Act No. 109 (December 13, 2013)

Basic Act on Measures Against Alcohol-related Health Harm
(Tentative translation)

Table of Contents
Chapter 1. General Provisions (Article 1 - Article 11)
Chapter 2. Basic Plan for the Promotion of Measures Against Alcohol-related Health Harm
(Article 12- Article 14)
Chapter 3. Basic Measures (Article 15-Article 24)
Chapter 4. Council for the Promotion of Measures Against Alcohol-related Health Harm (Article 25)
Chapter 5. Committee of Persons Involved in Measures Against Alcohol-related HealthHarm (Article 26 and Article 27)
Supplementary Provisions

Chapter 1. General Provisions(Purpose)
Article 1. Alcoholic beverages provide our life with richness and affluence. They are also deeply rooted in ourlife through tradition and culture. In view of this and also the fact that inappropriate drinking causes healthproblems that not only affect an individual’s health but also have serious consequences for a person'sfamily and a high risk of causing social problems, this Act aims to contribute toward realizing a society
where we can live safely as well as protect our health by formulating basic principles, by clarifying the
responsibilities of the national and local governments, etc. concerning measures against alcohol-related
health harm and by specifying, etc. the matters which are the basis for the measures against alcohol-related
health harm; promoting measures against alcohol-related health harm comprehensively and systematically;
preventing alcohol-related health harm from occurring, progressing and relapsing; and fully preparing
support for persons experiencing alcohol-related health harm, etc.
(Definition)
Article 2. The term "alcohol-related health harm" as used in this Act shall mean mental and physical healthharm caused by influence of inappropriate drinking such as alcohol dependence, other heavy
consumption of alcoholic beverages, underage drinking and drinking by pregnant women.
(Basic Principles)
Article 3. Measures against alcohol-related health harm shall be taken according to the basic principles
listed in the following items:(1) To take appropriate preventive measures according to each stage where alcohol-related health harm
occurs, progresses and relapses, and to support those who have or have had alcohol-related healthharm along with their family so that they may lead a smooth daily and social life; and(2) In implementing measures against alcohol-related health harm, considering that alcohol-related
health harm is closely connected with problems such as driving under the influence of alcohol,
violence, abuse and suicide, to give consideration as necessary so as to organically coordinate themeasures to these problems in order to contribute to fundamental solutions to these problems
generated in connection with alcohol-related health harm.
(Responsibilities of the National Government)
Article 4. Based on the basic principles of the preceding Article, the national government shall be
responsible for formulating measures against alcohol-related health harm and implementing themcomprehensively.
(Responsibilities of Local Governments)
Article 5. Based on the basic principles of Article 3, the local governments shall be responsible forformulating measures against alcohol-related health harm specific to the conditions existing in theirareas and for implementing them in tandem with the national government.
(Responsibilities of Business Operators)
Article 6. Business operators who produce or sell alcoholic beverages (here and hereafter, including parties
that serve the same) shall cooperate with the measures undertaken by the national and local
government against alcohol-related health harm, and, in conducting their business activities, shallendeavor to consider preventing alcohol-related health harm from occurring, progressing and relapsing.
(Responsibilities of Citizens)
Article 7. The citizens shall endeavor to exert effort to deepen concern and understanding about alcoholrelated problems (here and hereafter, meaning alcohol-related health harm and related problems suchas driving under the influence of alcohol, violence, abuse and suicide) and to pay necessary attention to
the prevention of alcohol-related health harm.
(Responsibility of Physicians, etc.)
Article 8. Physicians and other medical persons shall endeavor to cooperate with the national and local
governments in their measures against alcohol-related health harm, contribute to the prevention of
alcohol-related health harm from occurring, progressing and relapsing, and provide high-quality andappropriate medical care concerning alcohol-related health harm.
(Responsibilities of Health Promotion Service Providers)
Article 9. Health Promotion Service Providers (referring to health promotion service providers as prescribedunder Article 6 of the Health Promotion Act (Act No.103 of 2002)) shall endeavor to cooperate with themeasures undertaken by the national and local governments against alcohol-related health harm.
(Awareness Week on Alcohol-related Problems)
Article 10.
1. An awareness week on alcohol-related problems shall be established for citizens to broadly deepen theirconcern and understanding on alcohol-related problems.
2. The awareness week on alcohol-related problems shall be from November 10 to November 16.
3. The national and local governments shall endeavor to implement events suitable for the purpose of theawareness week on alcohol-related problems.
(Legislative Measures, etc.)
Article 11. The national government shall undertake necessary measures such as legislation, finance,
taxation or any other measures against alcohol-related health harm.

Chapter 2. Basic Plan for the Promotion of Measures Against Alcohol-related Health Harm
(Basic Plan for the Promotion of Measures Against Alcohol-related Health Harm)
Article 12.
1. The national government shall formulate a basic plan concerning the promotion of measures against
alcohol-related health harm (hereinafter referred to as the "Basic Plan for the Promotion of Measures
Against Alcohol-related Health Harm") within two years after enforcement of this Act in order topromote measures against alcohol-related health harm comprehensively and systematically.
2. In principle, specific targets for the measures set forth in the Basic Plan for the Promotion of Measures
Against Alcohol-related Health Harm, and the time to achieve such target shall be specified.
3. In addition to prior consultations with the heads of each relevant administrative organ, the Prime
Minister shall also obtain the opinions from Committee of Persons Involved in Measures Against Alcoholrelated Health Harm, formulate a draft of the Basic Plan for the Promotion of Measures Against Alcoholrelated Health Harm and request a decision from the Cabinet.
4. Upon formulation of the Basic Plan for the Promotion of Measures Against Alcohol-related Health Harm,the national government shall report the fact thereof to the Diet and announce it in an appropriatemanner including use of the Internet without delay.
5. The national government shall examine the status of achieving the targets prescribed under theprovisions of Paragraph 2 and announce the results thereof in an appropriate manner including use of
the Internet from time to time.
6. The national government shall review the Basic Plan for the Promotion of Measures Against Alcoholrelated Health Harm at least every five years to reflect any changes in the situation concerning alcoholrelated health harm and the results of evaluations of the effectiveness of measures against alcoholrelated health harm, and when regarded as necessary, the Plan shall be changed.
7. The provisions of Paragraph 3 and Paragraph 4 shall apply mutatis mutandis to any change of the Basic
Plan for the Promotion of Measures Against Alcohol-related Health Harm.
(Requests to Relevant Administrative Organs)
Article 13. When determined to be necessary, the Prime Minister may request the heads of each therelevant administrative organs to submit materials necessary to formulate the Basic Plan for the
Promotion of Measures Against Alcohol-related Health Harm or implement the requisite matters within
the jurisdiction of said administrative organs in connection with measures specified by the Basic Plan for
the Promotion of Measures Against Alcohol-related Health Harm.
(Plans for the Promotion of Measures Against Alcohol-related Health Harm by Prefectures)
Article 14.

1. The Prefectures shall regard the Basic Plan for the Promotion of Measures Against Alcohol-related HealthHarm as the basic framework and endeavor to formulate plans concerning the promotion of measuresagainst alcohol-related health harm appropriate for the actual conditions that exist in their areas(hereinafter referred to as the "Plans for the Promotion of Measures Against Alcohol-related Health Harmby Prefectures").
2. The Plans for the Promotion of Measures Against Alcohol-related Health Harm by Prefectures shall
include the medical plans prescribed under Paragraph 1 of Article 30-4 of the Medical Care Act (Act No.
205 of 1948), the Health Promotion Plans by Prefectures prescribed under Paragraph 1 of Article 8 of the
Health Promotion Act and other plans as prescribed under other laws and regulations such as to beconsistent with the matters prescribed for health, medical treatment and social welfare.
3. The Prefectures shall review their Plans for the Promotion of Measures Against Alcohol-related HealthHarm by Prefectures at least every five years to reflect any changes in the situation concerning alcoholrelated health harm and the results of evaluations of the effectiveness of measures against alcohol-related
health harm, and when regarded as necessary, the Plans shall be changed.

Chapter 3. Basic Measures(Promotion, etc. of Education)
Article 15. The national and local governments shall take necessary measures to spread knowledge
concerning alcohol-related problems through actions such as education, promotion of learning and public
relation activities concerning alcohol-related problems at home, school, the workplace and any various
other places so that citizens are able to deepen their concern and understanding of alcohol-related
problems and pay necessary attention to their prevention.
(Preventing Inducement of Inappropriate Drinking)
Article 16. While respecting measures voluntarily undertaken by business operators who produce or sell
alcoholic beverage concerning the presentation, advertisement and any methods for the selling of
alcoholic beverages, the national government shall take necessary measures so as not to induce
inappropriate drinking which may generate alcohol-related health harm.
(Health Examinations and Health Guidance)
Article 17. The national and local governments shall take necessary measures to ensure that discovery ofalcohol-related health harm and guidance about drinking can be appropriately conducted in healthexaminations and health guidance to contribute to preventing alcohol-related health harm fromoccurring, progressing and relapsing.
(Full Development, etc. of Medical Treatment related to Alcohol-related Health Harm)
Article 18. With respect to medical treatment of alcohol-related health harm, the national and local
governments shall take necessary measures including full development of offering guidance for reducing or
eliminating the consumption of alcohol to prevent alcohol-related health harm from progressing andoffering guidance on receiving specialized treatment and rehabilitation for alcohol dependence, fulldevelopment of such specialized treatment and rehabilitation, and ensuring coordination of medicalinstitutions that provide such specialized treatment and rehabilitation and other medical institutions.
(Guidance, etc. for Persons Who Have Driven Under the Influence of Alcohol in Conjunction With Alcoholrelated Health Harm)
Article 19. For persons who have driven under the influence of alcohol, committed violent acts or abuse, or
attempted suicide or done other behaviors in conjunction with alcohol-related health harm, the national
and local governments shall take necessary measures to promote guidance, advice, support and the like
concerning alcohol-related health harm according to the situation of alcohol-related problems specific tosuch persons.
(Consultation and Support, etc.)
Article 20. The national and local governments shall take necessary measures to promote consultation andsupport, etc. for persons who have or have had alcohol-related health harm together with their families.
(Support for Rehabilitation into Society)
Article 21. The national and local governments shall take necessary measures to promote support for persons
who have suffered from alcohol dependence to facilitate their smooth re-entry into society by assistingwith their entry into the work-force and any other support.
(Support for Activities by Private Bodies)
Article 22. The national and local governments shall take necessary measures to support voluntary activities
undertaken by private bodies concerning measures against alcohol-related health harm such as activities
for those persons who have suffered from alcohol dependence to help each other to prevent relapses.
(Securing Staff Resources, etc.)
Article 23. For those persons who are engaged in work related to alcohol-related problems including medical
treatment, health, social welfare, education and correction, the national and local governments shall takenecessary measures to secure and train staff resources that have sufficient knowledge concerning alcoholrelated problems and improve their quality.
(Promotion, etc. of Research and Study)
Article 24. The national and local governments shall take necessary measures to promote research on themethods to prevent alcohol-related health harm from occurring, progressing and relapsing along with its
treatment, relevant fact-finding survey and any other research and study concerning alcohol-related
problems.

Chapter 4. Council for the Promotion of Measures Against Alcohol-related Health Harm
Article 25.
1. The national government shall establish a Council for the Promotion of Measures Against Alcohol-related
Health Harm composed of persons from the Cabinet Office, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Finance,
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare,
National Police Agency and any other relevant government bodies to coordinate efforts to promotemeasures against alcohol-related health harm comprehensively, systematically, effectively and efficiently.
2. When conducting the aforementioned coordination, the Council for the Promotion of Measures Against

Alcohol-related Health Harm shall obtain opinions from the Committee of Persons Involved in Measures
Against Alcohol-related Health Harm.

Chapter 5. Committee of Persons Involved in Measures Against Alcohol-related Health Harm
Article 26.
1. A Committee of Persons Involved in Measures Against Alcohol-related Health Harm (hereinafter referred toas "the Committee ") shall be established within the Cabinet Office.
2. The Committee shall handle the following affairs:(1) The matters prescribed in Paragraph 3 of Article 12 (including cases subject to the mutatis mutandis
application of Paragraph 7 of the same Article) concerning the Basic Plan for the Promotion of Measures
Against Alcohol-related Health Harm; and(2) When conducting the coordination stated in Paragraph 1 of the preceding Article, expressing opinions to
the Council for the Promotion of Measures Against Alcohol-related health Harm.
Article 27.
1. The Committee shall be composed of not more than 20 members.
2. The members of the Committee shall be appointed by the Prime Minister from among persons who haveprofessional knowledge concerning alcohol-related problems and persons representing others who
presently have or have experienced alcohol-related health harm and their families.
3. The members of the Committee shall be part-time members.
4. In addition to the matters prescribed in the preceding three paragraphs, necessary matters concerning theorganization and management of the Committee shall be prescribed by the Cabinet Order.

Supplementary Provisions(Effective Date)
Article 1.
1. This Act shall take effect on a date prescribed Cabinet Order that falls within six months from the day of
promulgation; provided, however, that the provisions of Articles 3, 4, 6 and 7 of the Supplementary
Provisions shall take effect on a date prescribed by Cabinet Order that falls within three years from the dayof formulation of the Basic Plan for Promotion of Measures Against Alcohol-related Health Harm.
2. In prescribing a Cabinet Order as under the proviso of the preceding paragraph, the national government
shall take into consideration the status of implementation of the measures prescribed in the Basic Plan for
the Promotion of Measures Against Alcohol-related Health Harm.
(Review)
Article 2. Concerning the provisions of this Act, the status of implementation shall be reviewed
approximately in five years following after enforcement hereof, and when regarded as necessary, any
required measures shall be taken based on the results of such review.
(Partial Amendment of the Basic Act on Measures Against Alcohol-related Health Harm)

Article 3. The Basic Act on Measures against Alcohol-related Health Harm (Act No. 109 of 2013) shall be
partially amended as follows:
The words "within two years after enforcement of this Act" stated in Paragraph 1 of Article 12 shallbe deleted; paragraphs 3 and 4 of the same Article shall be deleted; the words "Paragraph 2" stated in
Paragraph 5 of the same Article shall be amended to "the preceding paragraph" and said paragraphshall be renumbered as Paragraph 3 of the same Article, Paragraph 6 of the same Article shall be
renumbered as Paragraph 4 thereof, Paragraph 7 of the same Article shall be deleted, and thefollowing two paragraphs shall be added to the same article.
5. If the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare intends to change the Basic Plan for the Promotion of
Measures Against Alcohol-related Health Harm, in addition to prior consultations with the heads ofeach relevant administrative organ, the Minister shall also obtain opinions from the Committee of
Persons Involved in Measures Against Alcohol-related Health Harm, formulate a draft of changes of
the Basic Plan for the Promotion of Measures Against Alcohol-related Health Harm and request adecision from the Cabinet.
6. If the national government has changed the Basic Plan for the Promotion of Measures Against
Alcohol-related Health Harm, the national government shall report the fact thereof to the Diet andannounce it in an appropriate manner including use of the Internet without delay.
The words "the Prime Minister" stated in Article 13 shall be amended to "the Minister of Health,Labour and Welfare" and the word "formulate" therein shall be amended to "change"; the words "theCabinet Office" stated in Paragraph 1 of Article 26 shall be amended to "the Ministry of Health, Labourand Welfare"; and the words "Paragraph 3 of Article 12 (including cases subject to the mutatis
mutandis application of Paragraph 7 of the same Article)” stated in Item (1) of Paragraph 2 of thesame Article shall be amended to "Paragraph 5 of Article 12."The words "the Prime Minister" stated in Paragraph 2 of Article 27 shall be amended to "theMinister of Health, Labour and Welfare."(Interim Measures Concerning the Committee of Persons Involved in Measures Against Alcohol-related
Health Harm)
Article 4. The members of the Committee of Persons Involved in Measures Against Alcohol-related HealthHarm established within the Cabinet Office serving at the time when the provisions prescribed in theproviso of Paragraph 1 of Article 1 of the Supplementary Provisions become effective shall be deemed tohave been appointed as members of the Committee of Persons Involved in Measures Against Alcoholrelated Health Harm to be established within the Ministry Health, Labour and Welfare on the day when
the provisions prescribed in the proviso of the same paragraph become effective according to theprovisions of Paragraph 2 of Article 27 of the Basic Act on Measures Against Alcohol-related Health Harmas amended by the provisions of the preceding Article.
(Partial Amendment of the Act for Establishment of the Cabinet Office)
Article 5. The Act for Establishment of the Cabinet Office (Act No. 89 of 1999) shall be partiallyamended as follows:

The following Item shall be added following Item (46-3) of Paragraph 3 of Article 4:(46-4) The matters concerning formulation and promotion of the Basic Plan for the Promotion of
Measures Against Alcohol-related Health Harm (referring to the matters prescribed in Paragraph 1 of
Article 12 of the Basic Act on Measures Against Alcohol-related Health Harm (Act. No.109 of 2013).
The following shall be added following the paragraph on Commission on Policy for Persons with Disabilities inthe table of Paragraph 3 of Article 37:
The Committee of Persons Involved in Measures

The Basic Act on Measures Against Alcohol-

Against Alcohol-related Health Harm

related Health Harm

Article 6. The Act for Establishment of the Cabinet Office shall be partially amended as follows:
Item (46-4) of Paragraph 3 of Article 4 shall be deleted.
The paragraph on the Committee of Persons Involved in Measures Against Alcohol-related Health Harmin the table of Paragraph 3 of Article 37 shall be deleted.
(Partial Amendment of the Act for Establishment of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)
Article 7. The Act for Establishment of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Act No. 97 of 1999) shallbe partially amended as follows:
The following Item shall be added following Item (89) of Paragraph 1 of Article 4:(89-2) The matters concerning formulation (limited to the matters related to change) and promotion of
the Basic Plan for the Promotion of Measures Against Alcohol-related Health Harm prescribed in
Paragraph 1 of Article 12 of the Basic Act on Measures Against Alcohol-related Health Harm (ActNo.109 of 2013).
The words "Labor Insurance Appeal Committee" stated in Paragraph 2 of Article 6 shall be amended to"Labor Insurance Appeal Committee, Committee of Persons Involved in Measures Against Alcoholrelated Health Harm."
The following Article shall be added following Article 13:(The Committee of Persons Involved in Measures Against Alcohol-related Health Harm)
Article 13-2. The Committee of Persons Involved in Measures Against Alcohol-related Health Harmshall be as prescribed in the Basic Act on Measures against Alcohol-related Health Harm (including
any Orders issued pursuant hereto).
The words "through Item (89), from Item (90)" shall be added under the words "from Item (87)" statedin Paragraph 1 of Article 18.
(Signed by the Prime Minister and Ministers of Justice; Finance; Education,
Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; and Health, Labour and Welfare)