Article 8An employer is to give due consideration to ensure that workers employed by the employer are provided with opportunities to develop and improve their vocational abilities by receiving various types of vocational training, through taking the measures prescribed in the provisions below from the following Article through Article 10-4.

Article 9When providing vocational training to its workers, an employer may provide the vocational training by having the workers take vocational training at a public institution for the development of vocational abilities prescribed in Article 15-7, paragraph (3) or other institutions established by other persons that are found to be suitable for the development and improvement of vocational abilities, in addition to providing vocational training on its own or in cooperation with another person to the workers while they are on or off duty.

Article 10Beyond the measures prescribed in the preceding Article, an employer is to promote the development and improvement of its workers' vocational abilities by taking the measures specified below and making other efforts as necessary.

Article 10-2(1)An employer is to promote the development and improvement of the practical vocational abilities of its workers by providing vocational training combined with hands-on training, as necessary.

(2)Vocational training combined with hands-on training referred to in the preceding paragraph means vocational training provided by an employer to its workers while they are on duty, effectively combined with any of the following types of vocational training or education and training, and the trade skills that the workers acquire through that vocational training combined with hands-on training and their knowledge related to that training are assessed:

(3)In order to ensure a proper and effective implementation of vocational training combined with hands-on training prescribed in the preceding paragraph, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare is to make public the guidelines for the measures to be taken by employers.

Article 10-3(1)Beyond the measures prescribed to in the preceding three Articles, an employer is to promote the self-motivated development and improvement of the vocational abilities of its workers according to their career path plans by taking the following measures, as necessary:

(2)When ensuring opportunities for career consulting pursuant to the provisions of item (i) of the preceding paragraph, an employer is to make sure that the expertise of career consultants is utilized effectively.

Article 10-4(1)Beyond the measures prescribed in Article 9 through the preceding Article, an employer is to promote self-motivated development and improvement of the vocational abilities of its workers according to their career path plans by taking measures such as providing the assistance prescribed in the following items, as necessary, so as to ensure opportunities for workers to proactively seek education and training relating to their job or take vocational abilities tests:

(2)Paid education and training leave referred to in item (i) of the preceding paragraph means paid leave granted to workers who receive education and training related to the improvement of their qualities as professionals or related to their jobs (excluding leave granted as annual paid leave under the provisions of Article 39 of the Labor Standards Act (Act No. 49 of 1947).

(3)Long-term education and training leave referred to in paragraph (1), item (i) means long-term leave granted to workers who receive education and take training related to the improvement of their qualities as professionals or related to their jobs (excluding leave granted as annual paid leave under the provisions of Article 39 of the Labor Standards Act and leave granted as paid education and training leave prescribed in the preceding paragraph).

(4)Re-employment preparation leave referred to in paragraph (1), item (i) means leave granted to workers who try to develop and improve their vocational abilities to prepare for re-employment (excluding leave granted as annual paid leave prescribed in Article 39 of the Labor Standards Act, leave granted as paid education and training leave prescribed in paragraph (2), and leave granted as long-term education and training leave prescribed in the preceding paragraph).

Article 10-5Concerning the measures taken by employers to promote the self-motivated development and improvement of workers' vocational abilities according to their career path plans pursuant to the provisions of the preceding two Articles, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare is to make public the guidelines necessary to ensure proper and effective implementation of the relevant measures.

Article 11(1)An employer must endeavor to formulate a plan for the measures prescribed in Article 9 through Article 10-4 so as to promote the development and improvement of vocational abilities of its workers in a gradual and systematic manner.

(2)After formulating a plan referred to in the preceding paragraph, an employer must endeavor to promote self-motivated development and improvement of its workers' vocational abilities according to their career path plans by taking the measures necessary to make the contents of the plan from the preceding paragraph known to its workers, and, at the same time, the employer must endeavor to implement the plan in a smooth manner by effectively utilizing the promoters of vocational abilities development appointed pursuant to the provisions of the following Article.

Article 12An employer must endeavor to appoint a person who performs the following duties (referred to below as "promoter of vocational abilities development"), as specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare:

Article 12-2(1)An employer must endeavor to promote the development and improvement of vocational abilities of the workers through effective and efficient acquisition of proficient trade skills and related knowledge of its workers, by managing the information concerning proficient trade skills that take a considerable amount of time for workers to learn and knowledge concerning the proficient trade skills (referred to below as "proficient trade skills and related knowledge" in this Article) systematically, as necessary, and provide the relevant information to the workers or by taking other necessary measures.

(2)Concerning measures taken by employers to promote acquisition of proficient trade skills and related knowledge by workers pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare is to make public the guidelines necessary for employers to take the measures in a proper and effective manner.

Article 13Employers, employers' organizations or their federations, vocational training corporations, the Japan Vocational Ability Development Association or Prefectural Vocational Ability Development Associations, general incorporated associations or incorporated foundations, incorporated labor unions, or other nonprofit corporations that provide or intend to provide vocational training (collectively referred to below as "employers or other organizations") may, after obtaining accreditation of the standards to maintain and improve the levels of vocational training provided by employers or other organizations pursuant to the provisions of Sections 4 and 7, provide the relevant vocational training.

Article 14An employer may, by obtaining accreditation to confirm that an implementation plan for vocational training combined with hands-on training (meaning vocational training combined with hands-on training prescribed in Article 10-2, paragraph (2); the same applies below) is effective for developing and improving practical vocational abilities of youths (limited to persons specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare; the same applies below), provide the relevant vocational training combined with hands-on training pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.

Article 14-2By implementing the measures prescribed in this Section and the following Section beyond what is prescribed in Article 13, the national and prefectural governments are to make sure that workers are provided with opportunities to develop and improve their vocational abilities by receiving various types of vocational training.

Article 15(1)The national and prefectural organizations that conduct the affairs and services related to vocational training within a prefecture (referred to below as "relevant organizations" in this paragraph) may organize a council consisting of the relevant organizations and the following persons (referred to below simply as "council" in this Article) so that efforts to promote the development and improvement of vocational abilities based on the actual situation in the region can be implemented properly and effectively:

(2)The council is to share useful information for the promotion of the development and improvement of vocational abilities, while seeking close cooperation among its members, and is to discuss initiatives for the promotion of the development and improvement of vocational abilities, such as the implementation of suitable and effective vocational training and education and training related to a particular occupation based on the demand for and implementation status of vocational training and education and training related to a particular occupation in the prefectural area, and based on other circumstances in the region, as well as initiatives such as securing opportunities for career consulting.

(3)Persons who engage in or have engaged in the administrative affairs of the council must not divulge any confidential information learned in connection with the administrative affairs of the council without justifiable grounds.

(4)Beyond what is provided for in the preceding three paragraphs, any necessary matters concerning the organization and operation of the council are to be determined by the council.

Article 15-2(1)The national and prefectural governments must endeavor to provide the following assistance for vocational training and vocational abilities tests carried out by employers or other organizations, provision of assistance necessary to ensure opportunities for workers to proactively seek education and training related to their jobs or take vocational abilities tests, and other measures taken by employers to make it easier for workers to proactively develop and improve their vocational abilities according to their career path plans:

(2)In order to promote the development and improvement of vocational abilities, the national and prefectural governments must endeavor to provide workers with the assistance prescribed in item (iii) and item (iv) of the preceding paragraph.

(3)The national government may take special measures such as establishing the institutions necessary to provide employers or other organizations and workers with the assistance prescribed in paragraph (1) item (ii) through (iv) in a proper and effective manner.

(4)If the national and prefectural governments provide assistance to employers or other organizations and workers pursuant to the provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2), the national government and the relevant prefectural government are to work in close coordination with the Japan Vocational Ability Development Association or Prefectural Vocational Ability Development Associations.

Article 15-3The national government may provide aid to employers or other organizations and take other necessary measures for the purpose of promoting vocational training and vocational abilities tests conducted by employers or other organizations, and encouraging employers to take measures such as granting paid education and training leave prescribed in Article 10-4, paragraph (2) to workers and offering other assistance for ensuring opportunities for workers to proactively seek education and training related to their jobs or take vocational abilities tests, as well as other assistance for making it easier for workers to undergo vocational training and take vocational abilities tests or pursue similar forms of education conducted by public institutions for the development of vocational abilities and other institutions prescribed in Article 15-7, paragraph (3).

Article 15-4(1)In order to promote self-motivated development and improvement of workers' vocational abilities according to their career path plans, the national government must prescribe the forms of documents that state matters concerning the professional career, vocational abilities, and other matters concerning the development and improvement of vocational abilities of a worker (referred to as "professional resumes and related documents" in the following paragraph) and endeavor to disseminate them.

(2)When prescribing the forms of professional resumes and related documents, the national government is to make sure those documents are designed in a way that promotes the self-motivated development and improvement of vocational abilities of youths according to their career path plans.

Article 15-5With the cooperation of the Japan Vocational Ability Development Association, the national government must endeavor to conduct research studies on vocational training, vocational abilities tests, and other ways of developing and improving vocational abilities and collect and consolidate the relevant information, so that employers, workers, and other persons concerned may use the results of the relevant research studies and information related to those results.

Article 15-6In order to create an environment where the national government can smoothly promote the development and improvement of workers' vocational abilities, the national government is to publicize and raise awareness about the trade skills required for jobs so that employers and the public may gain a better understanding of those requirements.

Article 15-7(1)In order to enable workers to acquire the trade skills necessary for their jobs and knowledge related to those skills in a gradual and systematic manner, the national and prefectural governments are to establish the institutions stated in the following items pursuant to the provisions of Article 16, and provide vocational training prescribed in those items based on the classification of those institutions; provided, however, that vocational training that is provided mainly for acquiring knowledge and is specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (for prefectural governments, vocational training that is specified by prefectural ordinances in consideration of the requirements specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) may be provided by institutions other than the institutions stated in the items below by using methods that are found to be suitable:

(2)Beyond providing the vocational training specified in the items of the preceding paragraph, the institutions specified in those items established by the national and prefectural governments must endeavor to provide employers, workers, and other persons concerned with assistance specified in Article 15-2, paragraph (1), item (iii), item (iv), and item (vi) through item (viii).

(3)If the national or a prefectural government (if a designated city in Article 252-19, paragraph (1) under the Local Autonomy Act (Act No. 67 of 1947) (referred to below as "designated city") establishes a polytechnic college, polytechnic university, polytechnic center, or polytechnic school for persons with disabilities (referred to as "polytechnic college or another institution" in the following paragraph and Article 16, paragraph (2)), including that designated city, and if a municipality establishes a polytechnic school, including that municipality; the same applies below in this paragraph) establishes an institution stated in any of the items of paragraph (1) and provides vocational training, the vocational training may be provided within an institution stated in any of the items of that paragraph (referred to below as "public institution for the development of vocational abilities"), and if it is necessary for the national government to provide prompt and effective vocational training to workers and other persons who intend to change their job, or if it is necessary for a prefectural government to provide vocational training specified by a prefectural ordinance based on the requirements specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, educational training provided by another institution that is found to be suitable for the development and improvement of vocational abilities may be deemed as vocational training provided by a public institution for the development of vocational abilities, and workers may receive educational training at that other institution.

(4)Beyond providing the vocational training prescribed in the items of paragraph (1) and the assistance prescribed in paragraph (2) (excluding training or assistance provided by a polytechnic college or another institution established by a designated city, or a polytechnic school established by a municipality), public institutions for the development of vocational abilities may carry out the following operations:

Article 15-8(1)Vocational training provided at public institutions for the development of vocational abilities established by the national government and vocational training provided by the national government prescribed in the proviso to paragraph (1) of the preceding Article are to be provided based on a plan for providing the relevant vocational training formulated by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(2)When formulating the plan stated in the preceding paragraph, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare is to hear the opinions of the head of the relevant administrative organ and other persons concerned in advance.

Article 16(1)The national government establishes polytechnic colleges, polytechnic universities, polytechnic centers and polytechnic schools for persons with disabilities, and prefectural governments establish polytechnic schools.

(2)Beyond what is provided for in the preceding paragraph, prefectural governments and designated cities may establish polytechnic colleges and other institutions, and municipalities may establish polytechnic schools.

(3)The locations, names, and other necessary matters concerning the operation of public institutions for the development of vocational abilities established by the national government is specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and the information concerning the operation of public institutions for the development of vocational abilities established by prefectural or municipal governments is specified by prefectural or municipal ordinances.

(4)The national government is to entrust the Japan Organization for Employment of the Elderly, Persons with Disabilities and Job Seekers with the operation of polytechnic schools for persons with disabilities that have been established pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) and that are specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and may entrust the operation of polytechnic schools for persons with disabilities other than those specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to prefectural governments.

(5)The head of a public institution for the development of vocational abilities must have a high level of knowledge and experience in vocational training.

Article 17Article 17 No institution other than public institutions for the development of vocational abilities (excluding institutions established pursuant to the provisions of Article 25) may use the characters “職業能力開発校” (pronounced “shokugyo noryoku kaihatsuko”, meaning "polytechnic school"), “職業能力開発短期大学校” (pronounced “shokugyo noryoku kaihatsu tanki daigakko”, meaning "polytechnic college"), “職業能力開発大学校” (pronounced “shokugyo noryoku kaihatsu daigakko”, meaning "polytechnic university"), “職業能力開発促進センター” (pronounced “shokugyo noryoku kaihatsu senta”, meaning "polytechnic center"), or “障害者職業能力開発校” (pronounced “shogaisha shokugyo noryoku kaihatsuko”, meaning "polytechnic school for persons with disabilities") in its name.

Article 18(1)The national, prefectural, and municipal governments are to give due attention to the establishment and operations of public institutions for the development of vocational abilities to make sure that those institutions do not compete against each other and may function well.

(2)The national, prefectural and municipal governments, when providing vocational training, are to give due attention to the training start date, duration, contents of vocational training, and other matters so that the vocational training may help increase job security of workers and promote industrial development in the relevant areas.

(3)The national, prefectural, and municipal governments, when providing vocational training, are to give due attention to the duration, time, and other matters related to vocational training, so that workers can develop and improve their vocational abilities while also leading balanced lives.

Article 19(1)Public institutions for the development of vocational abilities are to provide general or advanced vocational training in accordance with the standards specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare regarding the subjects, training times, facilities, and other matters specified for each training course included in the vocational training as the standards for maintaining and improving the level of the vocational training (for public institutions for the development of vocational abilities established by prefectural or municipal governments, the standards specified by prefectural or municipal ordinances).

(2)The categories of vocational training referred to in the preceding paragraph are specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(3)When enacting prefectural ordinances pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), the prefectural or municipal governments are to prescribe the number of trainees at public institutions for the development of vocational abilities on the basis of the standards specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as prescribed in that paragraph, and prefectural or municipal governments are to take into consideration the standards specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as prescribed in that paragraph concerning other matters.

Article 20When providing general or advanced vocational training (referred to below as "public vocational training"), a public institution for the development of vocational abilities must endeavor to use textbooks or other teaching and training materials approved by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 21(1)The head of a public institution for the development of vocational abilities must give trade skills and knowledge assessment tests (referred to below as "trade skills assessment tests" in this Article) to persons who take public vocational training (limited to long-term training courses).

(2)A person who passes a trade skills assessment test may refer to themselves as "junior skilled worker."

(3)The standards for trade skills assessment tests and other necessary matters concerning the implementation of trade skills assessment tests are specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 22The head of a public institution for the development of vocational abilities must grant a certificate of completion to a person who completes public vocational training, pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 23(1)The following types of public vocational training are to be provided free of charge:

(2)Based on the provisions of the Act on Comprehensively Advancing Labor Measures, and Stabilizing the Employment of Workers, and Enriching Workers' Vocational Lives, the national and prefectural governments may pay allowances to job seekers who undergo public vocational training, such as general vocational training (limited to short-term training courses specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) provided at polytechnic schools and polytechnic center for job seekers who need a change of occupation or other job seekers specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and vocational training for job seekers provided at polytechnic schools for persons with disabilities.

(3)The head of a public institution for the development of vocational abilities must endeavor to work in close coordination with the chief of public employment security office and take necessary measures to provide support for the employment of job seekers who receive public vocational training.

(4)The head of a public institution for the development of vocational abilities must endeavor to secure opportunities for consultation through career consultants and provide other assistance as necessary in order to make it easier for job seekers who receive public vocational training to set their own goals for the development and improvement of vocational abilities.

Article 24(1)At the request of an employer or another organization, a prefectural governor may accredit the vocational training offered by the employer or that other organization., confirming that the vocational training meets the standards specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare referred to in Article 19, paragraph (1); provided, however, that this does not apply if the prefectural governor finds that the relevant employer or that other organization is not capable of providing the relevant vocational training in a suitable manner.

(2)If a prefectural governor intends to accredit the vocational training referred to in the preceding paragraph, and when a worker receiving the vocational training is subject to Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare under the provisions of Article 70 of the Labor Standards Act or Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare under the provisions of Article 61, paragraph (4) of the Industrial Safety and Health Act (Act No.57 of 1972), the prefectural governor is to hear the opinions of the Director General of the Prefectural Labor Bureau, unless otherwise specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(3)A prefectural governor may revoke the accreditation of vocational training if the governor finds that the accredited vocational training under the provisions of paragraph (1) (referred to below as "accredited vocational training ") no longer meets the standards specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare under the provisions of Article 19, paragraph (1), or when the employer or another organization ceases to provide the relevant accredited vocational training, or when the governor finds that the employer or that other organization is no longer capable of providing the relevant accredited vocational training in a suitable manner.

Article 25An employer or another organization who provides accredited vocational training may establish a polytechnic school, polytechnic college, polytechnic university, or polytechnic center as a vocational training institution, pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 26An employer or another organization who provides accredited vocational training must, to an extent that does not affect their business, endeavor to make their institutions used for accredited vocational training available to other employers or other organizations to provide vocational training, or endeavor to provide vocational training entrusted by another employer or another organization to workers employed by that other employer or that other organization.

Article 26-2The provisions of Article 20 through Article 22 apply mutatis mutandis to accredited vocational training. In this case, the phrase "head of a public institution for the development of vocational abilities" in Article 21, paragraph (1) and Article 22 is deemed to be replaced with "employers or other organizations who provide accredited vocational training."

Article 26-3(1)An employer who intends to provide vocational training combined with hands-on training may prepare an implementation plan for providing vocational training combined with hands-on training (referred to below as "implementation plan" in this Section) and apply for accreditation from the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(2)An implementation plan must contain the following matters concerning vocational training combined with hands-on training:

(3)When an application for accreditation referred to in paragraph (1) is filed with the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, and if the minister finds that the implementation plan meets the standards for providing vocational training combined with hands-on training which are specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as standards for effective vocational training combined with hands-on training to develop and improve practical skills of youths, the Minister may accredit that implementation plan.

Article 26-4(1)If an employer who gained the accreditation referred to in paragraph (3) of the preceding Article (referred to below as "accredited employer") intends to make a change to the implementation plan related to the relevant accreditation, the employer must obtain accreditation from the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(2)The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare may revoke the accreditation if the minister finds that the implementation plan related to the accreditation referred to in paragraph (3) of the preceding Article (the revised implementation plan, if the changes to the implementation plan under the preceding paragraph have been accredited; referred to below as the "accredited implementation plan" in this Section) no longer meets the standards specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare referred to in paragraph (3) of that Article, or if the minister finds that the accredited employer fails to provide vocational training combined with hands-on training according to the accredited implementation plan.

(3)The provisions of paragraph (3) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to the accreditation referred to in paragraph (1).

Article 26-5(1)When an accredited employer provides vocational training combined with hands-on training included in the accredited implementation plan (referred to below as "accredited vocational training combined with hands-on training"), the accredited employer may use the phrase "the implementation plan for the relevant accredited vocational training combined with hands-on training has been accredited" in a job advertisement to hire workers and in other texts specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (referred to as "advertisement and other texts" in the following paragraph), pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(2)Except in the cases under the preceding paragraph, no person is allowed to use the phrase referred to in that paragraph or any other phrase which is misleadingly similar to that phrase in an advertisement or other texts.

Article 26-6(1)If an owner of a small or medium-sized enterprise who is a member of an approved employers' organization of small and medium-sized enterprises (limited to accredited employers; the same applies below) intends to have the approved employers' organization of small and medium-sized enterprises recruit persons in charge of accredited vocational training combined with hands-on training (referred to below as "trainers"), and if the approved employers' organization of small and medium-sized enterprises intends to be engaged in the recruitment, the provisions of Article 36, paragraph (1) and paragraph (3) of the Employment Security Act do not apply to the employer of a small and medium-sized enterprise who is the relevant member.

(2)In this Article and the following Article, the meanings of the terms referred to in the following items are prescribed in each of the following items:

(3)The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare may revoke the approval referred to in item (ii) of the preceding paragraph, if the minister finds that the approved small and medium-sized employers' organization is no longer suitable as an organization to provide consultation and assistance referred to in that item.

(4)If an approved small and medium-sized employers' organization referred to in paragraph (1) intends to be engaged in the recruitment process, the approved small and medium-sized employers' organization must notify the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare about the recruiting period, number of recruits, recruiting areas, and other matters that are related to the recruitment of persons in charge of training and are specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(5)The provisions of Article 37, paragraph (2) of the Employment Security Act apply mutatis mutandis to cases in which a notification under the provisions of the preceding paragraph has been filed; the provisions of Article 5-3, paragraphs (1) and (4), Article 5-4, paragraphs (1) and (2), Article 5-5, Article 39, Article 41, paragraph (2), Article 42, Article 48-3, paragraph (1), Article 48-4, Article 50, paragraphs (1) and (2), and Article 51 of that Act apply mutatis mutandis to persons who engage in the recruitment of persons in charge of training after filing a notification under the provisions of the preceding paragraph; the provisions of Article 40 of that Act apply mutatis mutandis to the payment of remuneration to persons who engage in the recruitment of persons in charge of training after filing a notification under the provisions of that paragraph; and the provisions of Article 50, paragraphs (3) and (4) of that Act apply mutatis mutandis to cases in which the authority prescribed in Article 50, paragraph (2) of that Act, as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to this paragraph, is exercised. In this case, the phrase "the person seeking to conduct worker recruitment " in Article 37, paragraph (2) of that Act is deemed to be replaced with "a person who intends to engage in the recruitment of persons in charge of training prescribed in Article 26-6, paragraph (1) of the Vocational Abilities Development Promotion Act after filing a notification under the provisions of paragraph (4) of that Article"; and the phrase "the discontinuance of the worker recruitment operations, or order the suspension thereof for a designated period" in Article 41, paragraph (2) of that Act is deemed to be replaced with "the suspension of the worker recruitment operations for a designated period".

(6)Concerning the application of the provisions of Article 36, paragraph (2) and Article 42-2 of the Employment Security Act, the phrase "referred to in the preceding paragraph" in that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "if a person who intends to employ a worker by providing a reward, so as to have the worker other than the person's employee recruit a person in charge of training specified in Article 26-6, paragraph (1) of the Vocational Abilities Development Promotion Act;" and the phrase "commissioned recruiters provided in Article 39" in that Article is deemed to be replaced with "persons who file notifications under the provisions of Article 26-6, paragraph (4) of the Vocational Abilities Development Promotion Act to be engaged in the recruitment of trainers under the provisions of paragraph (1) of that Article;" and the phrase "in said paragraph" in that Article is deemed to be replaced with "in the following paragraph."

(7)The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare may request an approved employers' organization of small and medium-sized enterprises to submit a report on the implementation status of consultations and assistance referred to in paragraph (2), item (ii).

Article 26-7Public employment security offices must provide employment information and the results of research studies on occupations to approved employers' organizations of small and medium-sized enterprises that file notifications under the provisions of paragraph (4) of the preceding Article to be engaged in the recruitment of persons in charge of training, and must endeavor to promote the recruitment in an effective and suitable manner by giving guidance to the organizations on the conditions and methods of the relevant recruitment processes based on the results of those research studies..

Article 27(1)In order to help promote the smooth implementation of public vocational training and other types of vocational training as well as the development and improvement of vocational abilities, polytechnic universities must train vocational training instructors by teaching the necessary skills and providing the knowledge to vocational training instructors and persons who intend to become persons in charge of public vocational training and accredited vocational training (referred to below as "statutory vocational training") (referred to below as "vocational training instructors"), or must provide training to improve their abilities (referred to below as "instructor training") and vocational training specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare that helps facilitate the implementation of statutory vocational training, as well as conduct research and studies on the development and improvement of vocational abilities in a comprehensive manner.

(2)Polytechnic universities may, beyond carrying out the operations prescribed in the preceding paragraph, carry out any operations necessary for the development and improvement of vocational abilities under the provisions of this Act, as specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(3)The national government establishes polytechnic universities.

(4)No institutions other than a polytechnic university may use the characters "職業能力開発総合大学校" (pronounced "shokugyo noryoku kaihatsu sogo daigakko", meaning "polytechnic university") in their names.

(5)The provisions of Article 15-7, paragraphs (2) and (4) (excluding item (ii)), Article 16, paragraph (3) (limited to the part related to public institutions for the development of vocational abilities established by the national government) and paragraph (5), and Article 23, paragraphs (3) and (4) apply mutatis mutandis to the polytechnic universities, and the provisions of Articles 19 through 22 apply mutatis mutandis to vocational training provided at polytechnic universities. In this case, the terms "vocational training specified in the items of the preceding paragraph" in Article 15-7, paragraph (2) and "vocational training prescribed in the items of paragraph (1)" in paragraph (4) of that Article are deemed to be replaced with "operations prescribed in Article 27, paragraph (1)"; the term "public institution for the development of vocational abilities" in Article 21, paragraph (1) and Article 22 is deemed to be replaced with "polytechnic university"; and the term "who receive public vocational training" in Article 23, paragraphs (3) and (4) is deemed to be replaced with "who receive instructor training (meaning instructor training prescribed in Article 27, paragraph (1)) or vocational training".

Article 27-2(1)The categories of training courses for instructor training and the standards for training curriculums, training hours, training equipment, and other matters related to each training course are specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(2)The provision of Article 22 and Article 24, paragraph (1) through paragraph (3) apply mutatis mutandis to instructor training. In this case, the phrase "head of a public institution for the development of vocational abilities" in Article 22 is deemed to be replaced with the "head of a polytechnic university and an employer or another organization who provides instructor training prescribed in Article 27, paragraph (1) related to the accreditation referred to in Article 24, paragraph (1) as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 27-2, paragraph (2)" and the phrase "Article 19, paragraph (1)" in Article 24, paragraphs (1) and (3) is deemed to be replaced with "Article 27-2, paragraph (1)."

Article 28(1)Vocational training instructors for general vocational training (excluding short-term training courses specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare; the same applies below in this paragraph), which is part of statutory vocational training, must be persons who have obtained a license from the prefectural governor (vocational training instructors for general vocational training provided by public institutions for the development of vocational abilities established by prefectural or municipal governments must be persons specified by prefectural or municipal ordinances in accordance with the standards specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare).

(2)The license referred to in the preceding paragraph (referred to below as a "vocational training instructor's license") is issued for each occupation specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(3)A vocational training instructor's license is granted to a person falling under any of the following items at the request of that person:

(4)The eligible persons referred to in item (iii) of the preceding paragraph are specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(5)Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (3), a person falling under any of the following items may not acquire a vocational training instructor's license:

Article 29(1)If a person who has acquired a vocational training instructor's license falls under item (i) or item (ii) of paragraph (5) of the preceding Article, the prefectural governor must revoke the vocational training instructor's license.

(2)If a person who has acquired a vocational training instructor's license engages in conduct unbecoming a vocational training instructor, the prefectural governor may revoke the vocational training instructor's license.

Article 30(1)An examination for vocational training instructor certification is given by prefectural governors according to the plan concerning the examination for vocational training instructor certification established each year by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(2)An examination for vocational training instructor certification referred to in the preceding paragraph (referred to below as "examinations for vocational training instructor certification") consists of a skills assessment test and a written test.

(3)The following persons may take an examination for vocational training instructor certification:

(4)The eligible persons referred to in item (iii) of the preceding paragraph are specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(5)Pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the prefectural governor may exempt a person with certain qualifications from taking the skills assessment test or the written test, in part or in whole, referred to in paragraph (2).

(6)A person who falls under Article 28, paragraph (5), item (ii) or (iii) may not take the examination for vocational training instructor certification.

Article 30-2(1)A vocational training instructor for advanced vocational training (excluding short-term training courses specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare; the same applies below in this paragraph) , which is included in statutory vocational training must be a person who has abilities equivalent to or more advanced than the person listed in the items of Article 28, paragraph (3) in the subjects related to the relevant training, who is specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as a person who has a considerable level of knowledge or skills (for advanced vocational training conducted by a public institution for the development of vocational abilities established by a prefecture or designated city, a person specified by ordinances of the relevant prefecture or designated city by taking into consideration the standards specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare), and who does not fall under any of the items of paragraph (5) of the that Article.

(2)A vocational training instructor for vocational training prescribed in Article 28, paragraph (1) (excluding training provided by a public institution for the development of vocational abilities established by a prefectural or municipal government) is not required to hold a vocational training instructor's license to teach the subjects included in the vocational training, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of that Article, if that vocational training instructor falls under the category of a person specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as a persons who has abilities equivalent to or more advanced than the person listed in the items of paragraph (3) of that Article for those subjects included in that vocational training (excluding a person who falls under any of the items of paragraph (5) of that Article).

Article 30-3A career consultant is in the business of providing career consulting services using the name "キャリアコンサルタント" (pronounced "kyaria konsarutanto", meaning "career consultant").

Article 30-4(1)An examination for a career consultant is conducted by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(2)An examination for a career consultant stated in the preceding paragraph (referred to below as "examination for a career consultant" in this Section) consists of a written test and a skills assessment test.

(3)No person other than one who falls under any of the following items may take the examination for a career consultant.

(4)The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare may exempt a person with the qualifications specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare from taking the written test or the skills assessment test, in part or in whole, stated in paragraph (2).

Article 30-5(1)The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare may have a corporation that has been registered by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare (referred to below as "registered examining agency") carry out operations related to implementing an examination for a career consultant (referred to below as "operations related to qualifying examinations").

(2)A person seeking to be registered as a corporation referred to in the preceding paragraph must submit a written application stating the following matters to the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare:

(3)If the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare has a registered examining agency perform the operations related to qualifying examinations pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), the Minister is not to perform those operations related to qualifying examinations.

Article 30-6The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare must not register a person who applies for registration pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2) of the preceding Article (referred to below as "applicant" in this Article and the following Article) if that person falls under any of the following items:

Article 30-7(1)If the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare finds that an applicant conforms to all of the following items, the minister must register the applicant. In this case, necessary procedures for the registration are specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare:

(2)The registration stated in Article 30-5, paragraph (1) is to be made with the following matters stated in the registry of registered examining agency:

Article 30-8(1)If a registered examining agency seeks to change any of the matters stated in paragraph (2), item (ii) of the preceding Article, it must file a notification of that change with the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare no later than two weeks before the date on which it seeks to make the change.

(2)A registered examining agency must notify the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare of the appointment or dismissal of any officers or examiners without delay.

Article 30-9(1)A registered examining agency must establish the rules for operations related to examinations and obtain the approval of the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare before commencing the operations related to qualifying examinations. The same applies if a registered examining agency intends to change the rules for operations related to examinations.

(2)The rules for operations related to examinations must provide for the method of performing the operations related to qualifying examinations, examination fees, and other matters as specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(3)If the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare finds that the rules for operations related to examinations approved under paragraph (1) have become unsuitable to ensure proper and reliable implementation of examinations, the Minister may order the registered examining agency to change the rules for operations related to examinations.

Article 30-10A registered examining agency must not suspend or discontinue all or part of its operations related to qualifying examinations without the permission of the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 30-11(1)Within three months after the end of each fiscal year, a registered examining agency must prepare an inventory of assets, balance sheets, a profit and loss statement or income and expenditure statements, and business reports for that fiscal year (including electronic or magnetic records (meaning records used in computer data processing which are created in electronic form, magnetic form, or any other form that cannot be perceived by the human senses; the same applies below in this Article), if electronic or magnetic records are prepared in lieu of these documents; referred to as "financial statements and other records" in the following paragraph and in Article 105-2) and keep them at its own office for five years.

(2)A person who intends to take an examination for a career consultant and other interested persons may make the following requests at any time during the business hours of the registered examining agency; provided, however, that they must pay the fees determined by the registered examining agency when making a request stated in item (ii) or item (iv):

Article 30-12(1)If an officer or examiner of a registered examining agency engages in conduct that violates this Act, an order or disposition based on this Act, or rules for operations related to examinations, or behaves extremely inappropriately when performing duties related to qualifying examinations, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare may order the registered examining agency to dismiss that officer or examiner.

(2)A person who has been dismissed from the position of examiner by an order under the provisions of the preceding paragraph may not assume the position of examiner for a period of two years from the date of dismissal.

Article 30-13(1)A current or former officer or employee (including an examiner; the same applies in the following paragraph) of a registered examining agency must not divulge any confidential information learned in the course of their duties related to qualifying examinations.

(2)Concerning the application of the Penal Code (Act No. 45 of 1907) and other penal provisions, an officer and employee of a registered examining agency who are engaged in operations related to qualifying examinations are deemed to be officials engaged in public services pursuant to laws and regulations.

Article 30-14(1)If the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare finds that a registered examining agency no longer conforms to any of the items of Article 30-7, paragraph (1), the Minister may order the registered examining agency to take the necessary measures to conform to those provisions.

(2)Beyond what is provided for in the preceding paragraph, if the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare finds it necessary for ensuring that operations related to qualifying examinations are performed properly, the Minister may issue to a registered examining agency an order necessary for the supervision of the operations related to qualifying examinations.

Article 30-15(1)If a registered examining agency comes to fall under any of the items of Article 30-6 (excluding item (ii)), the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare must revoke its registration.

(2)If a registered examining agency falls under any of the following items, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare may revoke its registration or order that registered examining agency to suspend all or part of its operations related to qualifying examinations for a fixed period of time:

Article 30-16A registered examining agency must keep books, enter in them the matters specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare concerning the operations related to qualifying examinations, and preserve the books.

Article 30-17(1)If the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare finds it necessary for ensuring that the operations related to qualifying examinations are performed properly, the Minister may request a registered examining agency to make any necessary reports on the operations related to qualifying examinations, or may have ministry officials enter the offices of a registered examining agency and inspect the status of the operations related to qualifying examinations or the examining body's books, documents, or other items.

(2)A ministry official who conducts an on-site inspection pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph must carry identification and present it to the persons concerned.

(3)The authority to conduct an on-site inspection under the provisions of paragraph (1) must not be construed as being granted for the purpose of a criminal investigation.

Article 30-18In any of the following cases, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare must make a public notice of the relevant matters in the official gazette:

Article 30-19(1)A person who has passed the examination for a career consultant may become a career consultant by having their name, the location of their office, and other matters specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare registered in the career consultant registry kept by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(2)A person who falls under any of the following items may not be registered under the preceding paragraph:

(3)The registration stated in paragraph (1) ceases to be effective upon the expiration of the registration period unless it is renewed every five years.

(4)Necessary matters concerning the renewal stated in the preceding paragraph are specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 30-20When the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare registers a career consultant, the Minister issues a registration certificate for career consultant stating the matters prescribed in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article (referred to as the "registration certificate" in paragraph (2) of the following Article) to the applicant.

Article 30-21(1)If any of the matters prescribed in Article 30-19, paragraph (1) changes, the career consultant must notify the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare of that change without delay.

(2)When a career consultant makes a notification under the provisions of the preceding paragraph, they must submit a registration certificate together with that notification and have the registration certificate corrected.

Article 30-22(1)If a career consultant has come to fall under Article 30-19, paragraph (2), item (i), (ii), or (iii), the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare must revoke its registration.

(2)If a career consultant violates the provisions of Article 30-27, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare may revoke their registration or order the suspension of the use of the name of the career consultant for a fixed period of time.

Article 30-23When the registration of a career consultant has ceased to be effective, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare must delete that registration.

Article 30-24(1)The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare may have a person designated by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare (referred to below as a "designated registration agency") perform the work related to the registration of a career consultant (referred to below as "registration work").

(2)The designation stated in the preceding paragraph is made when a person who intends to perform registration work submits an application.

(3)Concerning the application of the provisions of Article 30-19, paragraph (1), Article 30-20, Article 30-21, paragraph (1), and the preceding Article when a designated registration agency performs registration work, the term "by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare" in Article 30-19, paragraph (1) is deemed to be replaced with "by the designated registration agency", and the term "the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare" in Article 30-20, Article 30-21, paragraph (1), and the preceding Article is deemed to be replaced with "the designated registration agency".

Article 30-25The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare must not make a designation unless no other person has been designated and the Minister finds that the application referred to in paragraph (2) of the preceding Article conforms to all of the following items:

Article 30-26The provisions of Article 30-5, paragraph (3), Article 30-6, Article 30-8, paragraph (2), Article 30-9, Article 30-10, Article 30-12, paragraph (1), and Articles 30-13 through 30-18 (excluding Article 30-15, paragraph (2), item (v) and Article 30-18, item (ii)) apply mutatis mutandis to the designation, designated registration agency, and registration work under Article 30-24, paragraph (1). In this case, the term "paragraph (1)" in Article 30-5, paragraph (3) is deemed to be replaced with "Article 30-24, paragraph (1)," the term "paragraph (2) of the preceding Article" in Article 30-6 is deemed to be replaced with "Article 30-24, paragraph (2)," the term "officers or examiners" in Article 30-8, paragraph (2) is deemed to be replaced with "officers," the term "rules for operations related to examinations" in Article 30-9, paragraph (1) is deemed to be replaced with "rules for registration work (referred to below as "rules for registration work")," the term "rules for operations related to examinations" in paragraph (2) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "rules for registration work," the term "method of performing the operations related to qualifying examinations, examination fees" in that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "method of performing the operations," the term "rules for operations related to examinations" in paragraph (3) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "rules for registration work," the term "of examinations" in that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "of registration work," the term "officer or examiner" in Article 30-12, paragraph (1) is deemed to be replaced with "officer," the term "rules for operations related to examinations" in that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "rules for registration work," the term "employee (including an examiner; the same applies in the following paragraph)" in Article 30-13, paragraph (1) is deemed to be replaced with "employee," the term "any of the items of Article 30-7, paragraph (1)" in Article 30-14, paragraph (1) is deemed to be replaced with "any of the items of Article 30-25," the term "Article 30-5, paragraph (1)" in Article 30-15, paragraph (2), item (i) is deemed to be replaced with "Article 30-24, paragraph (1)," the term "rules for operations related to examinations" in item (ii) of that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "rules for registration work," the term "Article 30-10, Article 30-11, paragraph (1)" in item (iv) of that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "Article 30-10," and the term "Article 30-5, paragraph (1)" in Article 30-18, item (i) is deemed to be replaced with "Article 30-24, paragraph (1)".

Article 30-27(1)A career consultant must not engage in any act which may damage the reputation of that career consultant or which may discredit all career consultants.

(2)A career consultant must not divulge or misappropriate any confidential information learned in connection with their duties. The same applies even after that person is no longer a career consultant.

Article 30-28A person that is not a career consultant must not use the words "キャリアコンサルタント" (pronounced "kyaria konsarutanto", meaning "career consultant") or any other name that is misleadingly similar.

Article 30-29Beyond what is provided for in this Section, an examination for a career consultant, registration of a career consultant, and other matters necessary for the enforcement of the provisions of this Section are specified by Order of Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 44(1)The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare conducts trade skills tests for each job category specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (referred to below as "job categories subject to testing" in this Article) by dividing them into grades specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare; provided, however, that trade skills tests for any job categories subject to testing that are specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as not suitable for being divided into grades may be conducted without being divided into grades.

(2)The levels of trade skills and relevant knowledge required to pass the trade skills tests referred to in the preceding paragraph (referred to below as "trade skills tests" in this Chapter) are specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for each of the job categories subject to testing.

(3)Trade skills test consists of a skills assessment test and a written test.

(4)The method of administering the skills assessment test is specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for each of the job categories subject to testing.

Article 45The following persons are eligible for a trade skills test:

Article 46(1)The Minister of Health, Lab our and Welfare must establish a plan for administering trade skills tests each year and make it known to the persons concerned.

(2)The prefectural governor is to administer the skills assessment tests and written tests referred to in Article 44, paragraph (3) (referred to below as "skills assessment and written tests") and carry out other operations that are related to trade skills tests and are specified by Cabinet Order, in accordance with the plan prescribed in the preceding paragraph.

(3)The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare may have the Japan Vocational Ability Development Association prepare examination questions and guidelines for administering skills assessment and written tests, provide technical guidance for administering skills assessment and written tests, and carry out some of the other operations related to skills assessment and written tests.

(4)A prefectural governor may have the Prefectural Vocational Ability Development Association administer skills assessment and written tests and carry out some of the other operations related to skills assessment and written tests.

Article 47(1)Pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare may have employers' organizations or their federations, or general incorporated associations or general incorporated foundations, incorporated labor unions, or other nonprofit corporations designated by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare as organizations found to conform to all of the following items (referred below to as a "designated examining agency") carry out all or part of the operations related to skills assessment and written tests other than the operations carried out by a prefectural governor pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2) of the preceding Article (excluding operations related to determining the results of the tests; referred to below as "operations related to skills assessment and written tests" in this Article and Article 96-2):

(2)A current or former officer or employee of a designated examining agency must not divulge any confidential information learned in connection with operations related to skills assessment and written tests.

(3)Concerning the application of the Penal Code and other penal provisions, an officer and employee of a designated examining agency who are engaged in operations related to skills assessment and written tests are deemed to be officials engaged in public services pursuant to laws and regulations.

(4)If a designated examining agency falls under any of the following items, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare may revoke its designation or order it to suspend all or part of its operations related to skills assessment and written tests for a fixed period:

Article 48(1)if the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare finds it necessary, the Minister may request a designated examining agency to make any necessary reports on its operations or have their officials enter the office of the designated examining agency so that they may inspect the current status of its operations or books, documents, and other items.

(2)A ministry official who conducts an on-site inspection pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph must carry identification and present it to the persons concerned.

(3)The authority to conduct an on-site inspection under the provisions of paragraph (1) must not be construed as being granted for the purpose of a criminal investigation.

Article 49A person who has passed a trade skills test is given a certificate of passing the trade skills test, pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 50(1)A person who passed a trade skills test may refer themselves as a certified skilled worker.

(2)When a person who has passed a trade skills test refers to themselves as a certified skilled worker pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the person is to indicate the occupation and grade of the trade skills test they have passed (the occupation if the trade skills test was administered without a specific grade) and must not indicate the occupation or grade of a trade skills test that they have not passed.

(3)If a certified skilled worker indicates the occupation or grade of a trade skills test that they have not passed in violation of the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare may order to stop the certified skilled worker using the title “技能士” (pronounced “ginoshi”, meaning “certified skilled worker”) for a period not exceeding two years.

(4)No person other than a certified skilled worker may use the title “技能士” (pronounced “ginoshi”, meaning “certified skilled worker”).

Article 50-2For the purpose of promoting vocational abilities tests (excluding trade skills tests; the same applies below in this Article), the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare is to establish standards concerning matters necessary for employers and other persons concerned to properly administer vocational abilities tests.

Article 51Beyond what is provided for in this Chapter, necessary matters concerning vocational abilities tests are specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 52The purpose of the Japan Vocational Ability Development Association (referred to below as the "Japan Association") is, in order to help put the basic principle of promoting the development and improvement of vocational abilities into practice, to ensure sound development of the Prefectural Vocational Ability Development Associations, and to promote the development of vocational abilities prescribed in Article 5, paragraph (1) (referred to below simply as "development of vocational abilities" in Article 55, paragraph (1)), working together in close coordination with the national and prefectural governments.

Article 53(1)The Japan Association is a juridical person.

(2)No association other than the Japan Association may use the characters "中央職業能力開発協会" (pronounced "chuo shokugyo noryoku kaihatsu kyokai", meaning "Japan Vocational Ability Development Association") in its name.

Article 54The Japan Association is the only one of its kind in Japan.

Article 55(1)The Japan Association is to carry out the following operations to achieve the purpose referred to in Article 52:

(2)The Japan Association is to carry out operations concerning the skills assessment and written test under Article 46, paragraph (3) beyond the operations specified in the items of the preceding paragraph.

Article 56The persons specified below are qualified to be members of the Japan Association:

Article 57(1)All Prefectural Vocational Ability Development Associations are members of the Japan Association.

(2)If those specified in items (ii) or (iii) of the preceding Article intend to join the Japan Association, it must not refuse the membership application submitted by them, nor must it impose unreasonable membership conditions on them, without justifiable grounds.

Article 58The Japan Association may collect membership fees from its members pursuant to the provisions of the articles of incorporation.

Article 59In order to incorporate the Japan Association, five or more Prefectural Vocational Ability Development Associations are required to become its founders.

Article 60(1)The founders must prepare the articles of incorporation, and make them as well as the time and venue of the organizational meeting available to the public at least two weeks before the scheduled meeting date, and then hold the organizational meeting.

(2)The articles of incorporation must be approved and any other matters necessary for the incorporation of the Japan Association must be decided based on the resolutions reached at the organizational meeting.

(3)At the organizational meeting, decisions are made by at least a two-thirds majority of the votes of those present, with the participation of at least half of those who qualify as members and expressed their intention of becoming a member to the founders by the date of the organizational meeting.

Article 61The founders must submit a written document providing the matters specified by the articles of incorporation and by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare without delay after the organizational meeting is finished and obtain approval for the incorporation of the Japan Association.

Article 62(1)The following matters must be included in the articles of incorporation of the Japan Association:

(2)Changes to the articles of incorporation do not come into effect without authorization from the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 63(1)The Japan Association has one chairperson, one president, five or less directors, and two or less auditors as its officers.

(2)The Japan Association may, beyond the directors and auditors referred to in the preceding paragraph, have part-time directors and auditors as its officers, pursuant to the provisions of the articles of incorporation.

(3)The chairperson represents the Japan Association and oversees the operations carried out by the Association.

(4)The president represents the Japan Association, and, pursuant to the provisions of the articles of incorporation, assists the chairperson in supervising the operations carried out by the Japan Association, acts as a substitute for the chairperson if the chairperson is unable to attend to their duties, and performs the duties of the chairperson if there is no chairperson appointed.

(5)The directors, pursuant to the provisions of the articles of incorporation, assist the chairperson and president in supervising the operations carried out by the Japan Association, act as substitutes for the chairperson or president if the chairperson or president is unable to attend to their duties, and perform the duties of the chairperson or president if there is no chairperson or president appointed.

(6)The auditors audit the operations and accounting practices of the Japan Association.

(7)The auditors may, if they find it necessary based on the audit results, submit their opinions to the chairperson or the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(8)No auditor may concurrently hold the post of chairperson, president, director, or employee of the Japan Association.

Article 64(1)The officers are appointed or dismissed at the general meeting pursuant to the provisions of the articles of incorporation; provided, however, that the officers at the time of the incorporation of the Japan Association are appointed at the organizational meeting.

(2)The appointment of the officers under the provisions of the preceding paragraph does not come into effect without authorization from the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(3)The term of office of the chairperson and president is a term not exceeding four years as specified in the articles of incorporation, and the term of office of the directors and auditors is a term not exceeding two years as specified in the articles of incorporation; provided, however, that the term of office of the chairperson and president at the time of the incorporation of the Japan Association is a term not exceeding two years as determined at the organizational meeting, and the term of office of the directors and auditors at the time of the incorporation of the Japan Association is a term not exceeding one year as determined at the organizational meeting.

(4)Officers may be reelected.

Article 65The chairperson and president of the Japan Association do not have right to represent the Japan Association regarding any matters where the interests of the Japan Association and that of the chairperson or president conflict with each other. In this case, the auditors represent the Japan Association pursuant to the provisions of the articles of incorporation.

Article 66(1)The Japan Association has counselors.

(2)Counselors participate in important matters concerning the operations of the Japan Association.

(3)Counselors are appointed by the chairperson from among persons with relevant expertise in vocational training or vocational abilities tests.

(4)Beyond what is prescribed in the preceding three paragraphs, the necessary matters concerning counselors are specified in the articles of incorporation.

Article 67(1)When the Japan Association carries out operations that involve preparing examination questions and guidelines for administering skills assessment and written tests and operations involving other technical matters related to administering skills assessment and written tests pursuant to the provisions of Article 55, paragraph (2), it must have the skills assessment and written test examiner at the Japan Association carry out the relevant operations.

(2)When the Japan Association intends to appoint a skills assessment and written test examiner, it must, pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, appoint a person from among those with requirements specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 68(1)The chairperson must submit a business report, a balance sheet, an income and expenditure statement, and an inventory of assets (referred to below as "account settlement documents") to the auditors at least one week before the date of the ordinary general meeting, and keep these documents at its principal office.

(2)The chairperson must submit the account settlement documents together with written opinions of the auditors, to the ordinary general meeting to seek its approval.

(3)The written opinion of the auditors referred to in the preceding paragraph may be substituted by an attached electronic or magnetic record where the matters that must be included in that written opinion is recorded (meaning records specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, used in computer data-processing as records which are created in electronic form, magnetic form, or any other form that cannot be perceived by the human senses). In this case, the chairperson is deemed to have attached the written opinions of the auditors.

Article 69(1)The chairperson must call an ordinary general meeting once every fiscal year pursuant to the provisions of the articles of incorporation.

(2)The chairperson may call an extraordinary general meeting when the chairperson finds it necessary.

(3)The following matters are subject to the resolution of the general meeting;

(4)At the general meeting, decisions are made by a majority of the votes of those present, with the participation of at least half of all members; provided, however, that the decisions on the matters specified in items (i), (iii) and (iv) of the preceding paragraph are made by at least a two-thirds majority of the votes of those present, with the participation of at least half of all members.

Article 70(1)The Japan Association is dissolved for the following reasons:

(2)Dissolution due to the reason specified in item (i) of the preceding paragraph does not come into effect without authorization from the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 71A liquidator of the Japan Association is appointed at the general meeting in the case of dissolution due to the reason specified in item (i) of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, or by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare in the case of dissolution due to the reason specified in item (iii) of that paragraph.

Article 72(1)A liquidator must determine a method for disposing of the assets of the Japan Association and obtain approval from the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare after passing a resolution at the general meeting; provided, however, that a resolution on the method from the general meeting is not required if a resolution is not or cannot be made at the general meeting.

(2)If the liquidator determines a method for disposing of the assets of the Japan Association pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the residual assets must be owned by an organization engaged in activities that promote vocational training or vocational abilities tests and that are similar to those carried out by the Japan Association.

(3)If there are no organizations as prescribed in the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the residual assets are to be owned by the national government.

Article 73(1)The Japan Association must submit the account settlement documents to the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare in each fiscal year within one month from the date on which an ordinary general meeting is finished.

(2)When submitting the account settlement documents to the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Japan Association must attach the written opinions of the auditors to the account settlement documents for the relevant fiscal year.

Article 74(1)If the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare finds it necessary, the Minister may request the Japan Association to make any necessary reports on its operations or have their officials so that they may inspect the current status of its operations or books, documents, and other items.

(2)A ministry official who conducts an on-site inspection pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph must carry identification and present it to the persons concerned.

(3)The authority to conduct an on-site inspection under the provisions of paragraph (1) must not be construed as being granted for the purpose of a criminal investigation.

Article 75If the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare finds that the operation of the Japan Association violates laws and regulations or the articles of incorporation, or is inadequate, the Minister may recommend the Japan Association that they rectify these issues and, if the relevant issues are not rectified as recommended, the minister may impose any of the dispositions specified in the following items on the Japan Association:

Article 76The national government may provide the aid needed for the Japan Association to carry out its operations.

Article 77(1)A current or former officer or employee of the Japan Association (including a skills assessment and written test examiner) must not divulge or misappropriate any confidential information learned in the course of their duties related to the skills assessment and written tests administered by the Japan Association pursuant to the provisions of Article 55, paragraph (2).

(2)Concerning the application of the Penal Code and other penal provisions, an officer and employee of the Japan Association who are engaged in operations related to the skills assessment and written tests administered by the Japan Association pursuant to the provisions of Article 55, paragraph (2) are deemed to be officials engaged in public services pursuant to laws and regulations.

Article 78The provisions of Article 34 apply mutatis mutandis to the registration of the Japan Association, the provisions of Article 37, article 37-7, Article 38-3, paragraph (2), Article 38-4, and Article 38-6 through Article 38-8 of this Act and the provisions of Article 4 and Article 78 of the Act on General Incorporated Associations and General Incorporated Foundations apply mutatis mutandis to the incorporation, management, and operation of the Japan Association, and the provisions of Article 40-2, Article 41-2, Article 41-4, Article 41-5, Article 41-7 through Article 41-10, and Article 42-2 to Article 42-8 apply mutatis mutandis to the dissolution and liquidation of the Japan Association. In this case, the phrase the " prefectural governor" in Article 37, paragraph (2), Article 37-7, and Article 42-3 is deemed to be replaced with the "Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare;" the phrase "the preceding Article" in Article 41-4 is deemed to be replaced with "Article 71;" the phrase the "prefectural governor supervising the operations of the vocational training corporation" in Article 42-2, paragraph (3) is deemed to be replaced with "the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare;" and the phrase "The prefectural governor prescribed in the preceding paragraph may state an opinion for the court prescribed in that paragraph" in paragraph (4) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare may state an opinion for the court prescribed in the preceding paragraph."

Article 79The purpose of a Prefectural Vocational Ability Development Association (referred to below as a "Prefectural Association") is, in order to help put the basic principle of promoting the development and improvement of vocational abilities into practice, to ensure the development of vocational abilities prescribed in Article 5, paragraph (1) (referred to below simply as "development of vocational abilities") within the prefecture in close coordination with the prefectural government.

Article 80(1)A Prefectural Association is a juridical person.

(2)No association other than a Prefectural Association may use the characters "職業能力開発協会" (pronounced "shokugyo noryoku kaihatsu kyokai", meaning "Vocational Ability Development Association"), bearing the name of a prefecture, in its name.

Article 81One Prefectural Association is incorporated in each prefecture, and its district is within the area of each prefecture.

Article 82(1)A Prefectural Association is to carry out the following operations to achieve the purpose referred to in Article 79:

(2)A Prefectural Association is to carry out operations concerning the skills assessment and written test under the provisions of Article 46, paragraph (4), beyond the operations specified in the items of the preceding paragraph.

Article 83(1)The persons specified below are qualified to be members of a Prefectural Association:

(2)If those specified in the items of the preceding paragraph intend to join the Prefectural Association, it must not refuse the membership application submitted by them, nor must it impose unreasonable membership conditions on them, without justifiable grounds.

Article 84In order to incorporate a Prefectural Association, five or more persons who intend to become its members are required to become its founders.

Article 85(1)A Prefectural Association has one chairperson, three or less directors, and one auditor as its officers.

(2)A Prefectural Association may, in addition to the directors and the auditor referred to in the preceding paragraph, have part-time directors and a part-time auditor as its officers, pursuant to the provisions of the articles of incorporation.

(3)A Prefectural Association has counselors.

Article 86(1)When a Prefectural Association carries out operations for administering the skills assessment and written tests pursuant to the provisions of Article 82, paragraph (2), it must have a prefectural skills assessment and written test examiner carry out the operations related to the trade skills assessment and other technical matters.

(2)When a Prefectural Association intends to appoint a prefectural skills assessment and written test examiner, it must, pursuant to Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, appoint a person from among those with requirements specified by Order of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 87(1)A prefectural government may provide the aid necessary for the Prefectural Association to carry out its operations.

(2)The national government may subsidize the expenses spent by prefectures on aid prescribed in the preceding paragraph.

Article 88The national and prefectural governments must endeavor to provide benefits for Prefectural Associations, such as allowing them to use public institutions for the development of vocational abilities and other suitable institutions.

Article 89(1)A current or former officer or employee of a Prefectural Association (including a prefectural skills assessment and written test examiner), must not divulge or misappropriate any confidential information learned in the course of their duties relating to the skills assessment and written tests administered by the Prefectural Association pursuant to the provisions of Article 82, paragraph (2).

(2)Concerning the application of the Penal Code and other penal provisions, an officer and employee of a Prefectural Association who are engaged in operations related to the skills assessment and written tests administered by the Prefectural Association pursuant to the provisions of Article 82, paragraph (2) are deemed to be officials engaged in public services pursuant to laws and regulations.

Article 90(1)The provisions of Article 34 apply mutatis mutandis to the registration of a Prefectural Association, the provisions of Article 37, Article 37-7, Article 38-3, paragraph (2), Article 38-4, Article 38-6 through Article 38-8, Article 58, Article 60 through Article 62, Article 63, paragraphs (3) and (5) (excluding the part related to the president), paragraphs (6) and (8) (excluding the part related to the president), Article 64, Article 65 (excluding the part related to the president), Article 66, paragraph (2) through paragraph (4), Article 68, Article 69, and Article 73 through Article 75 of this Act and Article 4 and Article 78 of the Act on General Incorporated Associations and General Incorporated Foundations apply mutatis mutandis to the incorporation, management and operation of a Prefectural Association, and the provisions of Article 40-2, Article 41-2, Article 41-4, Article 41-5, Article 41-7 through Article 41-10, Article 42-2 through Article 42-8, Article 70 through Article 72, and Article 75 apply mutatis mutandis to the dissolution and liquidation of a Prefectural Association. In this case, the phrase the "preceding Article" in Article 41-4 is deemed to be replaced with "Article 71 as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to the provisions of Article 90, paragraph (1);" the phrase "Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare" in Article 61, Article 62, paragraph (2), Article 64, paragraph (2), Article 70, paragraph (2), Article 71, Article 72, paragraph (1), Article 73, Article 74, paragraph (1) and Article 75 is deemed to be replaced with the "prefectural governor;" the phrase a "skills assessment and written test examiner at the Japan Association" in Article 62, paragraph (1), item (ix) is deemed to be replaced with a "prefectural skills assessment and written test examiner;" and the phrase "the national government" in Article 72, paragraph (3) is deemed to be replaced with "prefectural governments."

(2)If the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare finds that the operation of a Prefectural Association violates laws and regulations or the articles of incorporation, or is inadequate, the Minister may instruct the relevant prefectural governor to recommend that the Prefectural Association rectify the issues.

(3)In the case prescribed in Article 75 as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph (1), the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare may instruct the prefectural governor to impose the disposition specified in any of the items of that Article.