment, its medical records, birth records, books and documents, and other articles.

(2)When a prefectural governor, the mayor of a city with a public health center, or the mayor of a special ward of Tokyo suspects that the operation of a hospital, clinic or birthing center is in violation of laws and regulations or a disposition based on laws and regulations, or suspects that the management thereof is significantly unsuitable, the governor or mayor may order the organizer or administrator of the relevant hospital, clinic, or birthing center to submit medical records, birth records, books and documents, and other articles, or have the relevant officials enter the office of the organizer of the relevant hospital, clinic or birthing center or other places related to the operation of the relevant hospital, clinic or birthing center and inspect books and documents, and other articles to the extent necessary for the enforcement of this Act.

(3)When the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare finds it necessary, the minister may order the organizer or administrator of an advanced treatment hospital, etc. to report as necessary, and may have the relevant officials enter the advanced treatment hospital, etc. and inspect the personnel or the state of cleanliness, its buildings and equipment, medical records, birth records, books and documents, and other articles.

(4)When the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare suspects that the operation of an advanced treatment hospital, etc. is in violation of laws and regulations or a disposition based on laws and regulations, or suspects that the management thereof is significantly unsuitable, the minister may order the organizer or administrator of the relevant advanced treatment hospital, etc. to submit medical records, birth records, books and documents, or other articles.

(5)The provisions set forth in Article 6-8, paragraph (3) apply mutatis mutandis pursuant to entry and inspection as set forth in paragraph (1) through paragraph (3), and the provisions set forth in paragraph (4) of the same Article apply mutatis mutandis pursuant to the authority set forth in each of the preceding paragraphs.

Article 25-2Mayor of cities with public health centers and mayors of special wards of Tokyo must give notice of the particulars as prescribed by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare concerning clinics and birthing centers, to the prefectural governor, pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 26(1)The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, prefectural governors, mayors of cities with public health centers, and mayors of special wards of Tokyo are to appoint medical care inspectors from among the officials of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, prefecture, city with the public health center, or special ward of Tokyo, to be entrusted with the authority of the relevant officials provided for in Article 25, paragraphs (1) and (3).

(2)Beyond the provisions of the preceding paragraph, necessary particulars concerning medical care inspectors are to be as prescribed by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 27A hospital, clinic with in-patient facilities, or birthing center with admission facilities must not use its buildings and equipment without first undergoing inspection by the prefectural governor with jurisdiction over their location and receiving a license.

Article 27-2(1)When the organizer or administrator of a hospital or clinic fails to comply with the conditions attached to the permission granted under the provisions of Article 7, paragraph (5) without justifiable grounds, the prefectural governor may recommend that the relevant organizer or administrator comply with the relevant conditions by a set deadline, after hearing the opinions of the Prefectural Council on Medical Service Facilities.

(2)When the organizer or administrator of a hospital or clinic who has received a recommendation pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph fails to take measures pertaining to the relevant recommendation without justifiable grounds, the prefectural governor may order the relevant organizer or administrator to take measures pertaining to the relevant recommendation by a set deadline, after hearing the opinions of the Prefectural Council on Medical Service Facilities.

(3)If a prefectural governor has issued an order under the preceding paragraph, and the organizer or administrator of a hospital or clinic who has received the relevant order fails to comply with it, the prefectural governor may make a public announcement to that effect.

Article 28When the prefectural governor finds the administrator of a hospital, clinic, or birthing center to have committed a criminal act, to have committed an unlawful act related to medical practice, or to be unfit to manage, the governor may order the organizer of the relevant hospital, clinic, or birthing center to replace the the relevant administrator by a set deadline.

Article 29(1)The prefectural governor may rescind permission for establishment of a hospital, clinic, or birthing center, or may order the organizer to close the hospital, clinic, or birthing center by a period that the governor prescribes, if it falls under any of the following items:

(2)The prefectural governor may, when operation related to the permission pursuant to the provisions of Article 7, paragraph (2) or (3) has not commenced six months or more after the relevant permission was received without justifiable grounds, rescind the relevant permission.

(3)The prefectural governor may rescind the approval for a regional medical care support hospital if it falls under any of the following items:

(4)The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare may rescind their approval for an advanced treatment hospital, if it falls under any of the following items:

(5)The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare may revoke the approval for a core hospital for clinical research, if it falls under any of the following items:

(6)In revoking the approval for a regional medical care support hospital pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (3), the prefectural governor must hear the opinions of the Prefectural Council on Medical Service Facilities in advance.

(7)In revoking the approval for an advanced treatment hospital, etc. pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (4) or (5), the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare must hear the opinions of the Social Security Council in advance.

Article 29-2If the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare finds an urgent necessity to protect the health of the citizens, the minister may instruct a prefectural governor to render a disposition pursuant to the provisions of Article 28, and paragraph (1) and paragraph (2) of the preceding Article.

Article 30When a disposition has been rendered pursuant to the provisions of Article 23-2, Article 24, paragraph (1), Article 24-2, Article 28, or Article 29, paragraph (1) or (3) in advance of an opportunity for explanation being granted or a hearing being undertaken pursuant to Article 13, paragraph (2), item (i) of the Administrative Procedure Act (Act No. 88 of 1993), the prefectural governor must grant an opportunity for explanation to parties subject to the relevant disposition within three days of the relevant disposition.

Article 30-2Beyond those provided for in this Chapter, the necessary particulars concerning the establishment and management of hospitals, clinics, and birthing centers are to be as specified by Cabinet Order.

Article 30-3(1)The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, in accordance with the comprehensive securing policy prescribed in Article 3, paragraph (1) of the Act for Promoting Comprehensive Measures for Securing Regional Medical and Nursing Care (Act No. 64 of 1989), is to set forth a basic policy (hereinafter referred to as "basic policy") for ensuring the presence of a system that efficiently delivers good quality and appropriate medical care (hereinafter referred to as the "medical care delivery system").

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

(3)When the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare has set forth or amended the basic policy, the minister is to provide a public notice thereof without delay.

Article 30-3-2When the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare finds it necessary in order to set down or change the particulars listed in item (v) or (vi) of paragraph (2) of the preceding Article, the minister may request the prefectural governor or the organizer or administrator of a hospital, etc. subject to a report on the bed functions prescribed in Article 30-13, paragraph (1) to provide the content of the report provided for in the same paragraph and other necessary information, pursuant to an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 30-4(1)The prefecture, with regard to basic policy, is to provide a plan (hereinafter referred to as "medical care plan") for ensuring the medical care delivery system in the relevant prefecture, in accordance with the actual conditions in the area.

(2)The following particulars are to be stipulated in the medical care plan:

(3)Beyond the particulars listed in each item of the preceding paragraph, efforts is to be made so that medical care plans stipulate the following particulars:

(4)The prefecture must consider the following particulars when stipulating particulars listed in paragraph (2) item (ii):

(5)The prefecture, in stipulating particulars concerning the regional medical care vision, is to take into consideration the contents of reports under Article 30-13, paragraph (1), the prospects for changes in the demographic structure and other trends in demand for medical care, the prospects for the arrangement of medical care professionals and medical institutions, and other circumstances.

(6)In stipulating the particulars listed in paragraph (2), item (xi), the prefecture, for each type of medical care to be provided that is specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, may establish, in accordance with the standard specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare concerning the indicator prescribed in paragraph (2) item (xi), (b), the area prescribed in item (xiv) of the same paragraph where the number of physicians is recognized to be small.

(7)In stipulating the particulars listed in paragraph (2), item (xi), the prefecture, for each type of medical care to be provided that is specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, may establish, in accordance with the standard specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare concerning the indicator prescribed in paragraph (2) item (xi), (b), the area prescribed in item (xiv) of the same paragraph where the number of physicians is recognized to be large.

(8)Standards related to the establishment of areas provided for in paragraph (2), items (xiv) and (xv), and the target number of beds provided for in item (xvii) of the same paragraph (for standards related to the target number of long-term care beds and general beds, standards based on the total number calculated according to each type of bed) are to be as prescribed by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(9)The prefecture, where it wishes to stipulate the target number of beds provided for in paragraph (2) item (xvii), when a sudden increase in population is expected or when there are other circumstances as provided by a Cabinet Order, may disregard the standards set forth in the preceding paragraph with regard to the required number of beds provided for in the same item, pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Order.

(10)After providing public notice of the medical care plan for a prefecture pursuant to provisions in paragraph (18), the relevant prefecture, when a sudden increase in population is expected or when there are other circumstances as provided by a Cabinet Order, may regard the target number of beds provided for in paragraph (2), item (xvii) as the number calculated pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Order, in areas as provided by Cabinet Order, and may engage in activities related to granting permission for applications for permission to establish hospitals and granting permission for other applications as prescribed by Cabinet Order.

(11)After providing public notice of the medical care plan for the prefecture pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (18), the relevant prefecture, where there has been an application for permission to establish a hospital that includes beds as prescribed by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, or where there has been another application as prescribed by a Cabinet Order, may regard the target number of beds provided for in paragraph (2), item (xvii) as the number calculated pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Order, in areas as provided by Cabinet Order, and may engage in activities related to granting permission for the relevant application.

(12)After providing public notice of the medical care plan for the prefecture pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (18), the relevant prefecture, where an application for permission to establish a hospital or any other application specified by a Cabinet Order has been filed by a participating corporation (meaning a participating corporation prescribed in Article 70, paragraph (1)) of a regional medical coordination promotion corporation and where it is found that the relevant application is necessary for promoting the achievement of the regional medical care vision specified in the relevant medical care plan and other requirements specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare are met, may regard the number obtained by adding the number calculated pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Order to the target number of beds provided for in paragraph (2), item (xvii) in the relevant medical care plan pertaining to the relevant application as the relevant target number of beds, and may engage in activities related to granting permission for the relevant application.

(13)In preparing medical care plans, prefectures must ensure consistency with the prefectural plans prescribed in Article 4, paragraph (1) of the Act for Promoting Comprehensive Measures for Securing Regional Medical and Nursing Care and the prefectural long-term care insurance business support plans prescribed in Article 118, paragraph (1) of the Long-Term Care Insurance Act.

(14)In preparing medical care plans, prefectures are to endeavor to ensure that harmony is maintained with plans prepared pursuant to the provisions of other laws and regulations and with particulars that concern ensuring medical care, and must endeavor to seek coordination among public health, pharmacy, social welfare, and other measures which are closely related to medical care.

(15)In preparing medical care plans, prefectures are to undertake liaison and coordination with related prefectures, when it is considered necessary in the light of the supply and demand of medical care in areas near the boundaries of the relevant prefectures.

(16)The prefecture must hear the opinions of groups of persons with the relevant knowledge and experience in diagnoses or prescriptions, in order to prepare a draft medical care plan based on expert scientific opinions on medical care.

(17)The prefecture must hear the opinions of the Prefectural Council on Medical Service Facilities, municipalities (including a part of the administrative associations and cross-regional federations set forth in Article 284, paragraph (1) of the Local Autonomy Act (Act No. 67 of 1947) that handle first aid services), and the Council of Insurers set forth in Article 157-2, paragraph (1) of the Act on Assurance of Medical Care for Elderly People (Act No. 80 of 1982) in advance, when stipulating the medical care plan or revising the medical care plan pursuant to the provisions of Article 30-6.

(18)When a prefecture has established a medical care plan or revised a medical care plan pursuant to the provisions of Article 30-6, it must submit the relevant plan to the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare without delay and provide public notice of the details thereof.

Article 30-5A prefecture, if it finds it necessary for the preparation of the medical care plan or for the execution of activities based on the medical care plan, may request the delivery of any necessary information from the municipalities and their public agencies, medical insurers provided for in Article 7, paragraph (7) of the Long-Term Care Insurance Act (referred to as "medical insurers" in Article 30-14, paragraph (1) and Article 30-18-2, paragraph (1)), or organizers or administrators of medical institutions, including information concerning the functions of medical institutions within the boundaries of the relevant prefecture.

Article 30-6(1)The prefecture, every three years, must inspect, analyze and evaluate the particulars listed in Article 30-4 (2), items (vi) and (xi), the particulars listed in Article 30-4, paragraph (2) items (vi) and (xi) out of the particulars listed in the following items, and other particulars specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (referred to as "specified particulars" in the following paragraph) and is to revise the medical care plan of the relevant prefecture when it finds it necessary:

(2)The prefecture, every six years, inspect, is to analyze and evaluate the particulars listed in each item of the preceding paragraph (excluding specified particulars), and is to revise the medical care plan of the relevant prefecture when it finds it necessary.

Article 30-7(1)Organizers and administrators of medical institutions are to endeavor to cooperate as necessary in the construction of the medical care coordination system, in order to contribute to the implementation of the medical care plan.

(2)Organizers and administrators of medical institutions listed in the following items, when providing the necessary cooperation set forth in the preceding paragraph, are to endeavor to fulfill the roles prescribed in the respective items, while coordinating their operations with those of other medical institutions, in order to efficiently provide high-quality and appropriate medical care:

(3)Organizers and administrators of hospitals are to provide in-home medical care, and are to seek cooperation with welfare services and endeavor to give the necessary support for the provision of in-home medical care, in order to contribute to the implementation of the medical care plan.

(4)Organizers and administrators of hospitals are to endeavor to allow the use of all or parts of the hospital's buildings, equipment, instruments, and tools by physicians, dentists, or pharmacists who do not work at the relevant hospital in their practice, research, or training, provided there is no hindrance to the medical care services of the relevant hospital, in order to contribute to the implementation of the medical care plan.

Article 30-8The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare may provide the necessary advice to the prefectures regarding the method of preparing medical care plans and other key practical particulars regarding the preparation of medical care plans.

Article 30-9The national government may provide subsidies to prefectures for part of the costs required for activities based on medical care plans, within the extent of the budget, in order to promote the fulfillment of medical care plans.

Article 30-10(1)National government and local governments are to endeavor to undertake any necessary measures, including improving hospitals or clinics in areas with insufficient hospitals or clinics, promoting the differentiation and coordination of the bed functions in the community and ensuring the availability of physicians, in order to promote the fulfillment of medical care plans.

(2)Beyond what is set forth in the preceding paragraph, the national government is to endeavor to improve the system for providing medical care as necessary on a cross-regional level which extends beyond prefectural boundaries.

Article 30-11The prefectural governor, where it is specifically necessary in order to promote the fulfillment of the medical care plan, may hear the opinions of the Prefectural Council on Medical Service Facilities, and recommend that a person who wishes to establish a hospital or clinic, or an organizer or administrator of a hospital or clinic, establish a hospital, increase a hospital's number of beds, or change its bed classifications, or recommend that such a person establish beds in a clinic or increase the number of beds in a clinic.

Article 30-12(1)The provisions of Article 7-2, paragraphs (3) through (5) apply mutatis mutandis to hospitals established by persons other than those listed in each item of paragraph (1) of the same Article (limited to those having long-term care beds or general beds) or clinics (limited to those setting up beds with permission under Article 7, paragraph (3)), when it is especially necessary for promoting the achievement of the medical care plan. In this case, the term "order" in Article 7-2, paragraph (3) is replaced with "request", the term "preceding three paragraphs" in paragraph (4) of the same Article is replaced with "preceding paragraph", the term "the number of beds, and the number of beds to which the relevant application relates" is replaced with "the number of beds", the terms "refuse permission as set forth in paragraphs (1) through (3) of the preceding Article pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or (2), or paragraph (3)" in paragraph (5) of the same Article is replaced with "paragraph (3)", and the term "wishes to issue an order" is replaced with "wishes to issue a request".

(2)When a prefectural governor finds that the organizer or administrator of a hospital or clinic that has received a request under Article 7-2, paragraph (3) as applied mutatis mutandis by replacing the terms in accordance with the preceding paragraph has not taken measures pertaining to the relevant request without justifiable grounds, the prefectural governor may recommend that the relevant organizer or administrator of the hospital or clinic should take the relevant measures, after hearing the opinions of the Prefectural Council on Medical Service Facilities.

(3)In the case where a prefectural governor has made a recommendation under the preceding paragraph, the governor, if the organizer or administrator of a hospital or clinic that has received the relevant recommendation fails to comply with it, may make a public announcement to that effect.

Article 30-13(1)In order to promote the differentiation and coordination of the bed functions in the community, the administrator of a hospital or clinic with general beds or long-term care beds (hereinafter referred to as a "hospital, etc. subject to a report on the bed functions"), pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, must report the following particulars in accordance with the classification specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare according to the bed functions (hereinafter referred to as "functional classification of beds") of the relevant hospital, etc. subject to a report on the bed functions to the governor of the prefecture where the relevant hospital, etc. subject to a report on the bed functions is situated:

(2)The administrator of a hospital, etc. subject to a report on the bed functions, when the bed functions after the reference date reported under the provisions of the preceding paragraph are deemed to have changed, as specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, must immediately report to the governor of the prefecture where the relevant hospital, etc. subject to a report on the bed functions is situated, pursuant to an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(3)When the prefectural governor finds it necessary in order to confirm the contents of the report prescribed in the preceding two paragraphs, the governor may request municipalities and other public offices to provide necessary information concerning hospitals, etc. subject to a report on the bed functions located within the area of the relevant prefecture.

(4)The prefectural governor, pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, must publicize the particulars reported in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2).

(5)When the administrator of a hospital, etc. subject to a report on the bed functions has failed to make a report pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or (2) or has made a false report, the prefectural governor may order the organizer of the relevant hospital, etc. subject to a report on the bed functions to have the relevant administrator make a report or correct the contents of the report, by setting a period of time.

(6)If the prefectural governor has issued an order pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, if the organizer of a hospital, etc. subject to a report on the bed functions who has received the relevant order fails to comply with it, the prefectural governor may make a public announcement to that effect.

Article 30-14(1)The prefecture is to establish a place of consultation (hereinafter referred to as the "place of consultation" except for Article 30-18-2, paragraphs (1) and (2) and Article 30-23, paragraph (1)) for consultation with organizations of academic experts on medical treatment, other medical experts, medical insurers, and other related parties (hereinafter referred to as "related parties" in this Article) in each of the vision areas and other areas that the governor of the relevant prefecture deems appropriate (referred to as the "vision area, etc." in Article 30-16, paragraph (1) and Article 30-18-2, paragraph (3)), and in cooperation with related parties, are to hold consultations on measures to achieve the future requirements for the number of beds specified in the medical care plan and other particulars necessary to promote the achievement of the regional medical care vision.

(2)When related parties are requested by the prefecture to participate in a consultation conducted by the prefecture pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, they is to endeavor to cooperate by participating in it, and must also endeavor to cooperate in the implementation of particulars which related parties have agreed upon at the place of such consultation.

(3)In order to promote the achievement of the regional medical care vision specified in the medical care plan, a person who has filed an application prescribed in Article 7, paragraph (5) must endeavor to respond to a request made by the prefectural governor to participate in a consultation at the place of consultation, with regard to the establishment of a hospital or an increase in the number of beds or a change in the type of beds in a hospital, or the establishment of beds in a clinic or an increase in the number of beds or a change in the type of beds in a clinic pertaining to the relevant application.

Article 30-15(1)In the case where the reference date bed functions and the bed functions after the reference date pertaining to a report under the provisions of Article 30-13, paragraph (1) are different, or in other cases specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the prefectural governor, if the number of beds according to the functional classification of beds pertaining to the bed functions after the reference date pertaining to the relevant report of beds at a hospital subject to a report on the bed functions in the vision area including the location of a hospital, etc. subject to a report on the bed functions having filed the relevant report (hereinafter referred to as a "reporting hospital, etc." in this Article and the following Article) has already reached the future requirements for the number of beds according to the functional classification of beds pertaining to the bed functions after the reference date pertaining to the relevant report in the relevant vision area as specified in the medical care plan, may request the organizer or administrator of a reporting hospital, etc. to submit a document stating the reasons why the reference date bed functions and the bed functions after the reference date pertaining to the relevant report are different, and other particulars specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (hereinafter referred to as "reasons, etc." in this Article).

(2)When the prefectural governor finds that the reasons, etc. stated in the document set forth in the preceding paragraph are not sufficient, the governor may request the organizer or administrator of the relevant reporting hospital, etc. to participate in the consultation at the place of consultation.

(3)The organizer or administrator of a reporting hospital, etc., when requested by the prefectural governor under the preceding paragraph, must endeavor to respond to the request.

(4)When no agreement is reached through the consultation at the place of consultation set forth in paragraph (2), or when otherwise specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the prefectural governor may request the organizer or administrator of the relevant reporting hospital, etc. to attend a meeting of the Prefectural Council on Medical Service Facilities and explain the relevant reasons, etc.

(5)The organizer or administrator of a reporting hospital, etc., when requested by the prefectural governor under the preceding paragraph, must endeavor to attend a meeting of the Prefectural Council on Medical Service Facilities and explain the relevant reasons, etc.

(6)If the relevant reasons, etc. are not found to be unavoidable based on the content of the consultation at the place of consultation set forth in paragraph (2) and the content of the explanation set forth in paragraph (4), the prefectural governor may order the organizer or administrator of the reporting hospital, etc. (limited to those established by the persons listed in the items of Article 7-2, paragraph (1)) not to change the reference date bed functions pertaining to a report under the provisions of Article 30-13, paragraph (1) to the bed functions after the reference date pertaining to the relevant report and to take other necessary measures, after hearing the opinions of the Prefectural Council on Medical Service Facilities.

(7)The provisions of the preceding paragraph apply mutatis mutandis to a reporting hospital, etc. established by a person other than those listed in the items of Article 7-2, paragraph (1), when it is especially necessary for promoting the achievement of the regional medical care vision specified in the medical care plan. In this case, the term "order" in the preceding paragraph is replaced with "request".

Article 30-16(1)The prefectural governor, when no agreement is reached through consultation at the place of consultation on particulars necessary to promote the achievement of the regional medical care vision specified in the medical care plan, or when otherwise specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, may instruct the organizer or administrator of a hospital, etc. subject to a report on the bed functions (limited to those established by the persons listed in the items of Article 7-2, paragraph (1)) in the vision area, etc. to provide medical care pertaining to the case where, out of the functional classification of beds, the number of existing beds according to the functional classification of beds in the vision area pertaining to the relevant vision area, etc. has not reached the future requirements for the number of beds in the relevant vision area specified in the medical care plan and take other necessary measures, after hearing the opinions of the Prefectural Council on Medical Service Facilities.

(2)The provisions of the preceding paragraph apply mutatis mutandis to a hospital, etc. subject to a report on the bed functions established by a person other than those listed in the items of Article 7-2, paragraph (1), when it is especially necessary for promoting the achievement of the regional medical care vision specified in the medical care plan. In this case, the term "instruct" in the preceding paragraph is replaced with "request".

Article 30-17When the prefectural governor finds that the organizer or administrator of a hospital, etc. subject to a report on the bed functions who has received a request under Article 30-15, paragraph (6) as applied mutatis mutandis by replacing the terms in accordance with paragraph (7) of the same Article, or under paragraph (1) of the preceding Article as applied mutatis mutandis by replacing the terms in accordance with paragraph (2) of the same Article has not taken measures pertaining to the relevant request without justifiable grounds, the governor may recommend that the relevant organizer or administrator of a hospital, etc. subject to a report on the bed functions should take the relevant measures, after hearing the opinions of the Prefectural Council on Medical Service Facilities.

Article 30-18In the event that a prefectural governor has issued an order under the provisions of Article 30-15, paragraph (6), an instruction under the provisions of Article 30-16, paragraph (1), or a recommendation under the provisions of the preceding Article, and the organizer or administrator of a hospital, etc. subject to a report on the bed functions who has received the relevant order, instruction or recommendation fails to comply with it, the prefectural governor may make a public announcement to that effect.

Article 30-18-2(1)The prefecture is to establish a place of consultation for consultation with organizations of academic experts on medical treatment, other medical experts, medical insurers, and other related parties (hereinafter referred to as "related parties" in this paragraph and the following paragraph) in each of the areas set forth in Article 30-4, paragraph (2), item (xiv) and other areas that the governor of the relevant prefecture deems appropriate (referred to as the "target area" in paragraph (3)), and, in cooperation with related parties, are to hold consultations on the following particulars (with regard to the particulars listed in items (ii) through (iv), limited to those related to securing the medical care delivery system for outpatient medical care; the same applies in paragraph (3)), and summarize and publicize the results thereof:

(2)When related parties are requested by the prefecture to participate in a consultation conducted by the prefecture pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, they are to endeavor to cooperate by participating in it, and must also endeavor to cooperate in the implementation of particulars which related parties have agreed upon at the place of such consultation.

(3)When the target area coincides with the vision area, etc., the prefecture, in lieu of the consultation set forth in paragraph (1) in the relevant target area, may hold consultations on the particulars listed in the items of the same paragraph at the place of consultation in the relevant vision area, etc.

(4)In the case prescribed in the preceding paragraph, related parties as prescribed in Article 30-14, paragraph (1), when requested by the prefecture to participate in a consultation conducted by the prefecture pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, are to endeavor to cooperate by participating in it, and must also endeavor to cooperate in the implementation of particulars which related parties have agreed upon at the place of such consultation.

Article 30-19The administrator of a hospital or clinic must endeavor to take measures to improve the working environment of medical care professionals working in the relevant hospital or clinic and other measures that contribute to ensuring the availability of medical care professionals.

Article 30-20The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare is to establish and publicize particulars that should serve as guidelines for the appropriate and effective implementation of measures to be taken by administrators of hospitals and clinics in accordance with the provisions of the preceding Article.

Article 30-21(1)The prefecture is to endeavor to implement the following particulars in order to promote the improvement of the working environment of medical care professionals:

(2)The prefecture may entrust all or part of the affairs listed in the items of the preceding paragraph to a person specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(3)A person entrusted pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, when implementing the affairs listed in each item of paragraph (1) or the particulars pertaining to the relevant entrustment, is to pay special attention to the following particulars:

(4)The prefecture or a person entrusted pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2), when implementing the affairs listed in each item of paragraph (1) or the affairs pertaining to the relevant entrustment, must mutually cooperate with a person who implements the affairs to support regional medical care prescribed in Article 30-25, paragraph (3) or the affairs pertaining to the entrustment set forth in the same paragraph.

(5)A person entrusted pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2), or an officer or employee thereof, or a person who used to be such a person must not divulge any secret that has come to their knowledge concerning the affairs pertaining to the relevant entrustment without justifiable grounds.

Article 30-22In order to contribute to appropriate implementation of the affairs listed in each item of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, the national government is to provide necessary information and other forms of cooperation to prefectures.

Article 30-23(1)The prefecture must establish a place of consultation with the administrators of the following entities and other related parties (referred to as the "Council for Regional Medical Care Measures" in the following paragraph), which are to hold consultations with the cooperation of these persons on particulars necessary for the implementation of the particulars listed in each item of the same paragraph concerning ensuring the availability of physicians specified in the medical care plans, and must make a public announcement of the particulars agreed upon through the relevant consultations:

(2)The particulars to be discussed at the Council for Regional Medical Care Measures pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph are to be the following particulars:

(3)The prefectural governor, when holding consultations on the particulars listed in item (ii) of the preceding paragraph, must take into account the information on the number of physicians indicated by the indicator prescribed in Article 30-4, paragraph (2) item (xi), (b) and give consideration to other particulars specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, so that the dispatch of physicians will contribute to ensuring the availability of physicians in acute physician shortage areas.

(4)Administrators of the entities listed in the items of paragraph (1) and other related parties must endeavor to cooperate, if requested by the prefecture, by participating in consultations carried out by the prefecture as set forth in the provisions of the same paragraph.

Article 30-24When the prefectural governor finds it especially necessary based on the particulars agreed upon through the consultation prescribed in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article (referred to as "particulars agreed upon" in paragraph (1) of the following Article, Article 30-27 and Article 31), the governor may request the organizers and administrators of entities listed in the items of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article and other related parties to provide necessary cooperation for ensuring the availability of physicians in hospitals or clinics in acute physician shortage areas, such as dispatching physicians and developing training systems.

Article 30-25(1)The prefecture, based on the particulars agreed upon, is to endeavor to implement the following affairs in order to secure the medical care required in the region:

(2)Beyond the affairs listed in the items of the preceding paragraph, the prefecture may carry out free employment placement services for physicians pursuant to the provisions of Article 29, paragraph (1) of the Employment Security Act (Act No. 141 of 1947) or carry out worker dispatching services for medical practitioners by obtaining the license provided for in Article 5, paragraph (1) of the Act for Securing the Proper Operation of Worker Dispatching Businesses and Protecting Dispatched Workers (Act No. 88 of 1985).

(3)The prefecture may entrust all or part of the affairs listed in the items of paragraph (1) and the affairs provided for in the preceding paragraph (hereinafter referred to as "affairs to support regional medical care" in this Article and the following Article) to a person specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(4)The prefecture or a person who has been entrusted under the provisions of the preceding paragraph, when implementing the affairs to support regional medical care or the affairs pertaining to the relevant entrustment, is to endeavor to secure the functions as a center for securing the medical care required in the region.

(5)The prefecture or a person who has been entrusted under the provisions of paragraph (3), when implementing the affairs to support regional medical care or the affairs pertaining to the relevant entrustment, cooperate with a person who implements affairs listed in each item of Article 30-21, paragraph (1) or affairs pertaining to the entrustment under Article 30-21, paragraph (2).

(6)A person who has been entrusted under the provisions of paragraph (3) or an officer or employee thereof, or a person who used to be such a person must not divulge any secret that has come to their knowledge with regard to the affairs pertaining to the relevant entrustment without justifiable grounds.

Article 30-26In order to contribute to the appropriate implementation of affairs to support regional medical care, the national government is to provide necessary information and other forms of cooperation to prefectures.

Article 30-27The persons listed in the items of Article 30-23, paragraph (1) (excluding item (iii)) and medical care professionals are to endeavor to cooperate in the implementation of particulars agreed upon and other particulars concerning the securing of medical care required in relevant prefectures. They must also, when cooperation is requested in accordance with the provisions of Article 30-24, respond to the relevant request and endeavor to cooperate in ensuring the availability of physicians.

Article 31Public medical institutions (hospitals or clinics established by a prefecture, municipality or other party as prescribed by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare; the same applies hereinafter in this Section) are to endeavor to cooperate in the implementation of particulars agreed upon and other particulars concerning the securing of medical care required in relevant prefectures. They must also, when cooperation is requested in accordance with the provisions of Article 30-24, respond to the relevant request and cooperate in ensuring the availability of physicians.

Articles 32 and 33Deleted

Article 34(1)If the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare finds it specifically necessary for the dissemination of medical care, may order the parties provided for in Article 31 to establish a public medical institution.

(2)In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, the national treasury is to subsidize part of the costs required for the relevant establishment, within the extent determined by the budget.

Article 35(1)The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare or a prefectural governor may order the organizer or administrator of a public medical institution to undertake the following particulars:

(2)The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare or a prefectural governor may instruct the organizer of a public medical institution as necessary on particulars concerning the operation thereof other than those listed in each item of the preceding paragraph.

Articles 36 through 38Deleted

Article 39(1)An association or foundation that wishes to establish a hospital, a clinic where a physician or dentist will work full-time, a long-term care health facility, or an integrated facility for medical and long-term care may incorporate the relevant facility pursuant to the provisions of this Act.

(2)A corporation pursuant to the provisions of the previous paragraph is to include in its name the term "medical corporation".

Article 40An entity that is not a medical corporation must not use the term "medical corporation" in its name.

Article 40-2A medical corporation, as well as seeking to independently strengthen its operational foundations, is to seek to improve the quality of the medical care it provides and ensure transparency in its operation, and must endeavor to actively fulfill its role as a major medical care actor in the community.

Article 41(1)A medical corporation must possess the assets necessary for it to operate.

(2)Necessary particulars concerning the assets set forth in the preceding paragraph are to be as prescribed by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, in accordance with the scale, etc. of medical care functions established by the medical corporation.

Article 42A medical corporation may carry out all or some of the following operations, provided there is no hindrance to the operation of the hospital, clinic, long-term care health facility, or integrated facility for medical and long-term care it has established (including a hospital, clinic, long-term care health facility, or integrated facility for medical and long-term care publically established by the relevant medical corporation and managed by a designated administrator provided for in Article 244-2, paragraph (3) of the Local Autonomy Act (hereinafter referred to as "hospital, etc. managed by a designated administrator")), pursuant to the provisions of its articles of incorporation or its act of endowment:

Article 42-2(1)A medical corporation that has received authorization from the prefectural governor as falling under the following requirements, pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Order (hereinafter referred to as "social medical corporations") may undertake operations as prescribed by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare (hereinafter referred to as "profit-making activities"), for the purpose of allocating its proceeds to the administration of a hospital, clinic, long-term care health facility, or integrated facility for medical and long-term care established by the relevant social medical corporation, pursuant to the provisions of its articles of incorporation or act of endowment, provided that this does not hinder the operation of the hospital, clinic, long-term care health facility, or integrated facility for medical and long-term care the relevant medical corporation has established (including hospitals, etc. managed by a designated administrator):

(2)In granting the authorization set forth in the preceding paragraph, the prefectural governor must hear the opinions of the Prefectural Council on Medical Service Facilities in advance.

(3)Accounting for profit-making activities are to be kept separate from accounting for the operation of a hospital, clinic, long-term care health facility, or integrated facility for medical and long-term care established by the relevant social medical corporation (including a hospital, etc. managed by a designated administrator), and from operations listed in each item of the preceding Article, and must be accounted for in a special account.

Article 42-3(1)Out of medical corporations that have received authorization set forth in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article (hereinafter referred to as "authorization as a social medical corporation" in this paragraph and Article 64-2, paragraph (1)), those that have fallen under Article 64-2, paragraph (1), item (i) due to the fact that they no longer meet the requirements listed in paragraph (1), item (v), (c) of the preceding Article (limited to the case where the relevant failure to meet the requirements is due to reasons specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as reasons not attributable to the relevant medical corporations) and have their authorization as a social medical corporation rescinded pursuant to the provisions of Article 64-2, paragraph (1) (limited to those that fall under the requirements listed in each item (excluding item (v), (c)) of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article) may prepare a plan for the continuous implementation of activities to ensure emergency medical care (hereinafter referred to as the "implementation plan" in this Article) and submit it to the prefectural governor to receive approval to the effect that the implementation plan is appropriate.

(2)A medical corporation that has received the approval set forth in the preceding paragraph may conduct profit-making operations in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs (1) and (3) of the preceding Article.

(3)The provisions of paragraph (2) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to the case of granting the approval set forth in paragraph (1).

(4)Beyond what is provided for in the preceding three paragraphs, particulars necessary for the approval of an implementation plan and its revocation is specified by Cabinet Order.

Article 43(1)A medical corporation must complete its registration pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Order, in the case of its establishment, the establishment of secondary offices, a relocation of its offices, a change in other registered particulars, dissolution, merger, split, the appointment or change of a liquidator, and the completion of liquidation.

(2)Particulars which are to be registered pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph may not be duly asserted against a third party after registration.

Article 44(1)A medical corporation may not be established without the authorization of the prefectural governor of the location of its principal office (hereinafter referred to simply as "prefectural governor" in this Chapter (excluding paragraph (3) and Article 66-3)).

(2)A person who wishes to establish a medical corporation must stipulate at least the following particulars in its articles of incorporation or act of endowment:

(3)If a person who wishes to establish a medical corporation foundation dies without stipulating the name, location of its offices, or method of appointment and dismissal of directors, the prefectural governor must determine such particulars by the authority of the governor or at the request of an interested party.

(4)The initial officers at the time of the establishment of a medical corporation must be stipulated in the articles of incorporation or act of endowment.

(5)Where, among the particulars listed in paragraph (2), item (x), provisions on persons with vested rights to residual assets have been established, such persons must be selected from among the national government or local governments, or medical corporations or other persons who deliver medical care, as prescribed by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(6)Beyond the provisions of this Section, any necessary particulars related to applications for authorization to establish a medical corporation is to be as prescribed by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 45(1)Where there has been an application for authorization pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, the prefectural governor must reach a decision on such authorization based on an examination of whether the assets of the medical corporation to which the relevant application relates comply with the requirements set forth in Article 41, and whether the articles of incorporation or act of endowment are not in violation of laws and regulations.

(2)In granting or refusing authorization pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, the prefectural governor must hear the opinions of the Prefectural Council on Medical Service Facilities in advance.

Article 46(1)A medical corporation is to be incorporated through the registration of its establishment at the location of the principal office thereof, pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Order.

(2)A medical corporation must prepare an inventory of assets at the time of incorporation, and keep it in its principal office at all times.

Article 50The accounting of a medical corporation is to be in accordance with accounting practices that are generally accepted as fair and appropriate, beyond the provisions of this Act and an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare under this Act.

Article 50-2(1)A medical corporation must prepare accurate accounting books in a timely manner pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(2)A medical corporation must preserve its accounting books and important materials concerning its business for ten years from the time of closure of the accounting books.

Article 51(1)A medical corporation, within two months after the end of each fiscal year, must prepare a business report, an inventory of property, a balance sheet, a profit and loss statement, a report on the status of transactions with related business operators (meaning a person who has a special relationship with the medical corporation or its officers specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, such as the spouse of the president being its representative), and other documents specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (hereinafter referred to as "business report, etc.").

(2)A medical corporation (limited to those that meet the standards specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in consideration of the scale of their business activities and other circumstances) must prepare the balance sheet and profit and loss statement set forth in the preceding paragraph pursuant to an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(3)A medical corporation must preserve the balance sheet and profit and loss statement for ten years from the time of preparation of the relevant balance sheet and profit and loss statement.

(4)A medical corporation must have its business report, etc. audited by an auditor pursuant to an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(5)A medical corporation set forth in paragraph (2) must have its inventory of property, balance sheet and profit and loss statement audited by a certified public accountant or an audit corporation, pursuant to an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(6)A medical corporation must obtain the approval of the board of directors for the business report, etc. audited by the auditor or certified public accountant or audit corporation set forth in the preceding two paragraphs.

Article 51-2(1)The directors of a medical corporation as an association must submit the business report, etc. approved under paragraph (6) of the preceding Article to the general meeting of members.

(2)Upon the notice of convocation of the general meeting of members set forth in the preceding paragraph, the directors must provide the members with the business report, etc. approved under paragraph (6) of the preceding Article pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(3)The business report, etc. (limited to the balance sheet and profit and loss statement) submitted pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) must be approved by the general meeting of members.

(4)The directors must report the contents of the business report, etc. (excluding the balance sheet and profit and loss statement) submitted pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) to the general meeting of members.

(5)The provisions of the preceding paragraphs apply mutatis mutandis to a medical corporation as a foundation.In this case, the term "general meeting of members" in the preceding paragraphs is replaced with "meeting of the board of councillors", and the term "members" in paragraph (2) is replaced with "councillors".

Article 51-3A medical corporation (limited to those that meet the standards specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in consideration of the scale of their business activities and other circumstances), pursuant to an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, must publicize the business report, etc. (limited to the balance sheet and profit and loss statement) approved under paragraph (3) of the preceding Article (including cases where it is applied mutatis mutandis by replacing the terms pursuant to paragraph (5) of the same Article).

Article 51-4(1)A medical corporation (excluding those prescribed in the following paragraph) must keep the following documents at its principal office and make them available for inspection upon request from its members, councillors or creditors, except in cases where there are justifiable grounds, pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare:

(2)A social medical corporation and a medical corporation set forth in Article 51, paragraph (2) (excluding social medical corporations) must keep the following documents (in the case of documents listed in item (ii), limited to medical corporations set forth in Article 51, paragraph (2)) at its principal office and make them available for inspection upon request, except in cases where there are justifiable grounds, pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare:

(3)A medical corporation must keep the business report, etc., the auditor's audit report and the audit report of a certified public accountant, etc. at its principal office for five years from one week prior to the date of the general meeting of members set forth in Article 51-2, paragraph (1) (in the case of a medical corporation as a foundation, the date of the meeting of the board of councillors set forth in paragraph (1) of the same Article as applied mutatis mutandis by replacing the terms pursuant to paragraph (5) of the same Article).

(4)The provisions of the preceding three paragraphs apply mutatis mutandis to the keeping and inspection of documents at the secondary office of a medical corporation. In this case, the term "documents" in paragraph (1) is replaced with "copies of documents", and the term "documents (limited to" in paragraph (2) is replaced with "copies of documents (limited to", the term "five years" in the preceding paragraph is replaced with "three years", the term "business report, etc." is replaced with "copies of business report, etc.", and the term "audit report" is replaced with "copies of audit report".

Article 52(1)A medical corporation, pursuant to an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, must submit the following documents to the prefectural governor within three months after the end of each fiscal year:

(2)The prefectural governor, pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, must make the articles of incorporation, act of endowment, or documents submitted under the preceding paragraph available for inspection upon request.

Article 53The fiscal year of a medical corporation is to begin on April 1 and end on March 31 of the following year; provided, however, that this does not apply when it is otherwise specified in the articles of incorporation or act of endowment.

Article 54A medical corporation must not distribute dividends of surplus.

Article 54-2(1)A social medical corporation may issue social medical corporation bonds (monetary claims against a social medical corporation that arise as a result of allotments carried out pursuant to the provisions of the Companies Act (Act No. 86 of 2005) as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 54-7, and which are redeemed in accordance with the provisions on the particulars listed in each item of paragraph (1) of the following Article; the same apply hereinafter) in an amount not exceeding the limit decided at a general meeting or by the board of councillors pursuant to the provisions of the act of endowment, in order to contribute to the implementation of activities to ensure emergency medical care.

(2)When a social medical corporation has issued social medical corporation bonds pursuant to the preceding paragraph, it must not transfer funds equivalent to the proceeds from the issuance of the relevant social medical corporation bonds to a special account as provided for in Article 42-2, paragraph (3).

Article 54-3(1)A social medical corporation, whenever it wishes to solicit subscribers for social medical corporation bonds it is issuing, must specify the following particulars regarding its social medical corporation bonds for subscription (meaning social medical corporation bonds that will be allocated to the persons who subscribe for the relevant social medical corporation bonds in response to the relevant solicitation; the same applies hereinafter):

(2)The particulars listed in item (ii) of the preceding paragraph and other particulars prescribed by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as important particulars that concern the solicitation of subscribers for social medical corporation bonds are decided by a majority of the directors.

Article 54-4A social medical corporation must prepare its social medical corporation bond registry and enter or record the following particulars in that registry, without delay after the date social medical corporation bonds are issued:

Article 54-5A social medical corporation, where it issues social medical corporation bonds, must appoint a social medical corporation bond administrator, and entrust the receipt of payments, the preservation of rights of claim on behalf of the social medical corporation bondholders, and other administration of the social medical corporation bonds to that administrator; provided, however, that this does not apply where the amount of each social medical corporation bond is 100,000,000 yen or more, and in other cases prescribed by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as cases where it is unlikely that the protection of social medical corporation bondholders will be compromised.

Article 54-6(1)Social medical corporation bondholders are to be the framework for social medical corporation bondholders meetings for each class of social medical corporation bonds.

(2)A social medical corporation bondholders meeting may adopt resolutions on particulars provided for in this Act or the Companies Act as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to the following Article, and particulars related to the interests of the social medical corporation bondholders.

Article 54-7Where a social medical corporation issues social medical corporation bonds, the provisions set forth in Article 677 through Article 680, Article 682, Article 683, Article 684 (excluding paragraph (4) and paragraph (5)), Article 685 through Article 701, Article 703 through Article 714, Article 717 through Article 742, Part VII, Chapter II, Section 7, Article 868, paragraph (4), Article 869, Article 870, paragraph (1) (limited to the parts pertaining to item (ii) and item (xii) through item (ix)), Article 871 (limited to the parts pertaining to item (ii)), Article 872 (limited to the parts pertaining to item (iv)), Article 873, Article 874 (limited to the parts pertaining to item (i) and item (iv)), Article 875, and Article 876 of the Companies Act apply mutatis mutandis to social medical corporation bonds, social medical corporation bonds for subscription, social medical corporation bond certificates, social medical corporation bondholders, social medical corporation bond administrators, social medical corporation bondholders meetings, and social medical corporation bond registers. Where this is the case, any necessary replacement of terms are prescribed by Cabinet Order.

Article 54-8A social medical corporation bond is deemed to be a bond in regard to the application of the Secured Bonds Trust Act (Act No. 52 of 1905) and other laws and regulations as prescribed by Cabinet Order, pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Order.

Article 54-9(1)In order for a medical corporation as an association to change its articles of incorporation, a resolution of the general meeting of members must be adopted.

(2)In order for a medical corporation as a foundation to change its act of endowment, it must hear the opinion of the board of councillors in advance.

(3)Changes to the articles of incorporation or act of endowment (excluding those pertaining to particulars specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) must not take effect unless approved by the prefectural governor.

(4)In the case where an application for approval has been filed pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the prefectural governor must decide on the approval after examining the particulars prescribed in Article 45, paragraph (1) and whether the procedures for the change of the articles of incorporation or act of endowment are not in violation of laws and regulations or the articles of incorporation or act of endowment.

(5)When a medical corporation has changed its articles of incorporation or act of endowment pertaining to the particulars specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as set forth in paragraph (3), it must notify the prefectural governor of the changed articles of incorporation or act of endowment without delay.

(6)The provisions of Article 44, paragraph (5) apply mutatis mutandis to the case where provisions concerning the person to whom the residual property is to belong are established or changed as a result of changing the articles of incorporation or act of endowment.

Article 55(1)An association of medical corporations is to be dissolved on the following grounds:

(2)An association of medical corporations may not adopt a general meeting resolution as set forth in item (iii) of the preceding paragraph without the support of a three-quarters majority of all members; provided, however, that this does not apply when it is otherwise specified in the articles of incorporation.

(3)A medical corporation foundation is to be dissolved for the following reasons:

(4)Where a medical corporation can no longer perform on its obligations by means of its assets, a court, in response to a petition from the directors or obligees or sua sponte, is to issue a decision for the commencement of bankruptcy procedures.

(5)In the case prescribed in the preceding paragraph, the directors must immediately file a petition for the commencement of bankruptcy procedures.

(6)Dissolution resulting from the grounds listed in paragraph (1), item (ii) or (iii) must not be effective without the authorization of the prefectural governor.

(7)In granting or refusing the authorization set forth in the preceding paragraph, a prefectural governor must hear the opinions of the Prefectural Council on Medical Service Facilities in advance.

(8)A liquidator, where a medical corporation has been dissolved based on the grounds listed in paragraph (1), items (i) or (v), or paragraph (3), item (i), must notify the prefectural governor to that effect.

Article 56(1)The residual assets of a dissolved medical corporation are to belong to persons to whom it should belong pursuant to the provisions of the articles of incorporation or act of endowment, except in the case of dissolution due to a decision to merge or to commence bankruptcy proceedings.

(2)Assets not disposed of pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph is to belong to the national treasury.

Article 56-2A dissolved medical corporation is deemed to remain in existence until the liquidation is completed, to the extent of the purpose of liquidation.

Article 56-3When a medical corporation has been dissolved, a director becomes its liquidator, except in the case of dissolution due to a decision to merge or to commence bankruptcy proceedings; provided, however, that this does not apply when it is otherwise specified in the articles of incorporation or act of endowment, or when a person other than a director is appointed at a general meeting.

Article 56-4In the absence of a liquidator pursuant to the provisions of the preceding Article or when damages are likely to be incurred due to the absence of a liquidator, a court may appoint the liquidator in response to a petition by an interested party or the public prosecutor, or sua sponte.

Article 56-5When there are material grounds for doing so, a court may dismiss a liquidator in response to a petition by an interested party or the public prosecutor, or sua sponte.

Article 56-6A liquidator appointed during liquidation must notify the prefectural governor of their name and address.

Article 56-7(1)A liquidator is to perform the following duties:

(2)A liquidator may engage in any and all acts that are necessary to the performance of the duties listed in each of the items of the preceding paragraph.

Article 56-8(1)A liquidator is to provide public notice on at least three occasions, requiring obligees to submit their claims within a stated period, within two months of the date that the relevant liquidator takes office.In this case, the period for filing claims must not be less than two months.

(2)The public notice set forth in the preceding paragraph must note that if an obligee fails to submit their claim within the stated period, their claim will be excluded from the liquidation proceedings; provided, however, that the liquidator may not exclude any known obligee.

(3)The liquidator must notify each known obligee separately of the requirement for them to submit their claim.

(4)The public notice set forth in paragraph (1) is be carried out via publication in the Official Gazette.

Article 56-9A obligee who submits their claim after the expiry of the period set forth in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article may claim only the assets which, after all debts of the medical corporation have been fully paid, have not yet been delivered to persons with vested rights.

Article 56-10(1)When it has become clear that the assets of a medical corporation in liquidation are insufficient to perform on its obligations, the liquidator must immediately file to commence bankruptcy proceedings and provide public notice to that effect.

(2)Where a medical corporation in liquidation is subject to a ruling for the commencement of bankruptcy proceedings, the liquidator is deemed to have completed their duties when the administration of the relevant proceedings has been transferred to the bankruptcy trustee.

(3)In the case provided for in the preceding paragraph, when a medical corporation in liquidation has already made payment to an obligee or delivered assets to persons with vested interests, the bankruptcy trustee may retrieve such monies or assets.

(4)Public notice pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) is carried out via publication in the Official Gazette.

Article 56-11When liquidation proceedings are completed, the liquidator must notify the prefectural governor to that effect.

Article 56-12(1)The dissolution and liquidation of a medical corporation is to be subject to court supervision.

(2)A court may conduct the necessary investigations for the supervision set forth in the preceding paragraph at any time, sua sponte.

(3)A court supervising the dissolution and liquidation of a medical corporation may seek the opinion of the prefectural governor, or may commission an investigation thereby.

(4)The prefectural governor provided for in the preceding paragraph may state their opinion to the court provided for in the same paragraph.

Article 56-13Cases related to the supervision of the dissolution and liquidation of a medical corporation or to the liquidator is subject to the jurisdiction of the district court with jurisdiction over the location of the principal office thereof.

Article 56-14No appeal may be entered against a judicial decision on the appointment of the liquidators.

Article 56-15A court, where a liquidator has been appointed pursuant to the provisions of Article 56-4, may specify the amount in fees to be paid to the relevant liquidator by the medical corporation.In this case, the court must hear the statements of the relevant liquidator and the auditor.

Article 56-16(1)A court may appoint an inspector so as to have them carry out the necessary investigations for the supervision of the dissolution and liquidation of a medical corporation.

(2)The provisions of the preceding two Articles apply mutatis mutandis to where the court has appointed an inspector as prescribed in the preceding paragraph.In this case, the term "liquidator and the auditor" in the preceding Article is replaced with "medical corporation and the inspector".

Article 63(1)When a prefectural governor suspects the operations or accounting of a medical corporation to be in violation of laws and regulations, a disposition by the prefectural governor based on laws and regulations, the articles of incorporation, or the act of endowment, or suspects its administration to be significantly inappropriate, the prefectural governor may request the relevant medical corporation to report on the status of its operations or accounting, or may have the relevant officials enter its offices and inspect the status of its operations or accounting.

(2)The provisions set forth in Article 6-8, paragraphs (3) and (4) apply mutatis mutandis to any entry and inspection pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

Article 64(1)When a prefectural governor finds the operations or accounting of a medical corporation to be in violation of laws and regulations, a disposition of the prefectural governor based on laws and regulations, the articles of incorporation, or the act of endowment, or finds its administration to be significantly inappropriate, the prefectural governor may order the relevant medical corporation to take any necessary measures by a set deadline.

(2)When a medical corporation fails to abide by an order as set forth in the preceding paragraph, the prefectural governor may order the relevant medical corporation to suspend all or a part of its operations for a period that the prefectural governor prescribes, or may recommend the dismissal of its officers.

(3)In ordering the suspension of operations or recommending the dismissal of officers pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the prefectural governor must hear the opinions of the Prefectural Council on Medical Service Facilities in advance.

Article 64-2(1)A prefectural governor, where a social medical corporation falls under any of the following items, may rescind the social medical corporation's authorization, or order all or a part of the profit-making activities to be suspended for a period that the prefectural governor prescribes:

(2)In rescinding authorization pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the prefectural governor must hear the opinions of the Prefectural Council on Medical Service Facilities in advance.

Article 65A prefectural governor, when a medical corporation fails to establish or re-open a hospital, clinic, long-term care health facility, or integrated facility for medical and long-term care without justifiable grounds, within one year of the establishment of the relevant medical corporation or within one year of the suspension or abolition of all of its hospitals, clinics, long-term care health facilities, and integrated facilities for medical and long-term care, may rescind its authorization for establishment.

Article 66(1)A prefectural governor, where a medical corporation has violated the provisions of laws and regulations or an order by the prefectural governor based on the provisions of laws and regulations, may rescind its authorization for establishment, provided that the purpose of supervision cannot be achieved by any other means.

(2)In rescinding authorization for establishment pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the prefectural governor must hear the opinions of the Prefectural Council on Medical Service Facilities in advance.

Article 66-2When the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare finds there to be a risk of significant harm to the public interest due to a failure to undertake disposition pursuant to the provisions of Article 64, paragraphs (1) and (2), Article 64-2, paragraph (1), Article 65, or paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, the minister may instruct the prefectural governor to undertake disposition pursuant to the relevant provisions.

Article 66-3The prefectural governor concerned (meaning the prefectural governor of the location of a hospital, clinic, long-term care health facility or integrated facility for medical and long-term care established by a medical corporation, who is not the prefectural governor of the location of the principal office of the relevant medical corporation) may, when the prefectural governor finds it necessary, express the opinion to the prefectural governor of the location of the principal office of the relevant medical corporation that appropriate measures should be taken against the relevant medical corporation.

Article 67(1)In issuing a disposition refusing authorization pursuant to the provisions of Article 44, paragraph (1), Article 55, paragraph (6), Article 58-2, paragraph (4) (including the cases where it is applied mutatis mutandis by replacing the terms pursuant to Article 59-2), or Article 60-3, paragraph (4) (including the cases where it is applied mutatis mutandis by replacing the terms pursuant to Article 61-3) or recommending the dismissal of an officer pursuant to the provisions of Article 64, paragraph (2), the prefectural governor is to grant the person named in the relevant disposition or the party under the relevant recommendation the opportunity to give an explanation to a designated official or to another party.In this case, the prefectural governor must give written notice in advance to the person named in the relevant ruling or the party under the relevant recommendation of the date and time and location of the explanation and the grounds for the relevant disposition or the relevant recommendation.

(2)A person who receives a notice as set forth in the preceding paragraph may have a representative appear, and may submit their own supporting evidence.

(3)A person who has given a hearing to an explanation pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) must create and retain a hearing record, prepare a written report, and state their opinion to the prefectural governor concerning whether the relevant disposition or recommendation is necessary.

Article 68The provisions set forth in Article 4, Article 158, and Article 164 of the Act on General Incorporated Associations and General Incorporated Foundations, and Article 662, Article 664, Article 868, paragraph (1), Article 871, Article 874 (limited to parts pertaining to item (i)), Article 875, and Article 876 of the Companies Act apply mutatis mutandis to medical corporations.In this case, the term "distribute its assets to its partners" in Article 664 of the Companies Act is replaced with "assign its assets to persons with vested interests in residual assets or to the national treasury", and the term "head office" in Article 868, paragraph (1) of the same Act is replaced with "principal office".

Article 69Beyond what is specifically provided for in this Chapter, particulars necessary for the supervision of medical corporations is specified by a Cabinet Order.

Article 70(1)The following corporations (excluding profit-oriented corporations; hereinafter referred to as "participating corporations" in this Chapter), and general incorporated associations that have members specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as persons necessary for efficiently providing high-quality and appropriate medical care in the region and have policies in place for promoting coordination of operations (hereinafter referred to as the "medical coordination promotion policy" in this Chapter) pertaining to a hospital, clinic, long-term care health facility, or integrated facility for medical and long-term care (hereinafter referred to as "hospital, etc." in this Chapter) with the purpose of performing medical coordination promotion operations may obtain approval from the governor of the prefecture to which the area to promote the relevant coordination specified in the articles of incorporation belongs (hereinafter referred to as "medical coordination promotion area") (in the case where the relevant medical coordination promotion area extends over two or more prefectures, any one of these prefectures):

(2)The medical coordination promotion operations set forth in the preceding paragraph means the following operations and other operations performed for the purpose of promoting coordination of operations pertaining to a hospital, etc. in accordance with the medical coordination promotion policy:

Article 70-2(1)A general incorporated association that intends to obtain the approval set forth in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article (hereinafter referred to as "approval for medical coordination promotion" in this Chapter), pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Order, must apply to the prefectural governor with a medical coordination promotion policy.

(2)The medical coordination promotion policy must contain the following particulars:

(3)A medical coordination promotion area is established by taking into consideration the vision area specified in the medical care plan of the prefecture to which the relevant medical coordination promotion area belongs.

(4)Beyond the particulars listed in each item of paragraph (2), the medical coordination promotion policy may contain particulars concerning the coordination of operations among participating hospitals, etc. and participating nursing care facilities, etc. (referring to facilities or offices pertaining to nursing care business, etc. established or managed by a participating corporation in a medical coordination promotion area; the same applies in Article 70-11).

(5)When the medical coordination promotion area pertaining to an application for approval for medical coordination promotion extends over two or more prefectures, the prefectural governor who conducts the affairs concerning the approval for medical coordination promotion must be determined through consultation among the governors of the prefectures to which the relevant medical coordination promotion area belongs.In this case, the prefectural governor who has received the application for approval for medical coordination promotion is to notify the general incorporated association that has applied for approval for medical coordination promotion of the prefectural governor who is to conduct the affairs concerning the approval for medical coordination promotion.

Article 70-3(1)When the prefectural governor finds that a general incorporated association that has applied for approval for medical coordination promotion conforms to the following standards, the prefectural governor may grant approval for medical coordination promotion to the relevant general incorporated association:

(2)In granting approval for medical coordination promotion, the prefectural governor must give consideration to consistency with the regional medical care vision specified in the medical care plan of the prefecture and hear the opinions of the Prefectural Council on Medical Service Facilities in advance.

Article 70-4A general incorporated association that falls under any of the following is not eligible to receive approval for medical coordination promotion:

Article 70-5(1)A general incorporated association that has obtained approval for medical coordination promotion (hereinafter referred to as a "regional medical coordination promotion corporation") must use the words "regional medical coordination promotion corporation" in its name.

(2)A regional medical coordination promotion corporation is deemed to have amended its articles of incorporation to change the words "general incorporated association" in its name to "regional medical coordination promotion corporation".

(3)A written application for registration of the change of name pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph is accompanied by a document certifying that the corporation has obtained approval for medical coordination promotion.

(4)A person who is not a regional medical coordination promotion corporation must not use the words in its name or trade name that may be misunderstood as a regional medical coordination promotion corporation.

(5)A regional medical coordination promotion corporation must not use a name or trade name that may be misunderstood as another regional medical coordination promotion corporation for wrongful purposes.

Article 70-6When a prefectural governor has granted approval for medical coordination promotion, the prefectural governor must make a public announcement to that effect pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 70-7A regional medical coordination promotion corporation must voluntarily strengthen its operational base, promote coordination of operations of participating corporations that establish hospitals, etc. or establish or manage facilities or offices pertaining to nursing care business, etc. in the medical coordination promotion area, and ensure transparency of the management thereof, thereby endeavoring to play an active role that contributes to the achievement of the regional medical care vision and the establishment of the community-based integrated care system.

Article 70-8(1)A regional medical coordination promotion corporation, only when the particulars prescribed in Article 70-2, paragraph (4) are stated in the medical coordination promotion policy, in accordance with the medical coordination promotion policy, may conduct business aimed at promoting coordination of operations of hospitals, etc. established by participating corporations and those of facilities or offices established or managed by participating corporations and engaged in nursing care business, etc.

(2)A regional medical coordination promotion corporation may make an investment only when the following requirements are met:

(3)When a regional medical coordination promotion corporation intending to establish a hospital, etc. (including management of a public hospital, etc. conducted as a designated administrator as set forth in Article 244-2, paragraph (3) of the Local Autonomy Act), or establish or manage a facility or office specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and engaged in nursing care business, etc., must receive prior confirmation from the prefectural governor who has granted approval for medical coordination promotion (hereinafter referred to as the "prefectural governor having granted approval" in this Chapter) that it will pose no obstacle to the implementation of the medical coordination promotion operations.

(4)A regional medical coordination promotion corporation may not apply for permission to establish a hospital, permission under Article 62, paragraph (2) of the Social Welfare Act (limited to that pertaining to the establishment of facilities specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare), or any other permission specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare without receiving the confirmation set forth in the preceding paragraph.

(5)Prior to making a disposition with regards to making the confirmation or not under paragraph (3), the prefectural governor must hear the opinions of the Prefectural Council on Medical Service Facilities in advance.

Article 70-9The provisions of Article 18 of the Act on Authorization of Public Interest Incorporated Associations and Public Interest Incorporated Foundations apply mutatis mutandis to a regional medical coordination promotion corporation.In this case, the term "business property for public interest purposes" in the same Article is replaced with "business property for the purpose of medical coordination promotion", the term "business for public interest purposes" is replaced with "medical coordination promotion operations set forth in Article 70, paragraph (2) of the Medical Care Act (Act No. 205 of 1948) (hereinafter referred to as "medical coordination promotion operations" in this Article)", the term "Cabinet Office Order" is replaced with "Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare", the term "approval for public interest" in item (i) of the same Article is replaced with "approval for medical coordination promotion set forth in Article 70-2, paragraph (1) of the Medical Care Act (hereinafter referred to as "approval for medical coordination promotion" in this Article)", the term "business for public interest purposes" is replaced with "medical coordination promotion operations", the term "approval for public interest" in items (ii) and (iii) of the same Article is replaced with "approval for medical coordination promotion", the term "business for public interest purposes" is replaced with "medical coordination promotion operations", the term "approval for public interest" in item (iv) of the same Article is replaced with "approval for medical coordination promotion", the term "profit-making businesses, etc." is replaced with "businesses other than medical coordination promotion operations", the term "Cabinet Office Order" is replaced with "Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare", the term "approval for public interest" in item (vii) of the same Article is replaced with "approval for medical coordination promotion", the term "Cabinet Office Order" is replaced with "Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare", the term "business for public interest purposes" is replaced with "medical coordination promotion operations", the term "business for public interest purposes" in item (viii) of the same Article is replaced with "medical coordination promotion operations", and the term "Cabinet Office Order" is replaced with "Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare".

Article 70-10The provisions of Article 41 apply mutatis mutandis to a regional medical coordination promotion corporation.In this case, the term "scale, etc. of the medical institutions established by the medical corporation" in paragraph (2) of the same Article is replaced with "medical coordination promotion operations prescribed in Article 70, paragraph (2) conducted by a regional medical coordination promotion corporation prescribed in Article 70-5, paragraph (1)".

Article 70-11A participating corporation must display a mark at participating hospitals, etc. and participating nursing care facilities, etc. it establishes to indicate that the coordination of operations of the relevant participating hospitals, etc. and participating nursing care facilities, etc. is being promoted in accordance with the medical coordination promotion policy.

Article 70-12(1)The provisions of Article 46-5-3, paragraph (3) apply mutatis mutandis to the directors of a regional medical coordination promotion corporation, and the provisions of Article 46-5, paragraph (9) and Article 46-5-3, paragraph (3) apply mutatis mutandis to the auditors of a regional medical coordination promotion corporation.

(2)When applying the provisions of Article 100 of the Act on General Incorporated Associations and General Incorporated Foundations to the auditors of a regional medical coordination promotion corporation, the term "directors (in the case of a general incorporated association with a board of directors, the board of directors)" in the same Article is replaced with "prefectural governor having granted approval (referred to the prefectural governor having granted approval prescribed in Article 70-8, paragraph (3) of the Medical Care Act (Act No. 205 of 1948)), the general meeting of members, or the board of directors".

Article 70-13(1)A regional medical coordination promotion corporation must publicize the results of the evaluation set forth in Article 70-3, paragraph (1), item (xvi), (c).

(2)A regional medical coordination promotion corporation is to respect the opinions of the council for regional medical coordination promotion set forth in Article 70-3. paragraph (1), item (xvi), (c).

Article 70-14The provisions of Section 4 of the preceding Chapter (excluding Article 50, Article 50-2, Article 51-2, paragraph (5) and Article 51-4, paragraph (1)) apply mutatis mutandis to the accounting of a regional medical coordination promotion corporation.In this case, the term "report on the status of transactions with related business operators" in Article 51, paragraph (1) is replaced with "report on the status of transactions with related business operators, a report on the status of support set forth in Article 70, paragraph (2), item (iii), and a report on the status of investment set forth in Article 70-8, paragraph (2)", the terms "medical corporation (limited to those that meet the standards specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in consideration of the scale of their business activities and other circumstances)" in paragraph (2) of the same Article, "medical corporation set forth in paragraph (2)" in paragraph (5) of the same Article, and "medical corporation (limited to those that meet the standards specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in consideration of the scale of their business activities and other circumstances)" in Article 51-3 is replaced with "regional medical coordination promotion corporation", the term "paragraph (3) of the preceding Article (including cases where it is applied mutatis mutandis by replacing the terms pursuant to paragraph (5) of the same Article)" in the same Article is replaced with "paragraph (3) of the preceding Article", the term "social medical corporation and a medical corporation set forth in Article 51, paragraph (2) (excluding a social medical corporation)" in Article 51-4, paragraph (2) is replaced with "regional medical coordination promotion corporation", the term "documents (limited to medical corporations set forth in Article 51, paragraph (2) in the case of documents listed in item (ii))" is replaced with "documents", the term "documents listed in each item of the preceding paragraph" in item (i) of the same paragraph is replaced with "business report, etc., audit report set forth in Article 46-8, item (iii) and the articles of incorporation", the term "auditor's audit report" in paragraph (3) of the same Article is replaced with "audit report set forth in Article 46-8, item (iii)", the term "preceding three paragraphs" in paragraph (4) of the same Article is replaced with "preceding two paragraphs", the term "auditor's audit report" in Article 52, paragraph (1), item (ii) is replaced with "audit report set forth in Article 46-8, item (iii)", and the term "in the case of a medical corporation set forth in Article 51, paragraph (2), the audit report of a certified public accountant, etc." in item (iii) of the same paragraph is replaced with "the audit report of a certified public accountant, etc.".

Article 70-15The provisions of Section 7 of the preceding Chapter (excluding Article 55, paragraph (1) (limited to the part pertaining to items (iv) and (vii)) and Article 55, paragraph (3)) apply mutatis mutandis to the dissolution and liquidation of a regional medical coordination promotion corporation.In this case, the term "prefectural governor" in paragraph (6) of the same Article is replaced with "prefectural governor having granted approval (meaning the prefectural governor having granted approval prescribed in Article 70-8. paragraph (3); hereinafter the same applies in this Section)", the term "prefectural governor" in paragraphs (7) and (8) of the same Article is replaced with "prefectural governor having granted approval", the term "or (v), or paragraph (3), item (i)" in paragraph (8) of the same Article is replaced with "or (v)", the term "decision to merge or to commence bankruptcy proceedings" in Article 56, paragraph (1) and Article 56-3 is replaced with "decision to commence bankruptcy proceedings", the term "prefectural governor" in Article 56-6 and Article 56-11 is replaced with "prefectural governor having granted approval", the term "liquidation" in Article 56-12, paragraph (1) is replaced with "liquidation (limited to the part pertaining to dissolution and liquidation prescribed in this Section (excluding Article 55, paragraph (1) (limited to the part pertaining to items (iv) and (vii)) and Article 55, paragraph (3)) as applied mutatis mutandis by replacing the terms pursuant to Article 70-15)", and the term "prefectural governor" in paragraphs (3) and (4) of the same Article is replaced with "prefectural governor having granted approval".

Article 70-16The provisions of Article 5, paragraph (1), Article 49, paragraph (2) (limited to the part pertaining to item (vi) (limited to the part pertaining to the general meeting of members set forth in item (iii) of Article 148)), Article 67, paragraphs (1) and (3), and Chapter V of the Act on General Incorporated Associations and General Incorporated Foundations do not apply to a regional medical coordination promotion corporation.

Article 70-17Beyond the particulars listed in each item of Article 11, paragraph (1) of the Act on General Incorporated Associations and General Incorporated Foundations and the provisions of the articles of incorporation prescribed in Article 70-3, paragraph (1), items (vi), (vii), (xii) and (xvi) through (xix), a regional medical coordination promotion corporation must provide for in the following particulars in its articles of incorporation:

Article 70-18(1)The provisions of Article 54-9 (excluding paragraphs (1) and (2)) apply mutatis mutandis to the change of the articles of incorporation of a regional medical coordination promotion corporation.In this case, the term "prefectural governor" in paragraph (3) of the same Article is replaced with "prefectural governor having granted approval (meaning the prefectural governor having granted approval prescribed in Article 70-8, paragraph (3); the same applies in the following paragraph and paragraph (5))", the term "prefectural governor" in paragraph (4) of the same Article is replaced with "prefectural governor having granted approval", the term "particulars prescribed in Article 45, paragraph (1) and" is replaced with "whether the assets of the regional medical coordination promotion corporation (meaning the regional medical coordination promotion corporation prescribed in Article 70-5, paragraph (1)) pertaining to the relevant application meet the requirements set forth in Article 41 as applied mutatis mutandis by replacing the terms pursuant to Article 70-10, whether the content of the articles of incorporation after change does not violate the provisions of laws and regulations, and", and the term "prefectural governor" in paragraph (5) of the same Article is replaced with "prefectural governor having granted approval".

(2)A prefectural governor having granted approval, when giving the approval set forth in Article 54-9, paragraph (3) (limited to the approval pertaining to the particulars listed in item (vi) of the preceding Article and other important particulars specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare; hereinafter the same applies in this paragraph) as applied mutatis mutandis by replacing the terms in accordance with the preceding paragraph or making a disposition not to give the approval, must hear the opinions of the Prefectural Council on Medical Service Facilities in advance.

Article 70-19(1)The selection and dismissal of a representative director is not take effect without the approval of an authorized prefectural governor.

(2)An authorized prefectural governor, when giving the approval or making a disposition not to give the approval set forth in the preceding paragraph, must hear the opinions of the Prefectural Council on Medical Service Facilities in advance.

Article 70-20The provisions of Article 6-8, paragraphs (3) and (4), Article 63, paragraph (1) and Article 64 apply mutatis mutandis to a regional medical coordination promotion corporation.In this case, the term "paragraph (1)" in Article 6-8, paragraphs (3) and (4) is replaced with "Article 63, paragraph (1) as applied mutatis mutandis by replacing the terms pursuant to Article 70-20", the term "prefectural governor" in Article 63, paragraph (1) is replaced with "prefectural governor having granted approval (meaning the prefectural governor having granted approval prescribed in Article 70-8, paragraph (3); hereinafter the same applies in this paragraph and the following Article) ", the term "by the prefectural governor" is replaced with "by the prefectural governor having granted approval", and the term "prefectural governor" in Article 64 is replaced with "prefectural governor having granted approval".

Article 70-21(1)In the case where a regional medical coordination promotion corporation falls under any of the following items, the prefectural governor having granted approval must rescind the approval for medical coordination promotion:

(2)In the case where a regional medical coordination promotion corporation falls under any of the following items, the prefectural governor having granted approval may rescind the approval for medical coordination promotion:

(3)A prefectural governor having granted approval, when rescinding the approval for medical coordination promotion pursuant to the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs, must hear the opinions of the Prefectural Council on Medical Service Facilities in advance.

(4)A prefectural governor having granted approval who rescinded the approval for medical coordination promotion pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or (2) must make a public announcement to that effect in accordance with an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(5)A reginal medical coordination promotion corporation that has received a disposition of rescission of the approval for medical coordination promotion pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or paragraph (2) is deemed to have amended its articles of incorporation to change the words "regional medical coordination promotion corporation" in its name to "general incorporated association".

(6)A prefectural governor having granted approval who rescinded the approval for medical coordination promotion pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or (2) must immediately commission the registration of the change of the name of the relevant regional medical coordination promotion corporation to the registration office having jurisdiction over the location of the principal office or secondary office of the relevant regional medical coordination promotion corporation.

(7)The written commission for registration of the change of the name pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph must be accompanied by a document certifying that the disposition pertaining to the cause of the relevant registration has been made.

Article 70-22The provisions of Article 30 of the Act on Authorization of Public Interest Incorporated Associations and Public Interest Incorporated Foundations apply mutatis mutandis to the case where a prefectural governor having granted approval rescinds the approval for medical coordination promotion pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or (2) of the preceding Article.In this case, the term "the remaining amount of the public interest purposes acquired property" in Article 30 of the same Act is deemed to be replaced with "the remaining amount of the acquired property for the purpose of medical coordination promotion", the term "in the event that, or a public interest corporation ceases to exist as a result of a merger (excluding a case in which a corporation that succeeds its rights and obligations is a public interest corporation)" in paragraph (1) of the same Article is replaced with "in the event that", the term "item (xvii) of Article 5" is replaced with "Article 70-3, paragraph (1), item (xviii) of the Medical Care Act (Act No. 205 of 1948)", the term "after the day of, or such merger" is replaced with "after the day of", the term "the national government, in case the Prime Minister is the administrative agency, or the prefecture, in case the prefectural governor is the administrative agency" is replaced with "the prefecture governed by the prefectural governor having granted approval (meaning the prefectural governor having granted approval prescribed in Article 70-8, paragraph (3) of the same Act; the same applies in paragraph (4))", the term "the corporation, or the corporation that succeeds the rights and obligations of the public interest corporation that ceases to exist as a result of the merger" is replaced with "the corporation", the term "authorization cancelled corporation, etc." is replaced with "authorization cancelled corporation", the term "property for business for public interest purposes (excluding those acquired before the day on which public interest corporation authorization was granted, in case of the property listed in item (vi) of Article 18)" in paragraph (2), item (i) of the same Article is replaced with "property for business for the purpose of medical coordination promotion (which means property for business for the purpose of medical coordination promotion prescribed in Article 18 as applied mutatis mutandis by replacing the terms pursuant to Article 70-9 of the Medical Care Act; the same applies in the following item and item (iii)) ", the term "business for public interest purposes" in items (ii) and (iii) of the same paragraph is replaced with "medical coordination promotion operations", the term "property for business for public interest purposes" is replaced with "property for business for the purpose of medical coordination promotion", the term "Cabinet Office Order" in the same item and paragraph (3) of the same Article is replaced with "Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare", the term "authorization cancelled corporation, etc." in paragraph (4) of the same Article is replaced with "authorization cancelled corporation", the term "the national government or the prefecture" is replaced with "the prefecture governed by the prefectural governor having granted approval", and the term "item (xvii) of Article 5" in paragraph (5) of the same Article is replaced with "Article 70-3, paragraph (1), item (xviii) of the Medical Care Act".

Article 70-23The provisions of Article 66-2 and Article 67 apply mutatis mutandis to a regional medical coordination promotion corporation.In this case, the term "Article 64, paragraphs (1) and (2), Article 64-2, paragraph (1), Article 65, and paragraph (1) of the preceding Article" in Article 66-2 is replaced with "Article 64, paragraphs (1) and (2) as applied mutatis mutandis by replacing the terms pursuant to Article 70-20 and Article 70-21, paragraphs (1) and (2) ", and the term "prefectural governor" is replaced with "prefectural governor having granted approval (meaning the prefectural governor having granted approval prescribed in Article 70-8, paragraph (3); the same applies in Article 67, paragraphs (1) and (3))", the term "prefectural governor" in Article 67, paragraph (1) is replaced with "prefectural governor having granted approval", the term "Article 44, paragraph (1), Article 55, paragraph (6), Article 58-2, paragraph (4) (including cases where it is applied mutatis mutandis by replacing the terms pursuant to Article 59-2), or Article 60-3, paragraph (4) (including the cases where it is applied mutatis mutandis by replacing the terms pursuant to Article 61-3)" is replaced with "disposition of not granting approval for medical coordination promotion or Article 55, paragraph (6) as applied mutatis mutandis by replacing the terms pursuant to Article 70-15", the term "Article 64, paragraph (2)" is replaced with "Article 64, paragraph (2) as applied mutatis mutandis by replacing the terms pursuant to Article 70-20", and the term "prefectural governor" in paragraph (3) of the same Article is replaced with "prefectural governor having granted approval".

Article 71Beyond what is specifically provided for in this Chapter, approval for medical coordination promotion and supervision of a regional medical coordination promotion corporation in the case where the medical coordination promotion area extends over two or more prefectures, and other necessary particulars concerning the approval for medical coordination promotion and supervision of a regional medical coordination promotion corporation is specified by a Cabinet Order, and other necessary particulars concerning the enforcement of the provisions of this Chapter is specified by an Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.