Child Welfare Act

(Act No. 164 of December 12, 1947)

Chapter I General Provisions

Article 1 (1) All citizens shall endeavor to ensure that children are born and

brought up in good mental and physical health.

(2) All children shall equally be afforded the guaranteed level of life and be

kindly treated.

Article 2 The national and local governments shall be responsible for bringing

up children in good mental and physical health, along with their guardians.

Article 3 The provisions of the preceding two Articles constitute the basic

philosophy to guarantee children's welfare and this philosophy shall be

consistently respected in enforcing all laws and regulations on children.

Section 1 Definitions

Article 4 (1) The term "child" as used in this Act shall mean a person under 18

years of age, and children shall be classified into the following categories:

(i) Infant: Person under 1 year of age;

(ii) Toddler: Person of 1 year of age or more before the time of commencement

of elementary school; and

(iii) Juvenile: Person under 18 years of age after the time of commencement of

elementary school.

(2) The term "disabled child" as used in this Act shall mean a child with physical

disabilities or a child with mental retardation.

Article 5 The term "expectant and nursing mother" as used in this Act shall

mean a female who is in pregnancy or within 1 year from childbirth.

Article 6 The term "guardian" as used in this Act shall mean a person who has

actual custody of a child, that is, a person who has parental authority, a

guardian of a minor, or any other person.

Article 6-2 (1) The term "children's self-reliant living assistance services" as

used in this Act shall mean services to provide daily life assistance and daily

life guidance and employment supports prescribed in Article 27 paragraph (7)

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to a person pertaining to a measure set forth in the same paragraph at his/her

residence prescribed in the same paragraph and to provide consultation and

other assistance to a person for whom a measure set forth in the same

paragraph has been cancelled.

(2) The term "services for sound upbringing of after-school children" as used in

this Act shall mean services to pursue sound upbringing of elementary-school

children around or under 10 years of age whose guardians are absent from

home during daytime hours due to work, etc., by utilizing children's

recreational facility or other facilities after finishing lessons and giving

adequate opportunities for playing and living to those children in accordance

with the standards specified by a Cabinet Order.

(3) The term "short-term child care support services" as used in this Act shall

mean services to be provided to a child for whom it becomes temporarily

difficult to receive child care at his/her home due to his/her guardian's illness

or other reason, by moving him/her into a foster home or any other facilities

specified by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and

affording the necessary aid for him/her pursuant to the provisions of Ordinance

of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 6-3 The term "foster parent" as used in this Act shall mean a person, as

found appropriate by the prefectural governor, who desires to take care a child

without guardian or a child for whom the custody of his/her guardian is found

inappropriate (hereinafter referred to as a "Aid-requiring Child").

Article 7 (1) The term "child welfare institution" as used in this Act shall mean

any of midwifery home, infant home, maternal and child living support facility,

nursery center, children's recreational facility, foster home, institution for

mentally retarded children, daycare institution for mentally retarded children,

institution for blind or deaf children, institution for orthopedically impaired

children, institution for severely-retarded children, short-term therapeutic

institution for emotionally disturbed children, children's self-reliance support

facility, and child and family support center.

(2) The term "institutional support for disabled children" as used in this Act shall

mean institutional support for mentally retarded children, institutional

daycare support for mentally retarded children, institutional support for blind

or deaf children, institutional support for orthopedically impaired children, and

institutional support for severely-retarded children.

(3) The term "institutional support for mentally retarded children" as used in

this Act shall mean aid or therapy, and the provision of knowledge and skills

given to children with mental retardation staying in an institution for mentally

retarded children.

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(4) The term "institutional daycare support for mentally retarded children" as

used in this Act shall mean the aid for a child with mental retardation

attending a daycare institution for mentally retarded children and the

provision of knowledge and skills to him/her.

(5) The term "institutional support for blind or deaf children" as used in this Act

shall mean aid given to a blind child (including severely amblyopic children) or

a deaf child (including severely cloth-eared children) staying in an institution

for blind or deaf children, and guidance or assistance to him/her.

(6) The term "institutional support for orthopedically impaired children" as used

in this Act shall mean therapy given to a child with upper-limb, lower-limb or

trunk dysfunction (hereinafter referred to as "Limb/Trunk Dysfunction") in an

institution for orthopedically impaired children or in a medical institution

established by any of the national highly-specialized medical centers or the

National Hospital Organization designated by the Minister of Health, Labour

and Welfare (hereinafter referred to as a "Designated Medical Institution") and

the provision of knowledge and skills to him/her.

(7) The term "institutional support for severely-retarded children" as used in this

Act shall mean the aid for a child staying in an institution for severely-

retarded child or admitted into a Designated Medical Institution who has both

severe mental retardation and severe Limb/Trunk Dysfunction, and the

therapy and daily life guidance given to him/her.

Section 2 Child Welfare Council, etc.

Article 8 (1) A prefectural government shall set up a council related to child

welfare or other body with council system in order to study and deliberate the

matters under the prefecture's jurisdiction pursuant to the provisions of

paragraph (7) of this Article, Article 27 paragraph (6), Article 46 paragraph (4)

and Article 59 paragraph (5); provided, however, that this shall not apply to a

prefectural government which requires the local social welfare council provided

in Article 7 paragraph (1) of the Social Welfare Act (Act No. 45 of 1951)

(hereinafter referred to as "Local Social Welfare Council") to study and

deliberate the matters related to child welfare pursuant to the provision of

Article 12 paragraph (1) of the same Act.

(2) The council or other body with council system prescribed in the preceding

paragraph (hereinafter referred to as "Prefectural Child Welfare Council") may

study and deliberate the matters related to welfare of children, expectant and

nursing mothers and mentally retarded persons, in addition to what is

prescribed in the same paragraph.

(3) A municipality (including special wards; the same shall apply hereinafter)

may set up a council related to child welfare or other body with council system

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in order to study and deliberate the matters set forth in the preceding

paragraph.

(4) A Prefectural Child Welfare Council shall be placed under the jurisdiction of

the prefectural governor, and the council or other body with council system

prescribed in the preceding paragraph (hereinafter referred to as "Municipal

Child Welfare Council") shall be placed under the jurisdiction of the mayor of

municipality (including mayors of special wards; the same shall apply

hereinafter). These councils and bodies may provide consultation for the

respective governors and mayors, or state their opinions to relevant

administrative organs.

(5) A Prefectural Child Welfare Council or a Municipal Child Welfare Council

(hereinafter referred to as "Child Welfare Council") may, when it finds

particularly necessary, request relevant administrative organs to make their

personnel attend a meeting of the council for explanations and submit

materials.

(6) A social security council and the Child Welfare Councils shall constantly

carry out close liaisons such as mutual provision of materials where needed.

(7) In order to pursue welfare of children and mentally retarded persons, a social

security council and a Prefectural Child Welfare Council (or a Local Social

Welfare Council, in the case of a prefecture provided in the proviso of

paragraph (1); hereinafter the same shall apply in Article 27 paragraph (6),

Article 46 paragraph (4) and Article 59 paragraphs (5) and (6)) may recommend

performing arts, publications, playthings, playgames, etc., or give necessary

recommendations to the persons, etc., who manufacture, perform or sell them.

Article 9 (1) A Child Welfare Council shall be composed of 20 members or less.

(2) A Child Welfare Council may include a temporary member when it is

necessary to study and deliberate special matters.

(3) Members and temporary members of a Child Welfare Council shall be selected

from persons engaged in business related to welfare of children or mentally

retarded persons and from persons with relevant knowledge and experience,

and appointed by the prefectural governor or mayor of municipality.

(4) A Child Welfare Council shall have a chairperson and vice-chairperson chosen

by its members.

Section 3 Implementing Body

Article 10 (1) With regard to the enforcement of this Act, a municipal

government shall perform the following services:

(i) Endeavor to make necessary understanding of actual conditions concerning

welfare of children and expectant and nursing mothers;

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(ii) Provide necessary information concerning welfare of children and expectant

and nursing mothers; and

(iii) Provide consultation to families and others and carry out necessary

investigations and guidance with regard to welfare of children and expectant

and nursing mothers, and provide services incidental thereto.

(2) A mayor of municipality shall seek technical assistance and advice from the

child guidance center with regard to the services listed in item (iii) of the

preceding paragraph that require specialized knowledge and skills.

(3) When the performance of the services listed in paragraph (1) item (iii)

requires medical, psychological, pedagogical, sociological or mental health

judgment, the mayor of municipality shall seek judgment by the child guidance

center.

(4) A municipal government shall endeavor to develop the systems necessary to

carry out the affairs pursuant to this Act appropriately and take necessary

measures to secure human resources for personnel engaged in said affairs and

enhance their qualifications.

Article 11 (1) With regard to the enforcement of this Act, the prefectural

government shall perform the following services:

(i) Carry out liaison and coordination among the municipal governments,

provide information and other necessary assistance to the municipal

governments with regard to the implementation of the municipal

governments' services listed in the items of paragraph (1) of the preceding

Article, and perform the services incidental thereto; and

(ii) Perform the following services with regard to welfare of children and

expectant and nursing mothers among others.

(a) Endeavor to understand actual conditions from a transregional

standpoint, regardless of the districts of the respective municipalities;

(b) Provide families and others with consultation concerning children whose

care requires specialized knowledge and skills;

(c) Carry out necessary investigation and make a medical, psychological,

pedagogical, sociological or mental health judgment in relation to a child

and his/her family;

(d) Provide necessary guidance to the child and his/her guardian based on

the investigation or judgment set forth in (c); and

(e) Take temporary custody of a child.

(2) When it finds it necessary in order to ensure proper implementation of the

services listed in the items of paragraph (1) of the preceding Articles, the

prefectural governor may provide necessary advice to the municipal

government.

(3) A prefectural governor may delegate the prefectural government's affairs

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pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or the preceding paragraph, in

whole or in part, to any administrative agency under the prefectural governor's

jurisdiction.

Article 12 (1) A prefectural government shall establish a child guidance center.

(2) A child guidance center shall perform the services concerning welfare of

children, among others, listed in paragraph (1) item (i) of the preceding Article

and listed in item (ii) (b) through (e) of the same paragraph and the services

prescribed in Article 22 paragraphs (2) and (3) and Article 26 paragraph (1) of

the Act on Support for Self-reliant Living of Persons with Disabilities (Act No.

123 of 2005).

(3) A child guidance center may, where needed, perform the services prescribed

in the preceding paragraph by visiting (excluding the services listed in

paragraph (1) item (ii) (e) of the preceding Article).

(4) A child guidance center's director may commission necessary investigations

from the head of the office relevant to welfare provided in the Social Welfare

Act that is located in the jurisdictional district of the child guidance center

(hereinafter referred to as "Welfare Office"; the head of a Welfare Office being

hereinafter referred to as "Welfare Office Director").

Article 12-2 (1) A child guidance center shall staff a director and employees.

(2) The director of a child guidance center shall control its affairs under the

supervision of the prefectural governor.

(3) Employees of a child guidance center shall conduct the affairs provided in the

preceding Article under the supervision of its director.

(4) In addition to what is provided in paragraph (1), a child guidance center may

staff other necessary employees.

Article 12-3 (1) The director and employees of a child guidance center shall be

officials positioned as subsidiary organs for the prefectural governor.

(2) The director of a child guidance center shall be a person who falls under any

of the following items:

(i) A physician having knowledge and experience concerning mental health;

(ii) A person completing a department specialized in psychology or other

equivalent course in a university pursuant to the School Education Act (Act

No. 26 of 1947) or in a university pursuant to the old ordinance for

universities (Imperial Ordinance No. 388 of 1918);

(iii) A certified social worker;

(iv) A person who has been working, or used to work, as an employee in charge

of affairs relevant to welfare of children (hereinafter referred to as "Child

Welfare Officer") for 2 years or more, or a person who has been working, or

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used to work, as an employee of the child guidance center for 2 years or more

after obtaining the qualification of Child Welfare Officer; or

(v) A person who is found to have the ability equivalent or superior to the

persons listed in the preceding items as specified by an Ordinance of the

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(3) The director of a child guidance center shall receive training conforming to

the standards specified by the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare.

(4) Employees of a child guidance center who are in charge of judgments shall

include one or more persons who fall under paragraph (2) item (i) or have

equivalent qualification, and one or more persons who fall under item (ii) of the

same paragraph or who have equivalent qualification.

(5) An employee of a child guidance center who is in charge of consultation and

investigation shall be a person who has the qualification of Child Welfare

Officer.

Article 12-4 A child guidance center shall have facilities of taking temporary

custody of children where needed.

Article 12-5 In addition to what is provided for in this Act, necessary matters

concerning the child guidance centers including the jurisdictional districts of

child guidance centers shall be prescribed by an Order.

Article 12-6 (1) With regard to the enforcement of this Act, a public health

center shall perform the following services among others:

(i) Endeavor to disseminate accurate knowledge on child health;

(ii) Provide health consultation or conduct health checkups for children and

provide health guidance to them where needed;

(iii) Provide guidance for medical treatment and education for children with

physical disabilities and children in need of long-term medical treatment due

to illness; and

(iv) Give necessary advice on improvement in nutrition and other matters

concerning health to child welfare institutions.

(2) With regard to children, their guardians or expectant and nursing mothers to

whom a child guidance center provides consultation, the child guidance center's

director may seek health guidance or other necessary cooperation from the

public health center.

Section 4 Child Welfare Officer

Article 13 (1) A prefectural government shall staff Child Welfare Officers in the

child guidance center it establishes.

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(2) A Child Welfare Officer shall be an official positioned as a subsidiary organ

for the prefectural governor and shall be appointed from among the persons

who fall under any of the following items:

(i) A person graduating from a school or other facility for training of Child

Welfare Officers or employees of child welfare institutions as designated by

the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare, or completing the course of a

training session designated by the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare;

(ii) A person completing a department specialized in psychology, pedagogy or

sociology or other equivalent course in a university pursuant to the School

Education Act or in a university pursuant to the old ordinance for

universities, who has been working, or used to work, for 1 year or more, in

providing consultation and affording advice, guidance and other assistance

for welfare of children or others in an institution specified by an Ordinance

of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare;

(iii) A physician;

(iii)-2 A certified social worker;

(iv) A person who has been working, or used to work, as a social welfare

secretary for child welfare services for 2 years or more; or

(v) A person who is found to have the ability equivalent or superior to the

persons listed in the preceding items and who is as specified by an Ordinance

of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(3) A Child Welfare Officer shall, by an order of the child guidance center's

director, endeavor to promote welfare of children by such means as providing

consultation and necessary guidance based on his/her specialized skills with

regard to the aid for children and other matters concerning welfare of children.

(4) A Child Welfare Officer shall, pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Order,

perform his/her duties set forth in the preceding paragraph in accordance with

the area of responsibility specified by the child guidance center's director and

may seek cooperation from the mayor of municipality having jurisdiction over

the area of his/her responsibility.

Article 14 (1) With regard to the matters provided in paragraph (3) of the

preceding Article, a mayor of municipality may request a Child Welfare Officer

to make necessary notification of the conditions and provision of the materials

and to give necessary assistance.

(2) With regard to the children in the area of his/her responsibility, a Child

Welfare Officer shall give notice of the conditions of necessary matters and

state his/her opinions to the child guidance center's director or the mayor of

municipality having jurisdiction over the area of his/her responsibility.

Article 15 In addition to what is provided for in this Act, appointment and

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assignment of Child Welfare Officers and other necessary matters concerning

Child Welfare Officers shall be prescribed by an Order.

Section 5 Commissioned Child Welfare Volunteer

Article 16 (1) A municipal government shall staff commissioned child welfare

volunteers in its distinct.

(2) A commissioned welfare volunteer pursuant to the Commissioned Welfare

Volunteers Law (Act No. 198 of 1948) shall be deemed to be appointed

concurrently as a commissioned child welfare volunteer.

(3) The Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare shall designate chief

commissioned child welfare volunteers among from commissioned child welfare

volunteers.

(4) The designation by the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare pursuant to the

provision of the preceding paragraph shall be made through the nomination

pursuant to the provision of Article 5 of the Commissioned Welfare Volunteers

Law.

Article 17 (1) A commissioned child welfare volunteer shall perform the duties

listed in the following items:

(i) Understand adequately the conditions of life of children and expectant and

nursing mothers and their living environments;

(ii) Provide necessary information and afford other assistance and guidance to

enable children and expectant and nursing mothers to utilize services

adequately with regard to their aid, healthcare and other matters concerning

welfare;

(iii) Coordinate closely with persons who operate services intended for social

welfare pertaining to children and expectant and nursing mothers or the

persons who conduct activities for healthy upbringing of children, and

support their services or activities;

(iv) Cooperate in the duties performed by Child Welfare Officers or social

welfare secretaries of the Welfare Offices;

(v) Endeavor to encourage a spirit conducive to the healthy upbringing of

children; and

(vi) In addition to what is listed in the preceding items, conduct other activities

to pursue the promotion of welfare of children and expectant and nursing

mothers, where needed.

(2) With regard to the duties of commissioned child welfare volunteers listed in

the items of the preceding paragraph, a chief commissioned child welfare

volunteer shall carry out liaison and coordination with organs relevant to the

welfare of children and commissioned child welfare volunteers (excluding those

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who are chief commissioned child welfare volunteers; the same shall apply

hereinafter in this paragraph) and provide assistance and cooperation for

activities of commissioned child welfare volunteers.

(3) The provision of the preceding paragraph shall not preclude a chief

commissioned child welfare volunteer from performing the duties of

commissioned child welfare volunteers listed in the items of paragraph (1).

(4) A commissioned child welfare volunteer shall be directed and supervised by

the prefectural governor in the course of duties.

Article 18 (1) With regard to the matters provided in paragraph (1) or (2) of the

preceding Article, a mayor of municipality may request a Child Welfare Officer

to make necessary notification of the conditions and provision of the materials

and may give necessary instructions to him/her.

(2) With regard to the children and expectant and nursing mothers in the area of

his/her responsibility, a commissioned child welfare volunteer shall give notice

of the conditions of necessary matters and state his/her opinions to the child

guidance center's director or the mayor of municipality having jurisdiction over

the area of his/her responsibility.

(3) When a commissioned child welfare volunteer intends to give notice set forth

in the preceding paragraph to the child guidance center's director except in the

case where he/she finds an urgent necessity, such notice shall be given through

the mayor of municipality.

(4) A child guidance center's director may commission necessary investigations to

a commissioned child welfare volunteer in the jurisdictional district of the child

guidance center.

Article 18-2 A prefectural governor shall prepare and implement programs for

the training of commissioned child welfare volunteers in accordance with the

standards specified by the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare.

Article 18-3 In addition to what is provided for in this Act, necessary matters

concerning commissioned child welfare volunteers shall be prescribed by an

Order.

Section 6 Nursery Teacher

Article 18-4 The term "nursery teacher" as used in this Act shall mean a person

who is registered as prescribed in Article 18-18 paragraph (1) and works for

daycare of children and guidance concerning daycare to their guardians, in the

name of nursery teacher and through using his/her specialized knowledge and

skills.

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Article 18-5 A person who falls under any of the following items may not become

a nursery teacher:

(i) An adult ward or a person under curatorship;

(ii) A person sentenced to imprisonment or severer punishment and awaiting a

lapse of 2 years from the day on which its execution will be completed or

cease to be enforceable;

(iii) A person punished by a fine pursuant to such provisions of this Act or of

any other act related to child welfare as specified by a Cabinet Order and

awaiting a lapse of 2 years from the day on which its execution will be

completed or cease to be enforceable; or

(iv) A person awaiting a lapse of 2 years from the date of rescission of his/her

registration pursuant to the provision of Article 18-19 paragraph (1) item (ii)

or paragraph (2) of the same Article.

Article 18-6 A person who falls under any of the following items shall be

qualified as a nursery teacher:

(i) A person graduating from a school for training of nursery teachers or other

facility as designated by the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare

(hereinafter referred to as "Designated Nursery Teacher Training Facility");

or

(ii) A person passing a nursery teacher examination.

Article 18-7 (1) The Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare may, when he/she

finds it necessary in order to ensure adequate implementation of training of

nursery teachers, within the limit necessary therefor, request the head of a

Designated Nursery Teacher Training Facility to report on its education

methods, accommodation facilities or other matters or provide guidance to the

head of the facility, or make said ministry's official inspect books and

documents and other objects.

(2) When the inspection is conducted pursuant to the provision of the preceding

paragraph, said official shall carry his/her certification for identification and

produce it upon request by any relevant person.

(3) The authority pursuant to the provision of paragraph (1) shall not be

construed as being permitted for criminal investigation.

Article 18-8 (1) A nursery teacher examination shall be conducted to check the

knowledge and skills necessary for a nursery teacher in accordance with the

standards specified by the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare.

(2) Nursery teacher examinations shall be held by the prefectural governor once

a year or more frequently.

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(3) A prefectural government shall staff nursery teacher examination

commissioners (referred to as an "Examination Commissioner" in the following

paragraph) to conduct the affairs concerning judgment as to whether an

examinee has the knowledge and skills necessary for a nursery teacher;

provided, however, that this shall not apply to the case where the prefectural

government makes a person designated pursuant to the provision of paragraph

(1) of the following Article conduct said affairs.

(4) An Examination Commissioner or an ex-Examination Commissioner shall not

divulge any secret coming to his/her knowledge with regard to the affairs

prescribed in the preceding paragraph.

Article 18-9 (1) A prefectural governor may, pursuant to the provisions of an

Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, make a general

incorporated association or general incorporated foundation designated by said

prefectural governor that is found to be capable of implementing the

examination affairs properly and reliably (hereinafter referred to as

"Designated Examining Body") conduct the whole or part of the affairs

concerning implementation of nursery teacher examinations (hereinafter

referred to as "Examination Affairs").

(2) When the prefectural governor causes the Examination Affairs, in whole or in

part, to be conducted by a Designated Examining Body pursuant to the

provision of the preceding paragraph, the prefectural governor shall not

conduct whole or part of such Examination Affairs.

(3) In the case where the fees pertaining to nursery teacher examinations are

collected pursuant to Article 227 of the Local Autonomy Act (Act No. 67 of

1947), the prefectural government may, pursuant to the provisions of a

Prefectural Ordinance, require that a person who desires to take a nursery

teacher examination held by a Designated Examining Body pursuant to the

provision of paragraph (1) to pay the whole or part of said fees to the said

Designated Examining Body and account for the fees so collected as the

prefecture's income.

Article 18-10 (1) Appointment and dismissal of an officer of a Designated

Examining Body shall not become effective without the prefectural governor's

approval.

(2) When an officer of a Designated Examining Body commits an act in violation

of this Act (including orders or dispositions pursuant to this Act) or the rules

on Examination Affairs provided in Article 18-13 paragraph (1) or an extremely

inappropriate act with regard to the Examination Affairs, the prefectural

governor may order said Designated Examining Body to dismiss the said officer.

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Article 18-11 (1) In the case of conducting its Examination Affairs, a Designated

Examining Body shall make a nursery teacher Examination Commissioner or

(hereinafter referred to as an "Examination Commissioner" in the following

paragraph and paragraph (1) of the following Article) take charge of the affairs

concerning judgment as to whether an examinee has the knowledge and skills

necessary for a nursery teacher.

(2) The provision of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article shall apply mutatis

mutandis to the appointment and dismissal of an Examination Commissioner,

and the provision of paragraph (2) of the same Article shall apply mutatis

mutandis to the dismissal of an Examination Commissioner.

Article 18-12 (1) An officer or employee of a Designated Examining Body

(including Examination Commissioners; the same shall apply in the following

paragraph) or a person who used to be such an officer or employee shall not

divulge any secret coming to his/her knowledge with regard to the Examination

Affairs.

(2) With regard to application of the Penal Code (Act No. 45 of 1907) and other

penal provisions, an officer or employee of a Designated Examining Body

engaged in the Examination Affairs shall be deemed to be an official engaged

in the public services pursuant to laws and regulations.

Article 18-13 (1) A Designated Examining Body shall prescribe the rules

concerning implementation of its Examination Affairs (hereinafter referred to

as "Rules on Examination Affairs") before commencement of its Examination

Affairs and obtain approval from the prefectural governor. The same shall

apply when the Rules on Examination Affairs are to be changed.

(2) When a prefectural governor finds that the Rules on Examination Affairs

approved pursuant to the provision of the preceding paragraph become

inappropriate in terms of proper and reliable implementation of the

Examination Affairs, the prefectural governor may order the Designated

Examining Body to change this Rules.

Article 18-14 A Designated Examining Body shall prepare its service plan and

income and expenditure budget for each business year and obtain approval

from the prefectural governor before the start of said business year (or without

delay after designation, in the case where the date of its designation as a

Designated Examining Body falls on the said business year). The same shall

apply when a service plan or an income and expenditure budget is to be

changed.

Article 18-15 When a prefectural governor finds it necessary in order to ensure

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proper and reliable implementation of the Examination Affairs, the prefectural

governor may give orders necessary for the supervision of the Examination

Affairs to the Designated Examining Body.

Article 18-16 (1) When a prefectural governor finds it necessary in order to

ensure proper and reliable implementation of the Examination Affairs, the

prefectural governor may, within the limit necessary therefor, request the

Designated Examining Body to make a report, or cause the said prefecture's

official to ask relevant persons questions or enter any office of the Designated

Examining Body and inspect books and documents and other objects.

(2) When any question or entry and inspection is made pursuant to the provision

of the preceding paragraph, said official shall carry his/her certification for

identification and produce it upon request by any relevant person.

(3) The authority pursuant to the provision of paragraph (1) shall not be

construed as being permitted for criminal investigation.

Article 18-17 A person who has an objection to any disposition pertaining to the

Examination Affairs imposed by a Designated Examining Body or its inaction

may request investigation by the prefectural governor pursuant to the

Administrative Appeal Act (Act No. 160 of 1962).

Article 18-18 (1) In order for a person who is qualified as a nursery teacher to

become a nursery teacher, his/her name, date of birth and other matters

specified by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare shall

be registered in the nursery teachers registry.

(2) The nursery teachers registry shall be kept by the prefectural government.

(3) When an applicant is registered as a nursery teacher, the prefectural

governor shall issue a nursery teacher registration certificate stating the

matters provided in paragraph (1) to the applicant.

Article 18-19 (1) In the case where a nursery teacher falls under any of the

following items, the prefectural governor shall rescind his/her registration:

(i) When he/she becomes a person falling under any of the items of Article 18-5

(excluding item (iv)); or

(ii) When he/she is registered as a nursery teacher based on false or wrongful

facts.

(2) When a nursery teacher violates the provisions of Article 18-21 or 18-22, the

prefectural governor may rescind his/her registration or order him/her to

suspend the use of the name of nursery teacher for a period of time to be

specified.

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Article 18-20 When the registration of a nursery teacher ceases to be effective,

the prefectural governor shall delete such registration.

Article 18-21 A nursery teacher shall not commit any act that may damage the

credibility of nursery teachers.

Article 18-22 A nursery teacher shall not divulge any secret of any person

coming to his/her knowledge with regard to his/her duties without justifiable

ground. The same shall apply even after he/she ceases to be a nursery teacher.

Article 18-23 A person who is not a nursery teacher shall not use the name of

nursery teacher or any other confusing name.

Article 18-24 In addition to what is provided for in this Act, other necessary

matters concerning nursery teachers such as Designated Nursery Teacher

Training Facility, nursery teacher examinations, Designated Examining Body

and registration of nursery teachers shall be prescribed by a Cabinet Order.

Chapter II Guarantee of Welfare

Section 1 Guidance, etc. on Medical Treatment and Education

Article 19 (1) A public health center's director shall carry out medical

examinations or provide consultation for children with physical disabilities,

and shall guide medical treatment and education necessary for them.

(2) A public health center's director may carry out medical examinations or

provide consultation for children in need of long-term medical treatment due to

illness, and may guide medical treatment and education necessary for them.

(3) When a public health center's director finds that a child to whom a physically

disabled certificate is issued pursuant to the provision of Article 15 paragraph

(4) of the Physically Disabled Welfare Act (Act No. 283 of 1949) (or the

guardian of a child to whom a physically disabled certificate is issued as

aforesaid, if he/she is a child with physical disabilities under 15 years of age;

the same shall apply hereinafter) falls under any of the reasons listed in

Article 16 paragraph (2) item (i) or (ii) the same Act, the public health center's

director shall notify the prefectural governor to that effect.

Article 20 (1) The prefectural government may hospitalize a child suffering from

bone and joint tuberculosis or other tuberculosis and provide medical

treatment and education benefits to him/her, in order to afford learning

assistance together with medical treatment.

(2) Medical treatment and education benefits shall mean the provision of medical

15

care and goods necessary for learning and for life with medical treatment.

(3) The medical care set forth in the preceding paragraph shall mean the

performance listed in the following items:

(i) Clinical examination;

(ii) Provision of medical agents or therapeutic materials;

(iii) Medical attention, operative treatment and other therapy, and medical

practice;

(iv) Admission into a hospital or clinic, and caring and other nursing incidental

to the medical treatment there; and

(v) Transport.

(4) Medical treatment and education benefits pertaining to the medical care set

forth in paragraph (2) shall be entrusted to, and provided by, a hospital

designated by the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare or the prefectural

governor pursuant to the provision of the following paragraph (hereinafter

referred to as a "Designated Treatment and Education Institution").

(5) The Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare shall designate the institutions in

charge of the medical care set forth in paragraph (2), to be selected from the

hospitals set up by the national government, with the competent minister's

consent, and a prefectural governor shall designate such institutions, to be

selected from other hospitals, with the consent of those who have set up the

same.

(6) The designation set forth in the preceding paragraph shall be made toward

hospitals conforming to the standards specified by a Cabinet Order.

(7) A Designated Treatment and Education Institution may decline the

designation by giving not less than 30 days advance notice.

(8) When a Designated Treatment and Education Institution ceases to conform to

the standards specified by a Cabinet Order pursuant to paragraph (6), violates

the provision of the following Article, or is found to be extremely inappropriate

as an institution in charge of the medical care set forth in paragraph (2) due to

any other reason, the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare may rescind its

designation if it has been designated by the Minister of Health, Labor and

Welfare, and the prefectural governor may rescind its designation if it has been

designated by the prefectural governor.

Article 21 A Designated Treatment and Education Institution shall take charge

of the medical care set forth in paragraph (2) of the preceding Article pursuant

to the provisions specified by the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare.

Article 21-2 (1) The medical service policy and medical fees of a Designated

Treatment and Education Institution shall be governed by the same rules as

the medical service policy and medical fees for health insurance.

16

(2) When the medical service policy and medical fees prescribed in the preceding

paragraph cannot be followed or they are not appropriate to be followed, the

medical service policy and medical fees shall be as prescribed by the Minister

of Health, Labor and Welfare.

Article 21-3 (1) A prefectural governor may from time to time review the medical

service details of a Designated Treatment and Education Institution and the

medical fees requested by it and decide the amounts of the medical fees that

can be requested by a Designated Treatment and Education Institution

pursuant to the provision of the preceding Article.

(2) A Designated Treatment and Education Institution shall comply with

decisions made by the prefectural governor set forth in the preceding

paragraph.

(3) When a prefectural governor decides the amounts of medical fees that can be

requested by a Designated Treatment and Education Institution pursuant to

the provision of paragraph (1), the prefectural governor shall hear opinions

from the review committee prescribed in the Act on Social Insurance Medical

Fee Payment Fund (Act No. 129 of 1948), the national health insurance

medical fees review committee prescribed in the National Health Insurance Act

(Act No. 192 of 1958), and other reviewing bodies concerning medical care as

specified by a Cabinet Order.

(4) A prefectural government may entrust the Social Insurance Medical Fee

Payment Fund, a federation of national health insurance or any other person

specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to

conduct the affairs concerning payments of medical fees to Designated

Treatment and Education Institutions.

(5) With regard to a decision of the amounts of medical fees pursuant to the

provision of paragraph (1), no appeal pursuant to the Administrative Appeal

Act may be entered.

Article 21-4 (1) When a prefectural governor (or the Minister of Health, Labor

and Welfare or the prefectural governor, in the case of a Designated Treatment

and Education Institution designated by the Minister of Health, Labor and

Welfare; the same shall apply in the following paragraph) finds it necessary in

order to investigate whether medical fees are correctly claimed by a Designated

Treatment and Education Institution, the prefectural governor may request the

manager of the Designated Treatment and Education Institution to make a

necessary report, or may make said official carry out on-site inspection on

medical records, books and documents, and other objects of the Designated

Treatment and Education Institution with the consent of its manager.

(2) When the manager of a Designated Treatment and Education Institution,

17

without justifiable ground, fails to respond to the request for reporting set

forth in the preceding paragraph or makes a false report, or refuses the consent

set forth in the same paragraph, the prefectural governor may instruct

temporary halt of, or halt of, the payments of medical fees by the prefectural

government to said Designated Treatment and Education Institution.

(3) When the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare finds an urgent necessity to

protect interests of a child with regard to the affairs placed under the authority

of a prefectural governor prescribed in the preceding paragraph (limited to

those pertaining to the Designated Treatment and Education Institutions

designated by the prefectural governor), the Minister of Health, Labor and

Welfare may instruct the prefectural governor to conduct the affairs set forth

in the same paragraph.

Article 21-5 For the purpose of pursuing sound upbringing of children or persons

under 20 years of age other than children (limited to those who are specified by

a Cabinet Order) in need of long-term medical treatment due to any chronic

illness specified by the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare whose condition

of said illness corresponds to the level specified by the Minister of Health,

Labor and Welfare for each such illness, the prefectural government may

provide medical care benefits that will contribute to studies concerning the

therapeutic methods for said illness or other necessary studies or other

services specified by a Cabinet Order.

Section 2 Support for Residential Life

Subsection 1 Measures for Disabled Person Welfare Services

Article 21-6 When a municipal government finds it extremely difficult for the

guardian of a disabled child in need of the disabled person welfare services

prescribed in Article 5 paragraph (1) of the Act on Self-reliance Support for

Persons with Disabilities (hereinafter referred to as "Disabled Person Welfare

Service") to receive nursing care benefits or exceptional nursing care benefits

prescribed in the same Act (referred to as "Nursing Care Benefits, etc." in

Article 56-6 paragraph (1)) due to any unavoidable reason, the municipal

government may, in accordance with the standards specified by a Cabinet

Order, provide Disabled Person Welfare Services to said disabled child or

entrust the provision of Disabled Person Welfare Service to a person other than

said municipal government.

Article 21-7 When a person engaged in the Disabled Person Welfare Services

provided in Article 5 paragraph (1) of the Act on Self-reliance Support for

Persons with Disabilities is requested to accept entrustment pursuant to the

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provision of the preceding Article, he/she shall not refuse it without justifiable

ground.

Subsection 2 Child Care Support Services

Article 21-8 In order that welfare services pertaining to the child care support

services provided in the following Article and other carefully-crafted welfare

services in line with the condition of each region can be positively provided and

that each guardian can comprehensively receive the most adequate support for

fostering his/her children in line with the mental and physical condition,

environment and other conditions of said children and guardians, a municipal

government shall endeavor to facilitate liaison and coordination for activities

of the persons providing or participating in welfare services, and develop other

systems in line with the condition of each region.

Article 21-9 For the purpose of contributing to the sound upbringing of children,

a municipal government shall endeavor to implement necessary measures in

order that after-school child sound upbringing services and short-term child

care support services, and the following services as specified by an ordinance of

the competent ministry (hereinafter referred to as "Child Care Support

Services") can be carried out steadily in its district:

(i) Support services provided at a child and his/her guardian's residence or any

other person's residence for the guardian to take care of the child;

(ii) Support services provided in a nursery center or other facilities for a

guardian to take care of a child; and

(iii) Services to provide consultation to guardians of the child and provide

necessary information and advice with regard to all problems concerning

taking care of children in each region.

Article 21-10 For the purpose of contributing to the sound upbringing of children,

a municipal government shall perform after-school child sound upbringing

services in line with the condition of each region and shall endeavor to promote

the utilization of after-school child sound upbringing services for the children

provided in paragraph (2) of Article 6-2 by such means as carrying out

coordination with persons engaged in after-school child sound upbringing

services other than said municipal government.

Article 21-11 (1) A municipal government shall provide necessary information

concerning Child Care Support Services and, upon request from a guardian,

provide consultation and necessary advice to enable said guardian to utilize

the most adequate Child Care Support Services, by taking into consideration

19

said guardian's wishes, the state of foster care of his/her child the content of

the support necessary for said child and other circumstances.

(2) Upon request from the guardian receiving advice set forth in the preceding

paragraph, the municipal government shall, where necessary, make

arrangements or carry out coordination for the utilization of Child Care

Support Services and make a request for such utilization by said guardian to a

person engaged in the Child Care Support Services.

(3) A municipal government may entrust the affairs concerning the provision of

information and consultation and advice set forth in paragraph (1), and the

arrangement, coordination and requests set forth in the preceding paragraph

to a person other than said municipal government.

(4) A person engaged in Child Care Support Services shall cooperate in the

arrangement, coordination and requests made pursuant to the provisions of the

preceding two paragraphs as far as possible.

Article 21-12 A person who is, or used to be, engaged in the affairs concerning

the provision of information, the consultation and advice, and the arrangement,

coordination and requests pursuant to the provision of paragraph (3) of the

preceding Article (referred to as "Coordination and Other Affairs" in the

following Article and Article 21-14 paragraph (1)) shall not divulge any secret

coming to his/her knowledge with regard to such affairs.

Article 21-13 When a mayor of municipality finds it necessary in order to ensure

adequate implementation of Coordination and Other Affairs conducted

pursuant to the provision of Article 21-11 paragraph (3), he/she may give

orders necessary for the supervision of said affairs to the persons accepting the

entrusted affairs.

Article 21-14 (1) When a mayor of municipality finds it necessary in order to

ensure adequate implementation of Coordination and Other Affairs conducted

pursuant to the provision of Article 21-11 paragraph (3), he/she may, within

the limit necessary therefor, request a person accepting the entrusted affairs to

make a report, or make said municipality's official ask relevant persons

questions or enter any office of the person accepting said entrusted affairs and

inspect the books and documents and other objects.

(2) The provisions of Article 18-16 paragraphs (2) and (3) shall apply mutatis

mutandis to the case referred to in the preceding paragraph.

Article 21-15 A person engaged in Child Care Support Services, other than the

national government, prefectural governments and municipal governments,

may notify the mayor of municipality of the matters concerning his/her services,

20

pursuant to the provisions of Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and

Welfare.

Article 21-16 The national and local governments shall endeavor to provide

information and give consultation and other appropriate assistance to persons

engaged in Child Care Support Services.

Article 21-17 The national government and prefectures shall endeavor to

encourage such studies as will assist measures for improvement of the quality

of welfare services performed by persons engaged in Child Care Support

Services, and other researches and studies necessary to support to take care of

children by their guardians and promote welfare of children.

Section 3 Admission into Midwifery Home, Maternal and Child Living

Support Facility and Nursery Center

Article 22 (1) In the case where an expectant and nursing mother in the area of

responsibility of the Welfare Office established by a prefectural government, a

city and a town or village with a Welfare Office (hereinafter referred to as

"Prefecture, etc.") is unable to receive in-hospital midwifery care due to

economic reasons, regardless of the necessity in terms of healthcare, the

prefecture, etc. shall, when the expectant and nursing mother applies, provide

midwifery care to her in a midwifery home; provided, however, that this shall

not apply when there is any unavoidable reason such as non-existence of an

adjacent midwifery home.

(2) A person who is an expectant and nursing mother prescribed in the preceding

paragraph and desires to receive midwifery care in a midwifery home

(hereinafter referred to as "Midwifery Care Practice") shall submit to the

prefecture, etc. a written application stating a midwifery home in which she

desires to stay and other matters specified by an Ordinance of the Ministry of

Health, Labour and Welfare, pursuant to the provisions of Ordinance of the

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. In this case, the midwifery home may

submit said written application in lieu of said expectant and nursing mother,

upon her request, pursuant to the provisions of Ordinance of the Ministry of

Health, Labour and Welfare.

(3) When any of the prefectures, etc. finds it necessary for an expectant and

nursing mother for whom a report or notice pursuant to the provision of Article

25-7 paragraph (2) item (iii) of, Article 25-8 item (iii) or Article 26 paragraph

(1) item (iv) has been received, the prefecture, etc. shall recommend said

expectant and nursing mother to apply for Midwifery Care Practice.

(4) In order to contribute to selection of a midwifery home by an expectant and

21

nursing mother prescribed in paragraph (1) and ensuring of adequate operation

of midwifery homes, the Prefecture, etc. shall provide information concerning

the establishers of midwifery homes in the area of responsibility of the Welfare

Office established by said Prefecture, etc., their facilities and their state of

operation, and other matters specified by an Ordinance of the Ministry of

Health, Labour and Welfare, pursuant to the provisions of Ordinance of the

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 23 (1) In the case where a guardian in the area of responsibility of the

Welfare Office established by any of the Prefectures, etc. is a female without

spouse or a female in equivalent circumstances and there is lack in welfare of

the child whose custody must be taken by her, the Prefecture, etc., shall, when

said guardian applies, take into protective custody the guardian and the child

in a maternal and child living support facility; provided, however, that, when

there is any unavoidable reason, the arrangement for admission into another

appropriate facility, the application of the Public Assistance Act (Act No. 144 of

1950) or any other adequate aid shall be implemented.

(2) A person who is a guardian prescribed in the preceding paragraph and desires

to receive aid in a maternal and child living support facility (hereinafter

referred to as "Maternal and Child Aid Practice") shall submit to the prefecture,

etc. a written application stating a maternal and child living support

institution in which she desires to stay and other matters specified by an

Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, pursuant to the

provisions of Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. In this

case, the maternal and child living support facility may submit said written

application in lieu of said guardian, upon her request, pursuant to the

provisions of Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(3) When a guardian prescribed in the preceding paragraph desires to stay in a

maternal and child living support facility located outside the area of

responsibility of the Welfare Office established by the Prefecture, etc. due to

special circumstances, said Prefecture, etc. shall facilitate necessary liaison

and coordination for their admission into said institution.

(4) When the Prefecture, etc. finds it necessary for a guardian and her child or

children for whom a report or notice pursuant to the provision of Article 25-7

paragraph (2) item (iii), Article 25-8 item (iii) or Article 26 paragraph (1) item

(iv) has been received, the Prefecture, etc. shall recommend said guardian to

apply for the maternal and child aid.

(5) In order to contribute to selection of a maternal and child living support

facility by a guardian prescribed in paragraph (1) and ensuring of adequate

operation of maternal and child living support facilities, the Prefecture, etc.

shall provide information concerning the establishers of maternal and child

22

living support facilities, their facilities and their state of operation, and other

matters specified by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and

Welfare, pursuant to the provisions of Ordinance of the Ministry of Health,

Labour and Welfare.

Article 24 (1) In the case where a guardian' working or illness or any other

reasons prescribed by a Municipal Ordinance in accordance with the standards

specified by a Cabinet Order causes lack in daycare of an infant, a toddler or a

child prescribed in Article 39 paragraph (2) whose custody must be taken by

the guardian, a municipal government shall, when the guardian applies,

provide daycare to those children in a nursery center; provided, however, that

other adequate aid shall be provided when there is any unavoidable reason

such as non-existence of an adjacent nursery center.

(2) A guardian who desires daycare for a child prescribed in the preceding

paragraph in a nursery center (hereinafter referred to as "Daycare Practice")

shall submit to the municipal government a written application stating a

nursery center at which he/she desires to place the child and other matters

specified by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare,

pursuant to the provisions of Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and

Welfare. In this case, the nursery center may submit said written application

in lieu of said guardian, upon his/her request, pursuant to the provisions of

Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(3) In the case where adequate daycare would become difficult in a certain

nursery center if all the children pertaining to the written applications set

forth in the preceding paragraph stating their desire for admission into said

nursery center were admitted, or in the case where there is any other

unavoidable reason, the municipal government may conduct screening of the

children to be admitted into said nursery center in an impartial manner.

(4) When a municipal government finds it necessary for a child for whom a report

or notice pursuant to the provision of Article 25-8 item (iii) or Article 26

paragraph (1) item (iv) has been received, the municipal government shall

recommend his/her guardian to apply for the daycare.

(5) In order to contribute to selection of a nursery center by the guardian of a

child prescribed in paragraph (1) and ensuring of adequate operation of

nursery centers, the municipal government shall provide information

concerning the establishers of nursery centers in the municipality's

jurisdictional district, their facilities and their state of operation, and other

matters specified by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and

Welfare, pursuant to the provisions of Ordinance of the Ministry of Health,

Labour and Welfare.

23

Section 4 (Payments of Institutional Benefits for Disabled Children,

Large-amount Institutional Benefits for Disabled Children and

Benefits for Meal Expenses, etc. for Specified Institutionalized

Disabled Children, and Institutional Medical Expenses for Disabled

Children)

Subsection 1 Payments of Institutional Benefits for Disabled Children,

Large-amount Institutional Benefits for Disabled Children, and

Benefits for Meal Expenses, etc. for Specified Institutionalized

Disabled Children

Article 24-2 (1) When a Recognized Beneficiary Guardian provided in paragraph

(6) of the following Article (referred to as a "Recognized Beneficiary Guardian"

hereinafter in this Article) applies for admission or institutionalization into an

institution for mentally retarded children, a daycare institution for mentally

retarded children, an institution for blind or deaf children, an institution for

orthopedically impaired children or an institution for severely-retarded

children, or a Designated Medical Institution as designated by the prefectural

governor (hereinafter referred to as "Designated Institution for Mentally

Retarded Children, etc."; such admission or institutionalization being

hereinafter referred to as "Admission, etc.") during the period of time provided

pursuant to the provision of paragraph (4) of the following Article and the

guardian receives institutional support for disabled children from said

Designated Institution for Mentally Retarded Children, etc. (hereinafter

referred to as "Designated Institutional Support"), the prefectural government

shall pay Institutional Benefits for Disabled Children to said Recognized

Beneficiary Guardian with regard to expenses spent for said Designated

Institutional Support (excluding such expenses spent for meal provision,

expenses spent for residency or stay and other expenses spent for daily life that

are provided by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare,

and expenses spent on therapy (hereinafter referred to as "Specified

Expenses")).

(2) The amount of Institutional Benefits for Disabled Children shall be ninety-

hundredths (90/100) of the amount of expenses calculated, in accordance with

the standards specified by the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare according

to each type of institutional support for disabled children, with regard to

expenses (excluding Specified Expenses) generally spent for the Designated

Institutional Support (or, instead of ninety-hundredths, (90/100) the full

amount of such expenses actually spent for said Designated Institutional

Support (excluding Specified Expenses), when the amount so calculated

exceeds the amount of such actual expenses).

(3) When the amount obtained by deducting the total amount of Institutional

24

Benefits for Disabled Children for one and the same month as calculated

pursuant to the provision of the preceding paragraph from the total amount of

expenses (excluding Specified Expenses) spent for the Designated Institutional

Support provided to a Recognized Beneficiary Guardian in said specific month

exceeds the amount specified by a Cabinet Order by taking into account the

impact on the household finances of said Recognized Beneficiary Guardian and

other circumstances, the amount of Institutional Benefits for Disabled

Children for said one and the same month shall be equal to the amount

specified by a Cabinet Order that shall be within the range more than ninety-

hundredths (90/100) of the amount of expenses calculated pursuant to the

provision of the preceding paragraph and not more than the full amount

(100/100) thereof, notwithstanding the provision of the preceding paragraph.

Article 24-3 (1) When the guardian of a disabled child intends to receive

Institutional Benefits for Disabled Children pursuant to the provision of

paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, the guardian shall make an application

with the prefectural government, according to each type of institutional

support for disabled children, pursuant to the provisions of Ordinance of the

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(2) When an application set forth in the preceding paragraph is made, the

prefectural government shall decide whether to pay Institutional Benefits for

Disabled Children, by taking into consideration the type and level of the

dysfunction of the disabled child pertaining to said application, the state of a

caretaker of said disabled child, the state of receipt of Institutional Benefits for

Disabled Children by the guardian of said disabled child, and other matters

specified by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(3) In the case where a decision is made pursuant to the provision of the

preceding paragraph, the prefectural government shall hear opinions from the

child guidance center's director.

(4) In the case where a decision to pay Institutional Benefits for Disabled

Children (hereinafter referred to as "Decision on Institutional Benefits

Payment") is made, a period for payments of Institutional Benefits for Disabled

Children shall be specified.

(5) A period set forth in the preceding paragraph may not exceed the period

specified for each type of institutional support for disabled children specified

by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(6) When a Decision on Institutional Benefits Payment is made, the prefectural

government shall issue a beneficiary certificate (hereinafter referred to as

"Institutional Beneficiary Certificate") stating the period specified pursuant to

the provision of paragraph (4) (hereinafter referred to as "Benefits Payment

Period") to the guardian of the disabled child for whom said Decision on

25

Institutional Benefits Payments is made (hereinafter referred to as

"Recognized Beneficiary Guardian"), pursuant to the provisions of Ordinance of

the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(7) A Recognized Beneficiary Guardian who intends to receive Designated

Institutional Support shall receive said Designated Institutional Support by

presenting his/her Institutional Beneficiary Certificate to the Designated

Institution for Mentally Retarded Children, etc., pursuant to the provisions of

Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare; provided, however,

that this shall not apply in the case of an emergency or any other unavoidable

reason.

(8) When a Recognized Beneficiary Guardian has received Designated

Institutional Support from a Designated Institution for Mentally Retarded

Children, etc. (limited to the cases where said Recognized Beneficiary

Guardian has presented his/her Institutional Beneficiary Certificate to said

Designated Institution for Mentally Retarded Children, etc.), the prefectural

government may pay expenses spent for said Designated Institutional Support

that are payable by said Recognized Beneficiary Guardian to said Designated

Institution for Mentally Retarded Children, etc. (excluding Specified Expenses),

in lieu of said guardian, to said Designated Institution for Mentally Retarded

Children, etc., within the limit of the amount payable to said Recognized

Beneficiary Guardian as the Institutional Benefits for Disabled Children.

(9) When a payment is made pursuant to the provision of the preceding

paragraph, the Institutional Benefits for Disabled Children for the referenced

Recognized Beneficiary Guardian shall be deemed to have been paid.

(10) When a Designated Institution for Mentally Retarded Children, etc. requests

Institutional Benefits for Disabled Children, the prefectural government shall

pay the same after the examination in light of the standards specified by the

Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare as set forth in paragraph (2) of the

preceding Article and the standards on facilities and operation of designated

retarded child institutions, etc. as set forth in Article 24-12 paragraph (2)

(limited to the portions of such standards relating to handling of Designated

Institutional Support).

(11) A prefectural government may entrust a national health insurance

federation provided in Article 45 paragraph (5) of the National Health

Insurance Act or any other non-profit corporation provided by an Ordinance of

the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to conduct the affairs concerning

payments pursuant to the provision of the preceding paragraph.

Article 24-4 (1) A prefectural government making a Decision on Institutional

Benefits Payment may rescind said Decision on Institutional Benefits Payment

in any of the cases listed in the following items:

26

(i) When the prefectural government finds no longer necessary for the disabled

child pertaining to the Decision on Institutional Benefits Payment to receive

the Designated Institutional Support; or

(ii) When the prefectural government finds that the Recognized Beneficiary

Guardian moves his/her place of residence to the district of any other

prefecture during the Benefits Payment Period.

(2) A prefectural government rescinding a Decision on Institutional Benefits

Payment pursuant to the provision of the preceding paragraph shall request

the Recognized Beneficiary Guardian pertaining to said rescission to return the

Institutional Beneficiary Certificate pursuant to the provisions of Ordinance of

the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(3) In addition to what is prescribed in the preceding two paragraphs, necessary

matters concerning rescission of a Decision on Institutional Benefits Payment

shall be prescribed by a Cabinet Order.

Article 24-5 In the case where the prefectural government applies the provision

of paragraph (2) of Article 24-2 to payments of Institutional Benefits for

Disabled Children to a Recognized Beneficiary Guardian since it finds difficult

for him/her to bear expenses spent for institutional support for disabled

children due to disaster or other special circumstances specified by an

Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the term "ninety-

hundredths (90/100)" referred to in the same paragraph shall be replaced with

"a percentage specified by the prefectural government within a range more

than ninety-hundredths (90/100) and not more than the full amount (100/100)

thereof".

Article 24-6 (1) When the amount obtained by deducting the total amount of

Institutional Benefits for Disabled Children paid in relation to the expenses

spent for Designated Institutional Support received by a Recognized

Beneficiary Guardian from the total amount of such expenses is extremely

costly, Large-amount Institutional Benefits for Disabled Children shall be paid

to said guardian pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Order.

(2) In addition to what is prescribed in the preceding paragraph, the

requirements for payments of Large-amount Institutional Benefits for Disabled

Children, the amounts to be paid, and other necessary matters concerning

payments of Large-amount Institutional Benefits for Disabled Children shall

be prescribed by a Cabinet Order by considering the impact of the burden of

expenses spent for Designated Institutional Support on household finances.

Article 24-7 (1) When a disabled child (excluding persons attending daycare

institutions for mentally retarded children and other persons specified by an

27

Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) pertaining to such a

Recognized Beneficiary Guardian that is specified by an Ordinance of the

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare by taking into account his/her state of

income and other circumstances is admitted into a Designated Institution for

Mentally Retarded Children, etc. during the Benefits Payment Period and the

disabled children receives Designated Institutional Support from said

Designated Institution for Mentally Retarded Children, etc., the prefectural

government shall, pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Order, pay Benefits

for Meal Expenses, etc. for Specified Institutionalized Disabled Children to

said Recognized Beneficiary Guardian with regard to the expenses spent for

the provision of meals and for residence in said Designated Institution for

Mentally Retarded Children, etc.

(2) The provisions of paragraphs (7) to (11) inclusive of Article 24-3 shall apply

mutatis mutandis to payments of Benefits for Meal Expenses, etc. for Specified

Institutionalized Disabled Children. In this case, necessary terminological

replacements shall be prescribed by a Cabinet Order.

Article 24-8 In addition to what is prescribed in this Subsection, necessary

matters concerning the payments of Institutional Benefits for Disabled

Children, Large-amount Institutional Benefits for Disabled Children or

Benefits for Meal Expenses, etc. for Specified Institutionalized Disabled

Children and requests by Designated Institution for Mentally Retarded

Children, etc. for Institutional Benefits for Disabled Children or Benefits for

Meal Expenses, etc. for Specified Institutionalized Disabled Children shall be

prescribed by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Subsection 2 Designated Institution for Mentally Retarded Children,

etc.

Article 24-9 (1) The designation set forth in Article 24-2 paragraph (1) shall be

made for an institution for mentally retarded children, a daycare institution

for retarded children, an institution for blind or deaf children, an institution

for orthopedically impaired children, or an institution for severely-retarded

children (hereinafter referred to as "Institution for Mentally Retarded Children,

etc.") based on an application by its establisher, pursuant to the provisions of

Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(2) In the case where an application set forth in the preceding paragraph is made,

the prefectural governor shall not designate the referenced facility as a

Designated Institution for Mentally Retarded Children, etc. (excluding

Designated Medical Institutions; the same shall apply in Articles 24-13, 24-14,

24-17 and 24-18) when it falls under any of the following items:

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(i) When the applicant is not a juridical person;

(ii) When the knowledge and skills of the employees of the institution for

mentally retarded children, etc. pertaining to said application and its

personnel staffing do not satisfy the standards specified by an Ordinance of

the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare set forth in Article 24-12

paragraph (1);

(iii) When the prefectural government finds the applicant to be unable to

operate the institution for mentally retarded children, etc. adequately in

accordance with the standards on facilities and operation of Designated

Institution for Mentally Retarded Children, etc. specified by an Ordinance of

the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as set forth in Article 24-12

paragraph (2);

(iv) When any officer (which shall mean an employee, director, executive officer

or other equivalent person executing corporate affairs, including a person

with counselor, advisor or any other title whatsoever who is found to have

such a power to control the juridical person that is equivalent or superior to

that of any employee, director, executive officer or other equivalent person

executing corporate affairs) of the applicant or the head of the institution for

mentally retarded children, etc. pertaining to said application (hereinafter

referred to as "Officers, etc.") is a person sentenced to imprisonment or

severer punishment and awaiting the completion or discontinuation of its

execution;

(v) When the applicant or any of its Officers, etc. is a person punished by a fine

pursuant to such provisions of this Act or of any other act on healthcare or

welfare of citizens as specified by a Cabinet Order and awaiting the

completion or discontinuation of its execution;

(vi) When the applicant is a person subject to a rescission of designation

pursuant to the provision of Article 24-17 and awaiting a lapse of 5 years

from the date of the rescission;

(vii) When any of the Officers, etc. of the applicant is a person who used to be

an officer, etc. of a juridical person on which a rescission of the designation

was imposed within 60 days prior to the notice pursuant to the provision of

Article 15 of the Administrative Procedure Act (Act No. 88 of 1993)

pertaining to the disposition of said rescission of designation pursuant to the

provision of Article 24-17 and who is awaiting a lapse of 5 years from the

date of said rescission;

(viii) When the applicant is a person who declines the designation pursuant to

the provision of Article 24-14 during the period commencing on the date of

the notice pursuant to the provision of Article 15 of the Administrative

Procedure Act pertaining to the rescission of designation pursuant to the

provision of Article 24-17 and ending on the date on which said disposition is

29

implemented or decided to be discontinued (excluding a person having a

reasonable ground for declining said designation) and who is awaiting a

lapse of 5 years from the date of said declination;

(ix) When any of the Officers, etc. of the applicant is a person who used to be

an officer, etc. of the juridical person pertaining to the declination (excluding

a juridical person having a reasonable ground for declining said designation)

within 60 days prior to the date of the notice referred to in the preceding

item, in the case where the designation pursuant to the provision of Article

24-14 was declined within the period provided in the preceding item, and

who is awaiting a lapse of 5 years from the date of said declination; or

(x) When the applicant or any of its Officers, etc. is a person who committed a

wrongdoing or extremely unjust act, within 5 years prior to the date of the

application for designation, with regard to institutional support for disabled

children.

Article 24-10 (1) The designation set forth in paragraph (1) of Article 24-2 shall

cease to be effective after a lapse of the term then in force, unless the

designation is renewed every 6 years.

(2) In the case where a renewal set forth in the preceding paragraph is applied,

when no disposition is implemented for the application by the expiration date

of the period set forth in the same paragraph (referred to as a "Valid Period for

Designation" hereinafter in this Article), the designation before the renewal

shall remain in force until the disposition is implemented, even after the

expiration of the Valid Period for Designation.

(3) When the designation is renewed in the case referred to in the preceding

paragraph, the Valid Period for Designation as renewed shall start from the

day following the expiration date of the Valid Period for Designation before the

renewal.

(4) The provision of the preceding Article shall apply mutatis mutandis to

renewal of designation set forth in paragraph (1). In this case, necessary

terminological replacements shall be prescribed by a Cabinet Order.

Article 24-11 (1) In order to enable a disabled child to lead self-reliant daily life

or social life according to their inherent abilities and aptitudes, the establisher

of a Designated Institution for Mentally Retarded Children, etc. shall facilitate

close coordination with administrative organs, educational institutions and

other relevant bodies, and endeavor to effectively implement institutional

support for disabled children according to the intention, aptitudes,

characteristics of dysfunctions and other circumstances of said disabled child.

(2) The establisher of a Designated Institution for Mentally Retarded Children,

etc. shall endeavor to improve the quality of its institutional support for

30

disabled children by carrying out assessment of the quality of its own

institutional support for disabled children and by taking other measures.

(3) The establisher of a Designated Institution for Mentally Retarded Children,

etc. shall respect the character of each disabled child, comply with this Act or

orders pursuant to this Act, and faithfully perform his/her own duties for

disabled children and their guardians.

Article 24-12 (1) The establisher of a Designated Institution for Mentally

Retarded Children, etc. shall have employees engaged in Designated

Institutional Support in accordance with the standards specified by an

Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(2) The establisher of a Designated Institution for Mentally Retarded Children,

etc. shall provide Designated Institutional Support in accordance with the

standards on facilities and operation of designated retarded child institutions,

etc. specified by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 24-13 When there is any change in his/her address or any other matters

specified by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the

establisher of a Designated Institution for Mentally Retarded Children, etc.

shall notify the prefectural governor to that effect within 10 days pursuant to

the provisions of Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 24-14 A Designated Institution for Mentally Retarded Children, etc. may

decline its designation with not less than 3 months period of advance notice.

Article 24-15 (1) When a prefectural governor finds necessary, he/she may order

a person who is, or used to be, the establisher or director or any other employee

of a Designated Institution for Mentally Retarded Children, etc. (hereinafter

referred to as "Designated Institution Establisher, etc.") to make a report or

submit or present books and documents and other objects, request the

appearance of a person who is, or used to be, a Designated Institution

Establisher, etc., or may make said prefecture's official ask relevant persons

questions or enter any office of said Designated Institution for Mentally

Retarded Children, etc. and inspect books and documents and other objects.

(2) When any question or inspection is made pursuant to the provision of the

preceding paragraph, said official shall carry his/her certification for

identification and produce it upon request by any relevant person.

(3) The authority pursuant to the provision of paragraph (1) shall not be

construed as being permitted for criminal investigation.

Article 24-16 (1) When a prefectural governor finds that the establisher of a

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Designated Institution for Mentally Retarded Children, etc. fails to conform to

the standards specified by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and

Welfare referred to in Article 24-12 paragraph (1) in respect of the knowledge

or skills of its employees of the institution pertaining to the referenced

designation or its personnel staffing or fails to operate the Designated

Institution for Mentally Retarded Children, etc. adequately in accordance with

the standards on facilities and operation of designated retarded child

institutions, etc. specified by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour

and Welfare referred to in paragraph (2) of the same Article, the prefectural

governor may recommend the establisher of said Designated Institution for

Mentally Retarded Children, etc. to comply with the standards specified by an

Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare referred to in

paragraph (1) of the same Article, or comply with the standards on facilities

and operation of designated retarded child institutions, etc. specified by an

Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare referred to in

paragraph (2) of the same Article, by a due date to be specified.

(2) In the case where a recommendation is made pursuant to the provision of the

preceding paragraph, when the establisher of the Designated Institution for

Mentally Retarded Children, etc. receiving such recommendation fails to

comply with the same by the due date set forth in the same paragraph, the

prefectural governor may publicize such non-compliance.

(3) When the establisher of a Designated Institution for Mentally Retarded

Children, etc. receiving a recommendation pursuant to the provision of

paragraph (1) fails to take a measure pertaining to the recommendation

without justifiable ground, the prefectural governor may order the establisher

of said Designated Institution for Mentally Retarded Children, etc. to take the

measure pertaining to the recommendation by a due date to be specified.

(4) When an order is provided pursuant to the provision of the preceding

paragraph, the prefectural governor shall give public notice to that effect.

Article 24-17 In any of the cases set forth in the following items, the prefectural

governor may rescind the designation set forth in Article 24-2 paragraph (1)

pertaining to the referenced Designated Institution for Mentally Retarded

Children, etc. or suspend the validity of the designation, in whole or in part,

for a period of time to be specified:

(i) When the establisher of the designated retarded child institutions, etc. or

any of its Officers, etc. becomes a person falling under Article 24-9 paragraph

(2) item (iv), (v), (vii) or (ix);

(ii) When it is found that the establisher of the Designated Institution for

Mentally Retarded Children, etc. has violated the provision of Article 24-11

paragraph (3);

32

(iii) When the establisher of the Designated Institution for Mentally Retarded

Children, etc. becomes unable to satisfy the standards specified by an

Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare referred to in

Article 24-12 paragraph (1) in respect of the knowledge or skills of its

employees of the institution pertaining to said designation or in respect of its

personnel staffing;

(iv) When the establisher of the Designated Institution for Mentally Retarded

Children, etc. becomes unable to operate the Designated Institution for

Mentally Retarded Children, etc. adequately in accordance with the

standards on facilities and operation of designated retarded child

institutions, etc. specified by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour

and Welfare referred to in Article 24-12 paragraph (2);

(v) When any wrongdoing is found with regard to a request for Institutional

Benefits for Disabled Children, Benefits for Meal Expenses, etc. for Specified

Institutionalized Disabled Children or Institutional Medical Expenses for

Disabled Children;

(vi) When the Designated Institution Establisher, etc. fails to comply with an

order for reporting or submission or presentation of books and documents

and other objects pursuant to the provision of Article 24-15 paragraph (1), or

makes a false report in response to such an order;

(vii) When the Designated Institution Establisher, etc. fails to comply with an

order for appearance pursuant to the provision of Article 24-15 paragraph (1),

fails to give an answer or makes a false answer in response to a question

pursuant to the provision of the same paragraph, or refuses, interferes with,

or recuses the entry or inspection pursuant to the provision of the same

paragraph; provided, however, that this shall not apply when the establisher

or director of the Designated Institution for Mentally Retarded Children, etc.

had fulfilled his/her duty of reasonable care and supervision to prevent any

of the acts above mentioned in the case where such an act has been

committed by an employee of said Designated Institution for Mentally

Retarded Children, etc.;

(viii) When the establisher of the Designated Institution for Mentally Retarded

Children, etc. obtains the designation set forth in Article 24-2 paragraph (1)

by a wrongful means;

(ix) When the establisher of the Designated Institution for Mentally Retarded

Children, etc. violates this Act or any other act on healthcare or welfare of

citizens as specified by a Cabinet Order or any order pursuant to any of these

acts or any disposition pursuant thereto, in addition to the cases listed in the

preceding items respectively;

(x) When the establisher of the Designated Institution for Mentally Retarded

Children, etc. commits a wrongdoing or unjust act with regard to

33

institutional support for disabled children, in addition to the cases listed in

the preceding items respectively; or

(xi) When the establisher of the Designated Institution for Mentally Retarded

Children, etc. and its Officers, etc. include such a person who has committed

a wrongdoing or unjust act with regard to institutional support for disabled

children within 5 years prior to the time when the rescission of designation

or the whole or partial suspension of its validity is intended.

Article 24-18 A prefectural governor shall give public notice in any of the cases

listed in the following items:

(i) When a prefectural governor has made the designation of a Designated

Institution for Mentally Retarded Children, etc. set forth in Article 24-2

paragraph (1);

(ii) When a Designated Institution for Mentally Retarded Children, etc. has

declined the designation pursuant to the provision of Article 24-14; and

(iii) When the designation of a Designated Institution for Mentally Retarded

Children, etc. has been rescinded pursuant to the provision of the preceding

Article.

Article 24-19 (1) A prefectural government shall provide necessary information

concerning designated retarded child institutions, etc. and provide

consultations and give advice with regard to the utilization thereof.

(2) Upon request from a disabled child or his/her guardian, the prefectural

government shall make arrangement or coordination for the utilization of a

Designated Institution for Mentally Retarded Children, etc. and, where needed,

make a request for the utilization by said disabled child to the establisher of a

Designated Institution for Mentally Retarded Children, etc.

(3) The establisher of a Designated Institution for Mentally Retarded Children,

etc. shall cooperate in the arrangement, coordination and requests set forth in

the preceding paragraph as far as possible.

Subsection 3 Payments of Institutional Medical Expenses for Disabled

Children

Article 24-20 (1) When a disabled child pertaining to a Decision on Institutional

Benefits Payment receives the institutional support for disabled children

pertaining to therapy (hereinafter referred to as "Institutional Medical Care

for Disabled Children") from a Designated Institution for Mentally Retarded

Children, etc. (limited to such hospitals and other facilities as specified by an

Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare; the same shall apply

hereinafter in this Article, the following Article and Article 24-23) during the

34

Benefits Payment Period, the prefectural government shall, pursuant to the

provisions of Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, pay

Institutional Medical Expenses for Disabled Children to the Recognized

Beneficiary Guardian pertaining to said disabled child with regard to the

expenses spent for said Institutional Medical Care for Disabled Children; and

(2) The amount of Institutional Medical Expenses for Disabled Children shall be

the total amount of the amounts listed in the following items:

(i) Ninety-hundredths (90/100) of the amount calculated with regard to the

referenced Institutional Medical Care for Disabled Children (excluding

dietary treatment (which shall mean dietary treatment provided in Article 63

paragraph (2) of the Health Insurance Act (Act No. 70 of 1922); the same

shall apply hereinafter in this paragraph); the same shall apply hereinafter

in this item) by applying the calculation method for the amount of expenses

spent for medical treatment covered by health insurance; provided, however,

that, when ten-hundredths (10/100) of the total amount of expenses spent by

the referenced Recognized Beneficiary Guardian for Institutional Medical

Care for Disabled Children in a specific month exceeds the amount provided

by a Cabinet Order by taking into account the impact on the household

finances of said Recognized Beneficiary Guardian and other circumstances,

the amount calculated pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Order shall

apply, which shall be within a range of the amount calculated with regard to

said Institutional Medical Care for Disabled Children by applying the

calculation method for the amount of expenses spent for medical treatment

covered by health insurance; and

(ii) The amount obtained by deducting the amount provided by the Minister of

Health, Labor and Welfare, by taking into consideration the standard

coverage provided in Article 85 paragraph (2) of the Health Insurance Act,

the state of income of the Recognized Beneficiary Guardian and other

circumstances, from the amount calculated with regard to said Institutional

Medical Care for Disabled Children (limited to dietary treatment) by

applying the calculation method for the amount of expenses spent for medical

treatment covered by health insurance.

(3) When the calculation method for the amount of expenses spent for the

medical treatment prescribed in the preceding paragraph cannot apply, or

when it is not appropriate to apply the same, the calculation method for the

amount of expenses spent for the Institutional Medical Care for Disabled

Children shall be as prescribed by the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare.

(4) When a disabled child pertaining to a decision on institutional benefits

payment receives Institutional Medical Care for Disabled Children from a

Designated Institution for Mentally Retarded Children, etc., the prefectural

government may pay such expenses spent for said Institutional Medical Care

35

for Disabled Children that are payable by the Recognized Beneficiary Guardian

pertaining to said disabled child to the referenced Designated Institution for

Mentally Retarded Children, etc., in lieu of said Recognized Beneficiary

Guardian, to said designated retarded child institutions, etc., within the limit

of the amount payable to said Recognized Beneficiary Guardian as the

Institutional Medical Expenses for Disabled Children.

(5) When a payment is made pursuant to the provision of the preceding

paragraph, the Institutional Medical Expenses for Disabled Children for said

Recognized Beneficiary Guardian shall be deemed to have been paid.

Article 24-21 The provision of Article 21 shall apply mutatis mutandis to

designated retarded child institutions, etc., and the provisions of Articles 21-2

and 21-3 shall apply mutatis mutandis to payments of Institutional Medical

Expenses for Disabled Children to designated retarded child institutions, etc.

In this case, the phrase "the medical care set forth in paragraph (2) of the

preceding Article" referred to in Article 21 shall be deemed to be replaced with

"the Institutional Medical Care for Disabled Children provided in Article 24-20

paragraph (1)", the phrase "medical service policy and medical fees" referred to

in Article 21-2 shall be deemed to be replaced with "medical service policy",

and the phrase "medical fees" referred to in Article 21-3 (excluding paragraph

(2)) shall be deemed to be replaced with "Institutional Medical Expenses for

Disabled Children".

Article 24-22 A payment of Institutional Medical Expenses for Disabled Children

shall not be made within the limit equivalent to the amount that a recipient

can receive according to the state of the referenced dysfunction as prescribed in

the subsequent sentence. When the recipient can receive dependent medical

treatment expenses pursuant to the Health Insurance Act or other benefits

pursuant to relevant laws and regulations and such expenses or benefits are

specified by a Cabinet Order and fall under the payment of Institutional

Medical Expenses for Disabled Children, the limit specified by a Cabinet Order

shall apply as the limit referred to in the preceding sentence, and when any

benefit other than those specified by said Cabinet Order that falls under the

payment of Institutional Medical Expenses for Disabled Children is paid and

borne by the national government or local government, the amount so paid

shall apply as the limit referred to in the preceding sentence.

Article 24-23 In addition to what is prescribed in this Subsection, necessary

matters concerning the payments of Institutional Medical Expenses for

Disabled Children and the requests by designated retarded child institutions,

etc. for Institutional Medical Expenses for Disabled Children shall be

36

prescribed by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Section 5 Protective Measures, etc. for an Aid-requiring Child

Article 25 A person who discovers an Aid-requiring Child shall give notification

directly to a Welfare Office or child guidance center established by the

municipal or prefectural government, or to said Welfare Office or child

guidance center through a commissioned child welfare volunteer; provided,

however, that this shall not apply to a child of 14 years of age or more who has

committed a crime. In this case, notification shall be given to the family court.

Article 25-2 (1) In order to singly or jointly pursue adequate protective care for

an Aid-requiring Child, a local government shall endeavor to set up a regional

council of countermeasures for Children Requiring Aid (hereinafter referred to

as a "Council") consisting of relevant bodies, relevant organizations and

persons engaged in the duties relevant to welfare of children, and other

relevant persons (hereinafter referred to as "Relevant Bodies, etc.").

(2) A Council shall exchange information concerning an Aid-requiring Child and

their guardians (hereinafter referred to as "Aid-requiring Child, etc.") and

other information necessary to pursue adequate protective care for Children

Requiring Aid and confer on the contents of the support for Children, etc.

Requiring Aid.

(3) When a local government establishes a Council, the head of the local

government shall give public notice to that effect pursuant to the provisions of

Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(4) The head of a local government who establishes a Council shall designate only

one coordinating organization of countermeasures for Aid-requiring Child to be

selected from the Relevant Bodies, etc. constituting the Council.

(5) A coordinating organization of countermeasures for an Aid-requiring Child

shall conduct overall management of affairs concerning the Council, accurately

understand the state of the implementation of the support for an Aid-requiring

Child, etc. so as to enable its adequate implementation, and carry out liaison

and coordination with the child guidance center and other Relevant Bodies, etc.,

where needed.

Article 25-3 A Council may, when it finds necessary in order to exchange

information and confer as prescribed in paragraph (2) of the preceding Article,

request Relevant Bodies, etc. to furnish materials or information, state their

opinions, or provide other necessary cooperation.

Article 25-4 In addition to what is prescribed in the preceding two Articles,

37

necessary matters concerning the organization and operation of a Council shall

be prescribed by the Council.

Article 25-5 In accordance with the categories of the Relevant Bodies, etc.

constituting a Council listed in the following items, no person prescribed in

each such item shall divulge any secret coming to his/her knowledge with

regard to the duties of the Council without justifiable ground:

(i) Organs of the national or a local government: A person who is, or used to be,

an official of any such organ;

(ii) Juridical persons: A person who is, or used to be, an officer or employee of

any such juridical person; and

(iii) Persons other than those listed in the preceding two items: A person who is,

or used to be, a member of the Council.

Article 25-6 When it finds necessary in the case where notification pursuant to

the provision of Article 25 is received, a Welfare Office or child guidance center

established by a municipal or prefectural government shall promptly ascertain

an understanding of the state of the referenced child.

Article 25-7 (1) A municipal government (excluding towns and villages

prescribed in the following paragraph) shall accurately understand the state of

the implementation of the support for an Aid-requiring Child, etc., and take

any of the measures set forth in the following items when the municipal

government finds necessary for a child for whom notification has been received

or consultation has been provided pursuant to the provision of Article 25 or

his/her guardian (hereinafter referred to as "Child, etc. under Notification"):

(i) Refer any person who is found to be in need of a measure set forth in Article

27, and any person who is found to be in need of medical, psychological,

pedagogical, sociological or mental health judgment, to the child guidance

center; or

(ii) Make a Welfare Officer for retarded persons prescribed in Article 9

paragraph (5) of the Retarded Person Welfare Act (Act No. 37 of 1960) or a

certified social worker of the Welfare Office established by the municipal

government provide guidance to a Child, etc. under Notification.

(iii) Give notice of, any person who is found to be in need of a request of an

appearance and an investigation or a question pursuant to the provision of

Article 8-2 paragraph (1) of the Act on the Prevention, etc. of Child Abuse

(Act No.82 of 2000),or an entry and an investigation or a question pursuant

to the provision of Article 29 or Article 9 paragraph (1) the same act, or a

temporary custody pursuant to the provision of Article 33 paragraph (1) or

(2), to a prefectural governor or a child guidance center's director.

38

(2) A town or village without a Welfare Office shall accurately understand the

state of the implementation of the support for an Aid-requiring Child, etc., and

take any of the measures set forth in the following items when said town or

village finds necessary for a Child, etc. under Notification or an expectant and

nursing mother:

(i) Refer any person who is found to be in need of a measure set forth in Article

27, and any person who is found to be in need of medical, psychological,

pedagogical, sociological or mental health judgment, to the child guidance

center;

(ii) Refer any person for whom a measure set forth in item (ii) of the following

Article is found appropriate to the Welfare Office established by the

prefectural government to which said town or village belongs; or

(iii) Report a person for whom the Midwifery Care Practice or the Maternal and

Child Aid Practice is found appropriate to the prefectural governor

pertaining to such practice.

(iv) Give notice of, any person who is found to be in need of a request of an

appearance and an investigation or a question pursuant to the provision of

Article 8-2 paragraph (1) of the Act on the Prevention, etc. of Child Abuse, or

an entry and an investigation or a question pursuant to the provision of

Article 29 or Article 9 paragraph (1) the same act, or a temporary custody

pursuant to the provision of Article 33 paragraph (1) or (2), to a prefectural

governor or a child guidance center's director.

Article 25-8 The head of a Welfare Office established by a prefectural

government shall take a measure set forth in any of the following items, when

he/she finds necessary for a child for whom notification pursuant to the

provision of Article 25 or a referral pursuant to the provision of paragraph (2)

item (ii) of the preceding Article or paragraph (1) item (iii) of the following

Article is made, or a child, his/her guardian or an expectant and nursing

mother for whom consultation is provided:

(i) Refer any person who is found to be in need of a measure set forth in Article

27, and any person who is found to be in need of medical, psychological,

pedagogical, sociological or mental health judgment, to the child guidance

center;

(ii) Cause children or their guardians to be guided by a Welfare Officer for

retarded persons or a social welfare secretary of the Welfare Office;

(iii) Report on, or give notice of, any person for whom it is found appropriate to

practice midwifery care, maternal and child aid or daycare (hereinafter

referred to as "Daycare Practice, etc.") to the head of the prefecture or

municipality pertaining to such Daycare Practice, etc.; or

(iv) Report on, or give notice of, any person who is found to be in need of a

39

measure set forth in Article 21-6 to the head of the municipality pertaining

to the measure.

Article 26 (1) A child guidance center's director shall take a measure set forth in

any of the following items when he/she finds necessary for a child for whom

notification pursuant to the provision of Article 25 of this Act or a referral

pursuant to the provision of Article 25-7 paragraph (1) item (i) or paragraph (2)

item (i) of the same Article or item (i) of the preceding Article of this Act, or

Article 6-6 paragraph (1) or Article 18 paragraph (1) of the Juvenile Act (Act

No. 168 of 1948) is made, or for a child, his/her guardian or an expectant and

nursing mother for whom consultation is provided:

(i) Report on any person who is found to be in need of a measure set forth in

the following Article to the prefectural governor;

(ii) Cause children or their guardians to be guided by a Child Welfare Officer or

a commissioned child welfare volunteer, or entrust such guidance to a child

and family support center established by a person other than the prefectural

government or to a person other than the prefectural government who is

engaged in the consultation support services provided in Article 5 paragraph

(17) of the Act on Self-reliance Support for Persons with Disabilities

(hereinafter referred to as "Consultation Support Services" in paragraph (1)

item (ii) of the following Article and Article 34-6);

(iii) Refer any person for whom it is found appropriate to take a measure set

forth in of Article 25-7 paragraph (1) item (ii) or item (ii) of the preceding

Article to the Welfare Office;

(iv) Report on, or give notice of, any person for whom it is found appropriate to

provide the Daycare Practice, etc. to the head of the prefectural or municipal

government pertaining to such Daycare Practice, etc.; or

(v) Report on, or give notice of, any person for whom it is found appropriate to

take a measure pursuant to the provision of Article 21-6 to the head of the

municipal government pertaining to such a measure.

(2) A report pursuant to the provision of item (i) of the preceding paragraph shall

state the address, name, age, history, character and conduct, health condition

and family environment of the referenced child, the intent of said child and

his/her guardian with regard to the measure provided in the same item, and

other referential matters concerning promotion of welfare of the child.

Article 27 (1) A prefectural government shall take a measure set forth in any of

the following items with regard to a child for whom a report pursuant to

paragraph (1) item (i) of the preceding Article or a referral pursuant to Article

18 paragraph (2) of the Juvenile Act is made:

(i) Provide an admonition to the child or his/her guardian, or cause him/her to

40

submit a written pledge;

(ii) Cause the child or his/her guardian to be guided by a Child Welfare Officer,

a welfare officer for mentally retarded persons, a social welfare secretary, a

commissioned child welfare volunteer, or the child and family support center

established by said prefectural government, or an official pertaining to the

Consultation Support Services performed by said prefectural government, or

entrust such guidance to a child and family support center established by a

person other than said prefectural government, or to a person other than

said prefectural government engaged in Consultation Support Services;

(iii) Entrust the child to a foster parent, or admit the child into an infant home,

a foster home, an institution for mentally retarded children, a daycare

institution for mentally retarded children, an institution for blind or deaf

children, an institution for orthopedically impaired children, an institution

for severely-retarded children, a short-term therapeutic institution for

emotionally disturbed children, or a children's self-reliance support facility;

or

(iv) Refer the child to the family court if it is found appropriate to submit

him/her to the family court's inquiry.

(2) With regard to a child prescribed in Article 43-3 or 43-4, the prefectural

government may, in lieu of the measure set forth in item (iii) of the preceding

paragraph, entrust a Designated Medical Institution to hospitalize the child

and provide him/her with therapy, etc. equivalent to those that would be

provided in an institution orthopedically impaired children or an institution for

severely-retarded children.

(3) When a prefectural governor intends to take a measure set forth in paragraph

(1) for a child referred pursuant to the provision of Article 18 paragraph (2) of

the Juvenile Act, the prefectural governor shall follow an instruction based on

a decision by the family court.

(4) When the referenced child has a person who has parental authority

(excluding the head of a child welfare institution who exercises the parental

authority pursuant to the provision of Article 47 paragraph (1); the same shall

apply hereinafter) or a guardian of a minor, the measure set forth in paragraph

(1) item (iii) or paragraph (2) may not be taken against the intent of said

person who has parental authority or said guardian of a minor, except in the

case referred to in the preceding paragraph.

(5) In the case where a measure set forth in paragraph (1) item (ii) or (iii) or

paragraph (2) is cancelled, suspended, or changed to any other measure, the

prefectural governor shall hear opinions from the child guidance center's

director.

(6) In the case where any of the measures set forth in paragraph (1) items (i) to

(iii) inclusive (excluding those taken pursuant to the provision of paragraph (3)

41

and those taken pursuant to the provision of item (i) or the proviso of item (ii)

of Article 28 paragraph (1)) or those set forth in paragraph (2) is taken, or in

the case where a measure set forth in paragraph (1) item (ii) or (iii) or in

paragraph (2) is cancelled, suspended, or changed to any other measure,

pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Order, the prefectural governor shall

hear opinions from the Prefectural Child Welfare Council.

(7) With regard to a child having terminated his/her compulsory education for

whom a measure prescribed in paragraph (1) item (iii) as specified by a Cabinet

Order is cancelled or who is as otherwise specified by a Cabinet Order, the

prefectural government may provide consultation and other daily li fe

assistance and lifestyle guidance and support his/her finding employment at

the residence where the child is supposed to live communally, or may take a

measure to entrust a person resident in any other prefecture to provide said

daily life assistance and daily life guidance and employment support at said

person's residence, for the purpose of pursuing said child's independence, in

accordance with the standards specified by a Cabinet Order.

Article 27-2 (1) With regard to a child who has received a decision on protective

custody set forth in Article 24 paragraph (1) item (ii) of the Juvenile Act

pursuant to the provision of Article 24 paragraph (1) or Article 26-4 paragraph

(1) the same act, the prefectural government shall take a measure to admit

him/her into a children's self-reliance support facility in accordance with said

decision (excluding a measure to cause him/her to commute there from the

residence where his/her guardian lives) or a measure to admit him/her into a

foster home.

(2) With regard to the application of this Act, a measure prescribed in the

preceding paragraph shall be deemed to be a measure to admit the referenced

child into a children's self-reliance support facility or a foster home as set forth

in paragraph (1) item (iii) of the preceding Article; provided, however, that this

shall not apply when the provisions of paragraphs (4) and (6) of the preceding

Article (excluding the portions pertaining to the cases where a measure is

cancelled, suspended, or changed to any other measure) apply, and when the

provision of Article 28 applies.

Article 27-3 When it is necessary to take a compulsory measure that may

unintentionally be conducive to restriction on a child's liberty of action or

deprivation of his/her liberty, the prefectural governor shall refer that case to

the family court, except in the cases permitted pursuant to the provision of

Articles 33 and 47.

Article 28 (1) In the case where a guardian abuses his/her child or extremely

42

neglects the duty of custody of his/her child or in any other case where the

guardian's exercise of the custody extremely harms the welfare of said child,

when taking a measure set forth in Article 27 paragraph (1) item (iii) is

contrary to the intention of a person who has parental authority or a guardian

of a minor for the child, the prefectural government may take a measure set

forth in any of the following items:

(i) Take a measure set forth in Article 27 paragraph (1) item (iii) with approval

from the family court, when the guardian is a person who has parental

authority or a guardian of a minor; and

(ii) Deliver the child to a person who has parental authority or a guardian of a

minor, when the guardian is neither a person who has parental authority nor

a guardian of a minor; provided, however, that a measure set forth in Article

27 paragraph (1) item (iii) shall be taken with approval from the family court,

when such delivery is found inappropriate for welfare of the child.

(2) The period for a measure taken pursuant to the provision of item (i) and the

proviso of item (ii) of the preceding paragraph shall not exceed 2 years from the

date of commencement of said measure; provided, however, that the prefectural

government may renew said period with approval from the family court, when

it is found that the guardian is likely to abuse the child, extremely neglect the

custody of the child, or cause any other harm to the welfare of said child, in

light of effects, etc. of the guidance to the guardian pertaining to the referenced

measure (which shall mean the guidance set forth in Article 27 paragraph (1)

item (ii); the same shall apply hereinafter in this Article) unless the referenced

measure is continued.

(3) With regard to the application of the Act on Inquiry Procedure for Family

Affairs, the approval set forth in paragraph (1) and the preceding paragraph

(hereinafter referred to as "Approval for Measures") shall be deemed to fall

under any of the matters listed in category A in Article 9 paragraph (1) of the

same Act.

(4) When there are any inevitable circumstances in the case where an application

for approval pertaining to the renewal pursuant to the provision of paragraph

(2) is made, the prefectural government may continue to take the referenced

measure until a decision for said application becomes final and binding, even

after the period for said measure expires; provided, however, that the same

shall be limited to the cases where, if a decision to dismiss said application is

made, it is found still necessary to take said measure after considering the

result of said decision.

(5) In the case where an application for approval for measures is made, the

family court may request the prefectural government to report on, or state its

opinions on, the guidance to the guardian pertaining to said application, or to

submit necessary materials concerning the child and his/her guardian

43

pertaining to said application, by the due date to be specified.

(6) In the case where a family court carries out the inquiry procedure for

approval for measures, when the family court finds reasonable to afford

guidance to the referenced guardian in order to coordinate domestic or other

environments after termination of the referenced measure, the family court

may recommend the prefectural government to afford the guidance to said

guardian.

Article 29 When a prefectural governor finds necessary in order to take a

measure pursuant to the provision of the preceding Article, the prefectural

governor may make a commissioned child welfare volunteer or said prefecture's

official engaged in the affairs concerning welfare of children enter the domicile

or residence of the referenced child or his/her workplace and make necessary

inspections or questioning. In this case, the prefectural governor shall make

the commissioned child welfare volunteer or the official carry his/her

certification for identification and produce it upon request by any relevant

person.

Article 30 (1) If a person (excluding persons to whom children are entrusted

pursuant to laws and regulations and persons who merely lodge children)

starts living together with a child other than children within the fourth degree

of kinship at the person's own home (including the case of a single-person

household) with the intention of living together for more than 3 months (or

more than 1 month, if the child is an infant) or lives together at the person's

own home for consecutive 2 months or more (or 20 days or more, if the child is

an infant) by separating the child from the person who has parental authority

or the guardian of a minor, that person living together shall notify the

prefectural governor through the mayor of municipality within 3 months (or

within 1 month, if the child is an infant) from the date of start of such living

together; provided, however, that this shall not apply when such living

together is discontinued within this notification period.

(2) When a person who has given notification as prescribed in the preceding

paragraph discontinues living together, he/she shall notify the prefectural

governor through the mayor of municipality within 1 month from the date of

such discontinuation.

(3) When it is difficult for a guardian to foster his/her child at his/her home due

to economic reasons, etc., he/she shall consult with the Welfare Office

established by the municipal or prefectural government, the child guidance

center, a Child Welfare Officer or a commissioned child welfare volunteer.

Article 30-2 A prefectural governor may provide necessary instructions to, or

44

request necessary reporting from, foster parents and the heads of child welfare

institutions, and the persons prescribed in paragraph (1) of the preceding

Article, with regard to the aid for children.

Article 31 (1) With regard to a child admitted into a maternal and child living

support facility pursuant to the main clause of Article 23 paragraph (1), the

prefecture, etc. may continue to take protective custody of him/her in the

maternal and child living support facility until he/she attains the age of 20,

when the prefecture, etc. has received an application from his/her guardian

and finds it necessary to do so.

(2) The prefectural government may continue the entrustment or continue the

measure to domicile the referenced child in the referenced child welfare

institution pursuant to the provision of Article 27 paragraph (1) item (iii), until

the referenced child attains the age of 20 if he/she is a child entrusted to a

foster parent or admitted into a foster home, an institution for mentally

retarded children (excluding those established by the national government) , an

institution for blind or deaf children, a short-term therapeutic institution for

emotionally disturbed children, or a children's self-reliance support facility

pursuant to the provision of the same item, and until the referenced child

becomes able to adapt him/herself to social life if he/she is a child admitted into

an institution for mentally retarded children established by the national

government.

(3) The prefectural government may continue the measure to domicile the

referenced child in the referenced child welfare institution or continue the

entrustment pursuant to the provision of Article 27 paragraph (2) or change

either of these measures to the other one, until the referenced child attains the

age of 20 if he/she is a child admitted into an institution for orthopedically

impaired children pursuant to the provision of Article 27 paragraph (1) item

(iii) or a child set forth in Article 43-3 admitted into a Designated Medical

Institution based on the entrustment pursuant to the provision of paragraph

(2) of the same Article, and until the referenced child becomes able to adapt

him/herself to social life if he/she is a child admitted into an institution for

severely-retarded children pursuant to the provision of Article 27 paragraph

(1) item (iii) or a child set forth in Article 43-4 admitted into a Designated

Medical Institution based on the entrustment pursuant to the provision of

paragraph (2) of the same Article.

(4) With regard to a child for whom a measure set forth in Article 27 paragraph

(7) is taken, the prefectural government may continue to provide assistance to

him/her or continue the entrustment prescribed in the same paragraph, until

he/she attains the age of 20.

(5) With regard to the application of this Act, the aid or the measure provided in

45

each of the preceding paragraphs shall be deemed to be the Maternal and Child

Aid Practice or a measure provided in paragraph (1) item (iii), paragraph (2) or

Article 27 paragraph (7).

(6) In the case referred to in paragraph (2) or (3), the prefectural governor shall

hear opinions from the child guidance center's director.

Article 32 (1) A prefectural governor may delegate the authority to take

measures set forth in Article 27 paragraph (1), (2) or (7), in whole or in part, to

the child guidance center's director.

(2) A prefectural governor or a mayor of municipality may delegate the authority

to take measures set forth in Article 21-6 or the authority of the Midwifery

Care Practice or the Maternal and Child Aid Practice, or the authority of the

aid provided in the proviso of Article 23 paragraph (1), and the authority

pursuant to the provisions of Articles 24-2 to 24-7 inclusive and Article 24-20,

in whole or in part, to the head of a Welfare Office under the management of

the prefectural governor or mayor of municipality.

(3) A mayor of municipality may delegate the authority of the Daycare Practice

and the authority of the aid provided in the proviso of Article 24 paragraph (1),

in whole or in part, to the head of the Welfare Office under the management of

the municipal government or to the board of education set up in said

municipality.

Article 33 (1) A child guidance center's director may, when he/she finds

necessary, take temporary custody of a child or entrust an appropriate person

to do so until a measure set forth in Article 26 paragraph (1) is taken.

(2) A prefectural governor may, when he/she finds necessary, cause the child

guidance center's director to take temporary custody of a child or cause said

director to entrust an appropriate person to take such temporary custody until

a measure set forth in Article 27 paragraph (1) or (2).

(3) The period for temporary custody pursuant to the preceding two paragraphs

shall not exceed 2 months from the date of commencement of said temporary

custody.

(4) Notwithstanding the provision of the preceding paragraph, a child guidance

center's director or a prefectural governor may, when he/she finds necessary,

continue the temporary custody pursuant to the provision of paragraph (1) or

(2).

Article 33-2 (1) A child guidance center's director may retain the things

possessed by a child under temporary custody, if his/her own possessions

during such temporary custody is likely to be harmful to welfare of the child.

(2) If the things retained pursuant to the provision of the preceding paragraph

46

are likely to decay or get lost or it is extremely difficult to retain them, a child

guidance center's director may sell those things and retain their proceeds.

(3) In the case where it is obvious that a person other than the referenced child

has the right to demand restitution with regard to the things retained

pursuant to the provision of the preceding two paragraphs, the child guidance

center's director shall return those things to such a right holder.

(4) When the child guidance center's director is unable to know the person who

has the right to demand restitution prescribed in the preceding paragraph or

his/her address, the child guidance center's director shall give public notice to

request the right holder to come forward within 6 months.

(5) In the case where nobody comes forward as prescribed in the preceding

paragraph within the period set forth in the same paragraph, the referenced

things shall belong to the prefectural government establishing the referenced

child guidance center.

(6) When a temporary custody is cancelled, the child guidance center's director

shall return the things retained by him/her to the referenced child, excluding

those returned pursuant to the provision of paragraph (3). In this case, the

things to be returned may be delivered to the guardian of the child, when the

child guidance center's director finds inappropriate for welfare of the child to

deliver them to said child.

(7) Expenses spent for retaining the things pursuant to the provision of

paragraph (1), sale thereof pursuant to the provision of paragraph (2) and

public notice pursuant to the provision of paragraph (4) shall be borne by the

person receiving them, if any.

Article 33-3 (1) In the case where a child under temporary custody escapes or

dies, when there are any articles left behind, the child guidance center's

director shall retain and deliver them to said child's guardian or relative or

his/her heir, excluding the things to be returned to their right holders pursuant

to the provision of paragraph (3) of the preceding Article.

(2) The provisions of paragraphs (2), (4), (5) and (7) of the preceding Article shall

apply mutatis mutandis to the case referred to in the preceding paragraph.

Article 33-4 In the case of cancellation of a measure or Daycare Practice, etc.

listed in any of the following items, the prefectural governor, the mayor of

municipality, the Welfare Office's director or the child guidance center's

director shall, in advance, explain the reason for such cancellation to the

person prescribed in the referenced item and hear his/her opinion; provided,

however, that this shall not apply to the case where there is a request for such

cancellation from the person prescribed in said items and other cases specified

by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

47

(i) Measures set forth in Article 21-6, Article 25-7 paragraph (1) item (ii),

Article 25-8 item (ii), Article 26 paragraph (1) item (ii), and paragraph (1)

item (ii) and Article 27 paragraph (7): The guardian of the child pertaining to

said measure;

(ii) The Midwifery Care Practice: The expectant and nursing mother pertaining

to the referenced Midwifery Care Practice;

(iii) The Maternal and Child Aid Practice and the Daycare Practice: The

guardian of the child pertaining to the referenced Maternal and Child Aid

Practice or Daycare Practice; or

(iv) Measures set forth in paragraph (1) item (iii) and Article 27 paragraph (2):

The person who has parental authority over, or the guardian of a minor of,

the child pertaining to the referenced measure.

Article 33-5 The provisions of Chapter 3 of the Administrative Procedure Act

(excluding Articles 12 and 14) shall not apply when imposing the cancellation

of a measure set forth in Article 21-6, Article 25-7 paragraph (1) item (ii),

Article 25-8 item (ii), Article 26 paragraph (1) item (ii) or Article 27 paragraph

(1) item (ii) or (iii), or Article 27 paragraph (2) or (7), or canceling the daycare.

Article 33-6 When the person who has parental authority over a child or over a

person under 20 years of age other than children (referred to as "Child, etc." in

the following Article and Article 33-8) abuses his/her parental authority or

misbehaves extremely, a request for adjudication of forfeiture of parental

authority pursuant to the provision of Article 834 of the Civil Code (Act No. 89

of 1896) may be made by the child guidance center's director, in addition to the

persons prescribed in the same Article.

Article 33-7 (1) When it is necessary for welfare of a Child, etc. having neither a

person who has parental authority nor a guardian of a minor, the child

guidance center's director shall request the family court to appoint a guardian

of a minor.

(2) A child guidance center's director shall exercise parental authority over a

child admitted there and having neither a person who has parental authority

nor a guardian of a minor until the child comes to have either a person who has

parental authority or a guardian of a minor; provided, however, that

permission from the prefectural governor shall be obtained pursuant to the

provisions of Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare when

accepting adoption pursuant to the provision of Article 797 of the Civil Code.

Article 33-8 When the guardian of a minor for a Child, etc. causes a wrongful act,

an extreme misbehavior or any other season inadequate for guardianship, a

48

request for dismissal of the guardian of a minor pursuant to the provision of

Article 846 of the Civil Code may be made by the child guidance center's

director, in addition to the persons prescribed in the same Article.

Section 6 Miscellaneous Provisions

Article 34 (1) No person shall commit an act listed in any of the following items:

(i) Place a child with physical disabilities or morphological abnormalities on

public show;

(ii) Cause a child to act as a beggar, or beg by exploiting a child;

(iii) Cause a child under 15 years of age to perform acrobatics or stunt horse

riding for the purpose of public entertainment;

(iv) Cause a child under 15 years of age to engage in such money earning acts

as singing, dancing, tricks and other performances from house to house or on

the road, or in other equivalent places;

(iv)-2 Cause a child to engage in such money earning acts as sale, distribution,

exhibition or collection of goods or provision of services, from 10:00 p.m. to

3:00 a.m., from house to house or on the road, or in other equivalent places;

(iv)-3 Cause a child under 15 years of age who engages in such money earning

activities as sale, distribution, exhibition or collection of goods or provision of

services from house to house or on the road, or in other equivalent places to

enter any place where any business falling under those listed below is

operated, in order for the child to conduct his/her work there; the applicable

businesses in this regard are businesses for entertaining and catering, etc.

set forth in Article 2 paragraph (4) of the Act on Control and Improvement of

Amusement Businesses, etc. (Act No. 122 of 1948), store-based sex-related

amusement special business set forth in paragraph (6) of the same Article,

and store-based telephonic dating agency business set forth in paragraph (9)

of the same Article is operated;

(v) Cause a child under 15 years of age to engage in such money earning acts as

entertaining at an alcoholic party;

(vi) Cause a child to commit an obscene act;

(vii) Deliver a child knowingly to a person who is likely to commit any of the

acts listed in the preceding items or a person who is likely to commit any

other act violating laws and regulations concerning criminal punishment

toward a child, or deliver a child to other person with the knowledge of a risk

of further delivery of the child to a person who is likely to commit any of the

acts as listed above;

(viii) Arrange taking care of a child for the purpose of profit, if it is arranged by

a person other than legitimate employment agencies for adults and children;

or

49

(ix) Keep a child under one's control, with the intent of causing the child to

commit an act making an impact that is mentally and physically harmful to

the child.

(2) A foster home, an institution for mentally retarded children, a daycare

institution for mentally retarded children, an institution for blind or deaf

children, an institution for orthopedically impaired children or a children's

self-reliance support facility shall not exploit children admitted there against

the purposes provided respectively in Articles 41 to 43-3 inclusive and Article

44.

Article 34-2 In addition to what is provided for in this Act, necessary matters

concerning guarantee of welfare shall be prescribed by a Cabinet Order.

Chapter III Services and Facilities

Article 34-3 (1) A person other than the national and prefectural governments

may engage in children's self-reliant living assistance services by notifying the

prefectural governor, in advance, of the matters specified by an Ordinance of

the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, pursuant to the provisions of

Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(2) When any of the matters in the notification pursuant to the provision of the

preceding paragraph is changed, a person other than the national and

prefectural governments shall notify the prefectural governor to that effect

within 1 month from the date of the change.

(3) When a person other than the national and prefectural governments intends

to abolish or suspend the children's self-reliant living assistance services,

he/she shall, in advance, notify the prefectural governor of the matters

specified by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 34-4 (1) A prefectural governor may, when he/she finds necessary for the

welfare of children, request a person engaged in children's self-reliant living

assistance services to make reporting, or make said prefecture's official ask

relevant persons questions or enter any office or facility of said person and

inspect books and documents and other objects.

(2) The provisions of Article 18-16 paragraphs (2) and (3) shall apply mutatis

mutandis to the case referred to in the preceding paragraph.

Article 34-5 When a person engaged in children's self-reliant living assistance

services violates this Act or any order pursuant to this Act or any disposition

imposed pursuant thereto, or pursues profit unjustly with regard to such

services or commits an unjust act with regard to the treatment of any child

50

pertaining to such services, the prefectural governor may order the person to

restrict or suspend said services.

Article 34-6 When a person engaged in Consultation Support Services or

children's self-reliant living assistance services is requested to accept

entrustment pursuant to the provision of Article 26 paragraph (1) item (ii) or

paragraph (1) item (ii) or Article 27 paragraph (7), he/she shall not refuse it

without justifiable ground.

Article 34-7 A municipal government, a social welfare corporation or other

person may provide after-school child sound upbringing services pursuant to

the provisions of the Social Welfare Act.

Article 34-8 A municipal government may provide short-term Child Care

Support Services pursuant to the provisions of Ordinance of the Ministry of

Health, Labour and Welfare.

Article 35 (1) The national government shall establish a child welfare institution

(excluding midwifery homes, maternal and child living support facilities and

nursery centers) pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Order.

(2) A prefectural government shall establish a child welfare institution pursuant

to the provisions of a Cabinet Order.

(3) A municipal government may, pursuant to the provisions of Ordinance of the

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, establish a child welfare institution

by notifying the prefectural governor, in advance, of the matters specified by

an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(4) A person other than the national, prefectural and municipal governments

may establish a child welfare institution, pursuant to the provisions of

Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, with the prefectural

governor's approval.

(5) A child welfare institution may have a personnel training facility as its

auxiliary facility.

(6) When a municipal government intends to abolish or suspend a child welfare

institution, the municipal government shall notify the prefectural governor of

the matters specified by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and

Welfare not less than 1 month prior to the date of such abolition or suspension.

(7) When a person other than the national, prefectural and municipal

governments intends to abolish or suspend the child welfare institution,

approval from the prefectural governor shall be obtained pursuant to the

provisions of Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

51

Article 36 A midwifery home shall be a facility intended for admitting expectant

and nursing mothers who are unable to receive in-hospital midwifery care due

to economic reasons, regardless of the necessity in terms of healthcare, and

providing midwifery care to them.

Article 37 An infant home shall be a facility intended for admitting and fostering

infants (including toddlers in the case where it is particularly necessary for

ensuring a steady living environment or due to other reasons in terms of

healthcare), as well as intended for providing consultation and other assistance

to those who have left there.

Article 38 A maternal and child living support facility shall be a facility

intended for admitting and protecting females without a spouse or females in

equivalent circumstances and the children whose custody must be taken by

those females and supporting their life to encourage their self-reliance, as well

as intended for providing consultation and other assistance to those who have

left there.

Article 39 (1) A nursery center shall be a facility intended for providing daycare

to infants or toddlers lacking daycare based on entrustment from their

guardians on a daily basis.

(2) Notwithstanding the provision of the preceding paragraph, a nursery center

may, when particularly needed, provide daycare to other children lacking

daycare based on entrustment from their guardians on a daily basis.

Article 40 A children's recreational facility shall be a facility, such as a child

play space and a child center, intended for providing children with sound

opportunities for play in order to promote their health or enrich their

sentiments.

Article 41 A foster home shall be a facility intended for admitting, and providing

foster care with, children without a guardian (excluding infants; provided,

however, that infants shall be also included in the case where it is particularly

necessary for ensuring a steady living environment or due to other reasons; the

same shall apply hereinafter in this Article), children abused, and other

children in need of foster care in terms of their environment, as well as

intended for providing consultation and other assistance for self-reliance to

those who have left there.

Article 42 An institution for mentally retarded children shall be a facility

intended for admitting children with mental retardation and providing aid or

52

therapy to them, and having them acquire the knowledge and skills necessary

for an independent and self-supporting life.

Article 43 A daycare institution for mentally retarded children shall be a facility

intended for having children with mental retardation commute there from

their guardians on a daily basis and protecting them, and having them acquire

the knowledge and skills necessary for an independent and self -supporting life.

Article 43-2 An institution for blind or deaf children shall be a facility intended

for admitting and protecting blind children (including severely amblyopic

children) or deaf children (including severely cloth-eared children), and

providing guidance or assistance necessary for independent and self-supporting

life to them.

Article 43-3 An institution for orthopedically impaired children shall be a

facility intended for providing therapy to children with Limb/Trunk

Dysfunction, and having them acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for

independent and self-supporting life.

Article 43-4 An institution for severely-retarded children shall be a facility

intended for admitting and protecting children with both sever mental

retardation and sever Limb/Trunk Dysfunction, and providing therapy and

daily life guidance to them.

Article 43-5 A short-term therapeutic institution for emotionally disturbed

children shall be a facility intended for admitting children with mild emotional

disturbance for a short term or having them commute there from their

guardians in order to cure their emotional disturbance, as well as intended for

providing consultation and other assistance to those who have left there.

Article 44 A children's self-reliance support facility shall be a facility intended

for admitting children who have committed, or are likely to commit,

delinquencies and other children in need of daily life guidance, etc. due to their

family environment or other environmental reasons or having those children

commute there from their guardians, and providing necessary guidance to

those children in accordance with their individual circumstances and

supporting their self-reliance, as well as intended for providing consultation

and other assistance to those who have left there.

Article 44-2 (1) A child and family support center shall be a facility intended for

providing consultation to children, fatherless families and other families, local

53

residents and others and giving necessary advice to them with regard to a

variety of problems concerning welfare of children in the region and providing

guidance pursuant to the provisions of Article 26 paragraph (1) item (ii) and

Article 27 paragraph (1) item (ii), as well as intended for comprehensively

carrying out liaison and coordination with child guidance centers, child welfare

institutions, etc. and affording other assistance specified by an Ordinance of

the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(2) A child and family support center shall be established in a child welfare

institution specified by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and

Welfare as its auxiliary facility.

(3) An employee of a child and family support center shall, when performing

his/her duties, not divulge any secret concerning personal circumstances.

Article 45 (1) The Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare shall specify the

minimum standards on facilities and operation of child welfare institution and

on child care by foster parents. In this case, those minimum standards shall be

the ones that can ensure the living level necessary for physical, mental and

social development of children.

(2) The establisher of a child welfare institution and foster parent shall comply

with the minimum standards set forth in the preceding paragraph.

(3) The establisher of a child welfare institution shall endeavor to improve the

level of its facilities and operation.

Article 46 (1) In order to maintain the minimum standards set forth in the

preceding Article, a prefectural governor may request the establishers of child

welfare institutions, the heads of child welfare institution and foster parents to

submit necessary reports and make said prefecture's official engaged in the

affairs concerning welfare of children ask relevant persons questions or enter

any of their facilities and inspect books and documents and other objects.

(2) The provisions of Article 18-16 paragraphs (2) and (3) shall apply mutatis

mutandis to the case referred to in the preceding paragraph.

(3) When any facilities or operation of a child welfare institution fails to attain

the minimum standards set forth in the preceding Article, the prefectural

governor may recommend its establisher to make necessary improvement.

When the establisher of the institution fails to follow this recommendation and

the prefectural governor finds such failure to be harmful to child welfare, the

prefectural governor may order the establisher to make necessary improvement.

(4) When any facilities or operation of a child welfare institution fails to attain

the minimum standards set forth in the preceding Article and the prefectural

governor finds such failure to be extremely harmful to child welfare, the

prefectural governor may order the establisher to suspend his/her services

54

after hearing opinions from the Prefectural Child Welfare Council.

Article 46-2 When the head of a child welfare institution is requested to accept

entrustment for any measure or the Daycare Practice pursuant to this Act from

the prefectural governor or the mayor of municipality (or from the board of

education set up in said municipality in the case where the authority of the

Daycare Practice and the authority of the aid provided in the proviso of Article

24 paragraph (1) are delegated to said board of education pursuant to the

provision of Article 32 paragraph (3)), the head of said institution shall not

refuse such entrustment without justifiable ground.

Article 47 (1) The head of a child welfare institution shall exercise parental

authority over a child admitted there and having neither a person who has

parental authority nor a guardian of a minor until the child comes to have

either a person who has parental authority or a guardian of a minor; provided,

however, that permission from the prefectural governor shall be obtained

pursuant to the provisions of Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and

Welfare when accepting adoption pursuant to the provision of Article 797 of the

Civil Code.

(2) Even in the case where a child admitted in a child welfare institution or

entrusted to a foster parent has either a person who has parental authority or

a guardian of a minor, the head of the child welfare institution or the foster

parent may take measures necessary for welfare of the child with regard to

his/her custody, education and disciplinary action.

Article 48 A head of a foster home, an institution for mentally retarded children,

an institution for blind or deaf children, an institution for orthopedically

impaired children, a short-term therapeutic institution for emotionally

disturbed children and a children's self-reliance support facility and a foster

parent shall send to school the children admitted in those institutions or

entrusted to those foster parents as if they were the guardians of such children

as provided in the School Education Act.

Article 48-2 The head of an infant home, a maternal and child living support

facility, a foster home, a short-term therapeutic institution for emotionally

disturbed children or a children's self-reliance support facility shall endeavor

to provide consultation and advice concerning foster care of children to

residents in the region where said institution is located, to the extent not

detrimental to the protective care services for children performed by said

institution.

55

Article 48-3 (1) A nursery center shall provide information concerning its

daycare to residents in the region where said nursery center is mainly utilized,

and shall endeavor to provide consultation and advice concerning daycare of

infants, toddlers, etc., to the extent not detrimental to the daycare services

performed by said nursery center.

(2) A nursery teacher working in a nursery center shall endeavor to acquire,

maintain and improve his/her knowledge and skills necessary to provide

consultation and afford advice concerning daycare of infants, toddlers, etc.

Article 49 In addition to what is provided for in this Act, matters concerning

children's self-reliant living assistance services and after-school child sound

upbringing services and other necessary matters concerning a child welfare

institution such as their employees shall be prescribed by an Order.

Chapter IV Expenses

Article 49-2 With regard to the persons admitted by the prefectural governments

into a child welfare institution established by the national government based

on the measures provided in Article 27 paragraph (1) item (iii), the national

treasury shall pay expenses spent for those persons after such admission.

Article 50 Expenses listed in any of the following items shall be paid by a

prefectural government:

(i) Expenses spent for the Prefectural Child Welfare Council;

(ii) Expenses spent for Child Welfare Officers and commissioned child welfare

volunteers;

(iii) Expenses spent for the child guidance center (excluding expenses set forth

in item (ix));

(iv) Deleted;

(v) Expenses spent for measures set forth in Article 20;

(v)-2 Expenses spent for the implementation of the services set forth in Article

21-5;

(vi) Expenses spent for the Midwifery Care Practice or the Maternal and Child

Aid Practice afforded by municipal governments in the midwifery homes or

maternal and child living support facilities established by the prefectural

government (which shall mean expenses spent to maintain the minimum

standards set forth in Article 45 with regard to the Midwifery Care Practice

or the Maternal and Child Aid Practice; the same shall apply in item (vi) -3 of

this Act and item (ii) of the following Article);

(vi)-2 Daycare expenses spent for the Daycare Practice in the nursery centers

established by the prefectural government (which shall mean expenses spent

56

to maintain the minimum standards set forth in Article 45 with regard to the

Daycare Practice; the same shall apply in items (iii) and (iv) of the following

Article and Article 56 paragraph (3));

(vi)-3 Expenses spent for the Midwifery Care Practice or the Maternal and

Child Aid Practice afforded by the prefectural government;

(vi)-4 Expenses spent for payments of Institutional Benefits for Disabled

Children, Large-amount Institutional Benefits for Disabled Children or

Benefits for Meal Expenses, etc. for Specified Institutionalized Disabled

Children, or Institutional Medical Expenses for Disabled Children

(hereinafter referred to as "Institutional Benefits for Disabled Children,

etc.");

(vii) Expenses spent for admission or entrustment and expenses spent to

maintain the minimum standards set forth in Article 45 with regard to the

aid after the admission or for child care after the entrustment (excluding

expenses spent, after their admission, for the children admitted into infant

homes, foster homes, institutions for mentally retarded children, daycare

institutions for mentally retarded children, institutions for blind or deaf

children, institutions for orthopedically impaired children, institutions for

severely-retarded children, short-term therapeutic institutions for

emotionally disturbed children or children's self-reliance support facilities

established by the national government), in the case where the prefectural

government takes measures provided in Article 27 paragraph (1) item (iii);

(vii)-2 Expenses spent for entrustment and therapy, etc. after the entrustment

in the case where the prefectural government takes measures provided in

Article 27 paragraph (2);

(viii) Expenses spent for temporary custody; and

(ix) Expenses spent for the facilities of the child guidance center and for the

facilities of child welfare institutions established by the prefectural

government and their personnel training facilities.

Article 51 Expenses listed in any of the following items shall be paid by a

municipal government:

(i) Expenses spent for measures set forth in Article 21-6;

(ii) Expenses spent for the Midwifery Care Practice or the Maternal and Child

Aid Practice afforded by the municipal government (excluding expenses

pertaining to the midwifery homes or the maternal and child living support

facilities established by the prefectural government);

(iii) Daycare expenses spent for the Daycare Practice at nursery centers

established by the municipal government;

(iv) Daycare expenses spent for the Daycare Practice at nursery centers

established by persons other than the prefectural government and the

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municipal government;

(v) Expenses spent for the implementation of short-term Child Care Support

Services;

(vi) Expenses spent for the facilities of child welfare institutions established by

the municipal government and their personnel training facilities; and

(vii) Expenses spent for the Municipal Child Welfare Council.

Article 52 The national treasury shall, pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet

Order, bear a half of such expenses set forth in Article 50 item (ix) and item

(vi) of the preceding Article as relating to the facilities of the institutions for

mentally retarded children, etc. (or a half to one-third thereof, if they are

relating to the facilities of daycare institutions for mentally retarded children,

institutions for blind or deaf children and institutions for orthopedically

impaired children).

Article 53 In addition to what is provided in the preceding Article, the national

treasury shall, pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Order, bear a half of the

expenses paid by local governments as provided in Article 50 (excluding items

(i) to (iii) inclusive, (v)-2 and (vi)-2) and Article 51 (excluding items (iii), (v) and

(vii)).

Article 53-2 The national treasury may, pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet

Order, bear not more than a half of the expenses set forth in Article 50 item

(v)-2.

Article 54 Deleted

Article 55 The prefectural government shall, pursuant to the provisions of a

Cabinet Order, bear a quarter of the expenses set forth in Article 51 items (i),

(ii) and (iv).

Article 56 (1) In the case where expenses provided in Article 49-2 are paid by the

national treasury, the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare may collect the

full amount of those expenses or part thereof from the referenced person or

his/her supporter under duty (which shall mean a supporter under duty

provided in the Civil Code; the same shall apply hereinafter) in accordance

with the financial capacity recognized by the prefectural governor.

(2) If a prefectural government has paid expenses provided in Article 50 items (v),

(vi), (vi)-3, (vii) and (vii)-2, or if a municipal government has paid expenses

provided in Article 51 items (i) and (ii), the head of such a prefecture or

municipality may collect the full amount of those expenses or part thereof from

58

the referenced person or his/her supporter under duty in accordance with

his/her financial capacity.

(3) If a prefectural government has paid daycare expenses provided in Article 50

item (vi)-2, or if a municipal government has paid daycare expenses provided in

Article 51 item (iii) or (iv), the head of such a prefectural or municipal

government may collect said daycare expenses from the referenced person or

his/her supporter under duty in the amount to be provided in accordance with

the age, etc. of the child pertaining to such Daycare Practice after considering

the impact on his/her household finances that will be caused by such collection.

(4) The affairs for collections and payments of the amounts prescribed in the

preceding paragraph may be entrusted to a private person pursuant to the

provisions of a Cabinet Order only when it is found that such entrustment will

contribute to the ensuring of income and promoting convenience and benefits to

the concerned persons or their supporter under duty.

(5) In the case where medical care benefits prescribed in Article 21-5 are

provided, the governor of the prefecture which is required to pay the expenses

spent therefor may order the referenced person or his/her supporter under duty

to pay the full amount of those expenses or part thereof, in accordance with

his/her financial capacity, to the medical institution providing the medical care

benefits prescribed in the same Article (referred to as a "Medical Institution" in

the following paragraph).

(6) When the referenced person or his/her supporter under duty has paid the

amount ordered to be paid pursuant to the provision of the preceding

paragraph, in full or in part, to the Medical Institution, said Medical

Institution's right of claim pertaining to the referenced expenses against the

prefectural government shall be extinguished to the extent paid as aforesaid.

(7) In the case where a measure provided in paragraph (5) is taken, when the

referenced person or his/her supporter under duty fails to pay the amount

ordered to be paid pursuant thereto, in full or in part, and thus the prefectural

government pays the amount of such unpaid expenses, the prefectural governor

may collect such unpaid amount from the referenced person or his/her

supporter under duty.

(8) When it is found necessary for the recognition of the financial capacity

pursuant to the provision of paragraph (1), for the collection of expenses

pursuant to the provision of paragraph (2) or (3), or for the order for payment

of expenses pursuant to the provision of paragraph (5), the prefectural

governor or the mayor of municipality may request the concerned public agency

to inspect necessary documents or provide necessary materials with regard to

the state of income of the referenced person or his/her supporter under duty.

(9) The collection of expenses pursuant to the provisions of paragraphs (1) to (3)

inclusive or paragraph (7) may be commissioned to the prefectural or municipal

59

government where the place of residence or the location of property of the

referenced person or his/her supporter under duty exists.

(10) When the amount of expenses collected pursuant to the provisions of

paragraphs (1) to (3) inclusive or paragraph (7) is not paid by the designated

due date, a disposition may be implemented by applying the rules for collection

of national tax delinquency, with regard to the expenses provided in paragraph

(1), and by applying the rules for collection of local tax delinquency, with

regard to the expenses provided in paragraph (2), (3) or (7). In this case, the

order of the statutory lien on the amount collected shall come after national

taxes and local taxes.

Article 56-2 (1) In the case falling under any of the following items, a prefectural

government and a municipal government may subsidize not more than three-

quarters (3/4) of the amount of expenses spent for new construction (limited to

new construction of child welfare institutions set up by social welfare

corporations formed pursuant to the provision of Article 31 paragraph (1) of the

Social Welfare Act), repair, renovation, expansion or improvement (hereinafter

referred to as "Construction, etc.") for child welfare institutions set up by

persons other than the national, prefectural and municipal governments

pursuant to the provision of Article 35 paragraph (4); provided, however, that

the total amount of the amounts subsidized by the prefectural and municipal

governments for any one child welfare institution shall not exceed three-

quarters (3/4) of the expenses spent for Construction, etc. of said child welfare

institution:

(i) When the child welfare institution is established by a social welfare

corporation established pursuant to the provision of Article 31 paragraph (1)

of the Social Welfare Act, the Japanese Red Cross Society or a non-profit

incorporated association or non-profit incorporated foundation; or

(ii) When no child welfare institution of the same kind established by the

national, prefectural or municipal government exists or the existing child

welfare institutions, if any, is/are insufficient in the region where the

referenced child welfare institution will be mainly utilized, regardless of the

necessity of a child welfare institution of the same kind in terms of the state

of distribution of children, their guardians or expectant and nursing mothers

in need of measures such as payments of Institutional Benefits for Disabled

Children, admission into those institutions, and the Daycare Practice, etc.

pursuant to this Act.

(2) When subsidies are disbursed for a child welfare institution pursuant to the

provision of the preceding paragraph, the Minister of Health, Labor and

Welfare, the prefectural governor and the mayor of municipality shall have the

authorities listed in the following items over said child welfare institution, in

60

addition to what is provided in Articles 46 and 58, in order to ensure that the

purpose of the subsidies will be effectively achieved:

(i) Instruct necessary change in the budget of the child welfare institution

when such budget is found inappropriate to achieve the effects of the

subsidies; and

(ii) Instruct dismissal of an employee of the child welfare institution when

he/she has violated this Act or any order pursuant to this Act or any

disposition imposed pursuant thereto

(3) The national treasury may subsidize not more than two-thirds (2/3) of the

amount subsidized by the prefectural government pursuant to the provision of

paragraph (1) for any one of the institution for mentally retarded children, etc.

Article 56-3 In any of the cases listed in the following items, the prefectural and

municipal governments may order the establisher of the child welfare

institution to which the subsidies have been granted to refund the full amount

of the subsidies already granted or part thereof:

(i) When the conditions for the grant of the subsidies are violated;

(ii) When the subsidies are granted by fraudulent or other wrongful means;

(iii) When an act in pursuit of profit is committed with regard to the operation

of the child welfare institution; or

(iv) When the child welfare institution violates this Act or any order pursuant

to this Act or any disposition imposed pursuant thereto.

Article 56-4 The national treasury may, within the scope of the budget, subsidize

a part of such expenses spent for commissioned child welfare volunteers

provided in Article 50 item (ii) as relating to the matters specified by the

Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare.

Article 56-5 The provisions of Article 58 paragraphs (2) to (4) inclusive of the

Social Welfare Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to a child welfare institution

to which any general property has been transferred or any loan has been

provided pursuant to the provision of Article 2 paragraph (2) item (ii) of the

Act on Special Measures concerning National Property (Act No. 219 of 1952) or

the provisions of Article 3 paragraph (1) item (iv) of the same Act and

paragraph (2) of the same Article.

Chapter V Miscellaneous Provisions

Article 56-6 (1) For the purpose of promoting welfare of children, local

governments shall facilitate mutual liaison and coordination in order to ensure

adequate implementation of the payments of Nursing Care Benefits, etc.,

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Institutional Benefits for Disabled Children, Large-amount Institutional

Benefits for Disabled Children or Benefits for Meal Expenses, etc. for Specified

Institutionalized Disabled Children, the measures pursuant to the provision of

Article 21-6 or Article 27 paragraph (1) or (2) and the Daycare Practice, etc.,

and other kinds of guarantee of welfare.

(2) When performing their services or operating their institutions, the persons

engaged in children's self-reliant living assistance services or after-school child

sound upbringing services and the establishers of child welfare institutions

shall facilitate their mutual coordination and shall endeavor to provide

consultation to children and their families and afford other positive support in

line with the condition of each region.

Article 56-7 (1) By positively leasing or lending public property (which shall

mean the public property provided in Article 238 paragraph (1) of the Local

Autonomy Act) or taking other necessary measures, a municipality facing an

increasing demand for the Daycare Practice shall promote establishment or

operation of nursery centers by utilizing the abilities of social welfare

corporations and other various business operators and shall thereby increase

supply pertaining to the Daycare Practice efficiently and systematically.

(2) The national and prefectural governments shall provide necessary support

with regard to measures set forth in the preceding paragraph taken by the

municipal governments.

Article 56-8 (1) A municipality facing an increasing demand for the Daycare

Practice (limited to the municipalities falling under the requirements specified

by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare; referred to as

a "Specified Municipality" hereinafter in this Article) shall formulate a plan to

ensure the system for supplying the services for the Daycare Practice and the

Child Care Support Services specified by an ordinance of the competent

ministry and other services concerning daycare of children that are found

necessary by the Specified Municipality.

(2) When a Specified Municipality intends to formulate or revise a plan set forth

in the preceding paragraph (hereinafter referred to as a "Municipal Daycare

Plan"), the municipality shall take necessary measures in advance to reflect

the opinions of the residents.

(3) When a Specified Municipality formulates or revises a Municipal Daycare

Plan, it shall be publicized and submitted to the prefectural governor without

delay.

(4) A Specified Municipality shall publicize the state of the implementation of the

services stated in the Municipal Daycare Plan at least once a year.

(5) When a Specified Municipality finds particularly necessary for the

62

preparation of a Municipal Daycare Plan and the implementation of the

services stated therein, the Specified Municipality may request the

establishers of nursery centers, the persons engaged in Child Care Support

Services and other relevant persons to provide cooperation necessary to carry

out investigations.

Article 56-9 (1) In order to contribute to achieving the Municipal Daycare Plans

and ensuring the system for supplying the Daycare Practice and the Child Care

Support Services specified by an ordinance of the competent ministry and such

other services concerning daycare of children that the specified prefecture (as

defined below) finds necessary in the municipalities other than specified

municipalities, the prefecture facing an increasing demand for the Daycare

Practice (limited to the prefectures falling under the requirements specified by

an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare; referred to as a

"Specified Prefecture" hereinafter in this Article) shall formulate a plan to

ensure said supply system from a cross-regional standpoint across the

respective municipalities.

(2) When a Specified Prefecture intends to formulate or revise a plan set forth in

the preceding paragraph (hereinafter referred to as "Prefectural Daycare

Plan"), the prefecture shall take necessary measures in advance to reflect the

opinions of the residents.

(3) When a Specified Prefecture formulates or revises a Prefectural Daycare Plan,

the prefecture shall be publicized and submitted to the Minister of Health,

Labor and Welfare without delay.

(4) When a Prefectural Daycare Plan is submitted pursuant to the provision of

the preceding paragraph, the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare shall,

without delay, notify other minister having jurisdiction over Child Care

Support Services specified by an ordinance of the competent ministry set forth

in paragraph (1).

(5) A Specified Prefecture shall publicize the state of the implementation of the

services stated in the Prefectural Daycare Plan at least once a year.

(6) When a Specified Prefecture finds particularly necessary for the preparation

of a Prefectural Daycare Plan and the implementation of the services stated

therein, the Specified Prefecture may request the mayors of municipality, the

establishers of nursery centers, the persons engaged in Child Care Support

Services and other relevant persons to provide cooperation necessary to carry

out investigations.

Article 56-10 (1) A prefectural government shall endeavor to provide the

municipal governments with necessary advice and other assistance with regard

to technical matters concerning the preparation of a Municipal Daycare Plan.

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(2) The competent minister shall endeavor to provide the prefectural

governments with necessary advice and other assistance with regard to the

method of the preparation of a Prefectural Daycare Plan and other technical

matters of importance concerning the preparation of Prefectural Daycare Plans.

Article 56-11 The national and local governments shall endeavor to provide the

persons engaged in the services that contribute to achieving a Municipal

Daycare Plan or a Prefectural Daycare Plan with assistance necessary for

smooth implementation of said services.

Article 57 A prefectural, municipal or other government may not impose any tax

or charge on a building and land listed in any of the following items; provided,

however, that this shall not apply to those that are made available for use with

charge:

(i) A building mainly utilized for a child welfare institution; or

(ii) The site for a building listed in the preceding item or any other land mainly

utilized for a child welfare institution.

Article 57-2 (1) When there is a person who receives Institutional Benefits for

Disabled Children, etc. by a deception or other wrongful means, the prefectural

government may collect the amount equivalent to such Institutional Benefits

for Disabled Children, etc., in full or in part, from that person.

(2) When any of the designated retarded child institutions, etc. receives

Institutional Benefits for Disabled Children or Benefits for Meal Expenses, etc.

for Specified Institutionalized Disabled Children or Institutional Medical

Expenses for Disabled Children by a deception or other wrongful act, the

prefectural government may cause said Designated Institution for Mentally

Retarded Children, etc. to refund the amount paid and additionally pay the

amount obtained by multiplying the amount to be refunded by forty-

hundredths (40/100).

(3) The amounts collected pursuant to the provisions of the preceding two

paragraphs shall be revenues specified by the act provided in Article 231-3

paragraph (iii) of the Local Autonomy Act.

Article 57-3 (1) When a prefectural government finds necessary for payments of

Institutional Benefits for Disabled Children, etc., the prefectural government

may order reporting or submission or presentation of documents and other

objects to the guardian of a disabled child, or the householder or any other

member of the family to which a disabled child belongs, or a person who used

to be said guardian, householder or family member, or may make said

prefecture's official ask them questions.

64

(2) The provision of Article 24-15 paragraph (2) shall apply mutatis mutandis to

the questioning pursuant to the provision of the preceding paragraph, and the

provision of paragraph (3) of the same Article shall apply mutatis mutandis to

the authority pursuant to the provision of the preceding paragraph.

Article 57-4 When a prefectural government finds necessary for payments of

Institutional Benefits for Disabled Children, etc., the prefectural government

may request the concerned public agency to inspect necessary documents or

provide necessary materials with regard to the state of assets or income of the

guardian of a disabled child, or the householder or any other member of the

family to which a disabled child belongs, or may request reporting from banks,

trust corporations and other bodies or the employer of the guardian of the

disabled child and other relevant persons.

Article 57-5 (1) Taxes and other charges may not be imposed based on the money

and goods paid or provided pursuant to this Act

(2) The right to receive Institutional Benefits for Disabled Children, etc. may not

be transferred, hypothecated nor seized.

(3) In addition to what is prescribed in the preceding paragraph, the money and

goods paid or provided pursuant to this Act may not be seized, regardless of

whether they have already been paid or provided or not.

Article 58 When a child welfare institution established pursuant to the provision

of Article 35 paragraph (4) violates this Act or any order pursuant to this Act

or any disposition imposed pursuant thereto, the prefectural governor may

rescind the approval set forth in the same paragraph.

Article 59 (1) When the prefectural governor finds necessary for the welfare of

children with regard to an institution intended for any of the services provided

in Articles 36 to 44 inclusive for which the notification set forth in Article 35

paragraph (iii) has not been made or the approval set forth in paragraph (iv) of

the same Article has not been obtained (including institutions for which the

approval as a child welfare institution has been rescinded pursuant to the

provision of the preceding Article), the prefectural governor may request its

establisher or manager to report the matters found necessary by the

prefectural governor or cause said prefecture's official to enter any of its offices

or facilities or to conduct necessary investigations or ask questions in relation

to the facilities or operation of the institution. In this case, the prefectural

governor shall make the official carry his/her certification for identification.

(2) The provision of Article 18-16 paragraph (3) shall apply mutatis mutandis to

the case referred to in the preceding paragraph.

65

(3) A prefectural governor may, when he/she finds necessary for the welfare of

children, recommend the establisher of an institution provided in paragraph (1)

to improve the facilities or operation of the institution, or give any other

recommendation to him/her.

(4) When the establisher of the institution receiving a recommendation set forth

in the preceding paragraph fails to follow the recommendation, the prefectural

governor may publicize such failure.

(5) With regard to an institution provided in paragraph (1), a prefectural

governor may, when he/she finds necessary for welfare of children, order

suspension of its services or its closing, after hearing opinions from the

Prefectural Child Welfare Council.

(6) In the case of urgent necessity to ensure the life or physical safety of a child,

when there is not much time to hear opinions from the Prefectural Child

Welfare Council in advance, the prefectural governor may give an order set

forth in the preceding paragraph without taking said procedure for hearing.

(7) In the case where a recommendation set forth in paragraph (3) or an order set

forth in paragraph (5) is given, the prefectural governor shall notify the mayor

of municipality having jurisdiction over the location of the referenced

institution to that effect.

Article 59-2 (1) With regard to an institution intended for the services provided

in Article 39 paragraph (1) (excluding institutions targeting a small number of

infants or toddlers and other facilities as specified by an Ordinance of the

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) for which the approval set forth in

Article 35 paragraph (4) has not been obtained (including institutions for

which the approval as a child welfare institution has been rescinded pursuant

to the provision of Article 58), the establisher of the institution shall notify the

prefectural governor of the matters listed in the following items within 1

month from the date of commencement of its services (or from the date of

rescission of the approval, in the case of a child welfare institution for which

the approval has been rescinded pursuant to the provision of Article 58):

(i) Name and location of the institution;

(ii) Name and address, or name and location, of the establisher;

(iii) Scale and structure of buildings and other facilities;

(iv) Date of commencement of the services;

(v) Name and address of the manager of the institution; and

(vi) Other matters specified by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour

and Welfare.

(2) When any change arises in such matters as specified in an Ordinance of the

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare included in the notification pursuant

to the provision of the preceding paragraph, the establisher of the institution

66

prescribed in the same paragraph shall notify the prefectural governor within 1

month from the date of such change. The same shall apply when the services of

the institution has been abolished or suspended.

(3) When notification is made pursuant to the provisions of the preceding two

paragraphs, the prefectural governor shall give notice of the matters

pertaining to said notification to the mayor of municipality having jurisdiction

over the location of the referenced institution.

Article 59-2-2 The establisher of an institution prescribed in paragraph (1) of the

preceding Article shall post the matters listed in the following items in a place

easily viewable for persons who intend to use the services provided in said

institution:

(i) Name of the establisher of the institution and name of its manager;

(ii) Scale and structure of buildings and other facilities; and

(iii) Other matters specified by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour

and Welfare.

Article 59-2-3 When the establisher of an institution prescribed in Article 59-2

paragraph (1) receives an application from a person who intends to use the

services provided in said institution, the establisher shall endeavor to explain

the matters concerning the contents of a contract for use of said services and

the performance thereof.

Article 59-2-4 When a contract for use of the services provided in an institution

prescribed in Article 59-2 paragraph (1) has been executed, the establisher of

said institution shall, without delay, deliver to the user a document stating the

matters listed in the following items:

(i) Name and address, or name and location, of the establisher;

(ii) Matters concerning the amounts payable by the user for provision of said

services; and

(iii) Other matters specified by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour

and Welfare.

Article 59-2-5 (1) The establisher of an institution provided in Article 59-2

paragraph (1) shall report the state of the operation of said institution to the

prefectural governor every year pursuant to the provisions of Ordinance of the

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(2) A prefectural governor shall annually compile the state of the operation of the

institutions pertaining to the reports set forth in the preceding paragraph and

other matters found necessary for welfare of children with regard to the

institutions provided in Article 59-2 paragraph (1) and notify the mayor of

67

municipality having jurisdiction over the location of the respective institution

of such compilation and publicize the same.

Article 59-2-6 With regard to the execution of the affairs and the exercise of the

authorities provided in Article 59, Article 59-2 and the preceding Article, a

prefectural governor may request necessary cooperation from the mayors of

municipalities.

Article 59-2-7 With regard to the application of this Act in the case where some

towns and villages have established a Welfare Office by setting up an

administrative association or cross-regional federation, said association or

federation shall be deemed to be a town or village establishing a Welfare Office.

Article 59-3 In the case where a prefecture or municipality pertaining to the

Midwifery Care Practice and the Maternal and Child Aid Practice is changed

due to the establishment or abolition of a Welfare Office by a town or village,

the acts done by the head of the prefecture or municipality pertaining to said

Midwifery Care Practice or Maternal and Child Aid Practice before such

change pursuant to the provision of this Act or orders issued pursuant to this

Act shall be deemed to be the acts done by the head of the prefecture or

municipality pertaining to said Midwifery Care Practice or Maternal and Child

Aid Practice after such change; provided, however, that no change shall be

regarded to have arisen with regard to the payments and burden of the

expenses for the Midwifery Care Practice or the Maternal and Child Aid

Practice that were, or should have been, provided before such change.

Article 59-4 (1) With regard to a designated city set forth in Article 252-19

paragraph (1) of the Local Autonomy Act (hereinafter referred to as

"Designated City") and a core city set forth in Article 252-22 paragraph (1) of

the same Act (hereinafter referred to as "Core City"), and a city specified by a

Cabinet Order as the one establishing a child guidance center (hereinafter

referred to as "City with Child Guidance Center"), the affairs specified by a

Cabinet Order that are supposed to be handled by a prefectural government

under this Act shall be handled by the Designated City or Core City or the City

with Child Guidance Center (hereinafter referred to as "Designated Cities,

etc.") pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Order. In this case, the provisions

concerning prefectures in this Act shall apply to Designated Cities, etc. as if

they were the provisions concerning Designated Cities, etc.

(2) A person who has an objection to the prefectural governor's determination on

a request for examination pertaining to a disposition imposed by the head of

any of the Designated Cities, etc. pursuant to the provision of the preceding

68

paragraph (limited to the dispositions pertaining to the category 1 statutory

entrusted affairs provided in Article 2 paragraph (9) item (i) of the Local

Autonomy Act) may request the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare to

conduct re-examination.

(3) A prefectural governor may provide the head of a City with Child Guidance

Center with recommendation, advice or assistance necessary to ensure smooth

operation of such a child guidance center.

(4) In addition to what is provided for in this Act, necessary matters concerning a

City with Child Guidance Center shall be prescribed by a Cabinet Order.

Article 59-5 (1) When the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare finds an urgent

necessity to protect the interests of a child, the affairs that are supposed to be

placed under the prefectural governor's authority pursuant to the provisions of

Article 21-4 paragraph (1), Article 34-4 paragraph (1), Article 34-5, Article 46

and Article 59 shall be conducted by the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare

or the prefectural governor.

(2) In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, the provisions concerning

prefectures in this Act (limited to those pertaining to the referenced affairs)

shall apply to the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare as if they were the

provisions concerning the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare. In this case,

the phrases "suspend his/her services after hearing opinions from the

Prefectural Child Welfare Council" referred to in Article 46 paragraph (4) and

"suspension of its services or its closing, after hearing opinions from the

Prefectural Child Welfare Council" referred to in Article 59 paragraph (5) shall

be deemed to be replaced with "suspend his/her services" and suspension of its

services or its closing" respectively.

(3) When the referenced affairs are conducted by the Minister of Health, Labor

and Welfare or the prefectural governor in the case referred to in paragraph (1),

they shall be conducted under mutually close coordination.

Article 59-6 The affairs that are supposed to be handled by a prefectural

government pursuant to the provision of Article 56 paragraph (1) shall be the

category 1 statutory entrusted affairs provided in item (i) of Article 2

paragraph (9) of the Local Autonomy Act.

Article 59-7 (1) The competent minister referred to in Article 56-10 paragraph

(2) shall be the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare; provided, however, that,

with regard to the matters concerning such assistance set forth in the same

paragraph as pertaining to the Child Care Support Services that are placed

under the jurisdiction of other minister (limited to the services specified by an

ordinance of the competent ministry set forth in Article 56-9 paragraph (1)),

69

both the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare and the minister having

jurisdiction over such services shall be the competent ministers.

(2) The ordinance of the competent ministry referred to in this Act shall be an

Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare; provided, however,

that, with regard to the matters concerning such services falling under those

listed in the respective items of Article 21-9 that are placed under the

jurisdiction of the minister other than the Minister of Health, Labor and

Welfare, the orders issued respectively by the Minister of Health, Labor and

Welfare and the minister having jurisdiction over such services shall be the

competent ministry's orders.

Article 59-8 (1) The authorities of the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare

provided in this Act may be delegated to the Director General of each Regional

Bureau of Health and Welfare pursuant to the provisions of Ordinance of the

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(2) The authorities delegated to the Director General of the Regional Bureau of

Health and Welfare pursuant to the provision of the preceding paragraph may

be further delegated to the Director General of each Regional Branch Bureau of

Health and Welfare pursuant to the provisions of Ordinance of the Ministry of

Health, Labour and Welfare.

Chapter VI Penal Provisions

Article 60 (1) A person who violates the provision of Article 34 paragraph (1)

item (vi) shall be punished by imprisonment with work for not more than 10

years or a fine of not more than 3,000,000 yen, or by cumulative imposition of

both of them.

(2) A person who violates any of the provisions of items (i) to (v) inclusive or

Article 34 paragraph (1) items (vii) to (ix) inclusive shall be punished by

imprisonment with work for not more than 3 years or a fine of not more than

1,000,000 yen, or by cumulative imposition of both penalties.

(3) A person who violates the provision of Article 34 paragraph (2) shall be

punished by imprisonment with work for not more than 1 year or a fine of not

more than 500,000 yen.

(4) A person who employs a child may not be exculpated from the punishments

pursuant to the provisions of the preceding three paragraphs for reasons of not

knowing the age of the child; provided, however, that this shall not apply when

the person is not negligent.

(5) When a representative of a juridical person or an agent, employee or other

worker of a juridical person or individual causes a violation set forth in

paragraphs (1) to (3) inclusive with regard to the business of said juridical

70

person or individual, not only offender shall be punished but also said juridical

person or individual shall be punished by the fine prescribed in the respective

paragraphs.

(6) Crimes set forth in paragraph (2) (limited to the portions pertaining to the

persons who violate any of the provisions of Article 34 paragraph (1) items (vii)

and (ix) shall be governed by Article 4-2 of the Penal Code.

Article 61 When a person who is, or used to be, engaged in consultation,

investigations and judgment in a child guidance center divulges any secret

coming to his/her knowledge in the course of duties without justifiable ground,

he/she shall be punished by imprisonment with work for not more than 1 year

or a fine of not more than 500,000 yen.

Article 61-2 (1) A person who violates the provision of Article 18-22 shall be

punished by imprisonment with work for not more than 1 year or a fine of not

more than 500,000 yen.

(2) With regard to a crime set forth in the preceding paragraph, no prosecution

may be instituted without complaint.

Article 61-3 A person who violates the provision of Article 18-8 paragraph (4),

Article 18-12 paragraph (1), Article 21-12 or Article 25-5 shall be punished by

imprisonment with work for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than

500,000 yen.

Article 61-4 A person who violates an order for suspension of the services or

closing of an institution pursuant to the provision of Article 46 paragraph (4)

or Article 59 paragraph (5) shall be punished by imprisonment with work or

imprisonment for not more than 6 months or a fine of not more than 500,000

yen.

Article 61-5 A person, who refuses, interferes with, or recuses the execution of

duties by a commissioned child welfare volunteer or by an employee engaged in

the affairs concerning welfare of children pursuant to the provision of Article

29, or fails to answer a question or makes a false answer or makes a child to

refrain from answering or make a false answer, without justifiable ground,

shall be punished by a fine of not more than 500,000 yen.

Article 61-6 When an officer or employee of a Designated Examining Body fails

to make a report pursuant to the provision of Article 18-16 paragraph (1) or

makes a false report, or fails to answer a question pursuant to the provision of

the same paragraph or makes a false answer, or refuses, interferes with, or

71

recuses the entry or inspection pursuant to the provision of the same

paragraph, without justifiable ground, the officer or employee causing such

violation shall be punished by a fine of not more than 300,000 yen.

Article 62 A person who falls under any of the following items shall be punished

by a fine of not more than 300,000 yen:

(i) A person who uses the name of nursery teacher during the period for which

he/she is ordered to suspend the use of the name of nursery teacher pursuant

to the provision of Article 18-19 paragraph (2);

(ii) A person who violates the provision of Article 18-23;

(iii) A person who fails to make reporting pursuant to the provision of

paragraph (1) of Article 21-14 or makes a false report, or fails to answer a

question pursuant to the provision of the same paragraph or makes a false

answer, or refuses, interferes with, or recuses the entry or inspection

pursuant to the provision of the same paragraph, without justifiable ground;

(iv) A person who fails to make a report pursuant to the provision of Article 24-

15 paragraph (1) or submit or present an object, or makes a false report or

submits or presents a false object, or fails to answer a question pursuant to

the provision of the same paragraph or makes a false answer, or refuses,

interferes with, or recuses the entry or inspection pursuant to the provision

of the same paragraph, without justifiable ground;

(v) A person who refuses, interferes with, or recuses the execution of duties by

a commissioned child welfare volunteer or by an employee engaged in the

affairs concerning welfare of children pursuant to the provision of Article 29,

or fails to answer a question or makes a false answer or makes a child to

refrain from answering or make a false answer, without justifiable ground;

(vi) A person who neglects to give notification provided in Article 30 paragraph

(1); or

(vii) A person who fails to make a report pursuant to the provision of

paragraph (1) of Article 59 or makes a false report, or refuses, interferes with,

or recuses the entry and inspection pursuant to the provision of the same

paragraph, or fails to answer a question pursuant to the provision of the

same paragraph or makes a false answer, without justifiable ground.

Article 62-2 A person who fails to give notification pursuant to the provision of

Article 59-2 paragraph (1) or (2) or gives false notification shall be punished by

a civil fine of not more than 500,000 yen.

Article 62-3 A prefectural government may, in a Prefectural Ordinance,

prescribe a provision to impose a civil fine of not more than 100,000 yen on a

person who falls under any of the following items:

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(i) A person who is unwilling to comply with a request for return of the

Institutional Beneficiary Certificate pursuant to the provision of Article 24-4

paragraph (2); or

(ii) A person who fails to make a report pursuant to the provision of Article 57-

3 paragraph (1) or submit or present an object, or makes a false report or

submits or presents a false object, or fails to answer a question pursuant to

the provision of the same paragraph or makes a false answer, without

justifiable ground.

Supplementary Provisions [Extract]

Article 63 This Act shall come into force as from January 1, 1948; provided,

however, that the provisions of Article 19, Articles 22 to 24 inclusive, Article 50

items (iv), (vi), (vii) and (ix) (excluding the portions concerning the facilities of

child guidance centers), Article 51, Article 54 and Article 55, and the portions

concerning the aforesaid provisions referred to in the provisions of Articles 52,

53 and 56 shall come into force as from April 1, 1948.

Article 63-2 (1) For the time being, with regard to a child admitted in an

institution for mentally retarded children (excluding those established by the

national government) pursuant to the provision of Article 27 paragraph (1)

item (iii) whose level of the disability is serious, when a prefectural governor

finds that welfare of the child is likely to be impaired unless his/her admission

is continued, the prefectural government may, notwithstanding the provision of

Article 31 paragraph (2), take a measure to continue his/her admission even

after he/she attains the age of 20.

(2) For the time being, with regard to a child admitted in an institution for

orthopedically impaired children pursuant to the provision of Article 27

paragraph (1) item (iii) or a child provided in Article 43-3 and hospitalized in a

Designated Medical Institution based on an entrustment pursuant to

paragraph (2) of the same Article whose level of the disability is serious, when

a prefectural governor finds that welfare of the child is likely to be impaired

unless his/her admission or hospitalization is continued, the prefectural

government may, notwithstanding the provision of Article 31 paragraph (3),

take a measure to continue his/her admission in the institution for

orthopedically impaired children or the entrustment pursuant to the provision

of Article 27 paragraph (2), or change either of these two measures to the other

one, even after he/she attains the age of 20.

(3) With regard to the application of this Act, the measure provided in the

preceding two paragraphs shall be deemed to be a measure provided in Article

27 paragraph (1) item (iii) or paragraph (2) of the same Article.

73

(4) In the case referred to in paragraph (1) or (2), the prefectural governor shall

hear opinions from the child guidance center's director.

Article 63-3 (1) For the time being, a prefectural government may, when he/she

finds necessary, admit a person of 18 years of age or more who has both severe

mental retardation and severe Limb/Trunk Dysfunction in an institution for

severely-retarded children or entrust a Designated Medical Institution to

hospitalize him/her and provide therapy, etc. to him/her.

(2) With regard to the application of this Act, the measure provided in the

preceding paragraph shall be deemed to be a measure prescribed in Article 27

paragraph (1) item (iii) or item (ii) of the same Article.

Article 63-3-2 (1) For the time being, with regard to a disabled child under

Admission, etc. in any of the designated retarded child institutions, etc.

specified by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

(hereinafter referred to as "Admittee" in this paragraph), when a prefectural

government finds that welfare of the Admittee is likely to be impaired unless

the Designated Institutional Support for him/her is continued, the prefectural

government may, notwithstanding the provision of Article 24-2 paragraph (1),

Article 24-6 paragraph (1), Article 24-7 paragraph (1) or Article 24-20

paragraph (1), continue to pay or provide Institutional Benefits for Disabled

Children, etc. to said Admittee based on his/her application, pursuant to the

provisions of Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, until

said Admittee becomes able to adapt him/herself to social life, even after he/she

attains the age of 18; provided, however, that this shall not apply to the case

where said Admittee can receive the treatment and care services provided in

Article 5 paragraph (5) of the Act on Self-reliance Support for Persons with

Disabilities (hereinafter referred to as "Treatment and Care Services") or other

support.

(2) For the time being, with regard to a person of 18 years of age or more who has

both severe mental retardation and severe Limb/Trunk Dysfunction, when a

prefectural government finds that the welfare of the child is likely to be

impaired unless he/she receives Designated Institutional Support pertaining to

severely-retarded child institution, the prefectural government may,

notwithstanding the provision of Article 24-2 paragraph (1), Article 24-6

paragraph (1), Article 24-7 paragraph (1) or Article 24-20 paragraph (1),

continue to pay or provide to said person Institutional Benefits for Disabled

Children, etc. pertaining to institutional support for severely-retarded children

based on said person's application, pursuant to the provisions of Ordinance of

the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare; provided, however, that this shall

not apply to the case where he/she can receive the Treatment and Care

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Services or other support.

(3) With regard to a person who is eligible for Institutional Benefits for Disabled

Children, etc. pursuant to the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs,

he/she shall be deemed to be a disabled child or the guardian of a disabled

child and the provisions of Articles 24-2 to 24-7 inclusive and Articles 24-19 to

24-22 inclusive shall apply. In this case, necessary terminological replacements

shall be prescribed by a Cabinet Order.

(4) In the case referred to in paragraph (1), the prefectural governor shall hear

opinions from the child guidance center's director.

Article 63-4 For the time being, with regard to a child of 15 years of age or more

as prescribed in Article 26 paragraph (1) to whom a physically disabled

certificate is issued pursuant to the provision of Article 15 paragraph (4) of the

Physically Disabled Welfare Act, when the child guidance center's director

finds appropriate to admit the child into a disabled person support institution

provided in Article 5 paragraph (12) of the Act on Self-reliance Support for

Persons with Disabilities (referred to as a "Disabled Person Support

Institution" in the following Article) or use Disabled Person Welfare Services

(limited to the services targeting only persons with disabilities provided in

Article 4 paragraph (1) of the same Act; the same shall apply in the following

Article), the child guidance center's director may notify the head of the

municipality provided in Article 9 of the Physically Disabled Welfare Act or

Article 19 paragraph (2) or (3) of the Act on Self-reliance Support for Persons

with Disabilities.

Article 63-5 For the time being, with regard to a child of 15 years of age or more

as provided in Article 26 paragraph (1), when the child guidance center's

director finds appropriate to admit the child into a Disabled Person Support

Institution or use Disabled Person Welfare Services, the child guidance center's

director may notify the head of the municipality provided in Article 9 of the

Retarded Person Welfare Act or Article 19 paragraph (2) or (3) of the Act on

Self-reliance Support for Persons with Disabilities.

Article 65 The Child Abuse Prevention Act and the Juvenile Education and

Protection Act shall be abolished; provided, however, that these acts shall

remain in force with regard to the application of the penal provisions to an act

done prior to their abolition.

Article 66 A disposition imposed by a prefectural governor pursuant to the

provision of Article 2 of the Child Abuse Prevention Act shall be deemed to be a

measure pursuant to the applicable provision of this Act.

75

Article 67 A juvenile education and protection center and its personnel training

school pursuant to the Juvenile Education and Protection Act actually existing

upon the coming into force of this Act shall be deemed to be an education and

protection center and a personnel training facility established pursuant to this

Act, and a person institutionalized in a juvenile education and protection

center shall be deemed to be a person institutionalized in an education and

protection center pursuant to the provision of Article 27 paragraph (1) item (iii).

Article 68 With regard to a juvenile education and protection center for which

the curriculum has been approved by the Minister of Education pursuant to the

proviso of Article 24 paragraph (1) of the Juvenile Education and Protection

Act and which actually exists upon the coming into force of this Act, said center

shall be deemed to have obtained approval set forth in Article 20 or 38 of the

School Education Act from the supervising agency for the matters concerning

the curriculum pursuant to the provision of Article 48 paragraph (3).

Article 69 A child aid institution actually existing upon the coming into force of

this Act and falling under an aid institution pursuant to the Public Assistance

Act shall be deemed to be a child welfare institution established pursuant to

the provisions of this Act.

Article 70 A child welfare institution actually existing upon the coming into

force of this Act and not falling under the provision of Article 67 nor the

preceding Article may continue to exist as a child welfare institution pursuant

to this Act by obtaining approval from the administrative agency pursuant to

the provisions of an Order.

Article 71 The provisions of Article 34 paragraph (1) items (iii) to (v) inclusive

shall not apply to a child of 14 years of age or more who completed the course

of compulsory education or a course that is found equivalent or superior

thereto pursuant to the provision of Article 96 of the School Education Act.

Article 72 (1) For the time being, the national government may, within the scope

of the budget, provide loans without interest to a prefectural government

(including Designated Cities, etc., in the case where they handle the affairs set

forth in Article 56-2 paragraph (1) that are supposed to be handled by a

prefectural government pursuant to the provision of Article 59-4 paragraph (1);

the same shall apply hereinafter in this paragraph and paragraph (7)), and any

such loan shall be in the amount equivalent to the amount that can be

subsidized by the national government pursuant to the provision of Article 56-2

76

paragraph (3) (including the provisions of the laws and regulations, if any,

which provide for other different percentages that can be subsidized by the

national government; the same shall apply hereinafter). Such loans shall be

funded to be appropriated to the expenses subsidized by said prefectural

government to social welfare corporations established pursuant to the

provision of Article 31 paragraph (1) of the Social Welfare Act, the Japanese

Red Cross Society or non-profit incorporated associations or non-profit

incorporated foundations, if such subsidies from said prefectural government

are granted for the expenses spent for such Construction, etc. of institutions

for mentally retarded children, etc. that can be subsidized by the national

government pursuant to the provision of pursuant to the provision of Article

56-2 paragraph (3) and that falls under Article 2 item (ii) paragraph (1) of the

Act on Special Measures concerning Promotion of Development of

Infrastructures by Utilization of Revenues from the Sale of Shares of Nippon

Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (Act No. 86 of 1987) (hereinafter

referred to as "Act on Special Measures concerning Infrastructure

Development").

(2) For the time being, the national government may, within the scope of the

budget, provide loans without interest to a prefectural or municipal

government for part of the funds appropriated to the expenses spent for such

new construction, repair, renovation, expansion or improvement of child and

family support centers as falling under Article 2 paragraph (1) item (ii) of the

Act on Special Measures concerning Infrastructure Development.

(3) For the time being, the national government may, within the scope of the

budget, provide loans without interest to a prefectural government or a

Designated City, etc. with regard to the expenses spent for such new

construction, repair, renovation, expansion or improvement (excluding those

for which the national government provides subsidies for expenses pursuant to

the provision of Article 56-2 paragraph (3)) of institutions that is intended for

the services for providing the aid for children or pursuing sound upbringing of

children and that falls under Article 2 paragraph (1) item (ii) of the Act on

Special Measures concerning Infrastructure Development. If such new

construction, repair, renovation, expansion or improvement is implemented by

said prefectural government or Designated City, etc., the loans from the

national government shall be provided for part of funds to be appropriated to

the expenses spent therefor by said prefectural government or Designated City,

etc., and if implemented by a municipal government or a social welfare

corporation other than Designated Cities, etc., the loans from the national

government shall be provided for part of funds to be appropriated to the

expenses subsidized therefor by said prefectural government or Designated

City, etc.

77

(4) For the time being, the national government may, within the scope of the

budget, provide loans without interest to a prefectural or municipal

government or a person engaged in the services necessary for improvement of

the medical treatment environment for children in need of long-term medical

treatment in a Medical Institution (hereinafter referred to as "Children under

Long-term Treatment") for part of funds to be appropriated to expenses spent

for such new construction, repair, renovation, expansion or improvement of

lodging facilities for family members of Children under Long-term Treatment

as falling under Article 2 paragraph (1) item (ii) of the Act on Special Measures

concerning Infrastructure Development.

(5) The period for reimbursement of loans from the national government set forth

in any of the preceding paragraphs shall be a period not exceeding 5 years

(inclusive of a grace period not exceeding 2 years) as specified by a Cabinet

Order.

(6) In addition to what is prescribed in the preceding paragraph, the method of

reimbursement of loans, acceleration of the reimbursement period and other

necessary matters concerning reimbursements pursuant to the provisions of

paragraphs (1) to (4) inclusive shall be prescribed by a Cabinet Order.

(7) In the case where a loan is provided to a prefectural government pursuant to

the provision of paragraph (1), the national government shall subsidize the

amount equivalent to said loan amount pursuant to the provision of Article 56-

2 item (iii) with regard to the services to be covered by said loan, and said

subsidy shall be given by means of granting the amount equivalent to the

amount of said loan reimbursement at the times of such reimbursements.

(8) In the case where a loan is provided to a prefectural or municipal government

or a person engaged in the services necessary for the improvement of the

medical treatment environment for Children under Long-term Treatment

pursuant to the provisions of paragraphs (2) to (4) inclusive, the national

government shall subsidize the amount equivalent to the loan amount with

regard to the services to be covered by said loan, and said subsidy shall be

given by means of granting the amount equivalent to the amount of said loan

reimbursement at the times of such reimbursements.

(9) With regard to the application of the provisions of the preceding two

paragraphs in the case where a prefectural or municipal government or a

person engaged in the services necessary for the improvement of the medical

treatment environment for Children under Long-term Treatment redeems the

loan amount without interest provided pursuant to the provisions of

paragraphs (1) to (4) inclusive by accelerating the reimbursement period

specified pursuant to the provisions of paragraphs (5) and (6) (excluding the

cases specified by a Cabinet Order), said accelerated reimbursements shall be

deemed to be made upon the maturity dates for said original reimbursement

78

period.

Article 73 With regard to the application of the provisions of Articles 53 and 55

in fiscal 1985, the term "eight-tenths (8/10)" referred to in Article 53 shall be

replaced with "seven-tenths (7/10)", and the term "one-tenth (1/10)" referred to

in Article 55 shall be replaced with "one and a half-tenths (1.5/10)".

Article 74 With regard to the application of the provisions of Articles 53 and 55

in the respective fiscal years from fiscal 1986 to fiscal 1988, the term "eight-

tenths (8/10)" referred to in Article 53 shall be replaced with "five-tenths

(5/10)", and the term "one-tenth (1/10)" referred to in Article 55 shall be

replaced with "two and a half-tenths (2.5/10)".

Supplementary Provisions [Act No. 135 of November 30, 2001 Extract]

[Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1 This Act shall come into force as from the dates prescribed respectively

in the following items in accordance with the classification listed in said items:

(i) The provision adding a new Article after Article 56-6 and the provision of

the following Article: The day of promulgation;

(ii) The portion of the provision revising the Table of Contents to replace

"Section 3 Child Welfare Officer and Commissioned Child Welfare Volunteer

(Articles 11 through 14), Section 4. Child Guidance Center, Welfare Office

and public health center (Articles 15 through 18-3)" with "Section 3 Child

Welfare Officer (Articles 11 through 11-3), Section 4. Commissioned Child

Welfare Volunteer (Articles 12 through 14), Section 5 Child Guidance Center,

Welfare Office and Health Center (Articles 15 through 18-3)", the provision

renaming Chapter 1 Section 3, the provisions adding two new Articles after

Article 11, the provisions in Chapter 1 renumbering Section 4 to Section 5

and adding the name of a new Section before Article 12, the provision

revising Article 12, the provision adding a new Article after Article 12, the

provision revising Article 13, the provision adding a new Article after Article

13, and the provision revising Article 14, and the provisions of Articles 7 to 9

inclusive of these Supplementary Provisions: December 1, 2001;

(iii) The portion of the provision revising the Table of Contents to replace

"Chapter 5 Miscellaneous Provisions (Articles 56-6 through 62-2)" with

"Chapter 5 Miscellaneous Provisions (Articles 56-6 through 59-7), Chapter 6

Penal Provisions (Articles 60 through 62-2)", the provision revising Article 46

paragraph (4), the provisions revising Article 59 paragraphs (1) and (3), the

provisions adding two new paragraphs after Article 59 paragraph (2), the

79

provisions adding other two new paragraphs in Article 59, the provisions

renumbering Article 59-2 to Article 59-2-7 and adding six new Articles after

Article 59, the provision revising Article 59-5 paragraph (2), the provision

adding the name of a new Chapter after Article 59-7, the provisions adding

three new Articles after Article 60 (limited to the portions pertaining to

Article 60-4), and the provision revising Article 62-2, and the provisions of

Articles 6 and 10 of these Supplementary Provisions: The date specified by a

Cabinet Order within a period not exceeding 1 year from the day of

promulgation; and

(iv) The provisions other than those listed in the preceding three items: The

date specified by a Cabinet Order within a period not exceeding 2 years from

the day of promulgation.

(Preparation for Enforcement)

Article 4 A person specified by a Cabinet Order as actually possessing the

knowledge and skills necessary as a nursery teacher upon the coming into force

of the provisions listed in Article 1 item (iv) of these Supplementary Provisions

shall be deemed to be a person qualified as a nursery teacher provided in

Article 18-6 of the revised Act.

Article 5 With regard to a person provided in the preceding Article who has not

yet been registered pursuant to the provision of Article 18-18 paragraph (1) of

the revised Act (excluding persons who fall under any of the items of Article

18-5 of the revised Act), the provision of Article 18-23 of the revised Act shall

not apply for 3 years following the coming into force of the provisions listed in

Article 1 item (iv) of these Supplementary Provisions.

Supplementary Provisions [Act No. 153 of December 3, 2004 Extract]

[Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1 This Act shall come into force as from January 1, 2005; provided,

however, that the provisions listed in the following items shall come into force

as from the dates prescribed respectively in said items:

(i) The provisions of Article 1 of this Act revising Article 12-2 of the Child

Welfare Act, revising Article 37 of the same Act (limited to the portion to add

"ensuring steady living environment" in relation to the phrase "in terms of

healthcare" and the portion to delete "under 2 years of age in general" in

relation to those infants referred to therein) and revising Article 41 of the

same Act (limited to the portion to replace "children without guardian

excluding infants" with "children without guardian (excluding infants;

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provided, however, that infants shall be also included in the case where it is

particularly necessary for ensuring steady living environment or due to other

reasons; the same shall apply hereinafter in this Article)"): The day of

promulgation;

(ii) The provisions of Article 1 of this Act revising Articles 34 and 60 of the

Child Welfare Act, and the provisions of Article 5 of these Supplementary

Provisions: The date on which the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the

Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child

Pornography will come into force with regard to Japan;

(iii) The provisions of Article 2 of this Act (excluding the revision provisions

listed in the following item) and the provisions of Articles 3, 4, 6 and 10 of

these Supplementary Provisions (excluding the revision provisions listed in

the following item): April 1, 2005; and

(iv) The provisions of Article 2 of this Act revising Article 59-4 of the Child

Welfare Act and the provision of Article 10 of these Supplementary

Provisions revising Article 16 of the Act on the Prevention, etc. of Child

Abuse (Act No. 82 of 2000): April 1, 2006.

(Transitional Measures concerning Entrusted guardian)

Article 2 With regard to a child actually committed to an entrusted guardian

pursuant to the provision of Article 27 paragraph (1) item (iii) of the Child

Welfare Act prior to the revision pursuant to the provision of Article 1 of this

Act (hereinafter referred to as "Old Act") upon the coming into force of this Act,

a prefectural government may, notwithstanding the provision of Article 27

paragraph (1) item (iii) of the Child Welfare Act revised pursuant to Article 1

of this Act, continue to take the measure to entrust the child to said entrusted

guardian until expiration of the period of entrustment specified for the child

pursuant to the provision of paragraph (5) or (6) Article 27 of the Old Act, in

accordance with the provision then in force which shall remain applicable.

(Transitional Measures concerning Child Welfare Officer)

Article 3 A Child Welfare Officer actually appointed upon the coming into force

of the provisions listed in Article 1 item (iii) of these Supplementary Provisions

shall be deemed to be a Child Welfare Officer appointed pursuant to the

provision of Article 13 paragraph (2) of the Child Welfare Act revised pursuant

to Article 2 of this Act.

(Transitional Measures concerning the Measure taken with the Family Court's

Approval)

Article 4 With regard to a measure commenced on or before March 31, 2004

pursuant to the proviso of Article 28 paragraph (1) item (i) or (ii) of the Child

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Welfare Act prior to the revision pursuant to the provision of Article 2 of this

Act and actually taken upon the coming into force of the provisions listed in

Article 1 item (iii) of these Supplementary Provisions, said measure shall be

deemed to be taken as of April 1, 2004 and the provisions of Article 28

paragraphs (2) to (6) inclusive of the Child Welfare Act revised pursuant to

Article 2 of this Act shall apply.

(Transitional Measures concerning the Penal Provisions)

Article 5 The provision of Article 60 paragraph (5) of the Child Welfare Act

revised pursuant to Article 1 of this Act shall apply only to such a crime that is

supposed to be punished, even in the case it is committed outside Japan, by

virtue of a treaty coming into force with regard to Japan on or after the date of

the coming into force of the provisions listed in Article 1 item (ii) of these

Supplementary Provisions.

Supplementary Provisions [Act No. 25 of April 1, 2005 Extract] [Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1 This Act shall come into force as from April 1, 2005.

(Transitional Measures due to Partial Revision of the Child Welfare Act, etc.)

Article 6 The provisions of the Child Welfare Act, etc. revised pursuant to this

Act (excluding Article 1 of this Act) shall apply to the burdens of the national

or prefectural governments pertaining to the budgets for fiscal 2005 and

subsequent fiscal years (excluding the burdens of the national or prefectural

governments expended in fiscal 2005 or any subsequent fiscal year due to the

affairs or services implemented in fiscal 2004 or any preceding fiscal year).

With regard to the burdens of the national or prefectural governments

expended in fiscal 2005 or any subsequent fiscal year due to the affairs or

services implemented in fiscal 2004 or any preceding fiscal year, the provisions

then in force shall remain applicable.

Article 7 The provisions of paragraphs (6) to (9) inclusive and Article 72

paragraph (11) of the Child Welfare Act revised pursuant to the provision of

Article 2 of this Act (hereinafter referred to as "Revised Child Welfare Act")

shall also apply to such loans set forth in Article 72 paragraphs (1) and (2) of

the Child Welfare Act prior to the revision pursuant to the provision of Article

2 of this Act that were, or will be, provided by the national government before

the coming into force of this Act. In this case, the phrase "any of the preceding

paragraphs" referred to in Article 72 paragraph (6) of the Revised Child

Welfare Act shall be replaced with "Article 72 paragraphs (1) and (2) of the

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Child Welfare Act prior to the revision pursuant to the provision of Article 2 of

the Act for Partial Revision of the National Health Insurance Act, etc. based on

Arrangement and Rationalization, etc. of the National Government Subsidies,

etc. (Act No. 25 of 2005) (hereinafter referred to as "Old Child Welfare Act")",

the phrase "paragraphs (1) to (5) inclusive" referred to in paragraph (7) of the

same Article shall be replaced with "Article 72 paragraphs (1) and (2) of the

Old Child Welfare Act", the phrases "paragraph (1)" and "Article 52" referred

to in paragraph (8) of the same Article shall be replaced with "Article 72

paragraph (1) of the Old Child Welfare Act" and "Article 52 of the Old Child

Welfare Act" respectively, the phrases "paragraph (2)" and "Article 56-2

paragraph (3)" referred to in paragraph (9) of the same Article shall be

replaced with "Article 72 paragraph (2) of the Old Child Welfare Act" and

"Article 56-2 paragraph (3) of the Old Child Welfare Act" respectively, the

phrases "paragraphs (1) to (5) inclusive" and "the preceding three paragraphs"

referred to in paragraph (11) of the same Article shall be replaced with "Article

72 paragraphs (1) and (2) of the Old Child Welfare Act" and "Article 72

paragraphs (8) and (9) of the Old Child Welfare Act" respectively.

(Delegation of Other Transitional Measures to Cabinet Orders)

Article 10 In addition to what is provided in these Supplementary Provisions,

necessary transitional measures due to the coming into force of this Act shall

be provided by a Cabinet Order.

Supplementary Provisions [Act No. 50 of June 2, 2006 Extract] [Extract]

(Effective Date)

(1) This Act shall come into force as from the date of the coming into force of the

Act on General Incorporated Associations and General Incorporated

Foundations.

(Adjustment Provisions)

(2) In the case where the date of the coming into force of the Act for Partial

Revision of the Penal Code to Respond to an Increase in International and

Organized Crimes and Advancement of Information (Act No. _ of 2006) falls

after the effective date of this Act, the phrase "crime set forth in Article 157

(Aggravated Breach of Trust of Directors, etc.) of the Intermediate Corporation

Act (Act No. 49 of 2001)" referred to in appended table 62 of the Act for

Punishment of Organized Crimes, Control of Crime Proceeds and Other

Matters (Act No. 136 of 1999; referred to as the "Organized Crime Punishment

Act" in the following paragraph) shall be replaced with "crime set forth in

Article 334 (Aggravated Breach of Trust of Directors, etc.) of the Act on

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General Incorporated Association and General Incorporated Foundation (Act

No. 48 of 2006)", with regard to the application of the provision of the same

appended table from the effective date of this Act to the day preceding the date

of the coming into force of the Act for Partial Revision of the Penal Code to

Respond to an Increase in International and Organized Crimes and

Advancement of Information.

(3) With regard to the application of the provisions of the Organized Crime

Punishment Act until the day preceding the date of the coming into force of the

Act for Partial Revision of the Penal Code to Respond to an Increase in

International and Organized Crimes and Advancement of Information, a crime

set forth in Article 157 (Aggravated Breach of Trust of Directors, etc.) of the

Old Act on General Incorporated Association and General Incorporated

Foundation in the case where the provisions then in force are supposed to

remain applicable pursuant to the provision of Article 457 of the Organized

Crime Punishment Act shall be deemed to be a crime listed in item (62) of the

appended table of the Organized Crime Punishment Act, in the case referred to

in the preceding paragraph, in addition to what is prescribed in the same

paragraph.

Supplementary Provisions [Act No. 53 of June 7, 2006]

(Effective Date)

Article 1 This Act shall come into force as from April 1, 2007; provided, however,

that the provisions listed in the following items shall come into force as from

the dates prescribed respectively in said items:

(i) The provisions revising Article 195 paragraph (2), Article 196 paragraphs

(1) and (2), Article 199-3 paragraphs (1) and (4), Article 252-17, Article 252-

22 paragraph (1) and Article 252-23, and the provisions of Articles 4, 6, 8 to

10 inclusive and 50 of these Supplementary Provisions: The day of

promulgation; and

(ii) The provision revising Article 96 paragraph (1), the provision adding a new

Article after Article 100, and the provisions revising Article 101, Article 102

paragraphs (4) and (5), Article 109, Article 109-2, Article 110, Article 121,

Article 123, Article 130 paragraph (3), Article 138, Article 179 paragraph (1),

Article 207, Article 225, Article 231-2, Article 234 paragraphs (3) and (5),

Article 237 paragraph (3), Article 238 paragraph (1), Article 238-2 paragraph

(2), Article 238-4, Article 238-5, Article 263-3 and Article 314 paragraph (1),

and the provisions of Articles 22 and 32 of these Supplementary Provisions,

the provision of Article 37 of these Supplementary Provisions revising Article

33 paragraph (3) of the Local Public Enterprise Act (Act No. 292 of 1952), the

provision of Article 47 of these Supplementary Provisions revising Article 5-

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29 of the Old Act on Special Provisions of the Merger of Municipalities (Act

No. 6 of 1965) to the effect that the provision of said Article 5-29 shall

remain effective pursuant to the provision of Article 2 paragraph (6) of the

supplementary provisions of the same Act, and the provision of Article 51 of

these Supplementary Provisions revising Article 47 of the Act on Special

Provisions of the Merger of Municipalities (Act No. 59 of 2004): The date

specified by a Cabinet Order within a period not exceeding 1 year from the

day of promulgation.

Supplementary Provisions [Act No. 73 of June 1, 2007]

(Effective Date)

Article 1 This Act shall come into force as from April 1, 2008.

(Review)

Article 2 (1) The Government shall examine a review of a system of parental

authority to prevent child abuse and to protect the rights of children, and shall

take necessary measures based on the result of the examination, in three years

after the effective date of this act.

(2) The Government shall promptly examine a scheme about an expansion of

foster parents and foster homes, etc., a scheme about an improvement in

quality of management of foster homes, etc. Including prevention of child abuse

in foster homes, etc., a scheme about enrichment of education and supporting

independence of children in foster homes, etc., and other necessary matters,

and shall take necessary measures based on the result of the examination.

85