Article 1The purpose of this Act is to prevent adverse ecological impacts, etc. caused by designated invasive alien species through regulating raising, growing, storing, carrying (referred to as "raise, etc."), importing, and other handling of designated invasive alien species and through taking measures such as the control, etc. of designated invasive alien species by the national government, etc., and, doing so, to help stabilize and improve lives of the citizenry through contributions to conservation of biodiversity, human safety and sound development of agriculture, forestry and fisheries.

Article 2(1)In this Act, "designated invasive alien species" means individual organisms (including eggs, seeds and others designated by Cabinet Order; limited to living ones) and the respective organs (limited to those which require measures such as regulations, etc. on raising, etc. for preventing adverse ecological impacts, etc. to be taken under this Act and which are designated by Cabinet Order; limited to living ones) of living organisms designated by Cabinet Order as ones existing outside their original habitats as a result of introduction from overseas into our country (including those generated as the result of hybridization of such living organisms; referred to as "alien species" below) that are to cause or likely to cause adverse ecological impacts, etc. because of their different nature from organisms having original habitats in Japan (referred to as "native species" below).

(2)In this Act "adverse ecological impacts, etc. " means adverse impacts on ecosystem, human life or body, or agriculture, forestry and fisheries.

(3)In this Act, "designated invasive alien species requiring urgent actions" means a subset of designated invasive alien species designated by Cabinet Order as ones those spread is likely to cause significant adverse ecological impacts, etc. and significantly impair the stability of lives of the citizenry, thus requiring urgent actions such as inspection, control, and other measures to prevent the dispersal of the relevant designated invasive alien species upon discovery of them or those suspicious for being the relevant designated invasive alien species.

(4)When the competent minister makes a plan in enacting, amending or abolishing a Cabinet Order under paragraph (1) and the preceding paragraph, the minister must consult persons with relevant expertise on the nature of the living organisms.

Article 2-2(1)The national government is responsible for comprehensively formulating and implementing measures for the prevention of adverse ecological impacts, etc. caused by alien species.

(2)The national government is to take necessary measures to prevent the spread of designated invasive alien species that have not been confirmed to be established in Japan or whose distribution is localized, and to prevent adverse ecological impacts caused by designated invasive alien species in areas identified to be important for conservation of biodiversity.

(3)The national government is to take necessary measures to support the measures taken by local governments and to promote activities by business entities, citizens, or private-sector organizations organized by them (referred to as "private-sector organizations" in Article 2-5) so as to prevent adverse ecological impacts, etc. caused by designated invasive alien species.

Article 2-3(1)Prefectures are to take necessary measures to prevent adverse ecological impacts, etc. caused by designated invasive alien species that have already been confirmed to be established in Japan, based on the situation and trends of adverse ecological impacts, etc. caused by designated invasive alien species in the area of the relevant prefecture and other actual conditions.

(2)Municipalities (including special wards; the same applies below) are to endeavor to take necessary measures to prevent adverse ecological impacts, etc. caused by designated invasive alien species that have already been confirmed to be established in Japan, in the same manner as prefectural measures, based on the situation and trends of adverse ecological impacts, etc. caused by designated invasive alien species in the area of the relevant municipalities and other actual conditions.

Article 2-4(1)Business entities and citizens are to endeavor to deepen their knowledge and understanding of alien species and to properly handle them, and are to cooperate with measures implemented by the national government and local governments to prevent adverse ecological impacts, etc. caused by designated invasive alien species.

(2)A person that contracts out importing, transporting or storing of goods to other entities is to take necessary consideration to ensure that those entities who has undertaken importing, transporting or storing of goods from the relevant person, can carry out the business in compliance with this Act and orders based on this Act.

Article 2-5The national government, prefectures, municipalities, business entities, private-sector organizations, and other relevant entities are to endeavor to cooperate in mutual coordination so as to prevent adverse ecological impacts, etc. caused by designated invasive alien species.

Article 3(1)The competent minister must prepare a draft of a basic policy for preventing adverse ecological impacts, etc. caused by designated invasive alien species upon consultation with the Central Environment Council and ask for a cabinet decision on it.

(2)The basic policy in the preceding paragraph (referred to as "basic policy for preventing adverse ecological impacts caused by designated invasive alien species" below) is to specify the following stated matters:

(3)The competent minister must make it public without delay, if a cabinet decision on the basic policy under paragraph (1) is made.

(4)The provisions of paragraph (1) and the preceding paragraph apply mutatis mutandis to changes in the basic policy.

Article 4Designated invasive alien species must not be raised, etc.; provided, however, that this does not apply to the following stated cases:

Article 5(1)A person who seeks to raise, etc. designated invasive alien species for academic research or the purposes specified by order of the competent ministry must obtain permission from the competent minister.

(2)A person who seeks to obtain the permission under the preceding paragraph must apply for permission with the competent minister as specified by order of the competent ministry.

(3)The competent minister must not grant the permission under paragraph (1) if there is a reason that falls under any of the following items regarding the raising, etc. related to the application of the preceding paragraph:

(4)If the competent minister intends to grant the permission under paragraph (1), and finds it necessary so as to prevent adverse ecological impacts, etc. caused by designated invasive alien species, the minister may attach conditions to the permission, to the necessary extent.

(5)A person that obtains the permission under paragraph (1), in raising, etc. a designated invasive alien species related to the permission, must periodically conduct inspection of the specified raising, etc. facility related to the relevant designated invasive alien species, make it clear that the person has the permission for the relevant designated invasive alien species, and employ other methods provided for by order of the competent ministry.

Article 6Deleted

Article 7Designated invasive alien species must not be imported; provided, however, that this does not apply if a permittee under Article 5, paragraph (1) imports a designated invasive alien species related to that permission.

Article 8Designated invasive alien species must not be transferred or received by transfer, or, delivered or received by delivery (referred to as "transfer, etc." below); provided, however, that this does not apply to the case in which persons that raise or intend to raise, etc. a designated invasive alien species falling under Article 4, item (i) transfer, etc. the designated invasive alien species related to the raising, etc. between them, and to other cases provided by order of the competent ministry.

Article 9Designated invasive alien species related to the raising, etc., importing, or transferring must not be released, planted, or sowed (referred to as "release, etc." below) outside the specified raising, etc. facility related to the relevant designated invasive alien species; provided, however, that this does not apply to the following stated cases:

Article 9-2(1)A person who seeks to release, etc. a designated invasive alien species for academic research purposes to promote control under the following Chapter must obtain permission from the competent minister.

(2)A person who seeks to obtain the permission under the preceding paragraph must apply for the permission with the competent ministers as specified by order of the competent ministry.

(3)The competent minister must not grant the permission under the preceding paragraph unless the minister finds that the purpose of the releasing, etc. related to the application under the preceding paragraph is consistent with the purpose provided for in paragraph (1); and that the releasing complies with the standards specified by order of the competent ministry, such as the releasing, etc. being unlikely to expand the habitat area of the relevant designated invasive alien species.

(4)When the competent minister grants the permission under paragraph (1), the minister must issue a permit, as designated by order of the competent ministry.

(5)A permittee under paragraph (1) must carry the permit stated in the preceding paragraph when undertaking the releasing, etc. related to that permission.

(6)The provisions of Article 5, paragraph (4) apply mutatis mutandis to permission under paragraph (1).

Article 9-3(1)If the competent minister finds it necessary so as to prevent adverse ecological impacts, etc. caused by designated invasive alien species, the minister may order to the necessary extent for such prevention, the person in violation of the conditions attached pursuant to the provisions of Article 4, Article 5, paragraph (5), Article 8 or Article 9, or the provisions of Article 5, paragraph (4) (including when applied mutatis mutandis in paragraph (6) of the preceding Article) to take necessary measures, such as suspending the raising, etc. of the relevant designated invasive alien species, improving the method of raising, etc. of the relevant designated invasive alien species, or collecting the relevant designated invasive alien species which were released, etc.

(2)If a permittee under Article 5, paragraph (1) or paragraph (1) of the preceding Article violates the provisions of this Act or an order under this Act, or a disposition under this Act, and adverse ecological impacts, etc. caused by designated invasive alien species occur or are likely to occur, the competent minister may revoke such permission.

Article 10(1)To the necessary extent for the enforcement of this Act, the competent minister may request a permittee under Article 5, paragraph (1) or Article 9-2, paragraph (1) to submit reports on conditions of handling designated invasive alien species or on other necessary matters.

(2)To the necessary extent for the enforcement of this Act, the competent minister may have their employees enter facilities for the raising, etc. of designated invasive alien species or areas related to a releasing, etc. inspect items such as designated invasive alien species, documents, or other objects or question relevant persons.

(3)The employees in the preceding paragraph must carry certificate of identification and present it to relevant persons.

(4)The authority under paragraph (2) must not be construed as being granted for criminal investigation.

Article 21As provided for by order of the competent ministry, a person who seeks to import unevaluated alien species (alien species specified by order of the competent ministry as likely to cause adverse ecological impacts, etc. because of their different nature from that of native species, limited to living ones; the same applies below) must previously notify the competent minister of the type of the unevaluated alien species and other matters specified by order of the competent ministry.

Article 22If the competent minister receives a notification under the preceding Article, the minister must determine whether or not the unevaluated alien species in the notification is likely to cause adverse ecological impacts, etc. because of their different nature from that of native species, and inform the person of the result that has submitted the notification within six months from the date of the receipt of the notice.

Article 23A person who seeks to import unevaluated alien species must not import the unevaluated alien species before receiving the notification under the preceding Article indicating that the unevaluated alien species is not likely to cause adverse ecological impacts, etc. because of their different nature from that of native species.

Article 24(1)A person who seeks to export unevaluated alien species to Japan may previously notify the competent minister of the type of the unevaluated alien species and other matters specified by order of the competent ministry, as provided for by order of the competent ministry.

(2)The provisions of Article 22 apply mutatis mutandis to the notification provided for in the preceding paragraph.

Article 24-2(1)If the competent minister finds that imported goods or their containers or packages (limited to those imported goods before obtaining import permission under Article 67 of the Customs Act (Act No. 61 of 1954); referred to as "imported goods 0or their containers or packages, etc." below in this Article) have designated invasive alien species or unevaluated alien species attached or contained, the minister may have employees enter the lands or the facilities (including vehicles, vessels, aircrafts and other mobile facilities; referred to below in this Article and the following Chapter) where the relevant imported goods or their containers or packages are located, inspect the relevant imported goods or their containers or packages or lands or facilities where the relevant imported goods or their containers or packages are located, question the relevant persons, or, collect the relevant imported goods or their containers or packages within the minimum amount required for inspection without charge.

(2)If organisms suspected of being designated invasive alien species requiring urgent actions are present at, attached onto or contained into the imported goods or their containers or packages or the facilities (limited to mobile facilities) to be subject to the inspection under the preceding paragraph, the competent minister may order a person that owns or manages the imported goods or their containers or packages or the facilities to restrict or prohibit the transfer of the imported goods or their containers or packages or the facilities.

(3)If, the result of the inspection under paragraph (1) or the inspection provided by the competent minister as being equivalent to it indicates that a designated invasive alien species or unevaluated alien species are present at, attached onto or contained into the imported goods or their containers or packages, or, the lands or the facilities where the relevant imported goods or their containers or packages are located, the competent minister may disinfect imported goods, their containers or packages or lands or facilities, or dispose imported goods or facilities, or, order a person that owns or manages imported goods or their containers or packages, lands or facilities to disinfect imported goods, their containers or packages or lands or facilities, or to dispose imported goods or facilities.

(4)The authority under paragraph (1) must not be construed as being granted for criminal investigation.

Article 24-3(1)Procedures and criteria for orders under paragraph (2) and (3) of the preceding article are provided for by order of the competent ministry.

(2)If the competent minister intends to provide for the criteria for orders under paragraph (3) of the preceding article, the minister must consult persons with relevant expertise on the nature of the living organisms and persons with relevant expertise on other matters.

Article 24-4No request for administrative review may be made against an order under Article 24-2, paragraph (2) and (3).

Article 24-5(1)If the competent minister finds that it is highly probable that invasive alien species requiring urgent actions are present at, attached onto, or contained into goods or their containers or packages (referred to as "goods or their containers or packages" below in this chapter), or, land or facilities, the minister may, to the extent deemed necessary for the confirmation, have employees enter the relevant lands or facilities, inspect the relevant goods or their containers or packages or lands or facilities, question the relevant persons, or, collect the relevant goods or their containers or packages within the minimum amount required for inspection without charge.

(2)If organisms suspected of being designated invasive alien species requiring urgent actions are present at, attached onto or contained into the goods or their containers or packages or the facilities (limited to mobile facilities) to be subject to the inspection under the preceding paragraph, the competent minister may order a person that owns or manages the goods or their containers or packages or the facilities to restrict or prohibit the transfer of the goods or their containers or packages or the facilities.

(3)If, the result of the inspection under paragraph (1) or the inspection provided by the competent minister as being equivalent to it, indicates that a designated invasive alien species requiring urgent actions are present at, attached onto or contained into the goods or their containers or packages, the lands or the facilities, the competent minister may disinfect goods, their containers or packages, lands or facilities, or dispose goods or facilities, or, order a person that owns or manages goods or their containers or packages, lands or facilities to disinfect goods, their containers or packages, lands or facilities, or to dispose goods or facilities.

(4)The provisions of Article 24-2, paragraph (4) apply mutatis mutandis to the authority under paragraph (1), the provisions of Article 24-3, paragraph (1) and the preceding article apply mutatis mutandis to the order under the preceding two paragraphs, and the provisions of Article 24-3, paragraph (2) apply mutatis mutandis to the criteria for orders under the preceding paragraph.

Article 24-6If the competent minister finds it necessary so as to prevent adverse ecological impacts, etc. caused by designated invasive alien species requiring urgent actions, the minister may request a person that owns or manages goods or their containers or packages, lands or facilities that designated invasive alien species requiring urgent actions are likely to be present at, attached onto or contained into, or, a business entities that handled goods or their containers or packages at places of transit of the goods or their containers or packages to submit reports on matters concerning organisms suspected of being designated invasive alien species requiring urgent actions that are present at, attached onto, or contained into the goods or their containers or packages, the lands or the facilities, or on other necessary matters.

Article 24-7(1)The competent minister and the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism are to specify the guideline (referred to as "the guideline for actions" below in this Article) concerning measures for the following stated persons (referred to as "the subject business entities" below in this Article) to be taken to prevent adverse ecological impacts, etc. caused by designated invasive alien species requiring urgent actions due to importing, transporting, or storing of goods (referred to as "importing, etc. of goods" in paragraph (5)) that designated invasive alien species requiring urgent actions may be attached onto or contained into:

(2)The guideline of actions is to specify the following stated matters:

(3)If the competent minister and the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism intend to specify or change in the guideline for actions, they must consult with the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and the heads of other relevant administrative organs for the part relating to item (ii) of the preceding paragraph in advance.

(4)When the competent minister and the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism specify or change the guideline for actions, they must make them public without delay.

(5)If the competent minister and the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism find it particularly necessary so as to prevent adverse ecological impacts, etc. caused by designated invasive alien species requiring urgent actions due to importing etc. of goods, they may request reports from, or, guide or advice to the subject businesses entities regarding matters specified by the guideline for actions.

(6)If the competent minister and the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism find that the subject business entities have not implemented the matters specified by the guideline for actions if they have given guidance or advice of the preceding paragraph, they may recommend that the subject business entities implement the matters specified by the guideline for actions.

(7)If the subject business entities that have received a recommendation under the preceding paragraph fails to take measures related to the recommendation without justifiable cause, the competent minister and the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism may fix the due date and order the subject business entities to take measures relating to the recommendation.

Article 25(1)Other organisms (limited to living ones) than those specified by order of the competent ministry for being easily identified as not falling under designated invasive alien species nor unevaluated alien species must not be imported unless a certificate issued by a foreign government agency proving the types of the relevant organisms or other certificates provided for by order of the competent ministry are attached.

(2)An organism requiring the attachment of a certificate in the preceding paragraph must not be imported through any other place than ports or airports specified by order of the competent ministry.

Article 26(1)The competent minister may have employees that meet requirements provided for by Cabinet Order exercise part of the powers under Article 9-3, paragraph (1), or Article 10, paragraph (1) or (2), or Article 24-2, paragraphs (1) through (3) and Article 24-5, paragraphs (1) through (3) or Article 24-6.

(2)Employees who exercise part of the powers of the competent minister pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph (referred to as "agent of regulation for designated invasive alien species' adverse effects prevention" in next paragraph) must carry certification of identification and present it to relevant persons when the powers are to be exercised.

(3)Beyond what is provided for in the preceding two paragraphs, necessary matters in relation to agents of regulation for designated invasive alien species' adverse effects prevention are provided for by Cabinet Order.

Article 27To enrich scientific knowledge of adverse ecological impacts, etc. caused by alien species and the prevention of it, the government is to collect, arrange and analyze information, and, to promote study and take other necessary measures relevant to the knowledge.

Article 27-2The government is to endeavor to promote international cooperation in the prevention of adverse ecological impacts, etc. caused by invasive alien species, including the securing of international coordination concerning the prevention of adverse ecological impacts, etc. caused by invasive alien species.

Article 28(1)The government is to take necessary measures to deepen public knowledge and understanding on alien species through measures such as educational activities and public relation, etc. activities.

(2)Local governments are to endeavor to promote necessary measures to deepen public knowledge and understanding on alien species, in concert with the measures of the government in the preceding paragraph.

Article 28-2If the competent minister finds it necessary to achieve the purpose of this Act, the minister may request the heads of relevant administrative organs or the heads of relevant local governments to provide necessary materials or information, to state their opinions, or provide other cooperation.

Article 29(1)The competent minister in this Act is the Minister of the Environment; provided, however, regarding matters related to prevention of adverse effects on agriculture, forestry and fisheries, the competent ministers are the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

(2)Order of the competent ministry in this Act is an order issued by the competent minister.

Article 29-2The authority of the competent minister under this act may be delegated to the head of local branch bureaus and departments as provided for by order of the competent ministry.

Article 30When establishing, amending or abolishing an order under this Act, transitional measures (including transitional measures on penal provisions) may be stipulated by the order to the extent deemed reasonably necessary for the establishment, amendment or abolition of it.

Article 31Other than those provided in this Act, procedures for the implementation of this Act and other necessary matters for the enforcement of this Act are provided for by order of the competent ministry.

Article 32If any of the following items is applicable, the person who has committed the violation is punished by imprisonment for any period not more than three years or a fine not exceeding three million yen, or both.

Article 33If any of the following items is applicable, the person who has committed the violation is punished by imprisonment for a period no longer than one year or a fine not exceeding one million yen, or both.

Article 33-2When an order under Article 24-7, paragraph (7) has been violated, the person who has committed the violation is punished by a fine not exceeding one million yen.

Article 34When the provisions of Article 25, paragraph (1) or (2) have been violated, the person who has committed the violation is punished by a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand yen.

Article 35If any of the following items is applicable, the person who has committed the violation is punished by a fine not exceeding three hundred thousand yen:

Article 36When a representative of a corporation or an agent, an employee or any other worker of a corporation or an individual commits a violation stated in Article 32 through the preceding Article regarding the business of the corporation or individual, not only the individual offender but also the corporation is subject to a fine prescribed in the following items and the individual is subject to the fine referred to in the relevant Articles.