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This English translation of the Act on the Prevention of Spousal Violence and
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Act on the Prevention of Spousal Violence and theProtection of Victims (Act No. 31 of April 13, 2001)
Table of Contents
Preamble
Chapter I General Provisions (Articles 1 and 2)
Chapter I-2 Basic Policy and Prefectural Basic Plans (Articles 2-2 and 2-3)
Chapter II Spousal Violence Counseling and Support Centers (Articles 3 to 5)
Chapter III Protection of Victims (Articles 6 to 9-2)
Chapter IV Protection Orders (Articles 10 to 22)
Chapter V Miscellaneous Provisions (Articles 23 to 28)
Chapter V-2 Auxiliary Provisions (Articles 28-2)
Chapter VI Penal Provisions (Articles 29 and 30)
Supplementary Provisions-1-

Preamble
As respect for individuality and equality under law is stipulated in theConstitution of Japan, efforts have been made in Japan for the protection ofhuman rights and the realization of equality between women and men.
Nevertheless, even though spousal violence constitutes a serious violation ofhuman rights and is a crime, efforts to help victims have not always beenadequate. In addition, the majority of victims of spousal violence are women.
When women who find it difficult to achieve economic self-reliance are subject toviolence from their spouses, it adversely affects respect for individuality and
impedes the realization of equality between women and men.
In order to improve these conditions and to achieve the protection of humanrights and the realization of equality between women and men, measures toprevent spousal violence and protect victims need to be established. This action
is in line with efforts taken by the international community to eradicate violenceagainst women.
This Act has been established in order to prevent spousal violence and protect
victims through the establishment of a system to deal with spousal violence,
providing for notification, counseling, protection, support for self-reliance, etc.
Chapter I General Provisions
Article 1 (Definitions)(1) The term "spousal violence" as used in this Act means bodily harm caused by
one spouse (illegal physical attacks that threaten the other spouse's life or
person; the same applies hereinafter) or words and deeds by one spouse thatcause the same level of psychological or physical harm to the other spouse(hereinafter collectively referred to as "bodily harm" in this paragraph andArticle 28-2), and covers cases where a spouse has, subsequent to being
subjected to violence by the other spouse, obtained a divorce or annulment ofmarriage but continues to be subjected to violence by the former spouse.
(2) The term "victim" as used in this Act means a person who has been subjectedto spousal violence.
(3) The term "spouse" as used in this Act includes persons who are in a de facto
state of marriage that has not been legally registered. The term "divorce"
includes the circumstances of persons who were in a de facto state of marriagethat was not legally registered, and whose situation has changed to a de facto
state of divorce.
Article 2 (Responsibilities of the National Government and Local Public Entities)-2-

The national government and local public entities have the responsibility of
preventing spousal violence and providing appropriate protection for victims,
including assistance in making them self-reliant.
Chapter I-2 Basic Policy and Prefectural Basic Plans
Article 2-2 (Basic Policy)(1) The Prime Minister, the National Public Safety Commission, the Minister ofJustice, and the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare (hereinaftercollectively referred to as the "competent Ministers" in this Article andparagraph (5) of the following Article) must establish a basic policy concerning
measures for the prevention of spousal violence and the protection of victims(hereinafter referred to as the "basic policy" in this Article and paragraphs (1)and (3) of the following Article).
(2) The basic policy is to establish guidelines for the prefectural basic plans set
forth in paragraph (1) of the following Article and the municipal basic plans set
forth in paragraph (3) of the same Article with regard to the following:(i) basic matters related to the prevention of spousal violence and theprotection of victims;(ii) matters related to the contents of measures for the prevention of spousal
violence and the protection of victims; and(iii) other important matters related to the implementation of measures forthe prevention of spousal violence and the protection of victims.
(3) When establishing or revising the basic policy, the competent Ministers
must consult in advance with the heads of the administrative organs
concerned.
(4) Upon establishing or revising the basic policy, the competent Ministers must
publicize the contents without delay.
Article 2-3 (Prefectural Basic Plans)(1) In line with the basic policy, prefectures must establish their own basic
plans concerning the implementation of measures for the prevention of spousal
violence and the protection of victims within their jurisdiction (hereinafterreferred to as "prefectural basic plans" in this Article).
(2) Prefectural basic plans are to provide the following matters:(i) a basic policy on the prevention of spousal violence and the protection of
victims;(ii) matters related to the details of the implementation of measures for theprevention of spousal violence and the protection of victims; and(iii) other important matters related to the implementation of measures for-3-the prevention of spousal violence and the protection of victims.
(3) In line with the basic policy and by taking into consideration prefectural
basic plans, municipalities (including special wards; the same applies
hereinafter) must endeavor to establish their own basic plans concerning theimplementation of measures for the prevention of spousal violence and theprotection of victims within their jurisdiction (hereinafter referred to as"municipal basic plans" in this Article).
(4) Upon establishing or revising prefectural basic plans or municipal basic
plans, prefectures or municipalities must publicize the contents without delay.
(5) The competent Ministers must endeavor to provide prefectures andmunicipalities with advice and other assistance needed to establish prefectural
basic plans and municipal basic plans.
Chapter II Spousal Violence Counseling and Support Centers
Article 3 (Spousal Violence Counseling and Support Centers)(1) Prefectures are to authorize women's consulting offices or other appropriate
facilities which they have established to function as spousal violence
counseling and support centers.
(2) Municipalities are to endeavor to authorize appropriate facilities which they
have established to function as spousal violence counseling and support
centers.
(3) In order to prevent spousal violence and protect victims, spousal violence
counseling and support centers are to undertake the following activities:(i) to provide victims with counseling regarding the various problems
affecting them or to introduce them to women's consultants or organizations
that provide the counseling;(ii) to provide victims with medical or psychological guidance or otherrequired guidance in order to help them with their psychological andphysical recovery;(iii) to secure safety in an emergency and provide temporary protection forvictims (when a victim is accompanied by family members, for the family
members as well as the victim; the same applies in the following item, item(vi), Article 5, and Article 8-3);(iv) to provide information, advice, and liaison and coordination withconcerned organizations, as well as other forms of assistance, concerning
measures including employment promotion, housing procurement, and theuse of systems for social assistance in order to promote the self-reliant
lifestyle of victims;(v) to provide information, advice, and liaison with concerned organizations,-4-

as well as other forms of assistance concerning the use of the protection
order system prescribed in Chapter IV; and(vi) to provide information, advice, and liaison and coordination withconcerned organizations, as well as other forms of assistance concerning theuse of facilities in which victims may live and receive protection.
(4) Temporary protection referred to in item (iii) of the preceding paragraph is
to be provided directly by a women's consulting office or entrusted to parties
that meet criteria specified by the Minister of the Health, Labor and Welfare.
(5) When necessary during the course of their duties, spousal violence
counseling and support centers are to endeavor to collaborate with privatebodies that are engaged in activities designed to prevent spousal violence andprotect victims.
Article 4 (Counseling by Women's Consultants)
Women's consultants may provide necessary guidance to victims in response tocounseling for victims.
Article 5 (Protection at Women's Protection Facilities)
Prefectures may provide protection to victims at women's protection facilities.
Chapter III Protection of Victims
Article 6 (Notification by Those Who Discover Cases of Spousal Violence)(1) Those who discover that a person has been subject to spousal violence(limited to cases of bodily harm by a spouse or former spouse; hereinafter thesame applies in this Chapter) must endeavor to notify a spousal violence
counseling and support center or a police officer of that fact.
(2) Physicians or other medical personnel who, during the course of their duties,
come across a person whom they consider to have suffered from injuries ormedical conditions resulting from spousal violence may notify a spousal
violence counseling and support center or a police officer of that fact. In thatcase, they are to endeavor to respect the intentions of the person.
(3) The provisions of the Penal Code (Act No. 45 of 1907) concerning unlawful
disclosure of confidential information and the provisions of other laws
concerning confidentiality obligations may not be construed as preventing
notification pursuant to the preceding two paragraphs.
(4) Physicians or other medical personnel who, during the course of their duties,
come across a person whom they consider to have suffered from injuries ormedical conditions resulting from spousal violence must endeavor to provide
the person with the information at their disposal concerning the use of spousal-5-violence counseling and support centers, etc.

Article 7 (Explanations about Protection Provided by Spousal ViolenceCounseling and Support Centers)
When receiving notification about a victim or consulting with a victim, aspousal violence counseling and support center is to offer explanations andadvice regarding its duties as a spousal violence counseling and support center
pursuant to the provisions of Article 3, paragraph (3) and recommend the victim
to receive any necessary protection as needed.
Article 8 (Harm Prevention by Police Officers)
If due to a notification or by other means, a police officer finds that there is acase of spousal violence, the officer must endeavor to take necessary measures,such as stopping the violence or providing protection to the victim, pursuant to
the provisions of the Police Act (Act No. 162 of 1954), Police Duties Execution Act(Act No. 136 of 1948), and other laws and regulations in order to prevent thevictim from suffering harm from spousal violence.
Article 8-2 (Assistance by the Chief of the Prefectural Police Headquarters)
When receiving a request from a person subjected to spousal violence forassistance in personally preventing harm from spousal violence and finding therequest appropriate, the superintendent general of a metropolitan police
department, the chief of prefectural police headquarters (or the chief of area
headquarters for an area that does not include the location of the Hokkaido
Prefectural Police Headquarters; the same applies in Article 15, paragraph (3)),
or the chief of a police station is to advise the person subjected to spousal
violence on measures to personally prevent the harm and offer other necessary
assistance to prevent the person from suffering harm from spousal violence
pursuant to the provisions of the regulations established by the National Public
Safety Commission.
Article 8-3 (Support for Self-Reliance by Welfare Offices)
Offices handling welfare affairs as prescribed by the Social Welfare Act (ActNo. 45 of 1951) (referred to as "welfare offices" in the following Article) must
endeavor to take any necessary measures to support victims to become
self-reliant pursuant to the provisions of the Public Assistance Act (Act No. 144
of 1950), the Child Welfare Act (Act No. 164 of 1947), the Act on Welfare ofMothers with Dependents, Fathers with Dependents, and Widows (Act No. 129 of-6-1964), and other laws and regulations.
Article 9 (Cooperation among Concerned Organizations to Protect Victims)
The prefectural or municipal organizations concerned, such as spousal violence
counseling and support centers, prefectural police, and welfare offices, and otherorganizations concerned are to endeavor to work in collaboration when providing
appropriate protection for victims.
Article 9-2 (Appropriate and Prompt Processing of Complaints)
When receiving a complaint from a victim regarding the performance of duties
by personnel in charge of the protection of victims, the concerned organizations
referred to in the preceding Article are to endeavor to process the complaints
appropriately and promptly.
Chapter IV Protection Orders
Article 10 (Protection Orders)(1) When the life or person of a victim (limited to a victim who has been
subjected to bodily harm, life-threatening intimidation, etc. (meaning
intimidation through announcing an intention to harm the life or person of a
victim; hereinafter the same applies in this Chapter) by a spouse; hereinafter
the same applies in this Chapter) who has been subjected to bodily harm by a
spouse is highly likely to be seriously harmed due to further bodily harmcaused by the spouse (including when, subsequent to being subjected to bodily
harm by the spouse, the victim has obtained a divorce or annulment ofmarriage but continues to be subjected to bodily harm caused by the former
spouse; the same applies in Article 12, paragraph (1), item (ii)) or when the life
or person of a victim who has been subjected to life-threatening intimidation,etc. by a spouse is highly likely to be seriously harmed due to bodily harmcaused by the spouse (including when, subsequent to being subjected tolife-threatening intimidation, etc. by the spouse, the victim has obtained a
divorce or annulment of marriage but continues to be subjected to bodily harmby the former spouse; the same applies in the same item), the court, uponreceiving a petition from the victim, is to find against the spouse (including aformer spouse when, subsequent to being subjected to bodily harm,life-threatening intimidation, etc. by the spouse, the victim has obtained a
divorce or annulment of marriage; hereinafter the same applies in this Article,
Article 12, paragraph (1), items (iii) and (iv), and Article 18, paragraph (1))
and order the actions listed below in order to prevent harm to the victim's life
or person; provided, however, that the matters listed in item (ii) apply only if-7-the victim and the spouse in question are still based in the same principal areaat the time of the petition:(i) to refrain from approaching the victim at the victim's residence (excluding
a residence which is the principal place where the victim and the spouse arebased together; hereinafter the same applies in this item) or any other place,or from loitering in the vicinity of the residence, workplace, or any otherlocation normally frequented by the victim, for a six-month period from theday on which the order comes into effect; or(ii) to leave the residence which is the principal place where the spouse andthe victim are based together and to refrain from loitering in that vicinity,
for a two-month period from the day on which the order comes into effect.
(2) In cases prescribed in the main clause of the preceding paragraph, upon apetition from the victim, the court that will issue or has issued an order underitem (i) of the preceding paragraph is to, on or after the date that order hastaken effect, order the spouse to refrain from taking any of the actions listed
below against the victim during a period from the day on which the orderunder item (i) comes into effect to the day on which six months elapse, in orderto prevent harm to the victim's life or person:(i) to request a meeting;(ii) to verbally suggest to the victim that the spouse is monitoring the victim's
behavior or to otherwise create a situation where the victim could possibly
become aware of the monitoring;(iii) to use or carry out extremely rude or violent words and deeds;(iv) to make a phone call without saying anything, or to make phone calls,
transmit messages by fax, or send e-mails incessantly, except in cases ofurgent necessity;(v) to make phone calls, transmit messages by fax, or send e-mails between 10
p.m. and 6 a.m., except in cases of urgent necessity;(vi) to send excrements, animal carcasses, or other extremely disgusting or
repulsive materials, or to otherwise create a situation where the victim could
possibly become aware of them;(vii) to reveal matters that harm the victim's dignity, or to otherwise create asituation where the victim could possibly become aware of those matters; or(viii) to reveal sexually insulting materials or to create a situation where thevictim could possibly become aware of those materials, or to send documents,
pictures or other sexually insulting materials or to create a situation wherethe victim could possibly become aware of those materials.
(3) In cases prescribed in the main clause of paragraph (1), when the victim's
child who is a minor (hereinafter referred to simply as a "child" in thisparagraph, the following paragraph, and Article 12, paragraph (1), item (iii))-8-

lives with the victim, and it is found necessary to prevent the victim from being
obliged to meet the spouse with regard to the child who lives with the victim,
considering that the spouse uses or carries out words or deeds sufficient to leadto a suspicion that the spouse is likely to take the child away, or othercircumstances, upon a petition from the victim, the court that will issue or has
issued an order under paragraph (1), item (i) is to, on or after the date thatorder has taken effect, order the spouse to refrain from approaching the childat the residence (excluding a residence which is the principal place where thechild and the spouse are based together; hereinafter the same applies in thisparagraph), the school the child attends, or any other place, or from loiteringin the vicinity of the residence, school, or any other locations normallyfrequented by the child during a period from the day on which the order under
the same item comes into effect to the day on which six months elapse, in orderto prevent harm to the child's life or person; provided, however, that if thechild in question is 15 years of age or older, this provision applies only if thecourt obtains the child's consent.
(4) In cases prescribed in the main clause of paragraph (1), when there arecertain circumstances such that the spouse visits, uninvited, the residence ofthe victim's relative or other person with whom the victim has a close
relationship in the person's social life (except for a child who lives with thevictim and a person who lives with the spouse; hereinafter referred to as a"relative, etc." in this paragraph, the following paragraph, and Article 12,
paragraph (1), item (iv)) and uses or carries out extremely rude or violent
words or deeds and, therefore, it is found necessary to prevent the victim frombeing obliged to meet the spouse with regard to the relative, etc., upon apetition from the victim, the court that will issue or has issued an order underparagraph (1), item (i) is to, on or after the date that order has taken effect,
order the spouse to refrain from approaching the relative, etc. at the relative's
residence (excluding a residence which is the principal place where therelative, etc. and the spouse are based together; hereinafter the same applies
in this paragraph) or any other place, or from loitering in the vicinity of theresidence, workplace, or any other location normally frequented by the
relative, etc. during the period from the day on which the order under the same
item comes into effect to the day on which six months elapse, in order toprevent harm to the life or body of the relative, etc.
(5) A petition referred to in the preceding paragraph may be filed only when therelative, etc. (except for the victim's child under 15 years of age; hereinafter
the same applies in this paragraph) gives consent (if the relative, etc. is aperson under 15 years of age or an adult ward, only when the statutory
representative thereof gives consent).
-9-Article 11 (Court with Jurisdiction)(1) Cases pertaining to a petition for an order under paragraph (1) of thepreceding Article are within the jurisdiction of the district court which
exercises jurisdiction over the area where the opposite party maintains anaddress (or a residence if the opposite party does not have an address in Japanor the address of the opposite party is unknown).
(2) A petition for an order under paragraph (1) of the preceding Article may be
filed in a district court that exercises jurisdiction over the areas listed in thefollowing items:(i) the address of the petitioner's domicile or residence; or(ii) the place where the bodily harm or life-threatening intimidation, etc. by
the spouse to which the petition pertains took place.
Article 12 (Petition for Protection Orders)(1) A petition for an order under Article 10 paragraphs (1) to (4) (hereinafterreferred to as a "protection order") must be filed with a document stating thefollowing matters:(i) the circumstances under which the victim was subjected to bodily harm or
life-threatening intimidation, etc. by the spouse;(ii) sufficient evidence at the time of the petition to find that there is still ahigh likelihood of serious harm to the life or person of the victim due tofurther bodily harm by the spouse or to bodily harm by the spouse following
life-threatening intimidation, etc. by the spouse;(iii) when filing a petition for an order under Article 10, paragraph (3),sufficient evidence at the time of the petition to find it necessary to issue theorder to prevent the victim from being obliged to meet the spouse withregard to the child who lives with the victim;(iv) when filing a petition for an order under Article 10, paragraph (4),sufficient evidence at the time of the petition to find it necessary to issue theorder to prevent the victim from being obliged to meet the spouse withregard to the relative, etc.; and(v) whether the victim has received counseling or requested assistance orprotection from the staff of a spousal violence counseling and support centeror police personnel concerning the matters listed in the preceding items,
and, if the victim has done so, the matters listed below:(a) the name of the spousal violence counseling and support center or thepolice station to which the police personnel belongs;(b) the date, time and location in which the counseling was received or theassistance or protection was requested;- 10 -

(c) the details of the counseling or of the assistance or protection requested;and(d) the details of the measures taken in response to the counseling or therequest from the petitioner.
(2) If a document referred to in the preceding paragraph (hereinafter referred toas a "written petition") does not state a matter listed in any of item (v), (a) to(d) of the same paragraph, the petitioner must attach a document stating thematters listed in items (i) to (iv) of the same paragraph certificated pursuant
to the provisions of Article 58-2, paragraph (1) of the Notary Act (Act No. 53 of
1908) to the written petition.
Article 13 (Prompt Judicial Decision)
The court is to render a judicial decision promptly with regard to cases
pertaining to a petition for a protection order.
Article 14 (Proceedings for Protection Order Cases)(1) A protection order may not be issued before a fixed date for oral arguments
or for a hearing that the opposite party can attend; provided, however, that
this does not apply when there are circumstances where waiting until thatdate would interfere with the fulfillment of the purpose of the petition for a
protection order.
(2) When a written petition states the matters listed in Article 12, paragraph(1), item (v), (a) to (d), the court is to request the chief of the relevant spousal
violence counseling and support center or police station to submit a document
stating the circumstances at the time when the petitioner received counseling,or requested assistance or protection, as well as the details of the measurestaken in response. In this case, the chief of the relevant spousal violence
counseling and support center or police station is to respond promptly.
(3) When the court finds is necessary it may ask the chief of the spousal violence
counseling and support center or police station referred to in the preceding
paragraph or the personnel from whom the petitioner received counseling orrequested assistance or protection to further explain the matters for which thecourt requested the submission of a document pursuant to the provisions of thesame paragraph.
Article 15 (Decision on a Petition for a Protection Order)(1) A decision on a petition for a protection order must contain the reasons
therefor; provided, however, that if the decision is reached without oral
arguments, it is sufficient to indicate the gist of the reasons.
(2) A protection order comes into effect when the written decision is sent to the- 11 -

opposite party or when the decision has been rendered on the date of oral
arguments or a hearing which the opposite party attended.
(3) When the clerk of the court issues a protection order, the clerk is to promptly
notify the superintendent general of the metropolitan police department or thechief of the prefectural police headquarters with jurisdiction over the addressor place of residence of the petitioner of the protection order's gist andcontents.
(4) When a protection order is issued, and it is known that the petitioner hasreceived counseling, or requested assistance or protection, from the personnel
at a spousal violence counseling and support center, and the written petition
states matters listed in Article 12, paragraph (1), item (v), (a) to (d) pertaining
to the relevant facts, the clerk of the court is to promptly notify the chief of the
spousal violence counseling and support center whose name is stated in thewritten petition (if the names of more than two spousal violence counselingand support centers are stated in the written petition, the one where thepetitioner most recently received counseling or requested assistance orprotection from the personnel) of the protection order's gist and contents.
(5) A protection order is not enforceable.
Article 16 (Immediate Appeals against Rulings)(1) An immediate appeal may be lodged against a judgment on a petition for a
protection order.
(2) An immediate appeal referred to in the preceding paragraph has no impact
on the validity of a protection order.
(3) When an immediate appeal against a ruling has been lodged, a court incharge of an appeal may order, upon a petition, the suspension of the validityof the relevant protection order until the judgment on the immediate appeal
against a ruling comes into effect only if there is prima facie evidence showingthat there are circumstances that will cause the revocation of the protection
order. The court that originally had jurisdiction over the case may also orderthat disposition if the case records are still in its possession.
(4) When ordering the suspension of the validity of an order under Article 10,paragraph (1), item (i) pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph,the court must also order the suspension of the validity of an order under
Article 10, paragraphs (2) to (4) if any of them has been issued.
(5) No appeal may be filed against the judgment pursuant to the provisions of
the preceding two paragraphs.
(6) When revoking an order pursuant to the provisions of Article 10, paragraph(1), item (i), the court in charge of an appeal must also revoke any order issued
pursuant to the provisions of paragraphs (2) to (4) of the same Article.
- 12 -

(7) Regarding a protection order for which a notification under paragraph (4) of
the preceding Article has been made, when the court has ordered thesuspension of the validity of the order or the court in charge of an appeal has
revoked the order pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (3) or (4), the clerkof the court is to promptly notify the chief of the spousal violence counselingand support center to which the notification was made of the gist and contentsof the suspension or revocation.
(8) The provisions of paragraph (3) of the preceding Article apply mutatis
mutandis to the cases referred to in paragraphs (3) and (4) and when the courtin charge of an appeal has revoked a protection order.
Article 17 (Revocation of Protection Orders)(1) A court that has issued a protection order must revoke the order when the
person who petitioned for the order has filed a petition for its revocation; thesame applies if the person subject to a protection order files a petition for the
revocation of the order and the court confirms that the person who petitioned
for the order does not object, when three months have elapsed from the day on
which the order under Article 10, paragraph (1), item (i) or paragraphs (2) to(4) came into effect if the order is under those provisions, or when two weeks
have elapsed from the day on which the order under paragraph (1), item (ii) of
the same Article came into effect if the order is under those provisions.
(2) The provisions of paragraph (6) of the preceding Article apply mutatis
mutandis when the court that has issued an order under Article 10, paragraph(1), item (i) revokes the order pursuant to the provisions of the preceding
paragraph.
(3) The provisions of Article 15, paragraph (3), and paragraph (7) of thepreceding Article, apply mutatis mutandis to the cases referred to in thepreceding two paragraphs.
Article 18 (Subsequent Petitions for Orders under Article 10, Paragraph (1), Item
(ii))(1) When an order under Article 10, paragraph (1), item (ii) is issued and asubsequent petition is filed for an order under the same item on the grounds ofthe same instance of bodily harm or life-threatening intimidation, etc. as thegrounds for the petition for the issued order, the court is to issue thesubsequent order only when finding it necessary to reissue the order under thesame item due to the fact that the victim intends to move from the residence
which is the principal place where the victim and the spouse are based
together but is unable to complete the move within two months from the day on
which the issued order comes into effect due to grounds not attributable to the- 13 -

victim, or other circumstances; provided, however, that the court may choose
not to issue the order if it finds that the issuance of the order would cause
extreme hindrance to the spouse's daily life.
(2) With regard to the application of the provisions of Article 12 to cases of filinga subsequent petition referred to in the preceding paragraph, the term"following matters" in the main clause of Article 12, paragraph (1) is replacedwith "matters listed in items (i), (ii), and (v) below and the circumstancesreferred to in the main clause of Article 18, paragraph (1)", the term "matterslisted in the preceding items" in Article 12, paragraph (1), item (v) is replacedwith "matters listed in items (i) and (ii) and the circumstances referred to in
the main clause of Article 18, paragraph (1)", and the term "matters listed in
items (i) to (iv) of the same paragraph" in Article 12, paragraph (2) is replacedwith "matters listed in items (i) and (ii) of the same paragraph and thecircumstances set forth in the main clause of Article 18, paragraph (1)".
Article 19 (Inspection of Case Records)
With regard to procedures concerning a protection order, the party may submit
a request to the clerk of the court for the inspection or a copy of case records, thedelivery of case records or a transcript or extract thereof, or the issuance of acertificate of matters concerning the case; provided, however, this does not apply
to the opposite party until the date for oral proceedings or a hearing that the
opposite party is summoned to attend with regard to the petition for theprotection order is designated or until the protection order has been sent to the
opposite party.
Article 20 (Certification of Oath by a Secretary in the Ministry of Justice)
When a notary is not available or cannot perform duties within the area of thejurisdiction of the responsible legal affairs bureau, regional legal affairs bureau,or branch office thereof, the Minister of Justice may have a secretary in the
Ministry of Justice who works for the legal affairs bureau, regional legal affairs
bureau, or branch office thereof make a certification referred to in Article 12,
paragraph (2) (including when the provisions of the same paragraph are appliedfollowing the deemed replacement of terms pursuant to the provisions of Article
18, paragraph (2)).
Article 21 (Application Mutatis Mutandis of the Code of Civil Procedure)
The provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure (Act No. 109 of 1996) apply
mutatis mutandis to procedures for a protection order, unless the application isinconsistent with the nature protection orders, except as otherwise provided forby this Act.
- 14 -

Article 22 (Rules of the Supreme Court)
Beyond what is provided for by this Act, any matters necessary for procedures
concerning a protection order are provided by the Rules of the Supreme Court.
Chapter V Miscellaneous Provisions
Article 23 (Consideration by Related Officials)(1) Persons with duties related to the protection of victims, investigations, andjudicial decisions pertaining to spousal violence (referred to as "related
officials" in the following paragraph) must, in the performance of their duties,
take into consideration the psychological and physical circumstances of thevictims, their environment, etc., respect their human rights regardless of theirnationality, disabilities, etc., and give due consideration to ensuring theirsafety and protecting their privacy.
(2) The national government and local public entities are to conduct training
and enlightenment activities necessary to deepen the related officials'
understanding concerning the human rights of victims, the characteristics of
spousal violence, etc.
Article 24 (Education and Enlightenment)
The national government and local public entities are to strive for educationand enlightenment activities to deepen citizens' understanding concerning theprevention of spousal violence.
Article 25 (Promotion of Research and Study)
In order to contribute to the prevention of spousal violence and the protectionof victims, the national government and local public entities are to endeavor topromote research and study concerning methods, etc. for guidance for the
rehabilitation of perpetrators and for the restoration of the physical andpsychological health of victims, as well as to foster personnel related to theprotection of victims and enhance their qualifications.
Article 26 (Assistance for Private Bodies)
The national government and local public entities are to endeavor to provide
necessary assistance to private bodies that are engaged in activities to prevent
spousal violence and protect victims.
Article 27 (Payment by Prefectures and Municipalities)(1) Prefectures must pay the expenses listed in the following items:- 15 -

(i) expenses needed to operate women's consulting offices that perform theduties listed in Article 3, paragraph (3) based on the provisions of the same
paragraph (excluding the expenses listed in the following item);(ii) expenses needed for temporary protection provided by women's consulting
offices based on the provisions of Article 3, paragraph (3), item (iii)(including when duties are entrusted to persons who meet the criteria
specified by the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare as prescribed inparagraph (4) of the same Article);(iii) expenses needed for duties performed by women's consultants entrusted
by prefectural governors based on the provisions of Article 4; and(iv) expenses needed for protection by prefectures based on the provisions ofArticle 5 (including when the duties are entrusted to municipalities, social
welfare corporations, or other persons whom prefectures find appropriate)
and expenses needed for the clerical work necessary for the protection.
(2) Municipalities must pay expenses needed for duties performed by women's
consultants entrusted by municipal mayors based on the provisions of Article
4.
Article 28 (National Government's Share of Expenses and Subsidies)(1) Pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Order, the national government is tobear one-half of the amount of the expenses listed in items (i) and (ii) of
paragraph (1) of the preceding Article that have been paid by prefectures
pursuant to the provisions of the same paragraph.
(2) The national government may, within budgetary limits, provide subsidies for
up to one-half of the amount of the expenses listed below:(i) expenses listed in items (iii) and (iv) of paragraph (1) of the preceding
Article that have been paid by prefectures pursuant to the provisions of thesame paragraph;(ii) expenses that have been paid by municipalities pursuant to the provisionsof paragraph (2) of the preceding Article.
Chapter V-2 Auxiliary Provisions
Article 28-2 (Mutatis Mutandis Application of this Act)
The provisions in Article 2 and from Chapter I-2 to the preceding Chapter
apply mutatis mutandis to relationship violence ("relationship violence" as usedin this Article means bodily harm by one person against the other person in a
relationship, and if the victim has ended the relationship after being subjected tobodily harm by the other person in the relationship, this also includes bodily
harm that the victim continues to be subjected to by the other person after the- 16 -

end of the relationship) inflicted by one person in a relationship against theother, provided the relationship is one in which both persons are based in thesame principal place (excluding relationships in which both persons do not live
together in a manner similar to that of a marital relationship), and to persons
who have been subjected to the violence. In this case, the term "spousal violence"in these provisions is replaced with "relationship violence as prescribed in
Article 28-2", and each term listed in the middle column of the following tablewithin the provisions listed in the left-hand column of the same table is replacedwith the respective term listed in the right-hand column of the same table.
Article 2VictimVictim (a person who has
been subjected torelationship violence asprescribed in Article 28-2;
the same applies
hereinafter)

Article 6, paragraph 1

Spouse or former

The other person in the

spouserelationshipas prescribedin the same article or aperson who used to be theother person in therelationship as prescribed in
the same article
Article 10, paragraphs

SpouseThe other person in the

1 to 4; Article 11,

relationship as prescribed inparagraph 2, item 2;

Article 28-2

Article 12, paragraphs
1, items 1 to 4; andArticle 18, paragraph 1

Article 10, paragraph 1

In the case where

In the case that thethe victim has

relationship has beenobtained a divorce

dissolved as prescribed inor annulment of the

Article 28-2

marriage- 17 -

Chapter VI Penal Provisions
Article 29
A person who violates a protection order (including those under Article 10,paragraphs (1) to (4) as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to the preceding
Article following the deemed replacement of terms; the same applies to thefollowing Article) is subject to imprisonment for not more than one year or a fineof not more than 1,000,000 yen.
Article 30
Persons who have filed a petition for a protection order with a written petition
stating a false entry with regard to matters to be stated pursuant to theprovisions of Article 12, paragraph (1) (including when the provisions are appliedfollowing the deemed replacement of terms pursuant to the provisions of Article
18, paragraph (2)) or the provisions of Article 12, paragraph (1) as appliedmutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 28-2 following the deemed replacement ofterms (including when the provisions of Article 12, paragraph (1) are appliedfollowing the deemed replacement of terms pursuant to the provisions of Article
18, paragraph (2) as applied mutatis mutandis to Article 28-2) is subject to a civil
fine of not more than 100,000 yen.
Supplementary Provisions [Extract]
Article 1 (Effective Date)
This Act comes into effect on the day on which six months have elapsed fromthe day of promulgation; provided, however, that the provisions of Chapter II,
Article 6 (limited to the parts pertaining to spousal violence counseling andsupport centers), Article 7, Article 9 (limited to the parts pertaining to spousal
violence counseling and support centers), Article 27, and Article 28 come into
force from April 1, 2002.
Article 2 (Transitional Measures)With regard to the application of the provisions of Article 12, paragraph (1),item (iv) and Article 14, paragraphs (2) and (3) to cases concerning a petition fora protection order from a victim who has received counseling from a women's
consulting office or requested assistance or protection from a women's consulting
office with regard to bodily harm caused by the victim's spouse by March 31,
2002, the term "spousal violence counseling and support center" in theseprovisions is deemed to be replaced with "women's consulting office".
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Article 3 (Review)
Approximately three years after this Act comes into force, a review of theprovisions of this Act is to be conducted by taking into consideration the status of
the enforcement of this Act and necessary measures are to be taken based on the
results of the review.
Supplementary Provisions [Act No. 64 of 2004]
Article 1 (Effective Date)
This Act come into effect on the day on which six months have elapsed from theday of promulgation.
Article 2 (Transitional Measures)(1) With regard to cases concerning an order issued prior to the enforcement of
this Act under Article 10 of the Act on the Prevention of Spousal Violence and
the Protection of Victims prior to amendment by this Act (referred to as the"Old Act" in the following paragraph) pertaining to a petition for an orderunder the same Article, the provisions then in force remain applicable.
(2) With regard to the application of the provisions of Article 18, paragraph (1)of the Act on the Prevention of Spousal Violence and the Protection of Victims
amended by this Act (hereinafter referred to as the "New Act") to cases inwhich, after the issuance of an order under Article 10, item (ii) of the Old Act, apetition is filed for an order under Article 10, paragraph (1), item (ii) of the
New Act (limited to the first petition filed after the enforcement of this Act) on
the grounds of the same instance of an illegal attack that threatens the life or
person of the petitioner as the grounds for the petition for the first order, theterm "two months" in Article 18, paragraph (1) of the New Act is replaced with
"two weeks".
Article 3 (Review)
Approximately three years after this Act comes into force, a review of theprovisions of the New Act is to be conducted by taking into consideration thestatus of the enforcement of the New Act and any necessary measures are to betaken based on the results of the review.
Supplementary Provisions [Act No. 113 of 2007] [Extract]
Article 1 (Effective Date)
This Act comes into effect on the day on which six months have elapsed from- 19 -

the day of promulgation.
Article 2 (Transitional Measures)With regard to cases concerning an order issued prior to the enforcement of
this Act under Article 10 of the Act on the Prevention of Spousal Violence and theProtection of Victims prior to amendment by this Act pertaining to a petition for
an order under the same Article, the provisions then in force remain applicable.
Supplementary Provisions (Act No. 72 of 2013) [Extract](Effective Date)(1) This Act comes into effect on the day on which six months have elapsed fromthe date of promulgation.

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