1 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Act on Protection of Names of Specific Agricultural, Forestry and Fishery Products and 
Foodstuffs , Act No. 84 of June 25, 2014  
 
Chapter I General Provisions  
 
(Purpose)  
Article 1  The purpose of this Act is to aim to secure the profits of producers of specific 
agricultural, forestry and fishery products and foodstuffs by establishing a system for 
protection of names of specific agricultural, forestry and fishery products and foodstuffs 
based on Annex 1C (Agreement on Trade -Related Aspects of Intellectual Propert y 
Rights) of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization, and 
thereby contribute to the development of agricultural, forestry and fishery industries 
and relevant industries as well as to protect the interests of consumers.  
 
(Definitio ns) 
Article 2  The term "agricultural, forestry and fishery products and foodstuffs" as used in 
this Act means those set forth below; provided, however, that those falling under liquors 
prescribed in Article 2, paragraph (1) of the Liquor Tax Act (Act No. 6  of 1953), and 
medicines prescribed in Article 2, paragraph (1) of the Act on Securing Quality, Efficacy 
and Safety of Pharmaceuticals, Medical Devices, Regenerative and Cellular Therapy 
Products, Gene Therapy Products, and Cosmetics (Act No. 145 of 1960),  quasi -
pharmaceutical products prescribed in paragraph (2) of that Article, cosmetics この特定農林水産物等の名称の保護に関する法律の翻訳は、平成 三十年法律第八十八号までの改正
（平年３１年２月１日施行）について作成したものです。  
この法令の翻訳は公定訳ではありません。法的効力を有するのは日本語の法令自体であり、翻訳はあくま
でその理解を助けるための参考資料です。この翻訳の利用に伴って発生した問題について、一切の責任を
負いかねますので、法律上の問題に関しては、官報に掲載された日本語の法令を参照してください。  
 
  This English translation of the Act on Protection of the Names of Specific Agricultural, Forestry 
and Fishery Pro ducts and Foodstuffs has been prepared (up to the revisions of Act No. 88 of 2018 
(Effective February 1, 2019)).  
  This is an unofficial translation. Only the original Japanese texts of laws and regulations have 
legal effect, and the translations are to be  used solely as reference material to aid in the 
understanding of Japanese laws and regulations.  
  The Government of Japan shall not be responsible for the accuracy, reliability or currency of the 
legislative material provided in this Website, or for any consequence resulting from use of the 
information in this Website. For all purposes of interpreting and applying law to any legal issue 
or dispute, users should consult the original Japanese texts published in the Official Gazette.  2 
 prescribed in paragraph (3) of that Article, and regenerative medical products 
prescribed in paragraph (9) of that Article are excluded:  
(i) agricultural, forestry and fi shery products (limited to those intended for human 
consumption);  
(ii) foods and drinks (excluding those set forth in the preceding item);  
(iii) agricultural, forestry and fishery products (excluding those set forth in item (i)) as 
provided by Cabinet Orde r; and  
(iv) products manufactured or processed using agricultural, forestry and fishery 
products as raw materials or ingredients (excluding those set forth in item (ii)) as 
provided by Cabinet Order.  
(2) The term "specific agricultural, forestry and fishery products and foodstuffs" 
(hereinafter referred to as "SAFFPF") as used in this Act means any agricultural, 
forestry and fishery products and foodstuffs falling under the following items:  
(i) products produced in a specific place, region or country;  and 
(ii) products for which quality, reputation or other given  characteristic (hereinafter 
simply referred to as "characteristic") is essentially attributable to the place of 
production specified in the preceding item.  
(3) The term "geographical indicatio n" as used in this Act means the indication of the 
name of a SAFFPF (limited to what can identify the matters set forth in the respective 
items of the preceding paragraph by the name).  
(4) The term "production" as used in this Act means the series of acts performed up to 
shipment of agricultural, forestry and fishery products and foodstuffs to impart a 
characteristic to or preserve the characteristic of agricultural, forestry and fishery 
products and foodstuffs, and the term "place of production" as used in  this Act means 
the place, region or country where agricultural, forestry and fishery products and 
foodstuffs have been produced, and the term "producer" as used in this Act means a 
person that undertakes production as its business.  
(5) The term "group of producers" as used in this Act means a group comprised of 
producers as direct or indirect members (hereinafter simply referred to as "members") 
as provided by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (for a  group  
without legal personali ty, limited to those which provide for a representative or 
administrator and those which provide to the effect that the group may not deny 
enrollment to any person eligible to become a member nor impose any conditions on 
enrollment more stringent than thos e imposed on existing members without a just 
cause, based on laws or regulations or articles of incorporation or other basic contract 
provisions).  
(6) The term "production process management" as used in this Act means the following 
operations undertaken by  a group of producers:  3 
 (i) preparation or change of specifications containing the information set forth in Article 
7, paragraph (1), items (ii) to (viii) (hereinafter simply referred to as "specifications") 
with regard to agricultural, forestry and fishery  products and foodstuffs;  
(ii) regarding agricultural, forestry and fishery products and foodstuffs specified in the 
specifications, guidance, examination and other operations that are necessary to put 
the production of the producer as a member of the grou p of producers in accord with 
the specifications; and  
(iii) undertaking operations incidental to the operations set forth in the preceding two 
items.  
 
Chapter II Protection of Names of S AFFPF  
 
(Geographical Indication)  
Article 3   A person who assigns, deli vers, displays for the purpose of assignment or 
delivery, export s or import s SAFFPF  which has received a registration pursuant to 
Article 6 (simply referred to as "registration" in the following paragraph (excluding item 
(ii)) and paragraph (1) of the foll owing Article)may use a geographical indication for the 
SAFFPF, their package, container, advertisement material, price list or transaction 
document  (including the information provided by using an electromagnetic device (an 
electromagnetic device shall ref er to any electronic, magnetic or other methods that is 
not recognizable by human perception) (hereinafter referred to as "package, etc.") .  
(2)  Except in cases under the preceding paragraph, a person should not use a 
geographical indication pertaining to  a SAFFPF  under registration  or an indication 
similar to it or an indication which likely misleads the public as that geographical 
indication  (referred to as  "similar indication, etc." in this paragraph and Article 5, item 
(i)) on agricultural, forestry and fishery products and foodstuffs  which belong s to the 
classification to which the SAFFPF under the registration is affiliated (meaning a 
classification of agricultural, forestry and fishery products and foodstuffs provided by 
the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in consideration of circumstances 
including the established international classifications; the same applies hereafter), or 
agricultural, forestry and fishery products and foodstuffs manufactured or processed  by 
using those products as a main raw material or ingredient, or on its package, etc.; 
provided, however, that this does not apply in the following cases:  
(i)  when a person uses a geographical indication pertaining to a SAFFPF  under 
registration  or simil ar indication, etc. on agricultural, forestry and fishery products 
and foodstuffs manufactured or processed by using the SAFFPF as a main raw 
material or ingredient, or on its package, etc.;  
(ii)  when a right holder of  a registered trademark (meaning the registered trademark 
prescribed in Article 2, paragraph (5) of the Trademark Act (Act No. 127 of 1959); the 4 
 same applies hereafter),which was filed for trademark application (excluding a case 
where an application is made by the intention to use (meaning us e as prescribed in 
Article 2, paragraph (3) of the  Trademark  Act; hereinafter the same applies in this 
item and the following item) a registered trademark with a purpose of obtaining an 
illicit gain, a purpose of causing injury to other persons, or any oth er wrongful 
purpose) before the date of the registration provided by Article 6 (when there has 
been any registration of change under Article 16, paragraph (1) with regard to the 
information set forth in Article 7, paragraph (1), item (iii) pertaining to th e 
registration,  " the da te of the registration " is the day of that change; the same applies 
in the following item and item (iv)) or any other person that has the right to use the 
registered trademark pursuant to the Articles of the Trademark Act uses the  
registered trademark for designated goods or designated services (meaning the goods 
or services designated pursuant to the provisions of Article 6, paragraph (1) of th e 
Trademark Act) under the registration of trademark;   
(iii) when a person that has the r ight to use a trademark pursuant to the provisions of 
the Trademark Act or any other law before the date of the registration uses the 
trademark under the right for goods or services under that right (excluding a case set 
forth in the preceding item);  
(iv)  when, before the date of the registration, without the purpose of obtaining a 
wrongful gain, causing damages to others, or any other wrongful purpose, a person 
that has used an indication with the identical name as the geographical indication 
pertaining t o the SAFFPF  under registration  or similar indication, etc.  on 
agricultural, forestry and fishery products and foodstuffs belonging to the 
classification to which th at SAFFPF is affiliated or on its package, etc., or a person 
that has succeeded to the busi ness, continues to use the indication on the 
agricultural, forestry and fishery products and foodstuffs or their package, etc.; or, 
when a person to whom  the agricultural, forestry and fishery products and foodstuffs 
(limited to those for which  that indica tion is affixed to the product, their package, 
container or invoice) have been directly or indirectly assigned or delivered  by that 
person uses th at indication on those agricultural, forestry and fishery products and 
foodstuffs or its package, etc.  (after seven years have elapsed from the date of the 
registration, it is limited to cases where the place of production of the said 
agricultural, forestry and fishery products and foodstuffs  is within that of the said 
SAFFPF  under registration , and where an indication that may sufficiently prevent 
any confusion between the said agricultural, forestry and fishery products and 
foodstuffs and the said SAFFPF  under registration is used on the said agricultural, 
forestry and fishery products and foodstuffs ); 
(v) beyond what is set forth in the preceding items, when it is provided by the Order of 
the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.  5 
   
 (Registered Mark)  
Article 4   A person who uses a geographical indication on a SAFFPF  under registration or 
on their package, etc ., may use the registered mark (meaning a mark , provided by the 
Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, stating that the 
geographical indication refers to the name of the SAFFPF under registration ; the same 
applies i n the following paragraph and item (ii)  of the following  Article) on that SAFFPF 
or their package, etc. .  
(2)  Except in cases under the preceding paragraph, it is prohibited for any person to use 
the registered mark or a mark similar thereto on agricultural, forestry and fishery 
products and foodstuffs or their package, etc. . 
  
 (Order for Measures)  
Article 5  The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may order a person that 
violates the prov isions set forth in the following items to take measures provided in the 
respective items and other necessary measures:  
(i) Article 3, paragraph (2): remove or erase the geographical indication or similar indication, 
etc.; 
 (ii) paragraph (2)  of the preced ing Article: remove or erase the registered mark or a mark 
similar thereto.  
 
Chapter III Registration  
(Registration of SAFFPF)  
Article 6  A group of producers that has the responsibility of production process 
management on  the agricultural, forestry and fis hery products and foodstuffs  may 
receive registration  on that product by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and 
Fisheries  if that product is SAFFPF and a group of producers has made the specification 
on that product. . 
 
(Application for Registration)  
Article 7   A Group of Producers that intends to receive a registration prescribed in the 
preceding Article (excluding Article 15, 16, paragraph (1)  of the proviso n to Article 16 -2, 
paragraph (2) and (3) of Article 17, and Article 22, paragraph (1), item (i), (d); 
hereinafter simply referred to as a "registration") must submit a written application 
specifying the following information to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and 
Fisheries, pursuant to Ord er of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries : 
(i) the name and address of the group of producers, and the name of its representative 
(if it is a group of producers without legal personality, its representative or 
administrator);  6 
 (ii) the classification of the agricultural, forestry and fishery products and foodstuffs;  
(iii) the name of the agricultural, forestry and fishery products and foodstuffs;  
(iv) the place of production of the agricultural, forestry and fishery products and 
foodstuffs;  
(v) the characteristics of the agricultural, forestry  and fishery products and foodstuffs;  
(vi) the method of production of the agricultural, forestry and fishery products and 
foodstuffs;  
(vii) beyond what is set forth from item (ii) to the preceding item, other necessary 
matters to identify the agricultural , forestry and fishery products and foodstuffs;  
(viii) beyond what is set forth from item (ii) to the preceding item, matters as provided 
by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries with regard to the 
agricultural, forestry and fishery products and foodstuffs; and  
(ix) beyond what is set forth in the preceding items, matters as provided by Order of the 
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.  
(2) The following documents must be attached to the written application of the preceding  
paragraph:  
(i) the specification;  
(ii) the rules regarding the method of production process management (hereinafter 
referred to as the "production process management rules"); and  
(iii) beyond what is set forth in the preceding items, documents provided by  Order of 
the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.  
(3) A group of producers that undertakes production process management may apply for 
registration jointly with others.  
(4) The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must, when an appl ication for 
registration was made, publicly notify the particulars under items (i) through (iii) of the 
paragraph (1) and other particulars prescribed by the Ord er of the Ministry of 
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries  without delay . 
 
(Orders to Amend A pplication for Registration)  
Article 7 -2 
(1) The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may order the amendment of the 
application for registration, designating an adequate time limit  when the Minister of 
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries finds a deficiency of formality in the application of 
paragraph (1) of the preceding Article or in documents  listed in paragraph (2) of that 
Article, o r finds  these documents  to insufficiently state a mat erial particular that is 
required to be stated  therein . 
(2) The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may dismiss the application for 
registration where a person ordered to make an amendment thereto under the 7 
 preceding paragraph fails to make suc h amendment within a period designated under 
the provision of th at paragraph.  
 
(Public Notice of Application for Registration)  
Article 8   When the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has accepted an 
application for registration (or when an amen ded application for registration is received 
if, pursuant to the provision of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article,  amendment of the 
application for registration has been ordered), the Minister must make a public notice of 
the information set forth in items (i) to (viii) of paragraph (1) of Article 7 and any other 
necessary information without delay . 
(2)  The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must keep the copy of the written 
application in paragraph (1) of Article 7 and the documents set forth in items  (i) and (ii) 
of paragraph (2) of that Article available for public inspection  for three months from the 
date of the public notice under the preceding paragraph  and must publicize them by the 
use of the internet  or other means according to the Ord er of the Ministry of the 
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries . 
 
(Submission of Written Opinion)  
Article 9  When the re is a public notice under paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, any 
person may submit a written opinion about the application for registration pertaining to 
that public notice to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries within three 
months f rom the date of the relevant public notice.  
(2) When the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has received a written 
opinion under the preceding paragraph, the Minister must send a copy of that written 
opinion to the group of producers that has made the application for registration.  
 
(Restrictions on Application for Registration)  
Article 10  For the purpose of applying the provisions of paragraph (2) of the preceding 
Article and paragraphs (2) and (3) of the following Article, an application for 
registration falling under both of the following items is deemed to be a submission of a 
written opinion pursuant to the provision of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article with 
regard to the application for registration pertaining to the public notice unde r Article 8, 
paragraph (1). In this case, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must 
notify it to the group of producers that has made the application for registration falling 
under all of the respective items:  
 (i) the application for regist ration is made before  the period prescribed in paragraph (1) 
of the preceding Article expires and after the application for registration is accepted 
pursuant to the provision of paragraph (1) of Article 8 ( when an amended application 8 
 for registration is received  if, pursuant to the provision of paragraph (1) of Article 7 -2, 
amendment of the application for registration has been ordered ) ; 
(ii) all or part of integrants on t he agricultural, forestry and fishery products and 
foodstuffs pertaining to the appli cation for registration accord with all or part of 
integrants on the SAFFPF pertaining to the public notice under Article 8, paragraph 
(1). 
(2) An application for registration falling under item  (ii) of the preceding paragraph 
cannot be made after the passage of a period of time prescribed in paragraph (1) of the 
preceding Article; provided, however, that this does not apply after an application for 
registration pertaining to a public notice under Article 8, paragraph (1) has been 
withdrawn, refused pur suant to the provisions of Article 13, paragraph (1) or carried 
out. 
 
(Hearing of Opinions of Experts ) 
Article 11  When the period prescribed in Article 9, paragraph (1) has expired, pursuant to 
the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the 
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must consult with persons having 
relevant knowledge and experience (hereinafter referred to as " experts " in this Article) 
as to whether the applications for registration fall under  the cases set forth in Article 
13, paragraph (1), items (ii) to (iv).  
(2) In the case of the preceding paragraph, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and 
Fisheries must show the contents of written opinions submitted pursuant to Article 9, 
paragraph (1)  to experts . 
(3) Experts  that have been consulted pursuant to the provision of paragraph (1), if they 
find it to be necessary, may hear opinions of the group of producers that made the 
application for registration or the person s that submitted the written opinion pursuant 
to Article 9, paragraph (1), or other relevant persons.  
(4) Experts  that have been consulted pursuant to the provision of paragraph (1) may not 
leak or misappropriate secrets that they have learned in the course of being asked for 
their op inions.  
 
(Implementation of Registration)  
Article 12   When the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has accepted an 
application for registration and finished the procedures prescribed in the provisions of 
Articles 7 -2 through the preceding Artic le, the Minister must register the application, 
except when registration is refused pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the 
following Article.  
(2) The registration is to be made by specifying the following information in the register of 
SAFFPF:  9 
 (i) the number and date of registration;  
(ii) the information set forth in Article 7, paragraph (1), items (ii) to (viii); and  
(iii) the information set forth in Article 7, paragraph (1), item (i).  
(3) When the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheri es has made the registration, 
the Minister must notify it to the group of producers that made the application for 
registration and also publicly notify matters provided by Order of the Ministry of 
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.  
 
(Refusal of Registrat ion) 
Article 13  The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must refuse a registration 
in the following cases:  
(i) when the group of producers falls under any of the following:  
(a) the group of producers has had its registration cancelled pursuant to the 
provisions of Article 22, paragraph (1), and two years have not yet elapsed from 
the date of the cancellation; or  
(b) an officer of the group (including the representative or administrator of a group 
of producers which does not have legal personality; the same applies to 2.) falls 
under any of the following:  
1. a person that was sentenced pursuant to any provisions of this Act, and two 
years has not yet elapsed from the date on which the person served out the 
sentence or was exempted from t he execution of the sentence; or  
2. in the case of a group of producers whose registration was cancelled pursuant 
to the provisions of Article 22, paragraph (1), a person that was an officer of the 
group of producers within 30 days before the cancellation  and without exceeding 
two years after the cancellation;  
(ii) when the production process management falls under any of the following:  
(a) the information set forth in items (ii) to (viii) of that paragraph as provided in the 
specification attached to the w ritten application in paragraph (1) of Article  7 
pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2)  of that article  does not accord with  the 
information specified in the written application;   
(b) the method of production process management provided by the product ion 
process management rules does not accord with the standards provided by Order 
of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries as a way necessary to ensure 
that the production undertaken by a producer as a member of the group of 
producers accords  with the specification;  
(c) the group of producers do not have sufficient financial basis to implement 
accurate and smooth production process management; or  
(d) a system necessary to ensure fair implementation of production process 
management is found not  to be established;  10 
 (iii) when the agricultural, forestry and fishery products and foodstuffs pertaining to 
application for registration (referred to as "agricultural, forestry and fishery products 
and foodstuffs applied for registration" in the following item) fall under any of the 
following:  
(a) the product is not SAFFPF; or  
(b) all or a part of  integrants on the product accord with integrants on SAFFPF s 
pertaining to the registration;  
(iv) when the name of the agricultural, forestry and fishery products and foodstuffs 
applied for registration falls under any of the following:  
(a) the name is a generic term or when the information set forth in the items of 
Article 2, paragraph (2) regarding the agricultural, forestry and fishery products 
and foodstuffs app lied for registration cannot be identified  by the name; or  
(b) the name is identical with or similar to the following registered trademarks:  
1. a registered trademark pertaining to agricultural, forestry and fishery products 
and foodstuffs applied for registration or a product similar thereto; or  
2. a registered trademark pertaining to a service related to agricultural, forestry 
and fishery products and foodstuffs applied for registration or a product similar 
thereto.  
(2) The provision in the preceding paragraph (limited to the part pertaining to item (iv), 
(b)) do es not apply if a group of producers falling under any of the following items files 
an application for registration regarding agricultural, forestry and fishery products and 
foodstuffs the name  of which is  prescribed  in item (iv), (b) of that paragraph:  
(i) a group of producers that is a n owner  of a registered trademark prescribed in item 
(iv), (b) of the preceding paragraph (when an exclusive right to use has been 
established for th at trademark , this is limited to cases where approval of the 
exclusive licensee of the relevant exclusive right to use has been established  with 
regard to the registration of agricultural, forestry and fishery products and foodstuffs 
the name of which is provided in ( b) of the relevant item);  
(ii) If the exclusive right to use that registered trademark prescribed in item (iv), (b) of 
the preceding paragraph  has been established, this is limited to cases where a group 
of producers is an exclusive licensee of that exclus ive right (limited to cases  where 
approval of the following persons has been obtained with regard to the registration of 
agricultural, forestry and fishery products and foodstuffs the name of which is 
prescribed  in (b) of that item):  
(a) the owner of that registered trademark; and  
(b) exclusive licensee of th at exclusive right other than that group of producers;  
(iii) a group of producers that has obtained approval of the owner of a registered 
trademark p rescribed in item (iv), (b) of the preceding paragrap h with regard to 
registration of agricultural, forestry and fishery products and foodstuffs the name of 11 
 which is  provided in item (iv), (b) of th at paragraph (if an exclusive right to use is 
established for th at trademark, limited to cases where approval of the exclusive 
licensee of th at exclusive right to use has been obtained with regard to the 
registration of the agricultural, forestry and fishery products and foodstuffs).  
(3) When the Minister of Agriculture,  Forestry and Fisheries has refused registration 
pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), the Minister must give notice in writing to 
the effect and the reason to the group of producers that filed the application for 
registration.  
 
(Public Inspection of the Register of SAFFPF)  
Article 14  The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must keep  the register of 
SAFFPF available to the public.  
 
(Registration of Change to Add Group of Producers)  
Article 15  A group of producers intending to undertake p roduction process management 
for SAFFPF pertaining to a registration under Article 6 (excluding the group of 
producers that received the registration) may register a change to add the information 
set forth in Article 7, paragraph (1), item (i) pertaining t o that group of producers to the 
matters set forth in Article 12, paragraph (2), item (iii).  
(2) The provisions in Articles 7 , paragraph s (1) through  (3), Articles 7 -2 to 9 and Article 11 
to 13 apply mutatis mutandis to registration of change prescribed in  the preceding 
paragraph. In this case, the term "the following information" in Article 7, paragraph (1) 
is deemed to be replaced with "the information set forth in item (i), the registration 
number, and the information set forth in Article 9", the term "t he information set forth 
in paragraph (1), items (i) to (viii) of the Article  7" in Article 8, paragraph (1) is deemed 
to be replaced with "the information set forth in paragraph (1), item (i) of the Article  7, 
the registration number", the term "Article 1 3, paragraph (1), items (ii) to (iv)" in Article 
11, paragraph (1) is deemed to be replaced with "Article 13, paragraph (1), items (ii) and 
(iv) (excluding (a))", the term " through the preceding Article" in Article 12, paragraph 
(1) is deemed to be replace d with " through Article 9, and the preceding Article", the term 
"following  information " in paragraph (2) of Article  12 is deemed to be replaced with 
"information set forth in the date of change and item (iii)", the term "in the following 
cases" in Article 13, paragraph (1) is deemed to be replaced with "in the cases set forth 
in items (i), (ii) and (iv) (excluding (a))", and the term "the information  specified in the 
written application " in item (ii), (a) of paragraph  (1) of Article 13 is deemed to be 
repla ced with "the information set forth in paragraph (2), item (ii) of the preceding 
Article pertaining to registration number  in the written information ". 
 
(Registration of Change of Registered Information on SAFFPF)  12 
 Article 16  A group of producers which has received a registration pursuant to Article 6  
(including a group of producers that has received a registration of change referred to in 
the preceding article, paragraph (1); hereinafter referred to as a "registered group of 
producers") must receive a regis tration of change where that group intends to make a 
change to the matters set forth in Article 12, paragraph(2), item (ii).  
 (2) In the case of the preceding paragraph, if there are two or more registered groups of 
producers pertaining to a registration i n Article 6, all registered groups of producers 
pertaining to the registration must jointly apply for registration of change in that 
paragraph.  
(3) The provisions in Article 7, paragraphs (1) , (2) and ( 4), Article s 7-2 to 9, and Articles 
11 to 13 (if the matters pertaining to registration of change as prescribed in paragraph 
(1) are those provided by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries as 
being minor, excluding the provisions of paragraph (4)  of Article 7, Article s 8, 9 and 11) 
apply mutatis mutandis to a registration of change as prescribed in paragraph (1). In 
this case, the term "the following information" in Article 7, paragraph (1) is deemed to 
be replaced with "the information set forth in Article 12, paragraph (2),  item s (i) and 
(iii) , and the information  pertaining to change prescribed in item (ii) of that paragraph ", 
the term "  when an application for registration was made " in Article 7, paragraph ( 4) is 
deemed to be replaced with "  when an application for registration was made  (limited to 
the case where the application included changes  related to the information set forth in 
Article 12, paragraph ( 2), item  (ii) (limited to  the part pertaining to Article 7, paragraph 
(1), item (iii)))”, the term “under items (i) through (iii) of the paragraph (1)”  is deemed to 
be replaced with “under items (i) and (iii) of the paragraph ( 2) of Article 12 , and the 
information  pertaining to that change” , the term “the information set forth in items (i) 
to (viii) of paragraph (1) of Article 7”  in Article 8, paragraph (1)  is deemed to be replaced 
with the term "the infor mation set forth in items (i) and (iii) of paragraph ( 2) of the 
Article  12, and the information  set forth in item (ii) of paragraph ( 2) of that Article  
pertaining to change", the term "the Article 7-2 to the preceding Article" in Article 12, 
paragraph (1) is deemed to be replaced with "that Article  7-2 to Article 9, and the 
preceding Article" in cases other than the case where the information pertaining to the 
registration of change as prescribed in paragraph (1) are those provided by Order of the 
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries as being minor, or replaced with "th e 
Article  7-2" if the matters pertaining to the regis tration of change as prescribed in that 
paragraph are those provided by the relevant Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, 
Forestry and Fisheries as being minor, the term " the following  information " in 
paragraph (2) of that Article is deemed to be replaced  with "the information pertaining 
to the date of change and the change", and the term "the information"  in (a) of item (ii) 
of paragraph (1) of Article 13  is deemed to be replaced with "among the information, 
those pertaining to change".  13 
  
(Approval of Chan ge of Specification)  
Article 16 -2 A registered group of producers intending to make a change to the specification 
must obtain the approval from the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; 
provided however, that this shall not apply if both registe red information and specification 
are changed at the same time under the preceding article, paragraph (1).  
(2) Pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, 
a registered group of producers seeking to be approved in the preceding paragraph 
(referred to as "applied registered group of producers" in the following paragraph and 
paragraph (4)) must  submit to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries a 
written application relating to a change of specification by attaching its production 
process management rules.  
(3) If an application for the approval of change of specification conforms to all the following 
items, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fis heries shall approve the change of 
specification : 
(i) if the information specified in the application in the preceding paragraph conforms 
with the information set forth in Article 12, paragraph (2), item (ii) ; and  
(ii) the method of production process management specified in the production process 
management rules complies with the criteria provided by the Order of the Ministry of 
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries as a way necessary to ensure that the production 
undertaken by a producer as a member of the applied registered group of producers 
conforms with the information specified in the application in the preceding paragraph.  
(4) When the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries ma kes the approval pursuant  
to the provision s of the preceding paragraph, the Minister must notify it to the applied 
group of producers and also publicly notify matters prescribed in  Order of the Ministry 
of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.  
 
(Notification of Change in Registered  Group of Producers)  
Article 17   When changes have been made to any of information in Article 12, paragraph 
(2), item (iii) pertaining to the registered group of producers, the group must notify the 
effect and the date  of change  to the Minister of Agricult ure, Forestry and Fisheries 
without delay.  
(2) When the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has received a notification 
under the preceding paragraph, the Minister must register th e change  pertaining to the 
notification in the register of SAFFP F. 
(3) When the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has registered the change 
prescribed in the preceding paragraph, the Minister must publicly notify th at effect.  
 
(Notification of Change to Production Process Management Rules)  14 
 Article 18  A registered group of producers that intends to make changes to its production 
process management rules must notify the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and 
Fisheries in advance.  
 
(Notification of Suspension of Production Process Management)  
Article 19  A registered group of producers that intends to suspend its production process 
management must notify the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries  in 
advance . 
 
(Invalidation of Registration)  
Article 20  A registration  (when there are two or more regist ered groups of producers 
pertaining to the registration, this is limited  to the part pertaining to the information 
specified in Article 12, paragraph (2), item  (iii); hereinafter the same applies in this 
Article)  will be invalidated if the registration fal ls under any of the following items : 
(i) if the registered group of producers has been dissolved and the liquidation has been 
completed; or  
(ii) if the registered group of producers has discontinued its production process 
management.  
(2) When a registratio n has been invalidated pursuant to the provisions of the preceding 
paragraph, the registered group of producers pertaining to the registration (in the case 
set forth in item (i) of that paragraph, a liquidator) must notify the Minister of 
Agriculture, Fore stry and Fisheries of the reason and the date of its invalidation 
without delay.  
(3) When a registration has been invalidated pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), 
the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must delete the registration from  
the register of SAFFPF  
(4) When the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has deleted a registration 
pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Minister must publicly notify 
the effect . 
 
(Order for Measures)  
Article 21  The Minist er of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, in the following cases, may 
order a registered group of producers to change the specification or the production 
process management rules, and to take any necessary measure s: 
(i)  if a producer  who is a member of t hat registered group of producers  violates the 
provisions of paragraph (2)  of Article 3, paragraph (2)  of Article 4, or order s under 
Article 5;  
(ii) if the specification do not accord with the information set forth in Article 12, 
paragraph (2), item (ii); or 15 
 (iii) if it falls under Article 13, paragraph (1), item (ii) (excluding (a)).  
 
(Cancellation of Registration)  
Article 22  The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, in the following cases, may 
cancel all or part of a registration:  
(i) if a regi stered group of producers falls under any of the following:  
(a) the group no longer conforms with the definition of  “group of producers ”; 
(b) the group has fallen under the situation prescribed in Article 13, paragraph (1), 
item (i), (b) (limited to the p art pertaining to 1.);  
(c) the group violates an order under the preceding Article; or  
(d) the group has , by wrongful means, received a registration prescribed in Article 6 
or a registration of change prescribed in paragraph (1) of Article 15  or paragraph (1) 
of Article 16,  or obtained the approval of change prescribed in paragraph (1) of 
Article 16 -2; 
(ii) if a registered SAFFPF fall s under Article 13, paragraph (1), item (iii), (a);  
(iii) if the name of a registered SAFFPF falls under Article 13, paragraph (1), item (iv), 
(a); or  
(iv) if a holder of a trademark or an exclusive licensee  of that trademark prescribed in 
the respective items of paragraph (2) of Article 13 has withdrawn the consent 
prescribed in the respective items of that paragraph.  
(2) The provisions of Articles 8, 9, and 11 apply mutatis mutandis to the cancellation of 
registration under the preceding paragraph (limited to the part pertaining to items (ii) 
and (iii)  of that paragraph ). In this case, the term "  the information set fo rth in items (i) 
to (viii) of paragraph (1) of Article 7 and any other necessary information without delay " 
in Article 8, paragraph (1) is deemed to be replaced with " the registration number  and 
the reason for cancellation ,  the reason on information set f orth in items (i) to (viii) of 
paragraph (1) of Article 7  and any other necessary information in advance ", the term 
"the written application in paragraph (1) of Article 7 and the documents set forth in item  
(i) " in paragraph (2) of Article 8 is deemed to be replaced with "the documents set forth 
in item (i)  " and the term "Article 13, paragraph (1), items (ii) to (iv)" in Article 11, 
paragraph (1) is deemed to be replaced with "Article 22, paragraph (1), items (ii) and 
(iii)".  
(3) When the Minister of Agri culture, Forestry and Fisheries has cancelled all or part of a 
registration under paragraph (1), the Minister must delete all or part of the registration 
from the register of SAFFPF.  
(4) When the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has deleted all or part of a 
registration pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Minister must 
notify the effect to the registered group of producers pertaining to the cancellation of the 
registration, and publicly notify it.  16 
  
Chapter IV Special Pr ovisions for S AFFPF  of Foreign Countries  
 
(Designation of SAFFPF of Foreign Countries)  
Article 23  In order for Japan to protect the name of a SAFFPF mutually with a foreign 
state (meaning a state or region outside the territory of Japan; hereinafter the same 
applies in this paragraph) that has an equivalent system for protection of names of 
SAFFPF in a ccordance with this Act (hereinafter referred to as "equivalent system") and 
that satisfies all of the following requirements (hereinafter referred to as "contracting 
state"), the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may designate the SAFFPF 
of the contracting state whose names are protected under the equivalent system of that 
contracting state:  
(i) having concluded an international agreement with Japan that includes the matters 
listed below:  
(a) the names of SAFFPF of Japan should be protected b y that foreign state under the 
equivalent system; and  
(b) the names of SAFFPF of th at foreign state should be protected by Japan under 
this Act;  
(ii) with regard to the names of SAFFPF of Japan that should be protected under the 
international agreement spe cified in the preceding item, it is found that the competent 
authority of th at foreign state is to take necessary measures when the Japanese 
government or a registered group of producers pertaining to the SAFFPF asks for 
appropriate protection of th at name . 
(2) The designation in the preceding paragraph (hereinafter simply referred to as 
"designation") is to be made by stipulating the following matters:  
(i) the classification of the SAFFPF;  
(ii) the name of the SAFFPF;  
(iii) the place of production of the SAFFPF;  
(iv) the characteristic of the SAFFPF;  
(v) beyond what is set forth in the preceding items, the method of production of the 
SAFFPF and other necessary matters to identify the SAFFPF; and  
(vi) beyond what is set forth in the preceding items, matters  provided by Order of the 
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries with regard to the SAFFPF.  
 
(Public Notice before Designation)  
Article 24  Having provided a designation, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and 
Fisheries must in advance publicly notify the information set forth in the respective 
items of paragraph (2) of the preceding Article and other necessary matters.  
 17 
 (Submission of Written Opinion)  
Article 25  When a public notice is made under the preceding Article, any person may 
submit a wr itten opinion about the designation of the SAFFPF pertaining to the public 
notice to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries within three months from 
the day of that public notice.  
 
(Restrictions on Application for Registration When There Is a Public Notice for 
Designation)  
Article 26  For the purpose of applying the provisions of paragraphs (3) and (4) of the 
following Article, an application for registration falling under all of the following items 
is deemed to be a submission of a written opin ion pursuant to the preceding Article with 
regard to the designation of the SAFFPF pertaining to the public notice under Article 24 
(hereinafter referred to as "candidate SAFFPF  for designation"). In this case, the 
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fis heries must notify it to the group of producers 
that has applied for the registration that falls under all of those items:  
(i) the application for registration is made  before the period prescribed in the preceding 
article expires and after the day on which  the public notice  was made under Article 
24 is made .; 
(ii) all or a part of  integrants on the agricultural, forestry and fishery products and 
foodstuffs pertaining to the application for registration accord with all or part of  
integrants on the candidate SAFFPF for designation . 
(2) An application for registration pertaining to item (ii) of the preceding paragraph 
cannot be made after the period stipulated to the preceding Article expires; provided, 
however, that this does not apply after a candidate SAFFPF  for designation  has not 
been designated or has been designated pursuant to the provisions of Article 29, 
paragraph (1).  
 
(Hearing of Opinions of Expert s) 
Article 27  When the period prescribed in Article 25 has expired, pursuant to the 
provisions of Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Minister 
of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must consult with experts  as to whether the 
candidate SAFF PF for designation  fall under a case set forth in Article 29, paragraph 
(1), item (i) and whether the name of the candidate SAFFPF for designation  fall under a 
case set forth in (a) and (b) of  item (ii) of the same paragraph.  
(2) When the period prescribed  in Article 25 has expired, pursuant to the provisions of 
Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Minister of 
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may consult with experts  as to whether the name of 
the candidate SAFFPF for designat ion falls under a case set forth in Article 29, 
paragraph (1), item (ii), (c).  18 
 (3) In the case of the preceding two paragraphs, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and 
Fisheries must show the contents of written opinions submitted pursuant to Article 25 
to experts . 
(4) Experts  that have been consulted pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or (2), 
may hear opinions of the person that submitted a written opinion pursuant to Article 25 
and other relevant persons if they find it to be necessary.  
(5) Experts that have been consulted pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or (2) 
should  not leak or misappropriate secrets that they have learned in the course of being 
asked for their opinions.  
 
(Implementation of Designation)  
Article 28  When the Minister  of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has completed the 
procedures under Article 24 to the preceding Article, the Minister must designate the 
candidate SAFFPF for designation products except when the designation will not be 
provided pursuant to the provis ions in paragraph (1) of the following Article.  
(2) When the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has designated  that, the 
Minister must publicly notify the following matters promptly:  
(i) the number and date of designation;  
(ii) the name of the  contracting state for the designation; and  
(iii) the information set forth in the respective items of Article 23, paragraph (2).  
 
(Criteria of Designation)  
Article 29  The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must not designate a 
candidate SAFFP F for designation products in the following cases:  
(i) when all or a part of the candidate SAFFPF for designation  fall under a registered or 
designated SAFFPF;  
(ii) if the name of the candidate SAFFPF for designation  falls under any of the 
following:  
(a) when the name is a generic term; or  
(b) when the name is identical with or similar to the following registered 
trademarks:  
1. a registered trademark pertaining to the candidate SAFFPF for designation  or a 
product similar thereto;  
2. a registered trademark pertaining to services related to a candidate SAFFPF for 
designation  or to a product similar thereto;  
(c) when the name becomes no longer protected under the equivalent system of the 
contracting state, or when it falls under a case provided by Order of the  Ministry of 
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries which stipulates cases where the name should 
not be protected.  19 
 (2) The provisions in the preceding paragraph (limited to the part pertaining to item (ii), 
(b)) do not apply if the Minister of Agriculture, Fo restry and Fisheries has obtained 
consent of the holder of the trademark pertaining to the registered trademark provided 
in (b) of that item with regard to a designation of a SAFFPF whose names are defined 
by (b) of the same item  (when an exclusive right to use has been established for th at 
registered trademark, this is limited to cases where approval of the exclusive licensee of 
said exclusive right to use has been obtained with regard to the designation of the 
SAFFPF ). 
 
(Geographical Indication of SAFFPF  Pertaining to Designation)  
Article 30  A designated SAFFPF must be deemed to be a registered SAFFPF pertaining to 
an application of the provisions of Article 3 and paragraph (1), item (iii), (b)  of Article 
13. In this case, the term "  has received a regist ration pursuant to Article 6 (simply 
referred to as "registration" in the following paragraph (excluding item (ii)) and 
paragraph (1) of the following Article)" in Article 3, paragraph (1) is read as "  has been 
designat ed pursuant to paragraph (1) of Artic le 23 (simply referred to as "designation" 
in the following paragraph)", the term "the date of the registration provided by Article 6 
(when there has been any registration of change under Article 16, paragraph (1) with 
regard to the information set forth i n Article 7, paragraph (1), item (iii) pertaining to the 
registration, “the da te of the registration ” is the day  of that change" in Article 3, 
paragraph ( 2), item (ii) is read as " the date of the designation (when there has been any 
designation of change under Article 31, paragraph (1) with regard to the information set 
forth in Article 23, paragraph (2), item (ii) , “the da te of the designation ” is the day of 
that change ", the term  " the date of the registration " in Article 3, paragraph ( 3) is read 
as " the date of the designation ",  the term "  the date of the registration " in Article 3, 
paragraph ( 4) is read as "  the date of the designation ",  the term " after seven years have 
elapsed from the date of the registration, it is limited to cases where the place of 
production of the said agricultural, forestry and fishery products and foodstuffs is within 
that of the said SAFFPF under registration, and where an indication that may 
sufficiently prevent any confusion between the said agricultural, forestry and fishery 
products and foodstuffs and the said SAFFPF under registration is used on the said 
agricultural, forestry and fishery products and foodstuffs " in Article 3, paragraph ( 4) is 
read as "  it is limited to cases where seven years have not elapsed from the date of 
designation of the SAFFPF, and where said products are produced outside the territory 
of the contracting state (meaning the contracting state prescribed in Article 23, 
paragraph (1) )”. 
 
(Change of Designation)  
Article 31   If any of the information set forth in any item of Article 23, paragraph (2) is 20 
 changed in the equivalent system of the contracting state, the Minister of Agriculture, 
Forestry and Fisheries must change  the content of the designation of the relevant SAFFPF.  
(2) The provisions in Articles 24, 25, and 27 through 29 (if the matters pertaining to the 
change of designation under the preceding paragraph are those provided by Order of the 
Ministry of Agricultur e, Forestry and Fisheries as being minor, excluding the provisions 
of Articles 24, 25 and 27) apply mutatis mutandis to the change of designation under the 
preceding paragraph. In this case, the term "  the information set forth in the respective 
items of p aragraph (2) of the preceding Article " in Article 24 is deemed to be replaced 
with "  the designation number, information relating to change among the information 
set forth in the respective items of paragraph (2) of the preceding Article ", the term "  
whether the candidate SAFFPF for designation  " in Article 27, paragraph (1) is deemed 
to be replaced with "  whether the SAFFPF  pertaining to the public notice in Article 24 ", 
the term "  the name of the candidate SAFFPF for designation  " in the same paragraph  
is deemed to be replaced with "  the name of the said SAFFPF ", the term "  the candidate 
SAFFPF for designation " in paragraph (2) of Article  27 is deemed to be replaced with "  
the SAFFPF  pertaining to the public notice in Article 24 ", the term "  under Articl e 24 to 
the preceding Article " in Article 28, paragraph (1) is deemed to be replaced with "  under 
Article 24, Article 25 and the preceding Article " in cases other than the case where the 
information pertaining to the change of designation under the prece ding paragraph are 
those provided by the relevant Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and 
Fisheries as being minor, or the term “When the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and 
Fisheries has completed the procedures under Article 24 to the preceding Article, the 
Minister”  is replaced with "  The Minister " in cases where the information pertaining to 
the change of designation under the preceding  paragraph are those provided by the 
relevant Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fis heries as being minor, 
the term "  the following matters" in paragraph (2) of Article 28  is deemed to be replaced 
with "  the designation  number , date of change and information relating to change and 
matters provided by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries ", and 
the term "  the candidate SAFFPF for designation  " in Article 29, paragraph (1) , item (i) 
is deemed to be replaced with "  the SAFFPF  pertaining to the public notice in Article 24 
" in cases other than the case where the informa tion pertaining to the change of 
designation under the preceding paragraph are those provided by the relevant Order of 
the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries as being minor , or term “the 
candidate SAFFPF for designation ” is replaced with "  the SAFFPF  changing by the 
provision of the paragraph(1)  of Article 31 ( referred to as “ the candidate SAFFPF for 
designation  relating to change” in this paragraph)” , and the term “the candidate 
SAFFPF for designation ” in Article 29, paragraph (1) , item (ii)  is deemed to be replaced 
with “the SAFFPF pertaining to the public notice in Article 24 " in cases other than the 
case where the information pertaining to the change of designation under the preceding 21 
 paragraph are those provided by the relevant Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, 
Forestry and Fisheries as being minor , or term  “the candidate SAFFPF for designa tion” 
is replaced with “ the candidate SAFFPF for designation  relating to change”.  
 
(Cancellation of Designation)  
Article 32  The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may, in the cases listed 
below, cancel all or a part of a designation:  
(i) if the name of the SAFFPF pertaining to a designation has fallen under either (a) or 
(c) of Article 29, paragraph (1), item (ii); or  
(ii) if a ho lder of trademark or an exclusive licensee as provided in Article 29, 
paragraph (2) has withdrawn the approval stipulated in the same paragraph.  
(2) The provisions of Articles 24, 25, and 27 apply mutatis mutandis to the cancellation of 
designation under t he preceding paragraph (limited to the part pertaining to item (i)). 
In this case, the term "the information set forth in the respective items of paragraph (2) 
of the preceding Article" in Article 24 is deemed to be replaced with " the designation 
number, r eason for cancellation", the term "whether the candidate SAFFPF for 
designation  fall under a case set forth in Article 29, paragraph (1), item (i) and whether 
the name of the candidate SAFFPF for designation  " in Article 27, paragraph (1) is 
deemed to be r eplaced with "the name of SAFFPF pertaining to the public notice under 
Article 24", the term "item (ii), (a) and (b) of the same paragraph" in the same 
paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "Article 32, paragraph (1), item (i) (limited to 
the part pertai ning to Article 29, paragraph (1), item (ii), (a))", and the term "  the 
candidate SAFFPF for designation  " in paragraph (2) of the same Article is deemed to be 
replaced with "SAFFPF pertaining to the public notice under Article 24", and the term 
"Article 29, paragraph (1), item (ii), (c)" in the same paragraph is deemed to be replaced 
with "Article 32, paragr aph (1), item (i) (limited to the part pertaining to Article 29, 
paragraph (1), item (ii), (c))".  
(3) Having cancelled all or a part of the designation under paragraph (1), the Minister of 
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must publicly notify it promptl y. 
 
Chapter V Miscellaneous Provisions  
 
(Method of Public Notice)  
Article 33  A public notice under this Act is to be performed through the Internet or 
through other appropriate methods.  
(2) The necessary matters concerning a public notice set forth in the preceding paragraph 
are provided by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.  
 
(Report and On -Site Inspection)  22 
 Article 34  The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may, to the extent 
necessary for the enforcement of this Act, request a registered group of producers, 
producers and other persons concerned to make the necessary report on its business or 
have officials of the Ministry enter the offices, local offices, warehouses, farms, factories 
or any other place of the group, ma nufacturer or persons and have them inspect the 
situation of the business , agricultural, forestry and fishery products and foodstuffs , their 
ingredients, books, documents  or other articles.  
(2) An official that conducts the on -site inspection pursuant to t he provisions of the 
preceding paragraph must carry a n identification card and produce it to the people 
concerned.  
(3) The authority for conducting on-site inspection prescribed in paragraph (1) must not be 
construed as given for criminal investigation.   
 
(Report to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries)  
Article 35   Any person that considers that a fact involving violation of the provisions of 
Article 3, paragraph (2) or Article 4, paragraph (2) exists may report it to the Minister of 
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and request the Minister to take the appropriat e 
measures, in accordance with the procedures as provided by Order of the Ministry of 
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.  
 (2) When a report under the preceding paragraph has been filed, the Minister of 
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must conduct the  necessary investigation, and when 
the Minister has found the contents of that report to be true, the Minister  must take 
the measures prescribed in Article 5 or 21 , or other appropriate measures.  
 
(Cooperation of Relevant Administrative Organs)  
Article 36  The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may request the heads of 
relevant administrative agencies to submit documents or information, offer their 
opinions and other cooperation as deemed necessary to attain the purpose of this Act.  
 
(Delegation of Authority)  
Article 37  The authority of the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries provided in 
this Act may be delegated in part to chiefs of local administrative offices pursuant to the 
provisions of Order of the Ministry of Agricul ture, Forestry and Fisheries.  
 
(Delegation to Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries)  
Article 38  Beyond what is provided in this Act, procedures and other matters required for 
the implementation of this Act are specified by Order of t he Ministry of Agriculture, 
Forestry and Fisheries.  
 23 
 Chapter VI Penal Provisions  
 
Article 39  Any person that violates an order under Article 5 (limited to the part pertaining 
to item (i)) is to be punished by imprisonment for not more than five years or a fine of 
not more than 5 million yen, or both.  
 
Article 40  Any person that violates an order under Article 5 ( limited to  the part pertaining 
to item (ii)) is to be punished by imprisonment for not more than three years or a fine of 
not more than 3 million y en. 
 
Article 41  Any person that violates an order under the provisions of Article 11, paragraph 
(4) (including cases where applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 15, paragraph 
(2), Article 16, paragraph (3), and Article 22, paragraph (2)) and Article  27, paragraph 
(5) (including cases where applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 31, paragraph 
(2) and Article 32, paragraph (2)) is to be punished by imprisonment for not more than 
six months or a fine of not more than 500,000 yen.  
 
Article 42  Any p erson that falls under any of the following items is to be punished by a 
fine of not more than 300,000 yen:  
(i) a person that has failed to submit a notification under Article 17, paragraph (1) or 
Article 20, paragraph (2), or filed a false notification; or 
(iv) a person that has failed to submit a report under Article 34, paragraph (1), or filed 
a false report, or refused, interfered with or avoided inspections under that 
paragraph.  
 
Article 43  When a corporation (including an organization without legal p ersonality with 
provisions for a representative or an administrator; hereinafter the same applies in this 
paragraph) or a representative or manager, or an agent, employee, or other worker of a 
corporation or individual commits a violation of any of the pro visions set forth in the 
following items with regard to the business of that corporation or individual, not only 
the offender is to be punished but also the corporation, by the fine prescribed 
respectively in those items, and the relevant individual, by th e fine prescribed in the 
respective Articles:  
(i) Article 39:  a fine of not more than 300 million yen;  
(ii) Article 40:  a fine of not more than 100 million yen; or  
(iii) the preceding Article:  a fine set forth in that Article.  
(2) When the preceding paragr aph applies to an organization without legal personality, its 
representative or administrator represent the organization without legal personality in 24 
 litigation, and the legal provisions concerning cases of criminal litigation in which a 
corporation is the  accused or the suspect apply mutatis mutandis.