Published: 2006
Key Benefits:
Professional Engineer Act
(Act No. 25 of April 27, 1983)
Chapter I General Provisions
(Purpose)
Article 1 The purpose of this Act is to specify qualification of professional
engineer etc., and to ensure the appropriateness of the business, so as to
contribute to the improvement of science and technology and development of
the national economy.
(Definition)
Article 2 (1) "Professional engineer" in this Act means a person who has
obtained a registration under Article 32 (1) and conducts business (excluding
business conduct which is restricted by any other Act) on matters of planning,
research, design, analysis, testing, evaluation or guidance thereof, which
require advanced and adaptive expertise in science and technology (excluding
matters relating only to cultural science. this shall also apply hereinafter)
using the name of professional engineer.
(2) "Associate professional engineer" in this Act means a person who obtained a
registration under Article 32 (2) and assists a professional engineer with
respect to the business prescribed in the preceding paragraph using the name
of the associate professional engineer in order to acquire necessary skill to
become a professional engineer.
(Disqualification provisions)
Article 3 Any person who falls under any of the following provisions may not
become a professional engineer or an associate professional engineer.
(i) Any adult ward or person under curatorship.
(ii) Any person who has been sentenced to imprisonment without work or
severer punishment and has not yet passed two years from the date of
completion of the execution of such punishment or the date on which such
execution has been remitted.
(iii) Any public officer who has been dismissed from public officer by
disciplinary action and has not yet passed two years from the date of such
punishment.
(iv) Any person who has been sentenced to a fine in violation of the provisions
of Article 57 (1) or (2) and has not yet passed two years from the date of
completion of the execution of such punishment or from the date on which
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such execution has been remitted.
(v) Any person who has been subjected to rescission of his/her registration
pursuant to the provisions of Article 36 (1) (ii) or (2) and has not yet passed
two years from the date of the rescission.
(vi) Any person who has been subjected to prohibition of business pursuant to
the provision of Article 32 (3) of the Patent Attorney Act (Act No.49 of 2000),
or who has been subjected to deletion of his/her registration pursuant to the
provision of Article 52 (ii) of the Survey Act(Act No.188 of 1949), or who has
been subjected to rescission of his/her license pursuant to the provision of
Article 10 (1) of the Kenchikushi Act for Architects & Building Engineers
(Act No.202 of 1950), or who has been subjected to a disposition of
prohibition from engaging in business pursuant to the provision of Article 13
(1) (iii) of the Land and House Investigator Act (Act No.228 of 1950), and who
has not yet passed two years from the date of such a disposition.
Chapter II Professional Engineer Examination
(Stages of professional engineer examinations)
Article 4 (1) The professional engineer examinations shall be divided so as to be
the first stage examination and the second stage examination, and these
examinations shall be held according to each technical discipline specified by
Ordinance of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and
Technology (hereinafter referred to as "technical discipline").
(2) A person who has passed the first stage examination is qualified to become an
associate professional engineer.
(3) A person who has passed the second stage examination is qualified to become
a professional engineer.
(The first stage examination)
Article 5 (1) The purpose of the first stage examination shall be to judge whether
or not a person has the necessary fundamental knowledge covering throughout
science and technology to become a professional engineer, the aptitude to
observe the provisions of Chapter IV, and the necessary expert knowledge on
the matter of the technical discipline to become an associate professional
engineer.
(2) A person who has the qualification specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of
Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology may be exempted from a
part of the first stage examination pursuant to the provision of Ordinance of
the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
(The second stage examination)
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Article 6 (1) The purpose of the second stage examination shall be to judge
whether or not a person has the necessary expert knowledge and advanced
expertise for specific technical discipline to become a professional engineer.
(2) A person who falls under any of the following provisions may take the second
stage examination.
(i) A person, as an associate professional engineer, who has assisted a
professional engineer for a period longer than that specified by Ordinance of
the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
(ii) In addition to those provided for in the preceding item, a person (limited to
a person who has the qualification to become an associate professional
engineer) who has engaged, for a period longer than that specified by
Ordinance of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and
Technology, in business on matters of planning, research, design, analysis,
testing, evaluation, or guidance thereof, which requires advanced and
adaptive expertise in science and technology, under supervision by a person
(limited to a person who falls under requirement specified by Ordinance of
the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) who
conducts the business stipulated herein.
(iii) In addition to those provided for in the previous two items, a person
(restricted to a person who has the qualification to become an associate
professional engineer) who has engaged in business on the matters
prescribed in the preceding item for a period longer than that specified by
Ordinance of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and
Technology,
(3) A person who is qualified to become a professional engineer for specific
technical discipline and who intends to take the second stage examination for a
technical discipline, which is other than the said specific technical discipline,
may be exempted from a part of the second stage examination pursuant to the
provision of Ordinance of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science
and Technology.
(Conducting professional engineer examinations)
Article 7 The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
shall conduct the professional engineer examinations one or more times per
year.
(Certificate of passing)
Article 8 A person who has passed either the first stage professional engineer
examination or the second stage professional engineer examination (referred to
as "each examination" in Article 10 (1)) is given a certificate of success in the
corresponding examination.
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(Rescission of passing, etc.)
Article 9 (1) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
may rescind the decision of passage or prohibit taking of the professional
engineer examination for a person who has taken or attempted to take it by
illicit means.
(2) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology may
prohibit a person who has been subjected to a disposition under the preceding
paragraph from taking the professional engineer examination for a period of up
to two years.
(Examination fee)
Article 10 (1) A person who intends to take each stage of professional engineer
examinations shall , as provided by Cabinet Order, pay an examination fee to
the State(or to the designated examining agency, for a person who intends to
take each examination of the professional engineer examinations for which the
designated examining agency prescribed in the next Article paragraph (1)
conducts the examination works prescribed in the same paragraph) in an
amount provided by Cabinet Order with consideration of actual cost.
(2) The examination fee paid to the designated examining agency provided by the
provision of the preceding paragraph shall be an income to the designated
examining agency pursuant to the same paragraph.
(3) The examination fee under paragraph (1) shall not be refunded even if the
payer does not take the professional engineer examinations.
(Designation of the designated examining agency)
Article 11 (1) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and
Technology may, pursuant to the provision of Ordinance of the Ministry of
Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, make the designated
agency (hereinafter referred to as "designated examining agency") conduct the
examination works with respect to implementation of the professional engineer
examinations (hereinafter referred to as "examination works") .
(2) Designation of the designated examining agency, pursuant to the provision of
Ordinance of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and
Technology, shall be made when an application is filed by a agency intends to
conduct the examination works.
(3) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology shall not
designate the designated examining agency unless there is no other agency
which obtained the designation and the said application under the preceding
paragraph is recognized as satisfying the following requirement.
(i) The plans for implementation of the examination works with respect to
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employees, equipment, method for implementation of the examination works
and other matters are appropriate for proper and certain implementation of
the examination works.
(ii) Accounting and technical foundations, which are necessary for proper and
certain implementation of the plan for implementation of the examination
works under the preceding item, is provided.
(4) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology shall not
designate the designated examining agency in the case where the application
under paragraph (2) falls under any of the following.
(i) The applicant agency is one other than a general incorporated association or
a general incorporated foundation.
(ii) The applicant agency is likely to be unable to conduct the examination
works fairly due to its other business.
(iii) The applicant agency has been rescinded the designation pursuant to the
provision of Article 24 and has not yet passed two years from the date of
rescission.
(iv) Any of the officers of the applicant agency falls under any of the following
conditions.
(a) A person who has been sentenced to punishment in violation of this Act
and has not yet passed two years from the date of completion of the
execution or from the date on which such execution has been remitted.
(b) A person who has been dismissed by the order pursuant to the provision
of the next Article (2) and has not yet passed two years from the date of
such dismissal.
(Appointment and dismissal of officers in the designated examining agency)
Article 12 (1) The appointment and dismissal of officers in the designated
examining agency shall not come into effect unless approval by the Minister of
Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology is given.
(2) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology may
order the dismissal of an officer of the designated examining agency when the
officer has acted in violation of this Act (including orders and punishments
based on this Act) or the rules of the examination works provided in Article 14
(1), or has acted extremely inappropriately with respect to the examination
works.
(Approval of business plan, etc.)
Article 13 (1) The designated examining agency shall prepare year-on-year a
business plan and a budget for income and expenditure, and shall obtain
approval by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
prior to the each start of business year. The same shall apply to the case where
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the designated examining agency intends to make change on these.
(2) The designated examining agency shall prepare a business report and a
settlement of income and expenditure for the business year within three
months of the end of the business year, and shall submit those to the Minister
of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
(Rules of administration on examination works)
Article 14 (1) The designated examining agency shall provide rules with respect
to implementation of the examination works (hereinafter referred to as "rules
of examination works") and obtain approval by the Minister of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science and Technology prior to commencing the examination
works. The same shall apply to the case where the designated examining
agency intends to make change thereon.
(2) The matters to be provided in the rules of examination works shall be
specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science
and Technology.
(3) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology may
order the designated examining agency to change the rules of examination
works, when he/she finds the approved rules of examination works under
paragraph (1) are inappropriate for proper and certain implementation of the
examination works.
(Professional engineer examiner in designated examining agency)
Article 15 (1) The designated examining agency shall make the professional
engineer examiner (referred to as "examiner" in the next paragraph, paragraph
(4) and (5), and the next Article, and Article 18 (1)) prepare the examination
questions and grade examination papers for the professional engineer
examinations.
(2) The examiner shall be appointed by the designated examining agency for each
execution of the professional engineer examinations from among the examiner
candidates who have been selected by the Minister of Education, Culture,
Sports, Science and Technology.
(3) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology shall
select, for each execution of the professional engineer examination, the
examiner candidates from among persons with relevant knowledge and
experience necessary for execution of the professional engineer examinations,
based on recommendation by the Council for Science and Technology.
(4) The appointment and dismissal of the examiner shall not come into effect
without obtaining approval by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology.
(5) The provision of Article 12 (2) shall apply mutatis mutandis to the dismissal
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of the examiner.
(Prohibition of unfair acts)
Article 16 The examiner shall maintain a strict attitude and shall not act
unfairly in preparing examination questions and in grading examination
papers.
(Prohibition of taking the examination, etc.)
Article 17 (1) In the case where the designated examining agency conducts the
examination works, the designated examining agency may prohibit a person
who has attempted to take the professional engineer examinations by illicit
means from taking the examination.
(2) In addition to the preceding paragraph, with respect to application of the
provision of Article 9 in the case where the designated examining agency
conducts the examination works, "rescind the decision of passage or prohibit
taking of the professional engineer examination for a person who has taken or
attempted to take it by illicit means" in the same Article (1) shall be deemed to
replace with "rescind the decision of passage of the professional engineer
examination for a person who has taken it by illicit means", and "the preceding
paragraph" of the same Article (2) shall be deemed to replace with "the
preceding paragraph or Article 17 (1)".
(Obligation of secrecy, etc.)
Article 18 (1) Officers or employees of the designated examining agency
(including the examiners. the same shall be applied in the next paragraph) or
persons who have taken such positions in the past shall not divulge secret
information gained through the examination works.
(2) Officers or employees who are engaging in the examination works of the
designated examining agency shall be deemed to be officials engaging in public
service by the Acts with respect to the application of the Penal Code (Act No.
45 of 1907) or other penal provisions.
(Keeping books, etc.)
Article 19 The designated examining agency shall keep and preserve, pursuant
to the provision of Ordinance of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology, books recording the matters with respect to the
examination works which are specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of
Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
(Supervisory orders)
Article 20 The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology
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may, when he/she finds a necessity for enforcement of this Act, give the
designated examining agency a supervisory order which is necessary to
supervise the examination works.
(Reports)
Article 21 The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
may, when he/she finds a necessity for enforcement of this Act, to the limit of
its necessity, make the designated examining agency report to him/her
pursuant to the provision of Ordinance of the Ministry of Education, Culture,
Sports, Science and Technology.
(On-site inspection)
Article 22 (1) The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and
Technology may, when he/she finds a necessity for enforcement of this Act, to
the limit of its necessity, make his/her official enter into the office of the
designated examining agency and inspect books, documents, and other
necessary materials of the said designated examining agency, or ask questions
to the person concerned.
(2) The said official who conducts the on-site inspection pursuant to the provision
of the preceding paragraph shall carry an identification card and produce it to
the people concerned when requested.
(3) The authority provided in paragraph (1) shall not be construed as being
approved for a criminal investigation.
(Suspension or abolition of examination works)
Article 23 The designated examining agency shall not suspend or abolish whole
or part of the examination works without obtaining permission by the Minister
of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
(Rescission of designation, etc.)
Article 24 (1) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and
Technology shall rescind the designation of the designated examining body
agency when the designated examining agency falls under any of the provisions
of each item in Article 11 (4) (except item (iii). hereinafter the same shall apply
in this paragraph). In this case, "applicant agency" in each item of the said
Article (4) shall be deemed to be replaced with "designated examining agency".
(2) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology may
rescind the designation of the designated examining agency or order to suspend
whole or a part of the examination works by specifying a period within two
years.
(i) When the designated examining agency is found to be not satisfying any
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conditions of Article 11 (3).
(ii) When the designated examining agency has violated the order pursuant to
the provision of Article 12 (2) (including the cases where it is applied mutatis
mutandis pursuant to Article 15 (5)), Article 14 (3), or Article 20.
(iii) When the designated examining agency has violated the provisions of
Article 13, Article 15 (1) or (2), or the preceding Article.
(iv) When the designated examining agency has conducted the examination
works without complying to the rules of examination works which were
approved under Article 14 (1).
(v) When the designated examining agency has violated the condition of the
next Article (1).
(Conditions for designation, etc.)
Article 25 (1) The designation, approval or permission pursuant to the provisions
in this Chapter may be set condition thereon and the condition may be changed.
(2) The conditions under the preceding paragraph shall be within its minimum
necessity for attempting certain implementation of matters with respect to the
said designation, approval or permission, and shall not impose unreasonable
obligations on those who are subject to the said designation, approval or
permission.
(Special provisions for hearing)
Article 26 (1) The proceeding on the date of a hearing with respect to the
disposition pursuant to the provisions of Article 24 shall be open to the public.
(2) The chairperson of the hearing under the preceding paragraph shall permit a
request for participation in the proceeding of the said hearing made by
interested parties related to the said disposition pursuant to the provision of
the Administrative Procedure Act (Act No. 88 of 1993) Article 17 (1).
(Appeal against the disposition, etc. conducted by the designated examining
agency)
Article 27 A person who is dissatisfied with the disposition or inaction with
respect to the examination works conducted by the designated examining
agency, may apply examination to the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology pursuant to the Administrative Appeal Act (Act No.
160 of 1962).
(Implementation of examination works, etc. by the Minister of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science and Technology)
Article 28 (1) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and
Technology shall not conduct the examination works when he/she has
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designated a designated examining agency.
(2) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology shall
conduct whole or part of the examination works by him/herself, when the
designated examining agency suspends whole or part of the examination works
by obtaining permission pursuant to the provision of Article 23, or when he/she
ordered the designated examining agency to suspend whole or part of the
examination works pursuant to the provision of Article 24 (2), or when he/she
finds necessity to conduct whole or part of the examination works by
him/herself in case that the designated examining agency faces difficulties to
conduct whole or part of the examination works due to a natural disaster or
other reasons.
Article 29 (1) In cases when the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science
and Technology conducts whole or part of the examination works by
him/herself, he/she shall make the professional engineer examiner (hereinafter
referred to as "examiner" from the next paragraph to paragraph (5)) prepare
the examination questions and grade examination papers for the professional
engineer examinations.
(2) The fixed number of examiners shall be specified by Cabinet Order.
(3) The examiner shall be appointed by the Minister of Education, Culture,
Sports, Science and Technology from among the persons with relevant
knowledge and experience necessary for execution of the professional engineer
examinations, based on recommendation by the Council for Science and
Technology.
(4) The examiner shall work part-time.
(5) The provision of Article 16 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the examiner.
(Public notice)
Article 30 The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
shall make a public notice in the Official Gazette in the following cases.
(i) When he/she has made the designation pursuant to the provision of Article
11 (1).
(ii) When he/she has given permission pursuant to the provision of Article 23.
(iii) When he/she has rescinded the designation or has ordered to suspend
whole or part of the examination works pursuant to the provision of Article
24.
(iv) When he/she conducts whole or part of the examination works pursuant to
the provision of Article 28 (2), or when he/she does not to conduct whole or
part of the examination works which he/she has conducted by him/herself.
(Details of professional engineer examinations, etc.)
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Article 31 In addition to the subjects so specified in this Chapter, the
examination subjects, the examination procedures, succession of the
examination works, other necessary matters for the professional engineer
examinations and the designated examining agency shall be specified by
Ordinance of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and
Technology.
Chapter II-2 Special Provision Concerning Qualification of Professional
Engineer, etc.
Article 31-2 (1) A person who has a foreign qualification in science and
technology, which is equivalent or more than a professional engineer (Japan)
and the qualification is certified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and who is recognized by the
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology to have
considerable knowledge and ability to conduct business in Japan regarding any
professional engineer technical disciplines based on Japanese laws and
regulations, shall be qualified to become a professional engineer
notwithstanding the provision of Article 4 (3).
(2) A person, who has completed a course on science and technology in university
or other educational institution, and the said competition of the course is
recognized by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and
Technology as being equivalent to the success in the first stage of professional
engineer examination shall be qualified to become an associate professional
engineer notwithstanding the provision of Article 4 (2).
Chapter III Registration of Professional Engineer, etc.
(Registration)
Article 32 (1) If a person who has qualified to become a professional engineer
intends to become a professional engineer, he/she shall obtain a registration in
the professional engineer's registry with name, date of birth, office's name and
address, name of the technical discipline passed in the second stage
examination (in the case of a person having qualification to become a
professional engineer pursuant to the provision of preceding Article paragraph
(1), name of the technical discipline which is recognized by the Minister of
Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology pursuant to the provision
of the said paragraph) and other particulars specified by Ordinance of the
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
(2) If a person who has qualified to become an associate professional engineer
intends to become an associate professional engineer, he/she shall appoint a
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professional engineer to assist (whose technical discipline shall be the same as
that of the first stage examination in which he/she passed (or the same
technical discipline recognized by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology for a person having qualification to become an
associate professional engineer pursuant to the provision of preceding Article
paragraph (2). hereinafter the same shall apply in this paragraph)) and shall
obtain a registration in the associate professional engineer's registry with
name, date of birth, name of the technical discipline passed in the first stage
examination, name of the professional engineer to assist, office's name and
address of the said professional engineer and other particulars specified by
Ordinance of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and
Technology.
(3) When an associate professional engineer obtained a registration as a
professional engineer pursuant to the provision in the paragraph (1) , his/her
registration as an associate professional engineer shall become invalid.
(Professional engineer's registry and associate professional engineer's registry)
Article 33 The professional engineer's register and the associate professional
engineer's register shall be kept in the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology.
(Certificate of registration for professional engineers and associate professional
engineers)
Article 34 (1) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and
Technology, when he/she registered a professional engineer or an associate
professional engineer, shall issue respectively a certificate of registration for
professional engineer or a certificate of registration for associate professional
engineer (hereinafter collectively referred to as "certificate of registration") to
the applicant.
(2) The following matters shall be shown on the certificate of registration.
(i) Date of registration and number of registration
(ii) Name
(iii) Date of birth
(iv) Name of the registered technical discipline
(Notification of changes on registration matters, etc.)
Article 35 (1) A professional engineer or an associate professional engineer,
when his/her registered matters change, shall notify the Minister of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science and Technology without delay.
(2) A professional engineer or an associate professional engineer, when notifying
pursuant to the provision of the preceding paragraph and if there has been a
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change in the matters shown on the certificate of registration, he/she shall
submit the notification together with the certificate of registration to make the
certificate corrected.
(Rescission of registration, etc.)
Article 36 (1) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and
Technology shall rescind the registration in cases when a professional engineer
or an associate professional engineer falls under any of the following.
(i) In cases when the engineer has come to fall under any item of Article 3
(excluding item (v)).
(ii) In cases when the engineer has obtained registration based on false or
unfair facts.
(iii) In cases when a person who has qualified as a professional engineer
pursuant to the provision of Article 31-2 (1) lost the qualification provided in
the said paragraph in a foreign state.
(2) In cases when a professional engineer or an associate professional engineer
has violated the provisions in the next Chapter, the Minister of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science and Technology may rescind the registration of the
professional engineer or the associate professional engineer, or may order the
suspension of use of the name of the professional engineer or the associate
professional engineer specifying a period not exceeding two years.
Article 37 (1) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and
Technology may, when considering whether a professional engineer or an
associate professional engineer has obtained his/her registration based on false
or unfair facts or has violated the provisions of the next Chapter, conduct
necessary investigation by authority.
(2) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology shall,
when orders to rescind the registration or to suspend the use of the name of
professional engineer or associate professional engineer pursuant to the
provision of the preceding Article paragraph (1) (ii) or paragraph (2), take the
said action in consideration of opinion from the Council for Science and
Technology after giving an opportunity for hearing or explanation to the said
engineer.
(3) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology may
make his/her official take the following actions to conduct necessary
investigation on the case pursuant to the provision of paragraph (1).
(i) To order the person concerned with a case or a witness to appear for inquiry
or ask for an opinion or a report from them.
(ii) To order an expert witness to appear to request an opinion.
(iii) To make the owners of books, documents, and other materials, produce the
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said materials.
(4) The witness or the expert witness, who was ordered to appear under the
provision of the preceding paragraph, may , as provided by Cabinet Order,
claim payment for travel expenses, daily allowance, and other expenses.
(Deletion of registration)
Article 38 The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
shall delete the registration of a professional engineer or an associate
professional engineer when the registration becomes invalid.
(Registration license tax and registration fee)
Article 39 (1) A person who intends to obtain the registration as a professional
engineer pursuant to the provision of Article 32 (1), or a person who intends to
obtain the registration as an associate professional engineer pursuant to the
provision of the same Article (2), shall pay the registration license tax
pursuant to the provision of the Registration and License Tax Act (Act No.35 of
1967).
(2) A person who intends to obtain the registration as a professional engineer
pursuant to the provision of Article 32 (1), a person who intends to obtain the
registration as an associate professional engineer pursuant to the provision of
the same Article (2), or a person who intends to make his/her certificate of
registration, or a person who intends to obtain the reissue of his/her certificate
of registration pursuant to the provision of Article 35 (2) shall, as provided by
Cabinet Order, pay the registration fee, in the amount specified by Cabinet
Order in consideration of the actual cost to the State (or to the designated
registration agency, in the case where the designated registration agency
prescribed in the next Article (1) conducts the registration works prescribed in
the same paragraph).
(3) The provision of the preceding paragraph (limited to a portion pertaining to a
person who intends to obtain the registration as a professional engineer and a
person who intends to obtain the registration as an associate professional
engineer) shall not be applied to cases in which the Minister of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science and Technology conducts the registration works
provided in the next Article (1).
(4) The registration fee paid in pursuant to the provision of paragraph (2) to the
designated registration agency which is provided in the next Article (1) shall be
an income for the designated registration agency.
(Designation of designated registration agency, etc.)
Article 40 (1) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and
Technology may, pursuant to the provision of Ordinance of the Ministry of
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Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, make the designated
agency (hereinafter referred to as "designated registration agency") conduct the
works with respect to implementation of the registration of professional
engineer and associated professional engineer (hereinafter referred to as
"registration works").
(2) Designation of a designated registration agency, pursuant to the provision of
Ordinance of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and
Technology, shall be made when an application is filed by an agency intends to
conduct the registration works.
Article 41 With respect to application of the provisions of Article 33, Article 34
(1), Article 35 (1) and Article 38 in the case where the designated registration
agency conducts the registration works, "Ministry of Education, Culture,
Sports, Science and Technology" and "Minister of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology" shall be deemed to be replaced with "designated
registration agency".
(Mutatis Mutandis Application)
Article 42 The provisions of Article 11 (3) and (4), from Article 12 to Article 14,
from Article 18 to Article 28, and Article 30 shall apply mutatis mutandis to
the designated registration agency. In this case, the term "designated
examination agency" in these provisions shall be deemed to be replaced with
"designated registration agency", the term "examination works" in these
provisions shall be deemed to be replaced with "registration works", the term
"rules of examination works" in these provisions shall be deemed to be replaced
with "rules of registration works", the term "the preceding paragraph" in
Article 11 (3) and "paragraph (2)" in the same Article (4) shall be deemed to be
replaced with "Article 40 (2)", the term "employees (including the examiner.
the same shall be applied in the next paragraph)" in Article 18 (1) shall be
deemed to be replaced with "employees", the term "Article 12 (2) (including the
cases where it is applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 15 (5))" in
Article 24 (2) (ii) shall be deemed to be replaced with "Article 12 (2)", the term
", Article 15 (1) or (2), or the preceding Article" in the same paragraph (iii)
shall be deemed to be replaced with "or the preceding Article", the term "this
Chapter" in Article 25 (1) shall be deemed to be replaced with "Article 12 (1),
Article 13 (1), Article 14 (1), Article 23 or Article 40 (1)", and the term "Article
11 (1)" in Article 30 (i) shall be deemed to be replaced with "Article 40 (1)".
(Details of registration, etc.)
Article 43 In addition to the subjects specified in this Chapter, procedures for
registration, deletion of registration, reissue and return of certificate of
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registration, succession of registration works and other necessary matters for
registration of professional engineers and associate professional engineers and
also for designated registration agency , shall be specified by Ordinance of the
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
Chapter IV Obligation of Professional Engineer, etc.
(Prohibition of dishonorable conduct)
Article 44 Any professional engineer or associate professional engineer shall
avoid conduct that discredits professional engineers or associate professional
engineers, nor professional engineers and associate professional engineers as a
whole.
(Obligation of secrecy by professional engineers or associate professional
engineers)
Article 45 Any professional engineer or associate professional engineer shall not
divulge or misappropriate without justifiable grounds the confidential
information that came to his/her knowledge with their business. The same
shall also apply after he/she has been relieved of professional engineer or
associate professional engineer status.
(Responsibility of professional engineers or associate professional engineers for
public interest)
Article 45-2 Any professional engineer or associate professional engineer shall
endeavor not to harm public interest such as public safety, environment
preservation, and the like, upon conducting his/her business.
(Obligation to indicate name for professional engineers)
Article 46 When a professional engineer indicates the name of a professional
engineer with regard to his/her business, he/she shall clearly indicate the
technical discipline in which he/she obtained registration, and shall not
indicate any name in which he/she has not obtained registration.
(Limitation of business for associate professional engineers)
Article 47 (1) Except for the case where an associate professional engineer
assists a professional engineer for the business pursuant to the provision
Article 2 (1), he/she shall not conduct the said business indicating the name of
the associate professional engineer.
(2) The provision of the preceding Article shall apply mutatis mutandis to
indication of the name of the associate professional engineer with regard to the
business of the professional engineer which the associate professional engineer
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assists.
(Responsibility to improve the capability of professional engineers)
Article 47-2 Professional engineers shall at all times endeavor to improve their
level of knowledge and skill with regard to his/her business, and endeavor to do
self-improvement.
Chapter V Deletion
Article 48 Deletion.
Article 49 Deletion.
Article 50 Deletion.
Article 51 Deletion.
Article 52 Deletion.
Article 53 Deletion.
Chapter VI Institution of Professional Engineers, Japan
(Incorporation)
Article 54 (1) The general incorporated association which uses such words as
"Institution of Professional Engineers, Japan" in its name may be established,
limited to the case that association is prescribed by articles of incorporation
that stipulates its member shall be professional engineers, and the purpose of
the association is to nationally-administrate matters relating to train
professional engineers, give guidance and liaise with members, in order to
contribute to maintain dignity, improvement of qualification and quality and
upgrading business activities for nationwide professional engineers.
(2) The provision of articles of incorporation prescribed in the preceding
paragraph may not be changed.
(Notification of incorporation)
Article 55 The general incorporated association of the preceding Article
(hereinafter referred to as "Institution of Professional Engineers, Japan"), once
incorporated, shall provide notice of incorporation to the Minister of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science and Technology within two weeks from the date of
incorporation, together with the registration certificate and a copy of its
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articles incorporation.
(Supervision of business of the Institution of Professional Engineers, Japan)
Article 55-2 (1) Business of the Institution of Professional Engineers, Japan
shall be under supervision of the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology.
(2) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology may,
when he/she finds necessity for securing proper implementation of the business
of the Institution of Professional Engineers, Japan, anytime inspect the said
business and properties of the Institution of Professional Engineers, Japan or
give necessary order for the supervision of said business.
Chapter VII Miscellaneous Provisions
(Reward to business)
Article 56 A reward to a business of a professional engineer shall be fair and
proper.
(Restriction on use of the name)
Article 57 (1) Any person who is not a professional engineer shall not use the
name "professional engineer" or similar thereto.
(2) Any person who is not an associate professional engineer shall not use the
name "associate professional engineer" or similar thereto.
(Transitional measure)
Article 58 In case of enacting, revising or abolishing an order pursuant to the
provisions of this Act, necessary transitional measure (including transitional
measures for the penal provisions) may be specified by the said order within
the scope being interpreted as reasonably necessary along with the said
enactment, revision or abolition.
Chapter VIII Penal Provisions
Article 59 (1) Any person who has violated the provision of Article 45 shall be
punishable by imprisonment with work for a term not more than one year or by
a fine of not more than 500,000 yen.
(2) The crime set forth in the preceding paragraph shall be prosecuted only upon
complaint.
Article 60 Any person who has violated the provision in Article 18 (1) (including
the cases where it is applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 42) shall be
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punishable by imprisonment with work for a term not more than one year or by
a fine of not more than 300,000 yen.
Article 61 Any officer or employee of the designated examining agency or the
designated registration agency who has violated an order of suspension of the
examination works or registration works pursuant to the provision in Article
24 (2) (including the cases where it is applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to
Article 42) shall be punishable by imprisonment with work for a term not more
than one year or by a fine of not more than 300,000 yen.
Article 62 Any person who falls under one of following items shall be punishable
by a fine of not more than 300,000 yen.
(i) Any person who has unfairly graded on the professional engineer
examinations in violation of the provision of Article 16 (including the cases
where it is applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 29 (5)).
(ii) Any person who has been ordered to suspend the use of the name of
professional engineer or the name of associate professional engineer
pursuant to the provision of Article 36 (2) and has used the name of
professional engineer or associate professional engineer during the period
when the said order was effective.
(iii) Any person who has violated the provision of Article 57 (1) or (2).
Article 63 Any officer or employee of the designated examining agency or the
designated registration agency who falls under one of the following provisions
by acting the said violation shall be punishable by a fine of not more than
200,000 yen.
(i) When any officer or employee did not prepare the book, or did not write in
the book, or wrote false record, or did not keep the book in violation of the
provision of Article 19 (including the cases where it is applied mutatis
mutandis pursuant to Article 42).
(ii) When any officer or employee did not report or gave false report in violation
of the provision of Article 21 (including the cases where it is applied mutatis
mutandis pursuant to Article 42).
(iii) When any officer or employee refused, or disturbed, or recused the entry or
inspection pursuant to the provision of Article 22 (including the cases where
it is applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 42), or did not give
statement to the question, or gave false statement.
(iv) When any officer or employee abolished all of the examination works or the
registration works without obtaining the permission pursuant to the
provision of Article 23 (including the cases where it is applied mutatis
mutandis pursuant to Article 42).
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Article 64 Any director, inspector or liquidator of the Institution of Professional
Engineers, Japan who falls under one of the following items shall be
punishable by a non-penal fine of not more than 500,000 yen.
(i) When any director, secretary or liquidator did not notify incorporation or
made a false notification in violation of the provision of Article 55.
(ii) When any director, secretary or liquidator refused, disturbed or challenged
the inspection by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and
Technology pursuant to the provision of Article 55-2 (2), or violated the order
of supervision by the Minister, pursuant to the said paragraph.
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