Article 12For the purpose of facilitating, etc. the re-employment of Elderly Persons, etc., the national government is to give consideration so that vocational guidance, employment placements, vocational training, and other measures concerning Elderly Persons, etc. can be implemented in an effective and coordinated way.

Article 13For the purpose of facilitating, etc. the re-employment of Elderly Persons, the Public Employment Security Offices are to search for job openings in order to secure employment opportunities for Elderly Persons, etc. and are to also strive to collect information concerning job openings and job applications related to Elderly Persons, etc. and to provide such information to job seeking Elderly Persons, etc. and to employers.

Article 14(1)When deemed necessary in order to introduce Elderly Persons, etc. to employment that is compatible with their abilities, the Public Employment Security Offices are to give guidance to recruiting employers on age and other conditions..

(2)The Public Employment Security Offices may give those that employ or seek to employ Elderly Persons, etc. the necessary advice and other support on technical particulars concerning the employment of Elderly Persons, etc. such as on hiring, assignments, working equipment and the working environment.

Article 15(1)If an Elderly Person, etc. or other person specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (hereinafter referred to as "Elderly Persons eligible for re-employment assistance, etc.") is separated from employment (limited to those specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare due to being dismissed by their employer (excluding dismissal based on grounds attributable to those persons themselves) or due to any other reason specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare), and if the Elderly Person eligible for re-employment assistance, etc. wishes to be re-employed, the employer must strive to search for job openings and take other necessary measures to support the Elderly Person eligible for re-employment assistance, etc. in their search for re-employment (hereinafter referred to as the "measures to support re-employment").

(2)The Public Employment Security Offices are to provide an employer with the necessary advice and other support for the measures to support re-employment that should be taken by the employer pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, at the request of the employer.

Article 16(1)In the event that the Elderly Persons eligible for re-employment assistance, etc. whose number is equal to or greater than the number specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare are separated from employment due to a reason specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as set forth in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, the employer must notify the Chief of the Public Employment Security Office thereof in advance, pursuant to the provisions of Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(2)The calculation of the number of workers separated from employment in the case referred to in the preceding paragraph is to be made by the calculation method specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 17(1)When Elderly Persons, etc. (limited to those specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) who have been separated from their employment due to dismissal (excluding dismissal based on grounds attributable to the Elderly Person) or other reasons specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as being similar to dismissal (hereinafter referred to as "Dismissal, etc." in this paragraph) wish to be re-employed, an employer must, pursuant to the provisions of Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, draft a document (hereinafter referred to as the "Job-Seeking Support Plan") regarding the particulars specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare concerning their work experience, occupational abilities, and other particulars that will help the them become re-employed (excluding the reasons for their Dismissal, etc.), as well as clarifying the measures to be taken by the employer to support their re-employment, and issue it to the Elderly Persons, etc., in order to facilitate their re-employment.

(2)An employer who has drafted a Job-Seeking Support Plan pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph is to appoint a person to be in charge of re-employment support from among the persons employed by the employer and have that person provide, in accordance with the Job-Seeking Support Plan, support for the re-employment of Elderly Persons, etc. connected with the Job-Seeking Support Plan in cooperation with the Public Employment Security Offices and pursuant to the provisions of Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 18(1)The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare may give necessary guidance and advice to an employer who violates the provisions of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article.

(2)If the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare finds that an employer still violates the provisions of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, even after having received the guidance and advice as provided for in the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare may recommend the employer prepare a Job-Seeking Support Plan and issue it to Elderly Persons, etc. connected with the Job-Seeking Support Plan.

Article 19(1)Workers who have received a Job-Seeking Support Plan may present the plan to the Public Employment Security Offices when applying for employment there.

(2)When presented with a Job-Seeking Support Plan pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Public Employment Security Offices are to consider the content of the Job-Seeking Support Plan and offer advice on how to prepare a document that clarifies the work experiences, etc. of the job seeker and provide other support to the job seeker.

(3)If deemed necessary when offering the advice and other support provided for in the preceding paragraph, the Chief of the Public Employment Security Office may request that the employer that prepared the Job-Seeking Support Plan provide information and any other necessary cooperation.

Article 20(1)When an employer recruits or employs workers and sets an upper age limit for applicants (limited to not more than 65 years of age) due to compelling reasons, the employer must explain the reasons for the limitation to the job seekers, pursuant to a method specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(2)If the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare deems it necessary, the minister may request reports from an employer or give advice, guidance, or recommendations, with regard to providing grounds specified in the preceding paragraph or the content of the grounds,

Article 21An employer must strive to take measures to provide support to Elderly Persons employed by the employer in order that they acquire the necessary knowledge concerning life after retirement and establish other measures in order to support Elderly Persons in making the necessary preparations to facilitate their retirement from occupational life, in accordance with their wishes, after retirement due to reaching the mandatory retirement age or for other similar reasons.

Article 22The Chief of the Public Employment Security Office is to issue job application pocketbooks for middle-aged and elderly unemployed persons, etc. (hereinafter referred to as a "Pocketbook") to middle-aged and elderly unemployed persons, etc. who fall under each of the following items, based on an application from the persons:

Article 23(1)The Pocketbook remains valid for the period specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(2)The Chief of the Public Employment Security Office may extend the validity period of a recipient's Pocketbook for the period specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, when the Chief recognizes that the person continues to have difficulty in finding employment after the lapse of the validity period of the Pocketbook referred to in the preceding paragraph and therefore remains in need of the measures listed in each item of Article 25, paragraph (1).

(3)In specifying the period to be set by Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare under the preceding two paragraphs, special consideration may be given to persons residing in Specified Areas.

Article 24(1)When the Chief of the Public Employment Security Office recognizes that a person who has received a Pocketbook falls under any of the following items, the Pocketbook becomes invalidated:

(2)In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, the Chief of the Public Employment Security Office is to notify the person who has received the Pocketbook thereof.

Article 25(1)The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare is to formulate a plan to ensure that the measures listed in each of the following items are implemented in an effective and coordinated way in order to facilitate the employment of persons who have received Pocketbooks:

(2)Prior to the formulation the plan referred to in the preceding paragraph, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare must listen to the opinions of the Labour Policy Council.

Article 26(1)When the Chief of the Public Employment Security Office issues a Pocketbook, the Chief is to instruct the person receiving the Pocketbook to receive all or part of the measures listed in each item of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article based on the plan referred to in the same paragraph (hereinafter referred to as the "measures to promote employment") during the validity period of the Pocketbook, according to the person's knowledge, skills, work experience, and other circumstances.

(2)Upon extending the validity period of a Pocketbook for a person who has received it, the Chief of the Public Employment Security Office is to again, instruct the person to receive all or part of the measures to promote employment during the extended validity period of a Pocketbook.

(3)When the Chief of the Public Employment Security Office finds it necessary to increase the effectiveness of measures to promote employment for a person who has received instructions referred to in the preceding two paragraphs, the Chief may modify the instructions issued to the person.

Article 27(1)The employment security agencies, local governments, and the Japan Organization for Employment of the Elderly, Persons with Disabilities and Job Seekers (referred to as the "Organization" in Article 49, paragraphs (2) and (3)) must strive to liaise closely and cooperate to ensure the smooth implementation of measures to promote employment for persons receiving the instructions referred to in paragraphs (1) or (2) of the preceding Article.

(2)A person who has received the instructions referred to in paragraph (1) or (2) of the preceding Article must follow the guidance or instructions of the official who is implementing the measures to promote employment and also must strive to promptly find employment on their own initiative.

Article 28The national government and the prefectures may, pursuant to the provisions of the Act on Comprehensively Advancing Labor Measures, Stabilizing the Employment of Workers, and Enriching Workers' Vocational Lives (Act No. 132 of 1966), pay an allowance to a person who receives the measures to promote employment under the instructions referred to in Article 26, paragraph (1) or (2) during the validity period of their Pocketbook, in an effort to facilitate the person's job-seeking activities and ensure the stability of their livelihoods.

Article 29Vocational guidance as part of measures to promote employment is to be provided by employment promotion officers under Article 9-2, paragraph (1) of the Employment Security Act (Act No. 141 of 1947).

Article 30The Chief of the Public Employment Security Office may request a person receiving measures to promote employment to submit reports on the status of their job-seeking activities in accordance with the instructions referred to in Article 26, paragraph (1) or (2).

Article 31With regard to middle-aged and elderly unemployed persons, etc. residing in Specified Areas, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare is to formulate a plan relating to the implementation of employment placements and vocational training, etc., implementation of projects designed to increase employment opportunities, and other particulars necessary to promote the employment of the persons, as well as establishing necessary measures based on this plan.

Article 32(1)When the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare deems it to be necessary based on the employment conditions of middle-aged and elderly unemployed persons, etc. in Specified Areas, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare may, with respect to public works projects planned and executed in the Specified Areas (referring to public-oriented construction and restoration projects planned and executed directly by the national government or by corporations established by a special act of incorporation pursuant to a special act (limited to corporations specified by Cabinet Order for which all or most of the stated capital comes from investment by the national government, or for which the primary source of funds for expenses necessary to carry out the projects comes from grants or subsidies from the national government) (referred to as the "national government, etc." in the following paragraph), or by local governments, etc. to which a contribution or subsidy from the national treasury has been provided; the same applies hereinafter), fix a percentage of the number of middle-aged and elderly unemployed persons, etc. among the total number of workers employed in these projects (hereinafter referred to as the "absorption ratio of unemployed persons") by occupation or area, according to the type of project.

(2)The national government, etc. or local governments, etc. which plan and execute a public works project for which the absorption ratio of unemployed persons has been fixed (including persons that execute these projects based on a subcontract or other contract with the national government, etc. or local governments, etc.; hereinafter referred to as the "corporation, etc. for a public works project") must employ middle-aged and elderly unemployed persons, etc. in the number corresponding to the absorption ratio of unemployed persons at all times, through referrals of the unemployed persons by the Public Employment Security Offices.

(3)If it is difficult for the corporation, etc. for a public works project to employ middle-aged and elderly unemployed persons, etc. in the number required by the provisions of the preceding paragraph through referrals of unemployed persons by the Public Employment Security Offices, the corporation, etc. for a public works project may directly employ the number of difficult-to-hire workers upon receiving written consent from the Public Employment Security Offices.

Article 33Beyond the provisions described in this Section, the issuing of Pocketbooks, the returning of Pocketbooks, other necessary particulars pertaining to Pocketbooks, necessary particulars pertaining to procedures for the instructions referred to in Article 26, paragraph (1) or (2), and necessary particulars pertaining to the absorption of middle-aged and elderly unemployed persons, etc. into public works projects, are specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 37(1)The prefectural governor may, based on applications therefrom, designate general incorporated associations or general incorporated foundations (referred to as "Elderly Persons Employment Support Corporations" in the following paragraph and Article 44, paragraph (1)), that, in addition to having been established for the purpose of contributing to the advancement of the welfare of the elderly by securing, and systematically providing, opportunities for temporary short-term work or other light tasks (limited to those specified by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare upon taking into consideration the relevant labor supply-and-demand situation and the practical aspects of the work concerned, etc.; the same applies in the following Article) based on the preferences of the elderly retirees, including those who have reached the mandatory retirement age, and thereby enabling the active utilization of their abilities and assisting with their search for employment, are also deemed to comply with the criteria listed below concerning the operations provided for in the following Article, as the party that is to carry out the operations provided for in this Article, with only a single such organization to be designated for each municipal area (or, when deemed necessary to ensure the smooth operations of the activities listed in paragraph (1), items (i) and (ii) of the following Article, in accordance with the criteria specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, taking into consideration the circumstances of employment opportunities for temporary short-term work in the areas and other relevant circumstances, two or more municipal areas as designated by the prefectural governor) (including special wards; the same applies in Articles 39 and 44); provided, however, that areas (if changes have been made to paragraphs (2) or (4) of the same Article, then areas after changes have been made; hereinafter referred to as the "designated areas of the association") pertaining to the designation in Article 44, paragraph (1) pertaining to parties who have received the designation pursuant to the same paragraph (hereinafter referred to as the "silver human resources center association") cannot be deemed as areas pertaining to the designation in this paragraph:

(2)The designation in the preceding paragraph may not apply to Elderly Persons Employment Support Corporations that possess as its members, two or more persons (hereinafter referred to as the "silver human resources center") that have received a designation under the same paragraph.

(3)When making the designation under paragraph (1), the prefectural governor must make public the name, address, and location of the office of the silver human resources center, as well as the area concerned with the designation.

(4)When a silver human resources center seeks to change its name, address, or the location of its office, it must notify the prefectural governor thereof in advance.

(5)When a notification provided for in the preceding paragraph has been submitted, the prefectural governor must make public the particulars concerning the notice.

Article 38(1)Silver human resources centers are to carry out the following operations in the areas (hereinafter referred to as the "designated areas of the centers") pertaining to the designation under paragraph (1) of the preceding Article:

(2)Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 30, paragraph (1) of the Employment Security Act, silver human resources centers may provide a fee-based employment placement service in their operations, as provided for in item (ii) of the preceding paragraph, by notifying the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare of the service, pursuant to the provisions of Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(3)The provisions of Articles 5-2 to 5-8; Article 18-2; Article 32-3; Article 32-4, paragraph (2); Article 32-8, paragraph (1); Article 32-9, paragraph (2); Articles 32-10 to 32-13; Article 32-15; Article 32-16; Articles 33-5 to 34; Articles 48 to 48-4; Article 51; and Articles 64 to 67 of the Employment Security Act, as well as the provisions of Chapter III of the Act on Comprehensively Advancing Labor Measures, and Stabilizing the Employment of Workers, and Enriching Workers' Vocational Lives, apply to the fee-based employment placement service as provided for in the preceding paragraph, by regarding a silver human resources center as an employment placement service provider, as provided for in Article 4, paragraph (10) of the Employment Security Act, or as a fee-based employment placement service provider, as provided for in Article 32-3, paragraph (1) of the same Act, or as an employment placement agency, as provided for in Article 2 of the Act on Comprehensively Advancing Labor Measures, and Stabilizing the Employment of Workers, and Enriching Workers' Vocational Lives, and by regarding the notification made under the provisions of the preceding paragraph to constitute the necessary license under the provisions of Article 30, paragraph (1) of the Employment Security Act. In this case, the phrase "Article 32-9, paragraph (2)" in Article 18-2 of the Employment Security Act is deemed to be replaced with "Article 32-9, paragraph (2) as applied pursuant to the provisions of Article 38, paragraph (3) of the Act on Stabilization of Employment of Elderly Persons"; the phrase "a person who has obtained the license provided for in Article 30, paragraph (1)" in Article 32-3, paragraph (1) of the same Act is deemed to be replaced with "a person who carries out the fee-based employment placement service after making a written notice pursuant to the provisions of Article 38, paragraph (2) of the Act on Stabilization of Employment of Elderly Persons"; the phrase "a person who has received issuance of a license certificate, the license certificate" in Article 32-4, paragraph (2) of the same Act is deemed to be replaced with "a person who has submitted a written notice pursuant to the provisions of Article 38, paragraph (2) of the Act on Stabilization of Employment of Elderly Persons, and documents stating that the person has submitted the written notice and other particulars specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare"; and the phrase "item (ii) or (iii) of the preceding paragraph" in Article 32-9, paragraph (2) of the same Act is deemed to be replaced with "item (ii) of the preceding paragraph."

(4)Beyond the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs, any other necessary particulars in connection with the fee-based employment placement service as set forth in the provisions of paragraph (2) are specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(5)Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 5, paragraph (1) of the Act on Securing the Proper Operation of Worker Dispatching Businesses and Protecting Dispatched Workers (Act No. 88 of 1985, hereinafter referred to as the "Worker Dispatching Act"), silver human resources centers may, as an operation provided for in paragraph (1), item (iv), and only for elderly retirees who are its members, conduct worker dispatching businesses as provided in Article 2, item (iii) of the Worker Dispatching Act (hereinafter referred to as "worker dispatching businesses") by submitting a notice to the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, pursuant to the provisions of Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(6)Regarding the worker dispatching businesses under the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the provisions of Article 5, paragraph (5); Article 7; Article 8, paragraphs (1) and (3); Article 9; Article 10; Article 11, paragraphs (3) and (4); Article 13, paragraph (2); Article 14, paragraph (1), item (iii); Article 30; Article 37, paragraph (1), item (ix); and Article 54 of the Worker Dispatching Act do not apply. With regard to the application of other provisions of the Worker Dispatching Act, silver human resources centers are deemed dispatching business operators as provided for in Article 2, item (iv) of the Worker Dispatching Act and the notification provided under the provisions of the preceding paragraph is deemed to be the license under the provisions of Article 5, paragraph (1) of the Worker Dispatching Act. In this case, the terms or phrases listed in the middle column of the table below that appear in the provisions of the Worker Dispatching Act, as listed in the left-hand column of the table, are deemed to be replaced with the corresponding terms or phrases listed in the right-hand column of the table.

(7)Beyond the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs, any other necessary particulars concerning worker dispatching businesses under the provisions of paragraph (5) are to be specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 39(1)With regard to the services provided by a silver human resources center as listed in paragraph (1), items (ii) and (iv) of the preceding Article, a prefectural governor may designate, for each municipal area within the designated area of the center, a business type and job type that are expected to contribute considerably to securing job opportunities for elderly retirees by expanding the scope of services in an area where it is necessary to secure a workforce, and conform to criteria specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in consideration of factors such as the supply-demand situation of the workforce and the impact on business activities of business operators engaged in services of the same type as those listed in items (ii) and (iv) of the same paragraph (with regard to the services listed in the same item, limited to worker dispatching businesses).

(2)When a prefectural governor intends to make a designation set forth in the preceding paragraph, the governor must hear the opinions of the following persons in advance:

(3)When a prefectural governor intends to make a designation as set forth in paragraph (1), the governor must consult with the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare in advance.

(4)When making a designation pursuant to paragraph (1), the prefectural governor must give public notice of the designated business type, job type, and the municipal area pertaining to the designation.

(5)With regard to the application of the provisions of paragraph (1), item (ii) of the preceding Article in cases where a silver human resources center, in the municipal area pertaining to the designation set forth in paragraph (1), operates a fee-based employment placement service pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2) of the preceding Article (limited to those pertaining to job openings for which the place of employment is within the municipal area) for the business type and job type designated pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), the term "light activities" in the same item is to be deemed to be replaced with "light activities or activities carried out by utilizing their abilities."

(6)With regard to the application of the provisions of paragraph (1), item (iv) of the preceding Article in cases where a silver human resources center, in the municipal area pertaining to the designation set forth in paragraph (1), operates a worker dispatching business (limited to cases where the place of dispatch work (referring to the dispatch work prescribed in Article 23-2 of the Worker Dispatching Act) is within the area of the relevant municipality) pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (5) of the preceding Article for the business type and job type designated pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), the phrase "or other light activities" in the same item is to be deemed to be replaced with "or other light activities and activities carried out by utilizing their abilities."

Article 40(1)When the business type and job type for which a designation set forth in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article has ceased to conform to the standards prescribed in the same paragraph, the prefectural governor is to rescind the designation without delay.

(2)The provisions of paragraph (4) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to a rescission under the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

Article 41(1)A silver human resources center must prepare a business plan and an income and expenditure budget on an annual basis, as specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and submit them to the prefectural governor. The same applies when the silver human resources center intends to revise either of these.

(2)A silver human resources center must prepare and submit an operations report and settlement of accounts to the prefectural governor after the end of each fiscal year of operations, pursuant to the provisions of Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 42The prefectural governor may, to the extent necessary for enforcing the provisions of this Section, issue to a silver human resources center an order necessary for the supervision of the operations prescribed in Article 38, paragraph (1) (including cases where applied by replacing the terms pursuant to the provisions of Article 39, paragraphs (5) and (6); the same applies in the following Article).

Article 43(1)When a silver human resources center falls under any of the following items, the prefectural governor may revoke the designation under Article 37, paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as the "Designation" in this Article):

(2)In the case of revoking the Designation pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the prefectural governor must publicize it.

Article 44(1)The prefectural governor may, based on applications therefrom, designate Elderly Persons Employment Support Corporations that possess as its members two or more silver human resources centers and that are deemed to comply with the criteria listed in each item of Article 37, paragraph (1) concerning the operations provided for in Article 38, paragraph (1), applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to the following Article, as persons that are to carry out the operations stipulated in Article 38, paragraph (1), applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to the following Article, with only a single such corporation designated for each area, including municipal areas for which a designation is deemed necessary in accordance with the criteria specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, taking into consideration the designated areas of the centers concerning silver human resources centers that are members of the Elderly Persons Employment Support Corporations and the circumstances of employment opportunities for temporary short-term work in the areas and other circumstances; provided, however, that this designation excludes designated areas of the centers and designated areas of the associations related to silver human resources centers that are not members of Elderly Persons Employment Support Corporations that have applied for such designation from the municipal areas.

(2)When a silver human resources center has become a member of a silver human resources center association, the silver human resources center association must notify the prefectural governor to that effect. When the notification has been made, the combined area of the designated area of the association pertaining to the silver human resources center association and the designated area of the center pertaining to the silver human resources center is to be the designated area of the association pertaining to the silver human resources center association.

(3)When the designation set forth in paragraph (1) or the notification set forth in the preceding paragraph has been made, the designation set forth in Article 37, paragraph (1), pertaining to the silver human resources center that is a member of the silver human resources center association pertaining to the designation or notification, will cease to be effective.

(4)If a notification as provided for in paragraph (2) has been made and the silver human resources center association has requested a change of the designated areas of the association, the prefectural governor may change the designated areas of the association and designate areas which combine the areas of association and municipal areas where a designation is deemed necessary in accordance with the criteria specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in paragraph (1), as designated areas of the association pertaining to the silver human resources center association; provided, however, that the changes exclude designated areas of the centers and designated areas of the association from the municipal areas.

Article 45The provisions of Article 37, paragraphs (3) to (5) and Articles 38 to 43 apply mutatis mutandis to silver human resources center associations. In this case, the phrase "when making the designation under paragraph (1)" in Article 37, paragraph (3) is deemed to be replaced with "when a designation has been made as provided for in Article 44, paragraph (1), a change has been made to the designated areas of the association as provided for in paragraph (2) of the same Article, or a change has been made to the designated areas of the association as provided for in paragraph (4) of the same Article"; the phrase "location and the area concerned with the designation" is deemed to be replaced with "location and the area pertaining to the designation (if changes are made to the designation, then areas after changes have been made)"; the phrase "the areas (hereinafter referred to as the "designated areas of the centers") pertaining to the designation under paragraph (1) of the preceding Article" in Article 38, paragraph (1) is deemed to be replaced with "the designated area of the association"; the phrase "Article 38, paragraph (2)" in paragraph (3) of the same Article is deemed to be replaced with "Article 38, paragraph (2) as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 45"; the phrase "and only for elderly retirees, who are its members" in paragraph (5) of the same Article is deemed to be replaced with "and only for elderly retirees, who are its members directly or indirectly"; the phrase "Article 38, paragraph (5)" in Article 5, paragraph (2) in the table under paragraph (6) of the same Article, is deemed to be replaced with "Article 38, paragraph (5) of the same Act as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 45"; the phrase "silver human resources center" in Article 6, item (vi) and Article 6, item (viii) in the same table is deemed to be replaced with "silver human resources center association "; the phrase "the designated area of the center" in Article 39, paragraph (1) is deemed to be replaced with "the designated area of the association"; the phrase "this Section" in Article 42 is deemed to be replaced with "Chapter VI, Section 2"; the phrase "Article 37, paragraph (1)" in Article 43, paragraph (1) is deemed to be replaced with "Article 44, paragraph (1)"; and the phrase "this Section" in item (iii) of the same paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "Chapter VI, Section 2".

Article 46The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare may designate a general incorporated association or general incorporated foundation established for the purpose of contributing to the enhancement of the welfare of Elderly Persons by actively promoting the practical use of the skills of persons who have mandatorily retired or other elderly retirees, while making efforts for the sound development of the silver human resources centers and the silver human resources center association, which are recognized to be capable of properly and effectively carrying out the operations provided for in the following Article, as the person, based on applications, are to carry out the operations provided for in the Article, as the single the person designated nationwide.

Article 47The designated association as provided for in the preceding Article (hereinafter referred to as the "National Silver Human Resources Center Association") is to carry out the following operations:

Article 48The provisions of Article 37, paragraphs (3) to (5) and Articles 41 to 43 apply mutatis mutandis to the National Silver Human Resources Center Association. In this case, the phrase "the prefectural governor" in Article 37, paragraphs (3) to (5) and Articles 41 to 43 is deemed to be replaced with "the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare"; the phrase "paragraph (1)" in Article 37, paragraph (3) is deemed to be replaced with "Article 46"; the phrase "location of the office and the area concerned with the designation" is deemed to be replaced with "and location of the office"; the phrase "this Section" in Article 42 is deemed to be replaced with "Chapter VI, Section 3"; the phrase "Article 38, paragraph (1) (including the cases where it is applied by replacing terms pursuant to the provisions of Article 39, paragraphs (5) and (6); the same applies in the following Article)" is deemed to be replaced with "Article 47"; the phrase "Article 37, paragraph (1)" in Article 43, paragraph (1) is deemed to be replaced with "Article 46"; the phrase "Article 38, paragraph (1)" in item (i) of the same paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "Article 47"; and the phrase "this Section" in item (iii) of the same paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "Chapter VI, Section 3".