Article 6If it is necessary for a person intending to implement a community welfare promotion project to enter another person's land or any structure on the land such as simplified or non-used buildings (this land is limited to specified land with an unknown owner; the same applies in paragraph (1) of the following Article and Article 8, paragraph (1)) in order to conduct a survey or investigation in preparation for the project, that person may enter the land or structure or have a different person who is ordered or delegated by that person enter the land or structure to the extent necessary; provided, however, that this is limited to cases in which that person has obtained permission in advance from the prefectural governor with jurisdiction over the location of the land, as provided for by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, if that person does not fall under the national or local government.

Article 7(1)If a person entering another person's land or a structure to conduct a survey or investigation pursuant to the provisions of the preceding Article intends to remove or clear a plant, hedge, fence, or another structure that is an obstacle (referred to below as "an obstacle") due to unavoidable necessity (this action is referred to below as "removing or clearing") when carrying out that survey or investigation, the person may remove or clear the obstacle by obtaining permission of the prefectural governor who has jurisdiction over the location of the obstacle, as provided for by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. In this case, when the prefectural governor intends to grant the permission, the prefectural governor must give the confirmed owner of the obstacle (meaning the person who is the known owner; the same applies below) an opportunity to state their opinion.

(2)A person intending to remove or clear an obstacle pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph must give public notice to that effect no later than fifteen days before the date on which the person intends to remove or clear the obstacle, and must give notice to that effect to the confirmed owner of the obstacle no later than three days before the date on which the person intends to remove or clear that obstacle, as provided for by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

(3)Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs, if removing or clearing an obstacle does not significantly alter its current situation, a person intending to remove or clear the obstacle pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) may remove or clear the obstacle after obtaining permission of the prefectural governor who has jurisdiction over the location of the obstacle, as provided for by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. In this case, the person must give public notice and also give notice to the confirmed owner of the obstacle without delay after removing or clearing the obstacle, as provided for by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

Article 8(1)A person intending to enter another person's land or structure pursuant to the provisions of Article 6 must carry an identification card (or an identification card and a document certifying that the permission under the proviso to that Article has been obtained, if the person does not fall under the national or local government).

(2)A person intending to remove or clear an obstacle pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or (3) of the preceding Article must carry an identification card and a document certifying that they have obtained permission under paragraph (1) or (3) of that Article.

(3)The identification card or document referred to in the preceding two paragraphs must be presented at the request of any related person.

Article 9(1)If a person intending to implement a community welfare promotion project has caused a loss to another person by taking an action pursuant to the provisions of Article 6 or Article 7, paragraph (1) or (3), the person must compensate the other person suffering a loss for any losses that would ordinarily arise.

(2)A person causing a loss under the preceding paragraph and a person suffering that loss must consult with each other regarding compensation for it.

(3)If an agreement is not reached in the consultation under the preceding paragraph, a person causing a loss or person suffering that loss may apply to the expropriation committee for an administrative determination under Article 94, paragraph (2) of the Compulsory Purchase of Land Act.

Article 10(1)If a person implementing a community welfare promotion project (referred to below as the "project operator") intends to use specified land with an unknown owner within the area where the project is to be implemented (referred to below as the "project area"), the project operator may apply to the prefectural governor who has jurisdiction over the location of the specified land with an unknown owner for a ruling concerning the acquisition of the following rights (referred to below as "land usage rights or other rights"):

(2)A project operator intending to apply for a ruling under the preceding paragraph (referred to below as an "application for a ruling" in this Subsection) must submit a written application for that ruling stating the following matters to the prefectural governor, pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism:

(3)The following documents must be attached to the written application for the ruling stated in the preceding paragraph:

(4)The written opinion referred to in items (iii) and (iv) of the preceding paragraph is not required to be attached if the project operator is unable to obtain that written opinion within three weeks from the day on which the project operator requested that opinion. In this case, a document making a prima facie showing regarding the reasons why the project operator was unable to obtain that written opinion must be attached.

(5)If a project operator intends to file an application for a ruling, the project operator must endeavor to take necessary measures in advance to reflect the opinions of residents concerning the details of the project connected to the application by holding a council meeting or by other methods specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

Article 11(1)If an application for a ruling has been filed, the prefectural governor must confirm whether the project connected to the application for a ruling fall under all of the requirements stated in the following items:

(2)If the prefectural governor intends to make a confirmation under the preceding paragraph, the governor must hear the opinions of the mayors of the related municipalities in advance, from the viewpoint of improving the common welfare and convenience of local residents and other persons.

(3)If the prefectural governor intends to make a confirmation under paragraph (1) but no written opinion has been attached under paragraph (4) of the preceding Article, or the governor finds it to be necessary to make the confirmation for any other reason, the governor must seek the opinion of the head of the related administrative organization regarding the implementation of the project connected to the application for a ruling.

(4)If the prefectural governor finds that the project connected to the application for a ruling falls under all of the requirements stated in the items of paragraph (1) as a result of the confirmation under that paragraph, the governor must give public notice of the following matters and make the written application for a ruling as stated in paragraph (2) of the preceding Article and the documents stated in the items of paragraph (3) of that Article that are attached to the written application available for public inspection for two months from the date of the public notice, as provided for in the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism:

(5)If the prefectural governor intends to give public notice under the preceding paragraph, the governor must give a notice in advance to the confirmed owners and confirmed right-holders who are listed in the written estimate regarding the compensation amount referred to in paragraph (3), item (ii) of the preceding Article in relation to the specified land or property with an unknown owner, stating that an application for a ruling has been filed, pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

Article 12(1)If the prefectural governor finds that the project connected to an application for a ruling does not fall under one of the requirements stated in the items of that paragraph as a result of the confirmation under paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, the prefectural governor must dismiss the application for a ruling.

(2)If the prefectural governor has given a public notice under paragraph (4) of the preceding Article, and if a statement under item (iii), (a) of that paragraph has been made, or all of the persons stated in item (iii), (b) of that paragraph have made a statement under item (iii), (b) of that paragraph within the period of public inspection referred to in that paragraph, the prefectural governor must dismiss the application for a ruling subject to the public notice.

(3)If the prefectural governor dismisses an application for a ruling pursuant to the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs, the prefectural governor must notify a project operator having filed the application for a ruling to that effect by indicating the reason for the dismissal without delay, pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

Article 13(1)If the prefectural governor finds that it is necessary and appropriate for a project operator having filed an application for a ruling to acquire land usage rights or other rights in order to implement the project connected to the application, the prefectural governor must grant a ruling to approve the acquisition of those rights, to the extent necessary, except when the prefectural governor dismisses the application pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or (2) of the preceding Article.

(2)The ruling referred to in the preceding paragraph (simply referred to as the "ruling" in this Article through Article 18) must specify the following matters:

(3)In a ruling, the matters stated in item (i) of the preceding paragraph must not be determined to exceed those stated in the application for a ruling, the duration referred to in item (iii) of that paragraph must be up to ten years (or twenty years, for the project stated in Article 2, paragraph (3), items (i), (vi), and (viii) through (x), which is specified by Cabinet Order as requiring long-term land use, taking into consideration the details of the relevant project and other circumstances) and also within the period stated in the application, and the estimated amount of compensation stated in the application must be the minimum amount of compensation referred to in item (iv) of the preceding paragraph.

(4)If the prefectural governor intends to issue a ruling, the governor must hear the opinions of the expropriation committee in advance regarding the matters stated in paragraph (2), item (iv) (limited to the matters relating to the amount of compensation stated in that item).

(5)The expropriation committee may have its members or personnel who run its operations enter specified land with an unknown owner, connected to the application for a ruling or a simplified or non-used building or another structure on that specified land, and investigate its conditions, if the committee finds it necessary to express its opinions pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

(6)A committee member or personnel who conduct an on-site investigation pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph must carry an identification card and present it on request by any related person.

(7)The authority to conduct an on-site investigation under paragraph (5) must not be construed as being granted for criminal investigation purposes.

Article 14If a prefectural governor has issued a ruling, the governor must give a notice in writing without delay, to the project operator having filed the application for that ruling, and the real owner or right-holder regarding the specified land with an unknown owner, stating a ruling has been issued, and the matters stated in the items of paragraph (2) of the preceding Article, and also give a public notice to that effect, pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

Article 15If a public notice has been given pursuant to the provisions of the preceding Article regarding a ruling, a project operator having filed the application for that ruling acquires land usage rights or other rights, and the exercise of other rights concerning specified land or property with an unknown owner is restricted to the extent necessary for the use of that specified land or property, as provided for by the ruling.

Article 16(1)A project operator having filed an application for a ruling must compensate the losses incurred by the real owner or right-holder regarding the specified land with an unknown owner, as a result of the acquisition of the relevant land usage rights, or other rights, pursuant to the provisions of the following paragraph until paragraph (6).

(2)Compensation for any loss is to be made in money.

(3)A compensation amount equivalent to the consideration for the acquisition of land usage rights or other rights is to be an appropriate amount determined in consideration of rent prices for similar land in the vicinity, or the same type of property in the vicinity and any other matters that are to be the basis for the calculation of the amount of compensation (or in the case of an amount of compensation for the acquisition of rights to use land or property, this amount is obtained by deducting an amount equivalent to the expenses required for the management of the specified land or property with an unknown owner from the appropriate amount mentioned above).

(4)If the price of the remaining land decreases due to the use of part of the specified land with an unknown owner, or any other losses arise in relation to the remaining land, compensation must be provided for those losses.

(5)If the use of a part of the specified land with an unknown owner makes it necessary to construct, reconstruct, extend, or repair passages, ditches, hedges, or any other structures on the remaining land, or to create an embankment or cutting on the land, the expenses incurred must be compensated.

(6)In addition to compensation under the preceding three paragraphs, compensation must be made for losses normally incurred by the real owner or right-holder regarding the specified land with an unknown owner, through the acquisition of land usage rights or other rights.

Article 17(1)A project operator having filed an application for a ruling must deposit the compensation specified in the ruling by the time of its payment, for the benefit of the real owner or right-holder who cannot be confirmed regarding specified land with an unknown owner (this real owner or right-owner includes the confirmed owner and the confirmed right-holder regarding the specified land or property with an unknown owner, if the proportion of the co-ownership interest is not clear regarding that specified land or property for which the project operator is to deposit the compensation).

(2)The deposit of compensation under the preceding paragraph is to be made with an official depository in the area where the relevant specified land with an unknown owner is located.

Article 18If a project operator having filed an application for a ruling fails to deposit the compensation specified in the ruling by the time of its payment, the ruling ceases to be effective from that time onward.

Article 19(1)If a project operator having acquired land usage rights or other rights pursuant to the provisions of Article 15 (referred to below as a "licensee") intends to extend the duration of those rights as determined in the ruling referred to in Article 13, paragraph (1) (or renew the extended period again, if the duration of those rights has been extended pursuant to the provisions of Article 15 as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph (4); the same applies in paragraph (3) and Article 24) and continues to use all or part of the land for which the land usage rights are established (meaning the land on which land usage rights have been acquired pursuant to the provisions of Article 15; the same applies below), the licensee may apply for a ruling for extension of the duration of the land usage rights or other rights, to the prefectural governor having jurisdiction over the location of that land, during three months from the date which is seven months before the expiration date of the duration.

(2)The provisions of Article 10 (excluding paragraphs (1) and (5)) through Article 12 apply mutatis mutandis to an application for a ruling under the preceding paragraph. In this case, in the provisions stated in the left-hand column of the following table, the terms stated in the middle column of the same table are deemed to be replaced with the terms stated in the right-hand column of the same table, and any other necessary technical replacement of terms is specified by Cabinet Order.

(3)If the prefectural governor finds that it is necessary and appropriate to extend the duration of the land usage rights or other rights held by the licensee having filed an application for a ruling under paragraph (1) in order to implement the project connected to the application, the prefectural governor must grant a ruling to approve the extension of that duration to the extent necessary, except when the prefectural governor dismisses the application pursuant to the provisions of Article 12, paragraph (1) or (2) as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to the preceding paragraph.

(4)The provisions of Article 13 (excluding paragraph (1)) through the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to the ruling referred to in the preceding paragraph. In this case, in the provisions stated in the left-hand column, the phrases stated in the middle column of the following table are deemed to be replaced with the phrases stated in the right-handed column of that table, and any other necessary technical replacement of terms are provided for by Cabinet Order.

Article 20(1)A licensee must set up a sign within an area of land for which land usage rights are established, indicating that the land is being used for a community welfare promotion project, pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; provided, however, that if it is difficult to set up the sign within that area, the licensee may set it up in a conspicuous place within the project area.

(2)It is prohibited for any person to relocate, remove, deface, or damage a sign that has been installed pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, without the agreement of the licensee.

Article 21An heir, a corporation incorporated by merger or split, or any other general successor of a licensee (limited to a corporation succeeding to all of the project operated by the licensee, if that succession is caused by a split) succeeds to the status held by the licensee, based on the ruling under Article 13, paragraph (1) (including the ruling under Article 19, paragraph (3); simply referred to below as the "ruling" in this Subsection).

Article 22(1)If a licensee intends to transfer all or part of the land usage rights or other rights, the licensee must obtain approval of the prefectural governor pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. In this case, if the licensee intends to transfer all of those rights, the licensee must transfer all of their project, and if the licensee intends to transfer part of those rights, the licensee must also transfer the part of the project corresponding to the rights.

(2)If the prefectural governor has granted the approval stated in the preceding paragraph, the governor must give public notice to that effect as provided for by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

(3)A person who has acquired all or part of the land usage rights or other rights connected to the approval referred to in paragraph (1) succeeds to the status held by the licensee, based on the ruling.

Article 23(1)If a licensee falls under one of the following items, the prefectural governor may revoke their ruling (including approval referred to in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article; the same applies in this Article):

(2)If the prefectural governor revokes their ruling pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the prefectural governor must give public notice to that effect as provided for by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

(3)A ruling ceases to be effective on or after the day on which the public notice under the preceding paragraph is given.

Article 24If the duration of the land usage rights or other rights expire, if a ruling ceases to be effective after the effective date of those rights pursuant to the provisions of Article 18 (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 19, paragraph (4)), or if a ruling is revoked pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, the licensee must restore the land for which the land usage rights are established to its original state and return the land; provided, however, that this does not apply if all of the confirmed owners have agreed not to restore the land to its original state.

Article 25(1)The prefectural governor may order a person who has violated the preceding Article to restore the land for which land usage rights are established to its original state, within a reasonable period of time.

(2)If the prefectural governor intends to order restoration of the land for which land usage rights have been established to its original state pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, and if, without negligence on their part, the governor is unable to confirm the person to whom the order of restoration should be given, and if leaving the violation unresolved is found to be extremely contrary to the public interest, the governor may carry out the restoration themselves, or have a person ordered or delegated by them carry out the restoration, at the expense of the person to whom the order of restoration should be given. In this case, the prefectural governor must give public notice indicating that the restoration should be carried out within a reasonable period of time, and that if the restoration is not carried out within that time period, the prefectural governor themselves or a person ordered or delegated by them, will carry out that restoration.

(3)A person intending to carry out the restoration of land for which land usage rights are established to its original state pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph must carry an identification card and present it when requested by any related person.

Article 26(1)A prefectural governor may have a licensee (including a project operator having filed an application for a ruling but having not obtained the land usage rights or other rights and a person who was a licensee; the same applies in this paragraph) make a report on their project, or have the personnel enter the office, the land for which the land usage rights are established, or any other place of the licensee, and inspect the state of its project or facilities, books, documents and other items regarding their project, or question the related persons, to the extent necessary for the enforcement of the provisions of this Subsection.

(2)The provisions of Article 13, paragraphs (6) and (7) apply mutatis mutandis to the on-site inspection under the preceding paragraph.

Article 27(1)If an expropriator (meaning an expropriator provided for in Article 8, paragraph (1) of the Expropriation of Land Act; the same applies below) intends to expropriate or use specified land with an unknown owner, located within an area subject to an undertaking for the public interest (meaning land subject to an undertaking for the public interest as provided for in Article 17, paragraph (1), item (ii) of that Act) in relation to a project eligible for expropriation, for which the expropriator has obtained approval under Article 20 of that Act, the expropriator may apply to the prefectural governor having jurisdiction over the location of the land, for a ruling for the expropriation or use of that land, within one year from the date of the public notice under Article 26, paragraph (1) of that Act (or within one year from the date of the public notice under Article 34-3 of that Act, if the procedures for expropriating or using that land have been deferred pursuant to the provisions of Article 31 of that Act).

(2)An expropriator intending to apply for a ruling under the preceding paragraph (referred to as an "application for a ruling" in this Subsection) must submit a written application for a ruling, stating the following matters, to the prefectural governor, as provided for by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism:

(3)The following documents must be attached to the written application for the ruling stated in the preceding paragraph:

Article 28(1)If an application for a ruling has been filed, the prefectural governor must give public notice of the following matters and make a written application for the ruling referred to in paragraph (2) of the preceding Article and the documents stated in the items of paragraph (3) of that Article that are attached to the application available for public inspection for two weeks from the date of that public notice, as provided for by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, except if the prefectural governor finds that the land that the expropriator intends to expropriate or use does not fall under specified land with an unknown owner, or otherwise finds the application for a ruling to be inappropriate:

(2)If the prefectural governor intends to give public notice under the preceding paragraph, the governor must give a notice in advance to the confirmed owner and confirmed interested persons stated in the written estimate regarding the compensation amount referred to in paragraph (3), item (ii) of the preceding Article in relation to the specified land with an unknown owner, stating that an application for a ruling has been filed, pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

Article 29(1)If an application for a ruling has been filed, and if the prefectural governor finds that the land that the expropriator intends to expropriate or use does not fall under the category of land with an unknown owner or otherwise finds the application for a ruling to be inappropriate, the prefectural governor must dismiss the application for a ruling.

(2)If the prefectural governor has given a public notice under paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, and if a statement under item (iii), (a) of that paragraph has been made, or all of the persons stated in item (iii), (b) of that paragraph have made a statement under item (iii), (b) of that paragraph, within the period of public inspection referred to in that paragraph, the prefectural governor must dismiss the application for a ruling subject to the public notice.

(3)If the prefectural governors dismisses an application for a ruling pursuant to the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs, the prefectural governor must notify an expropriator having filed the application to that effect, indicating the reasons for the dismissal without delay, pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

Article 30(1)If an application for a ruling has been filed, the prefectural governor must decide to commence ruling procedures for the expropriation or use of the specified land with an unknown owner and give public notice to that effect, and must also commission the registry office having jurisdiction over the location of that land to register the commencement of those ruling procedures, in relation to that land and its land rights, pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, without delay after the expiration of the period of public inspection referred to in Article 28, paragraph (1), except when the prefectural governor dismisses the application pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or (2) of the preceding Article.

(2)The provisions of Article 45-3 of the Expropriation of Land Act apply mutatis mutandis to the registration of the commencement of the ruling proceedings referred to in the preceding paragraph.

(3)The provisions of Chapter III of the Administrative Procedure Act (Act No. 88 of 1993) do not apply to a decision to commence ruling proceedings under paragraph (1).

Article 31(1)An application for a determination under Article 39, paragraph (1) of the Expropriation of Land Act may not be filed for specified land with an unknown owner connected to an application for a ruling, and an application for a ruling may not be filed for specified land with an unknown owner connected to an application for a determination under that paragraph.

(2)The provisions of Article 29, paragraph (1) of the Expropriation of Land Act do not apply to specified land with an unknown owner connected to an application for a ruling.

(3)Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 36, paragraph (1) of the Expropriation of Land Act, it is unnecessary to prepare land records and records of property referred to in that paragraph for specified land with an unknown owner or property on that land, connected to an application for a ruling.

(4)If a request under Article 39, paragraph (2) of the Expropriation of Land Act is made before a public notice under Article 28, paragraph (1) is issued, for specified land with an unknown owner connected to an application for a ruling, the application for a ruling is deemed not to have been filed.

(5)If a public notice has been given pursuant to the provisions of Article 28, paragraph (1) regarding an application for a ruling, a request under Article 39, paragraph (2) of the Expropriation of Land Act may not be made for the specified land with an unknown owner connected to the application for a ruling.

(6)Regarding the application of the provisions of Article 29, paragraph (1) and Article 39, paragraph (1) of the Expropriation of Land Act to specified land with an unknown owner connected to an application for a ruling in the case in which the application has been dismissed pursuant to the provisions of Article 29, paragraph (2) of this Act, the phrase "within one year" in these provisions of the Expropriation of Land Act is deemed to be replaced with "within one year excluding the specified period (meaning the period from the day on which an application for a ruling is filed pursuant to the provisions of Article 27, paragraph (1) of the Act on Special Measures Concerning the Facilitation of Use of Specified Land with an Unknown Owner (Act No. 49 of 2018) for specified land with an unknown owner (meaning the specified land with an unknown owner prescribed in Article 2, paragraph (2) of that Act) in relation to the relevant project to the day on which notice is given pursuant to the provisions of Article 29, paragraph (3) of that Act, regarding the disposition under paragraph (2) of that Act)".

Article 32(1)The prefectural governor must make a ruling to approve the expropriation or use of specified land with an unknown owner, to the extent necessary for the expropriator having filed an application for a ruling to implement the project connected to the application, except when the governor dismisses the application pursuant to the provisions of Article 29, paragraph (1) or (2), or when the application falls under any of the following items:

(2)The ruling stated in the preceding paragraph (simply referred to as the "ruling" in this Subsection) must specify the following matters:

(3)In a ruling, the matters stated in items (i) and (iv) of the preceding paragraph must not be determined to exceed those stated in the application for the ruling, and the estimated amount of compensation stated in the application must be the minimum amount of compensation referred to in item (v) of the preceding paragraph.

(4)If the prefectural governor intends to issue a ruling, the governor must hear the opinions of the expropriation committee regarding the matters stated in paragraph (2), item (v).

(5)The expropriation committee may have its members or personnel who run its operations enter the specified land with an unknown owner, connected to the application for a ruling or a simplified or non-used building or another structure on that specified land, and investigate its conditions, if the committee finds it necessary to express its opinions pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

(6)The provisions of Article 13, paragraphs (6) and (7) apply mutatis mutandis to an on-site investigation under the preceding paragraph.

Article 33If a prefectural governor has issued a ruling, the governor must give a notice in writing without delay to the expropriator having filed the application for that ruling, and the real owner or right-holder who has been known regarding the specified land with an unknown owner, stating a ruling has been issued, and the matters stated in the items of paragraph (2) of the preceding Article, and also give a pubic notice to that effect, pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

Article 34If a public notice has been given pursuant to the provisions of the preceding Article regarding a ruling, a determination of the acquisition of rights stated in Article 48, paragraph (1) of the Expropriation of Land Act and the administrative determination for eviction stated in Article 49, paragraph (1) of that Act are deemed to has been made concerning the specified land with an unknown owner connected to the ruling, and the provisions of Chapter VII of that Act apply.

Article 35(1)The provisions of Chapter VI, Section 1 of the Expropriation of Land Act (excluding Article 76, the second sentence of Article 77, Article 78, Articles 81 through 83, Article 86, Article 87, and Articles 90-2 through 90-4) apply mutatis mutandis to compensation for losses as a result of expropriation or use of specified land with an unknown owner connected to a ruling, which are incurred by the real owner or related person regarding the specified land with an unknown owner. In this case, in the proviso to Article 70 of that Act, the term "Articles 82 through 86" is deemed to be replaced with "Article 84 or 85, as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 35, paragraph (1) of the Act on Special Measures Concerning the Facilitation of Use of Land with an Unknown Owner (Act No. 49 of 2018; referred to below as the "Act on Land with an Unknown Owner")", and the phrase "determination by the expropriation committee" is deemed to be replaced with a "ruling by the prefectural governor"; the term "determination of the acquisition of rights" in Article 71 of that Act and the terms "administrative determination to vacate" in Article 73, Article 84, paragraph (2), and Article 85, paragraph (2) of that Act are deemed to be replaced with the "ruling referred to in Article 32, paragraph (1) of the Act on Land with an unknown owner"; the term "the preceding two Articles" in Article 80 of that Act is deemed to be replaced with "the preceding Article, as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 35, paragraph (1) of the Act on Land with an Unknown Owner"; the term "expropriator, landowner, or interested person" in Article 84, paragraph (1) of that Act is deemed to be replaced with "expropriator"; the term "the expropriation committee" in that paragraph and paragraph (2) of that Article, and Article 83, paragraphs (3) through (6) of that Act as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph (3) of that Article, and Article 85 of the that Act is deemed to be replaced with "prefectural governor"; the terms "determination" in Article 84, paragraph (2) of that Act, Article 83, paragraph (3) of that Act as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 84, paragraph (3) of that Act, and Article 85 of that Act is deemed to be replaced with "ruling"; the term "expropriator or property owner" in Article 85, paragraph (1) of that Act is deemed to be replaced with "expropriator"; and the necessary technical replacement of terms is prescribed by Cabinet Order.

(2)If an expropriator intends to make a request under Article 79 of the Expropriation of Land Act as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to the preceding paragraph, or a demand under Article 84, paragraph (1) or Article 85, paragraph (1) of the that Act as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to the preceding paragraph, the expropriator must submit a written request or demand, stating the details of the request or demand and other matters specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism together with the application for a ruling to the prefectural governor.

Article 36(1)A prefectural governor may have the personnel enter specified land with an unknown owner, connected to an application for a ruling or a simplified or non-used building or another structure on that specified land, and investigate its conditions, to the extent necessary for the enforcement of the provisions of this Subsection.

(2)The provisions of Article 13, paragraphs (6) and (7) apply mutatis mutandis to an on-site investigation under the preceding paragraph.

Article 37(1)If a project executor (meaning the project executor prescribed in Article 4, paragraph (16) of the City Planning Act (Act No. 100 of 1968); the same applies in paragraph (3)) intends to expropriate or use specified land with an unknown owner located within the project site (meaning the project site prescribed in Article 60, paragraph (2), item (i) of that Act) in relation to a city planning project (meaning the city planning project prescribed in Article 4, paragraph (15) of that Act; the same applies in Article 43, paragraph (1) and Article 58, item (ii) of this Act) for which the project executor has approved approval under Article 59, paragraphs (1) through (4) of the City Planning Act, the project executor may file an application for a ruling on expropriation or use of the land, with the prefectural governor having jurisdiction over the location of the land.

(2)The provisions of Article 27, paragraphs (2) and (3), Articles 28 through 30, and Article 31, paragraphs (1) and (3) through (5) apply mutatis mutandis to an application for a ruling under the preceding paragraph. In this case, the phrase "An expropriator" in Article 27, paragraph (2) is deemed to be replaced with "A project executor (meaning the project executor provided for in Article 4, paragraph (16) of the City Planning Act; the same applies below)"; the terms "expropriator" in item (i) of that paragraph, Article 28, paragraph (1), and Article 29, paragraphs (1) and (3) are deemed to be replaced with "project executor"; the terms "Expropriation of Land Act" in the provisions of Article 27, paragraph (3), item (i) and item (ii), (d), Article 28, paragraph (1), item (iii), (a), Article 30, paragraph (2), and Article 31, paragraph (1) and paragraphs (3) through (5) are deemed to be replaced with the "Expropriation of Land Act applied pursuant to the provisions of Article 69 of the City Planning Act"; and any other necessary technical replacement of terms is specified by Cabinet Order.

(3)The prefectural governor must grant a ruling on the expropriation or use of the specified land with an unknown owner to the extent necessary for the project executor having filed an application for a ruling under paragraph (1) (referred to as an "application for a ruling" in this paragraph) to implement the project connected to that application, except for when the prefectural governor dismisses the application pursuant to the provisions of Article 29, paragraph (1) or (2) as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to the preceding paragraph or when the application falls under any of the following items:

(4)The provisions of Article 32 (excluding paragraph (1)) through the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to the ruling referred to in the preceding paragraph. In this case, the term "expropriator" in Article 33 is deemed to be replaced with "project executor (meaning the project executor provided for in Article 4, paragraph (16) of the City Planning Act; the same applies below)"; the terms "Expropriation of Land Act" and "that Act" in Articles 34 and 35 are deemed to be replaced with "Expropriation of Land Act applied pursuant to the provisions of Article 69 of the City Planning Act"; the term "expropriator" in paragraph (1) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "project executor"; the term "expropriator" in paragraph (2) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "project executor"; and any other necessary technical replacement of terms is provided for by Cabinet Order.