Road Transport Vehicle Act

The purpose of this Act is to promote the public welfare by providing for public certification of ownership and the like with respect to road transport vehicles, by seeking to ensure safety, to achieve the prevention of pollution and other conservation of the environment, and to improve technology for maintenance, and at the same time by contributing to the sound development of the motor vehicle maintenance business.

①In this Act, "road transport vehicle" means a motor vehicle, a motorized bicycle, or a light road vehicle.

②In this Act, "motor vehicle" means an implement manufactured for the purpose of moving over land by means of a motor, that does not use rails or overhead wires, or an implement manufactured for the purpose of being towed by such an implement to move over land, other than a motorized bicycle prescribed in the following paragraph.

③In this Act, "motorized bicycle" means an implement manufactured for the purpose of moving over land by means of a motor having a total displacement or rated output specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, that does not use rails or overhead wires, or an implement manufactured for the purpose of being towed by such an implement to move over land.

④In this Act, "light road vehicle" means an implement manufactured for the purpose of moving over land by human power or animal power, that does not use rails or overhead wires, or an implement manufactured for the purpose of being towed by such an implement to move over land, that is specified by Cabinet Order.

⑤In this Act, "operation" means using a road transport vehicle in accordance with the manner in which its equipment is used, whether or not people or goods are being transported (excluding use solely in places other than roads).

⑥In this Act, "road" means a road under the Road Act (Act No. 180 of 1952), a motor vehicle road under the Road Transportation Act (Act No. 183 of 1951), and any other place provided for use in general traffic.

⑦In this Act, "motor vehicle transport business" means a motor vehicle transport business under the Road Transportation Act (excluding the light motor vehicle freight transport business), and "motor vehicle transport business operator" means a person who conducts a motor vehicle transport business.

⑧In this Act, "end-of-life automobile" means an end-of-life automobile under the Act on Recycling of End-of-Life Automobiles (Act No. 87 of 2002).

⑨In this Act, "registration identification information" means a code or other information used, where a person recorded in the motor vehicle registration file under Article 4 as the owner of a motor vehicle applies for registration relating to that motor vehicle, to confirm that the recorded person is personally applying for that registration, and which is capable of identifying the recorded person.

The distinction among ordinary motor vehicles, small-sized motor vehicles, light motor vehicles, large special motor vehicles and special small motor vehicles prescribed in this Act is to be specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, on the basis of the size and structure of the motor vehicle and the type and total displacement or rated output of its motor.

A motor vehicle (excluding light motor vehicles, special small motor vehicles and two-wheeled small-sized motor vehicles; the same applies hereinafter in this Chapter, except in Articles 29 through 32) must not be put to operation unless it has been registered in the motor vehicle registration file.

①The acquisition or loss of ownership of a registered motor vehicle may not be asserted against a third party unless it has been registered.

②The provisions of the preceding paragraph do not apply to the large special motor vehicles prescribed in the proviso to Article 2 of the Automobile Mortgage Act (Act No. 187 of 1951).

①The registration of a motor vehicle in the motor vehicle registration file is to be carried out by means of an electronic data processing system, as provided by Cabinet Order.

②The motor vehicle registration file and the electronic data processing system referred to in the preceding paragraph are managed by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

①In the case where the owner of a motor vehicle that has not been registered intends to have it registered (hereinafter referred to as "new registration"), the owner must submit to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism a written application stating the following matters, accompanied, in the categories specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, by the certificate of transfer prescribed in Article 33, a document certifying the fact of importation, or any other document sufficient to certify ownership of the motor vehicle, and must also present the motor vehicle:

②The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism may require a person who files the application under the preceding paragraph to submit, in addition to what is prescribed in that paragraph, a certificate concerning the stamping of the chassis number or motor model and any other necessary documents.

③In the case where an application is filed under paragraph (1), for a motor vehicle listed in each of the following items, submission of the document specified in that item may be substituted for presenting the motor vehicle:

④In the case where the matters prescribed in the provisions listed in each of the following items have been provided, under the provisions listed in that item, to a person registered by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism under Articles 96-2 through 96-4 (hereinafter referred to as a "registered information processing body"), a person who files the application under paragraph (1) may, as provided by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, substitute for the submission of the document listed in that item a statement to that effect in the written application under that paragraph:

⑤Where it is stated in the written application under paragraph (1) that the matters prescribed in the provisions listed in the items of the preceding paragraph have been provided to a registered information processing body pursuant to that paragraph, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is to inquire of the registered information processing body about the necessary matters, as provided by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

⑥The application under paragraph (1) must be filed at the same time as an application for a new inspection or an application for issuance under Article 71, paragraph (4).

Upon receiving the written application under the preceding Article, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism must carry out new registration, except in the case where any of the following items applies:

New registration is carried out by registering in the motor vehicle registration file the matters set out in Article 7, paragraph (1), items (i) through (v) and the date of the new registration, and by determining a motor vehicle registration number in accordance with the standards specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and registering it in the motor vehicle registration file.

Upon carrying out new registration, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism must notify the applicant of the registered particulars, as provided by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

①Upon being notified of the motor vehicle registration number under the preceding Article, the owner of a motor vehicle must receive from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism or a motor vehicle registration number plate issuing agent under Article 25 a motor vehicle registration number plate bearing that number, attach it to the motor vehicle as provided by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and then have a seal affixed by the Minister (in the case of a remote island specified by Cabinet Order, the Minister or the head of a municipality specified by Cabinet Order; the same applies hereinafter in this Article (excluding paragraph (2), item (iii) and paragraph (3))) or by a person entrusted under Article 28-3, paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to in this Article as a "seal affixing agent").

②The provisions of the preceding paragraph apply mutatis mutandis to the following cases. In this case, the removal of the motor vehicle registration number plate or seal that becomes necessary is to be carried out by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism or a seal affixing agent:

③The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is to approve the replacement of the motor vehicle registration number plate for a motor vehicle where the owner of the motor vehicle has applied for it.

④Where the seal attached to the motor vehicle registration number plate for a motor vehicle has been lost or damaged (excluding where it was removed for an unavoidable reason specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as referred to in the proviso to the following paragraph), the owner of the motor vehicle must have a seal affixed by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism or a seal affixing agent.

⑤No person may remove a seal affixed by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism or a seal affixing agent, or a motor vehicle registration number plate to which a seal has been affixed by either of them; provided, however, that this does not apply where there is a particular need for maintenance or where it falls under any other unavoidable reason specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

⑥In the case referred to in the proviso to the preceding paragraph, when the owner of the motor vehicle ceases to fall under the unavoidable reason specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as referred to in the proviso to that paragraph, the owner must, where only the seal was removed, have a seal affixed by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism or a seal affixing agent, and where the motor vehicle registration number plate to which the seal had been affixed was removed, attach that plate to the motor vehicle as provided by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and then have a seal affixed by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism or a seal affixing agent.

①Where there has been a change in the registered model, chassis number, motor model, name or address of the owner, or location of the base of operations, the owner of a motor vehicle must, within 15 days from the date of the cause, file an application for registration of change with the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; provided, however, that this does not apply where an application for transfer registration under the following Article or for permanent cancellation of registration under Article 15 is to be filed.

②Where, by reason of the cause for which an application under the preceding paragraph is to be filed, an application for record of change of the motor vehicle inspection certificate under Article 67, paragraph (1) is also to be filed, those applications must be filed at the same time.

③With respect to registration of change under paragraph (1) that relates to a change of chassis number or motor model, the provisions of Article 8 (limited to the parts pertaining to items (iii) and (iv)) apply mutatis mutandis, and with respect to registration of change that relates to any other change, the provisions of that Article (limited to the part pertaining to item (iv)) apply mutatis mutandis.

④The provisions of Article 10 apply mutatis mutandis where registration of change has been carried out.

①Where there has been a change of owner of a motor vehicle that has received new registration (hereinafter referred to as a "registered motor vehicle"), the new owner must, within 15 days from the date of the cause, file an application for transfer registration with the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

②Upon receiving the application under the preceding paragraph, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism must carry out transfer registration, except in the case where Article 8, item (i) or (iv) applies or where the motor vehicle inspection certificate for the motor vehicle is not valid.

③The provisions of paragraph (2) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to the application under paragraph (1).

④The provisions of Article 10 apply mutatis mutandis where transfer registration has been carried out.

①Where the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, upon an application under the preceding two Articles or otherwise, finds that the motor vehicle registration number of a registered motor vehicle no longer conforms to the standards specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as referred to in Article 9, the Minister is to change that motor vehicle registration number.

②The provisions of Articles 9 and 10 and Article 11, paragraph (1) apply mutatis mutandis to the change of the motor vehicle registration number under the preceding paragraph.

①In the following cases, the owner of a registered motor vehicle must file an application for permanent cancellation of registration within 15 days from the date of the cause (in the case where the cause is the dismantling of an end-of-life automobile, the date on which the owner learned that a record specified by Cabinet Order as a record evidencing that a report has been made to the Information Management Center under the Act on Recycling of End-of-Life Automobiles (hereinafter simply referred to as the "Information Management Center") to the effect that the motor vehicle has been properly dismantled based on the provisions of that Act (hereinafter referred to as a "dismantling report record") has been made):

②A collector (meaning a collector under the Act on Recycling of End-of-Life Automobiles; the same applies in Article 100, paragraph (1), item (iii)) is to confirm that the dismantling report record has been made for a registered motor vehicle that it handles, based on the provisions of that Act, and upon so confirming, is to notify the owner of the motor vehicle to that effect, except where the collector itself is the owner of the motor vehicle.

③When filing the application under paragraph (1) in connection with the dismantling of an end-of-life automobile, the owner of a registered motor vehicle must make clear the date on which the dismantling report record referred to in that paragraph was made, the chassis number, and any other particulars specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as necessary to identify that the dismantling report record relates to the motor vehicle.

④In the case referred to in paragraph (1), if the owner of a registered motor vehicle does not file an application for permanent cancellation of registration, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism must, within a period of seven days or more that the Minister specifies, demand that the owner do so.

⑤Where the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has made the demand under the preceding paragraph and the owner of the registered motor vehicle still does not file an application for permanent cancellation of registration without a justifiable reason, the Minister must carry out permanent cancellation of registration and notify the owner to that effect.

①When intending to export a motor vehicle, the owner of a registered motor vehicle (excluding those specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism) must, during the period from the day that is the period specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism before the scheduled date of the export until the time of the export, file an application for provisional cancellation of registration for export and receive a certificate of provisional cancellation of registration for export under the following paragraph; provided, however, that where the case falls under one specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as one in which the motor vehicle is expected to be re-imported into Japan after being temporarily exported and there is little need to have it receive provisional cancellation of registration for export, the owner must notify the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to that effect in advance, as provided by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

②Where the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has carried out provisional cancellation of registration for export on the basis of the application under the preceding paragraph, the Minister is to issue to the applicant a certificate of provisional cancellation of registration for export that states that export of the motor vehicle is scheduled and whose validity period runs until the scheduled date of the export.

③Where the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has carried out provisional cancellation of registration for export on the basis of the application under paragraph (1), the Minister must, promptly after the scheduled date of export of the motor vehicle has passed, inquire of the Director-General of Customs about the fact that the confirmation under Article 70, paragraph (2) of the Customs Act (Act No. 61 of 1954) regarding possession of the certificate of provisional cancellation of registration for export prescribed in the preceding paragraph has been made, and about other matters necessary to confirm the fact of export of the motor vehicle. In this case, upon confirming the fact of export of the motor vehicle, the Minister is to carry out cancellation of registration for export.

④Where the validity period of a certificate of provisional cancellation of registration for export issued under paragraph (2) has expired without the motor vehicle to which it relates having been exported, the owner of the motor vehicle must return the certificate of provisional cancellation of registration for export to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism within 15 days from the day on which the validity period expired.

⑤Where the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has received the return of a certificate of provisional cancellation of registration for export under the preceding paragraph or for any other reason, the Minister is to deem that an application for temporary cancellation of registration under paragraph (1) of the following Article has been filed and carry out temporary cancellation of registration.

①Except in the cases prescribed in the preceding two Articles, the owner of a registered motor vehicle may file an application for temporary cancellation of registration when the owner has ceased to put the motor vehicle to operation.

②In the following cases, the owner of a motor vehicle that has received temporary cancellation of registration (excluding those specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism) must notify the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to that effect, as provided by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, within 15 days from the date of the cause (in the case where the cause is the dismantling of an end-of-life automobile, the date on which the owner learned that the dismantling report record has been made):

③The provisions of Article 15, paragraphs (2) and (3) apply mutatis mutandis where the notification under the preceding paragraph is made in connection with the dismantling of an end-of-life automobile. In this case, the term "registered motor vehicle" in those provisions is deemed to be replaced with "motor vehicle that has received temporary cancellation of registration".

④When intending to export a motor vehicle, the owner of a motor vehicle that has received temporary cancellation of registration (excluding those specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism) must, during the period from the day that is the period specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism before the scheduled date of the export until the time of the export, notify the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to that effect, as provided by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and receive a certificate of notification of scheduled export under the following paragraph.

⑤Upon receiving the notification under the preceding paragraph, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is to issue to the person who made the notification a certificate of notification of scheduled export that states that export of the motor vehicle is scheduled and whose validity period runs until the scheduled date of the export.

⑥The provisions of paragraphs (3) and (4) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis where the notification under paragraph (4) has been made in connection with the export of a motor vehicle that has received temporary cancellation of registration. In this case, the term "certificate of provisional cancellation of registration for export" in paragraph (3) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "certificate of notification of scheduled export", the phrase "carry out cancellation of registration for export" with "record that fact in the motor vehicle registration file", and, in paragraph (4) of that Article, the term "paragraph (2)" is deemed to be replaced with "paragraph (5) of the following Article" and the term "certificate of provisional cancellation of registration for export" with "certificate of notification of scheduled export".

⑦Where the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has received the return of a certificate of notification of scheduled export under Article 15-2, paragraph (4) as applied mutatis mutandis in the preceding paragraph or for any other reason, the Minister is to record that fact in the motor vehicle registration file.

Upon receiving a notification under the proviso to Article 15-2, paragraph (1) or under paragraph (2) or (4) of the preceding Article, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is to record that fact in the motor vehicle registration file by means of the electronic data processing system referred to in Article 6, paragraph (1), as provided by Cabinet Order.

①Where, judging from circumstances such as that the notification under Article 16, paragraph (2) or (4) has not been made even though the period specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has elapsed, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism finds that the owner of a motor vehicle for which temporary cancellation of registration has been carried out is, without a justifiable reason, in violation of those provisions or likely to be in violation of them, the Minister may take measures found necessary to ensure accurate records in the motor vehicle registration file for that motor vehicle, such as a demand that the notification under those provisions be made.

②Where there has been a change of owner of a motor vehicle that has received temporary cancellation of registration, the former owner must prepare or obtain a contract or other materials capable of proving that the change of owner has occurred, retain them for the period specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and present or submit them when requested by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, except in the case where the change of owner has been recorded in the motor vehicle registration file under the following paragraph and other cases specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

③Where there has been a change of owner of a motor vehicle that has received temporary cancellation of registration, the new owner may, as provided by Cabinet Order, have the change of owner recorded in the motor vehicle registration file.

①Upon carrying out new registration, registration of change, transfer registration or temporary cancellation of registration, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism must promptly notify the applicant for that registration of the registration identification information relating to that registration, as provided by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; provided, however, that this does not apply where the applicant has indicated in advance that the applicant does not wish to be notified of registration identification information and in other cases specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

②A person who has made the indication under the proviso to the preceding paragraph may, as provided by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, request the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism at any time to notify the person of registration identification information.

①When filing an application for new registration (limited to that relating to a motor vehicle for which temporary cancellation of registration has been made), registration of change, transfer registration, permanent cancellation of registration, provisional cancellation of registration for export, or temporary cancellation of registration, the applicant must provide registration identification information, as provided by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; provided, however, that this does not apply where there is a justifiable reason why the applicant cannot provide registration identification information and in other cases specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

②A person who transfers a motor vehicle for which temporary cancellation of registration has been made must provide registration identification information to the transferee, as provided by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

A motor vehicle must not be put to operation unless it displays the motor vehicle registration number plate issued by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism or a motor vehicle registration number plate issuing agent under Article 25 pursuant to Article 11, paragraph (1) (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph (2) of that Article and Article 14, paragraph (2)), in the position specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and by a method specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as one that, by not covering the plate or otherwise, does not impede the identification of the motor vehicle registration number stated on the plate.

①Without delay in any of the following cases, the owner of a registered motor vehicle must remove the motor vehicle registration number plate and seal, and destroy or dispose of them by the method specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, or return them to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism or a motor vehicle registration number plate issuing agent under Article 25:

②When the user of a registered motor vehicle has surrendered the motor vehicle inspection certificate pursuant to Article 69, paragraph (2), the owner of the registered motor vehicle must, without delay, remove the motor vehicle registration number plate and the seal from that motor vehicle and have the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism retain the motor vehicle registration number plate.

③When the user of the motor vehicle referred to in the preceding paragraph has had the motor vehicle inspection certificate returned pursuant to Article 69, paragraph (3), the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism must, without delay, return the retained motor vehicle registration number plate.

④A person to whom the motor vehicle registration number plate has been returned under the preceding paragraph must, as prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, attach that motor vehicle registration number plate to that motor vehicle and have the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism affix a seal.

①The records of the motor vehicle registration file relating to a motor vehicle for which permanent cancellation of registration, cancellation of registration for export or temporary cancellation of registration has been made must be preserved for five years from, respectively, in the case of permanent cancellation of registration, the day on which that permanent cancellation of registration was made, in the case of cancellation of registration for export, the day on which that cancellation of registration for export was made, and in the case of temporary cancellation of registration, the day on which the record under Article 17 relating to the notification under Article 16, paragraph (2) was made or the day on which the record under the latter part of Article 15-2, paragraph (3) as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 16, paragraph (6) was made.

②The written application and attached documents relating to the registration of a motor vehicle must be preserved for five years from the day on which that written application was received.

①Any person may request the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to issue a document certifying the registered particulars and other matters recorded in the motor vehicle registration file (hereinafter referred to as a "certificate of registered particulars, etc.").

②A person who requests the issuance of a certificate of registered particulars, etc. pursuant to the preceding paragraph may, as prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, request that it be sent by paying the expenses required for sending it in addition to the fee under Article 102, paragraph (1).

③A person registered by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism pursuant to Articles 96-15 through 96-17 (hereinafter referred to as a "registered information provider") may, on commission from a person who wishes to be provided by telecommunications line with information recorded in the motor vehicle registration file, such as registered particulars (hereinafter referred to as "registration information"), in order to conduct the business of transmitting to that person, using a telecommunications line, the registration information provided by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (hereinafter referred to as "information provision services"), request the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, using a telecommunications line, to provide the registration information relating to that commission.

④The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism or a registered information provider is to verify, by a method prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the identity of a person who makes a request under paragraph (1) or a person who makes the commission referred to in the preceding paragraph.

⑤A request under paragraphs (1) and (3) must be made by clarifying the grounds for the request or the grounds for the commission relating to the request and other particulars prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; provided, however, that this does not apply in the case where the owner of a motor vehicle makes a request under paragraph (1) with respect to that motor vehicle or in any other case prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

⑥The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism may refuse a request under paragraph (1) or (3) if it is evident that a request under paragraph (1) or a commission under paragraph (3) is for an improper purpose, or if the Minister finds that there is a reasonable ground sufficient to refuse the request, such as that there is a risk that matters learned through the issuance of the certificate of registered particulars, etc. under paragraph (1) or the provision of registration information under paragraph (3) will be used for an improper purpose.

Necessary matters concerning the restoration of registration in the case where all or part of the records of the motor vehicle registration file have been lost are prescribed by Cabinet Order.

①The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is to appoint motor vehicle registration officers from among the officials of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and have them administer the affairs concerning registration prescribed in this Chapter.

②Necessary matters concerning the appointment, service and training of motor vehicle registration officers are prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, in addition to being governed by the National Public Service Act (Act No. 120 of 1947) and orders based on that Act.

①The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is to have the National Agency for Automobile and Land Transport Technology (hereinafter referred to as "the Agency") conduct the investigation necessary to confirm whether there is any falsity in the matters relating to an application and otherwise to verify facts (hereinafter referred to in this Article as "verification investigation"), among the affairs relating to the registration of motor vehicles prescribed in this Chapter.

②When the Agency has conducted a verification investigation, it must, without delay, notify the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of the result of that verification investigation as prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

③If it has become difficult for the Agency to handle verification investigations smoothly due to a natural disaster or any other cause, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism may, if the Minister finds it necessary, decide to conduct verification investigations personally as well.

④Necessary matters concerning the handover of verification investigations in the case where the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism decides to conduct verification investigations pursuant to the preceding paragraph, or decides not to conduct the verification investigations being conducted pursuant to that paragraph, are prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

①A person who intends to engage in the business of issuing motor vehicle registration number plates to owners of registered motor vehicles must obtain designation from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism for each place of business.

②Conditions or time limits may be attached to the designation under the preceding paragraph, and may be changed.

③The conditions or time limits under the preceding paragraph must be limited to the minimum necessary for the proper issuance of motor vehicle registration number plates by a person designated pursuant to paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as a "motor vehicle registration number plate issuing agent"), and must not impose any unjust obligation on that motor vehicle registration number plate issuing agent.

①A motor vehicle registration number plate issuing agent must not commit any of the acts set forth in the following items:

②Where a motor vehicle registration number plate issuing agent has violated this Act, an order under this Act, or a disposition based on either of them, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism may order suspension of its business for a period specified within three months, or revoke its designation.

①A motor vehicle registration number plate issuing agent must obtain the authorization of the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism with respect to the fee it collects for the issuance of motor vehicle registration number plates.

②When the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is to give the authorization under the preceding paragraph, the Minister must do so in consideration of the actual expenses required for issuing motor vehicle registration number plates.

③A motor vehicle registration number plate issuing agent must post the fee referred to in paragraph (1) at its place of business in a manner easily visible to the public, and must also make it available for public inspection, as provided by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, by automatic public transmission conducted by connecting to a telecommunications line (meaning automatically transmitting in response to a request from the public for the purpose of direct reception by the public, excluding that which constitutes broadcasting or wire broadcasting; the same applies hereinafter).

①A motor vehicle registration number plate issuing agent must display, at its place of business, a sign in the form specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, in a manner easily visible to the public.

②A person other than a motor vehicle registration number plate issuing agent must not display the sign referred to in the preceding paragraph or a sign resembling it.

①In addition to what is prescribed in this Act, the method of managing motor vehicle registration number plates, the matters to be posted at the place of business, and other matters to be observed by a motor vehicle registration number plate issuing agent in order to ensure the proper issuance of motor vehicle registration number plates are specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

②Where the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism finds that the proper issuance of motor vehicle registration number plates is not being ensured because a motor vehicle registration number plate issuing agent is not observing the matters specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism under the preceding paragraph, the Minister may order that motor vehicle registration number plate issuing agent to take necessary measures for remedying the situation, such as improving the method of managing motor vehicle registration number plates.

①The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism may entrust the affixing of seals to motor vehicle registration number plates attached to registered motor vehicles to a person who satisfies the requirements specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

②The provisions of Article 26, paragraph (1), Article 28, paragraph (1) and paragraph (1) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to a person entrusted with the affixing of seals under the preceding paragraph. In this case, the term "motor vehicle registration number plate issuing agent" in those provisions is deemed to be replaced with "person entrusted with the affixing of seals under Article 28-3, paragraph (1)", the phrase "Article 14, paragraph (2))" with "Article 14, paragraph (2)) and paragraphs (3) and (5) of Article 11", the term "motor vehicle registration number plate" with "seal", and the terms "issue", "issuing" and "issuance" with "affix", "affixing" and "affixing" respectively.

①A person other than a person engaged in the business of manufacturing motor vehicles, a person engaged in the business of manufacturing motor vehicle chassis or motors, and a person designated by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism must not stamp the chassis number or motor model of a motor vehicle.

②When a person engaged in the business of manufacturing motor vehicles, a person engaged in the business of manufacturing motor vehicle chassis or motors, or a person who has received the designation under the preceding paragraph intends to stamp the chassis number or motor model of a motor vehicle, the person must notify the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in advance of its form and other matters specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and do so in accordance with what was notified.

③Where the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism finds the matters relating to the notification under the preceding paragraph to be inappropriate, the Minister may order that they be changed.

①Whenever a person engaged in the business of importing motor vehicles or parts of motor vehicles has imported a motor vehicle or a motor vehicle chassis or motor, the person must notify the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of the form of its chassis number and motor model and other matters specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism within 20 days from the date of importation.

②Where a person referred to in the preceding paragraph has notified the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of the matters specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism under paragraph (2) of the preceding Article concerning the chassis number or motor model of the motor vehicle or motor vehicle chassis or motor that the person intends to import, attaching a document of the manufacturer of that motor vehicle or motor vehicle chassis or motor that is sufficient to prove the fact, the person need not make the notification under the preceding paragraph.

No person may obliterate the stamping of the chassis number or motor model of a motor vehicle, or otherwise act so as to make it difficult to identify the chassis number or motor model; provided, however, that this does not apply where, in a case of particular necessity for maintenance or other unavoidable circumstances, the person has obtained the permission of the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism or has received an order under the following Article.

Where a motor vehicle falls under any of the following items, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism may order its owner to have the chassis number or motor model stamped or to have the stamping obliterated, or may personally obliterate the stamping of the chassis number or motor model or stamp it:

①A person who transfers a motor vehicle must deliver to the transferee a certificate of transfer stating the following matters:

②Two or more certificates of transfer under the preceding paragraph must not be issued for one motor vehicle that is the subject of a transfer.

③A person who transfers a motor vehicle must, if the person holds a certificate of transfer under paragraph (1) already issued with respect to that motor vehicle, deliver it to the transferee.

④A person who transfers a motor vehicle (excluding those specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism) may, in lieu of delivering a certificate of transfer under paragraph (1), as provided by Cabinet Order and with the consent of the transferee, provide the matters to be stated in the certificate of transfer to a registered information processing body by electronic or magnetic means (meaning a method using an electronic data processing system or any other method using information and communications technology that is specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; the same applies hereinafter).

⑤When the matters to be stated in the certificate of transfer have been provided to a registered information processing body pursuant to the preceding paragraph, the person who transfers the motor vehicle referred to in that paragraph is deemed to have delivered the certificate of transfer to the transferee.

①When a motor vehicle that has received permission for temporary operation is put to operation in accordance with the purpose and route stated in the temporary operation permit for that motor vehicle, the provisions of Article 4, Article 19, Article 58, paragraph (1) and Article 66, paragraph (1) do not apply to that motor vehicle.

②The permission for temporary operation referred to in the preceding paragraph is granted by the Director of a District Transport Bureau, the head of a city or special ward, or the head of a town or village specified by Cabinet Order (hereinafter referred to as the "administrative agency"; the same applies in the following Article).

①The permission for temporary operation referred to in the preceding Article may be granted only where a test drive of the motor vehicle is to be conducted, where delivery is to be conducted for the presentation necessary to file an application for new registration, new inspection, continuing inspection of a motor vehicle whose motor vehicle inspection certificate is not valid, or any other inspection, or where there is otherwise a particular necessity.

②Permission for temporary operation is granted with a validity period attached.

③The validity period referred to in the preceding paragraph must not exceed five days; provided, however, that this does not apply in the case of delivery requiring a long period or in other particularly unavoidable cases.

④Upon granting permission for temporary operation, the administrative agency must issue a temporary operation permit and lend a temporary operation permit number plate.

⑤The temporary operation permit referred to in the preceding paragraph must state the purpose and route of the temporary operation and the validity period referred to in paragraph (2).

⑥When the validity period referred to in paragraph (2) has expired, a person who has received permission for temporary operation must return the temporary operation permit and the temporary operation permit number plate to the administrative agency concerned within five days from that date.

A motor vehicle covered by permission for temporary operation must not be put to operation unless it satisfies the following requirements:

①When a person engaged in the business of delivering motor vehicles who has obtained permission from the Director of a District Transport Bureau puts to operation, within the validity period of the permission and in accordance with the purpose stated in the delivery operation permit, a motor vehicle that the person delivers in the course of that business (hereinafter referred to as a "motor vehicle being delivered") and that satisfies the following requirements, the provisions of Article 4, Article 19, Article 58, paragraph (1) and Article 66, paragraph (1) do not apply to that motor vehicle:

②The validity period of the permission referred to in the preceding paragraph must not exceed five years.

③Conditions may be attached to the permission referred to in paragraph (1), and may be changed.

④The conditions referred to in the preceding paragraph must be limited to the minimum necessary for the delivery of motor vehicles by the person who has received the permission referred to in paragraph (1) to be carried out appropriately, and must not impose any unjust obligation on the person who has received that permission.

⑤The Director of a District Transport Bureau is to issue to a person who has obtained the permission under paragraph (1), based on that person's application, the number of delivery operation permits found to be necessary, and at the same time lend a corresponding number of delivery operation permit number plates.

⑥A delivery operation permit must state the date of issue, the date on which the validity period of the permission under paragraph (1) expires, the purpose of delivery, and the number of the delivery operation permit number plate relating to that delivery operation permit.

⑦A person who has obtained the permission under paragraph (1) must return to the Director of a District Transport Bureau, within five days from that date (in the case of the revocation of the permission under the following paragraph or the receipt of an order under that paragraph, within five days after receiving notice thereof), all of the delivery operation permits currently issued to that person and the delivery operation permit number plates currently lent to that person (hereinafter in this Article referred to as "issued delivery operation permits, etc.") when the validity period of that permission expires or the permission is revoked under the following paragraph, or all or part of the issued delivery operation permits, etc. in accordance with the order when the person has received an order under that paragraph.

⑧The Director of a District Transport Bureau may, in any of the following cases, order a person who has obtained the permission under paragraph (1) to return all or part of the issued delivery operation permits, etc., or revoke the permission under that paragraph:

⑨The Director of a District Transport Bureau may, by specifying a period of not more than six months, refrain from issuing a delivery operation permit and lending a delivery operation permit number plate to a person who has received an order under the preceding paragraph.

⑩The Director of a District Transport Bureau is not to grant a new permission under paragraph (1) to a person whose permission has been revoked under paragraph (8) until the day on which two years elapse from the date of that revocation.

①The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism must take the measures necessary and appropriate for the secure management of the registration identification information that the Minister handles, such as preventing its leakage, loss or damage.

②A motor vehicle registration officer or other official of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism engaged in affairs relating to registration, or a person who formerly held such a position, must not divulge any secret concerning the creation or management of registration identification information that the person came to know in connection with those affairs.

①The provisions of Chapter II and Chapter III of the Administrative Procedure Act (Act No. 88 of 1993) do not apply to registration.

②The provisions of Chapter II of the Administrative Procedure Act do not apply to dispositions concerning motor vehicle registration number plates and their seals, or to the issuance of certificates of registered particulars, etc.

③The provisions of the Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs (Act No. 42 of 1999) do not apply to the motor vehicle registration file.

④With respect to retained personal information recorded in the motor vehicle registration file (meaning the retained personal information prescribed in Article 60, paragraph (1) of the Act on the Protection of Personal Information (Act No. 57 of 2003)), the provisions of Chapter V, Section 4 of that Act do not apply.

The provisions of Article 15, paragraph (6) and Article 18 of the Administrative Complaint Review Act (Act No. 68 of 2014) do not apply to a request for review concerning registration.

①If a request for review concerning registration is well-founded, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism must make a correction to the registration to which that request for review relates, and notify the interested parties concerning that registration to that effect.

②The provisions of Article 10 apply mutatis mutandis to the case where a correction has been made under the preceding paragraph.

①Matters concerning the correction of registration and other matters necessary for the implementation of registration are prescribed by Cabinet Order.

②Detailed matters concerning motor vehicle registration number plates, their seals, certificates of transfer, temporary operation, and the permission under Article 36-2, paragraph (1) are prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

A motor vehicle must not be used for operation unless its structure conforms, with respect to the following matters, to the technical standards for safety, or for pollution prevention and other conservation of the environment, prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism:

①A motor vehicle must not be used for operation unless its following equipment conforms to the technical standards for safety, or for pollution prevention and other conservation of the environment, prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism:

②The "automated operation device" referred to in item (xx) of the preceding paragraph means a device whose principal components are sensors for detecting the state of a motor vehicle during operation and its surrounding conditions, and a computer and program for processing the information transmitted from those sensors, which are necessary to cause a motor vehicle to operate automatically by means of a program (meaning commands to a computer (including input/output devices; except in this paragraph and Article 99-3, paragraph (1), item (i), the same applies hereinafter) that are combined so as to obtain a single result; the same applies hereinafter), and which, when used under conditions attached by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism for each such device, has a function that substitutes for all of the capabilities relating to perception, prediction, judgment and control involved in driving by the person who operates the motor vehicle, and is also equipped with a device for recording the information necessary for confirming the operating state of that function.

A motor vehicle must not be used for operation unless it conforms, with respect to seating capacity or maximum load capacity, to the technical standards for safety, or for pollution prevention and other conservation of the environment, prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

①The Director of a District Transport Bureau may, with respect to the user of a motor vehicle that is mainly in operation on a road that is dangerous in terms of safety owing to road surface conditions, etc., such as gradient, bends, mud, accumulated snow or ice, add to that motor vehicle the restrictions on the matters in the items of Article 40 under that Article, the restrictions on the running gear, braking equipment, lighting equipment or warning equipment under Article 41, paragraph (1), or the restrictions on seating capacity or maximum load capacity under the preceding Article.

②When the Director of a District Transport Bureau is to take the action referred to in the preceding paragraph, the Director must obtain the approval of the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in advance.

A motorized bicycle must not be used for operation unless it conforms, with respect to the following matters, to the technical standards for safety, or for pollution prevention and other conservation of the environment, prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism:

A light road vehicle must not be used for operation unless it conforms, with respect to the following matters, to the technical standards for safety prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism:

The technical standards for safety, or for pollution prevention and other conservation of the environment, under Articles 40 through 42, Article 44 and the preceding Article (hereinafter referred to as "safety standards") must ensure that the structure and equipment of road transport vehicles are sufficient to withstand operation, are safe for driving and other work involved in their use, and do not cause harm to passersby or others, and must not thereby impose unjust restrictions on manufacturers or users in the manufacture or use of motor vehicles.

A user of a motor vehicle must maintain the motor vehicle so as to conform to the safety standards by inspecting it and carrying out maintenance as necessary.

①A user of a motor vehicle must inspect the motor vehicle by visual observation, etc., at an appropriate time judged from the distance traveled by the motor vehicle, its condition during operation, etc., in accordance with the technical standards prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, with respect to matters to be inspected on a daily basis, such as the lighting of lighting equipment and the functioning of braking equipment.

②Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, the user of a motor vehicle listed in Article 48, paragraph (1), items (i) and (ii), or a person who operates such a motor vehicle, must carry out the inspection under that paragraph once a day, before the start of its operation.

③If, as a result of the inspection under the preceding two paragraphs, a motor vehicle is in a condition in which it is likely to cease to conform to the safety standards or does not conform to them, the user of the motor vehicle must carry out the maintenance necessary on that motor vehicle in order to eliminate the likelihood of its ceasing to conform to the safety standards or in order to make it conform to the safety standards.

①The user of a motor vehicle (excluding a special small motor vehicle; the same applies hereinafter in this paragraph, Article 49, paragraph (1) and Article 54, paragraph (4)) must inspect the motor vehicles listed in the following items, for each period set forth in the relevant item, in accordance with the technical standards prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism according to the time of inspection and the type, use, etc. of the motor vehicle:

②The provisions of paragraph (3) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to the case referred to in the preceding paragraph. In this case, the phrase "the preceding two paragraphs" in paragraph (3) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "the preceding paragraph".

①The user of a motor vehicle must keep an inspection and maintenance record book in the motor vehicle and, when having inspected or maintained that motor vehicle pursuant to the preceding Article, must without delay enter the following particulars:

②The user of a motor vehicle (excluding a light motor vehicle exempt from inspection prescribed in Article 58, paragraph (1) and a special small motor vehicle; the same applies hereinafter in this paragraph), when having performed specified maintenance (meaning maintenance or modification of a motor vehicle performed by removing the motor, power transmission equipment, running gear, steering equipment, braking equipment, shock-absorbing equipment, coupling equipment or automated operation device (meaning the automated operation device prescribed in Article 41, paragraph (2); the same applies in Article 99-3, paragraph (1), item (i)), or other maintenance or modification that is likely to affect the functioning of these devices (excluding the acts listed in that item), which is specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; the same applies hereinafter) on that motor vehicle, must without delay enter in the inspection and maintenance record book referred to in the preceding paragraph the particulars listed in items (iii) through (v) of that paragraph; provided, however, that this does not apply when the user has performed that specified maintenance as the necessary maintenance under Article 47-2, paragraph (3) as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph (2) of the preceding Article, or when a motor vehicle specified maintenance business operator prescribed in Article 78, paragraph (4) has carried out that specified maintenance.

③The retention period of an inspection and maintenance record book is prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

①In order to have matters concerning the inspection and maintenance of motor vehicles and the management of motor vehicle garages handled, a user of a motor vehicle must appoint a maintenance manager, for each base of operations of motor vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight of eight tons or more and are found to require particularly specialized knowledge regarding the inspection and maintenance of motor vehicles, and of other motor vehicles specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, in a number specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism or more, from among persons who meet certain requirements specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism concerning practical experience in the inspection and maintenance of motor vehicles and other matters.

②A person who must appoint a maintenance manager pursuant to the preceding paragraph (hereinafter referred to as a "user of large motor vehicles, etc.") must grant the maintenance manager the authority necessary for the performance of his or her duties.

A user of large motor vehicles, etc. must, when having appointed a maintenance manager, notify the Director of a District Transport Bureau to that effect within 15 days from that date. The same applies when the user has changed the maintenance manager.

The Director of a District Transport Bureau may, when a maintenance manager has violated this Act, an order under this Act or a disposition based on either of them, order a user of large motor vehicles, etc. to dismiss the maintenance manager.

①When a motor vehicle is in a condition in which it is likely to cease to conform to the safety standards or does not conform to them (excluding the case prescribed in paragraph (1) of the following Article), the Director of a District Transport Bureau may order the user of that motor vehicle to carry out the maintenance necessary in order to eliminate the likelihood of its ceasing to conform to the safety standards or in order to make it conform to the safety standards. In this case, the Director of a District Transport Bureau may give the user of that motor vehicle, which is in a condition of not conforming to the safety standards, instructions necessary for safety, or for pollution prevention and other conservation of the environment, such as restrictions on the method of use or route of that motor vehicle, concerning its operation until it comes to conform to the safety standards.

②When the user of a motor vehicle fails to comply with an order or instruction under the preceding paragraph and the motor vehicle is in a condition of not conforming to the safety standards, the Director of a District Transport Bureau may suspend the use of that motor vehicle.

③When the motor vehicle subject to the disposition under the preceding paragraph has come to conform to the safety standards, the Director of a District Transport Bureau must immediately revoke the disposition under that paragraph.

④In the case of ordering maintenance pursuant to paragraph (1), when the condition in which the motor vehicle is likely to cease to conform to the safety standards or does not conform to them is a condition arising from deterioration or wear that is specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and it has been found, as a result of confirming the presence or absence and contents of the inspection and maintenance record book and other matters concerning that motor vehicle, that an inspection under Article 48, paragraph (1) that is specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has not been carried out, the Director of a District Transport Bureau may recommend that the user of that motor vehicle carry out that inspection (excluding the part for which maintenance is ordered pursuant to paragraph (1)) and carry out maintenance as necessary.

①When a motor vehicle (excluding a special small motor vehicle) is in a condition of not conforming to the safety standards and the cause is found to be attributable to modification of the motor vehicle or a part thereof, installation or removal of equipment, or any other act similar thereto, the Director of a District Transport Bureau may order the user of that motor vehicle to carry out the maintenance necessary to make it conform to the safety standards. In this case, the Director of a District Transport Bureau may give the user of that motor vehicle instructions necessary for safety, or for pollution prevention and other conservation of the environment, such as restrictions on the method of use or route of that motor vehicle, concerning its operation until it comes to conform to the safety standards.

②When the Director of a District Transport Bureau has ordered maintenance pursuant to the preceding paragraph, the Director must affix a maintenance order mark, as prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, at a conspicuous place on the front of that motor vehicle.

③No person may damage or soil the maintenance order mark affixed pursuant to the preceding paragraph, nor remove it until after the order under paragraph (1) has been revoked pursuant to paragraph (5).

④The user of a motor vehicle that has received an order under paragraph (1) must, within 15 days from the date on which the user received that order, present to the Director of a District Transport Bureau the motor vehicle on which the maintenance necessary to make it conform to the safety standards has been carried out, and the motor vehicle inspection certificate relating to that motor vehicle.

⑤When the motor vehicle relating to the presentation referred to in the preceding paragraph has come to conform to the safety standards, the Director of a District Transport Bureau must immediately revoke the order under paragraph (1).

⑥The Director of a District Transport Bureau may, by specifying a period of not more than six months, suspend the use of a motor vehicle when its user fails to comply with an order or instruction under paragraph (1) or violates paragraph (3) or paragraph (4).

⑦If the motor vehicle subject to the disposition under the preceding paragraph has not come to conform to the safety standards by the day on which the period of suspension of use of the motor vehicle under that paragraph expires, its user must not use it for operation even after the expiry of that period, until it comes to conform to the safety standards.

①To the extent necessary for the enforcement of the provisions of the preceding Article, the Director of a District Transport Bureau may have a person who has carried out modification of a motor vehicle or a part thereof, installation or removal of equipment, or any other act similar thereto, make a report concerning that person's business, or have the Director's staff members enter the offices or other places of business of that person and inspect books and documents and other articles, or question persons concerned.

②A staff member who conducts an on-site inspection pursuant to the preceding paragraph must carry an identification card showing his or her status and must present it when requested by a person concerned.

③The authority to conduct on-site inspections under paragraph (1) must not be construed as being vested for criminal investigation.

①In order to improve the maintenance of motor vehicles, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism conducts a skills examination for motor vehicle mechanics upon application.

②The skills examination under the preceding paragraph is conducted by determining, by means of a written examination and a practical examination, whether the applicant has knowledge of and skills in the safety standards and other matters concerning the maintenance of motor vehicles.

③For a person who has completed the course of a training facility for motor vehicle mechanics designated by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism upon application, or any other person who holds certain qualifications, all or part of the written examination or practical examination may be exempted by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

④When there has been an unfair act in connection with the examination under paragraph (2), the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism may suspend the taking of the examination by, or invalidate the passing of, a person involved in that unfair act. In this case, the Minister may, by specifying a period of not more than three years, bar that person from taking the examination under that paragraph.

⑤The types, examination subjects and application procedures of the skills examination for motor vehicle mechanics and other implementing details of the skills examination, and the implementing details of the designation of training facilities under paragraph (3), are prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism may recommend that the user of a motor vehicle comply, with respect to the motor vehicle garage used for that motor vehicle, with the technical standards prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

In order to enable a person who uses a motor vehicle or puts it into operation to readily understand the methods of carrying out inspection and maintenance of motor vehicles, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is to prepare and publish a guide containing the following matters:

①A person engaged in the business of manufacturing motor vehicles, or a person who has concluded a contract to purchase motor vehicles to be exported to Japan from a person engaged in the business of manufacturing such motor vehicles in a foreign country and is engaged in the business of importing those motor vehicles (hereinafter referred to as "motor vehicle manufacturer, etc."), must, as prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, with respect to the motor vehicles that it manufactures to be put into operation in Japan or the motor vehicles that it imports, provide to a motor vehicle specified maintenance business operator prescribed in Article 78, paragraph (4) or the user of such a motor vehicle the technical information specific to the model of that motor vehicle, specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, that becomes necessary when they carry out inspection and maintenance (excluding that under Article 47-2 and Article 48; the same applies in the following paragraph).

②In addition to what is provided for in the preceding paragraph, a motor vehicle manufacturer, etc. must endeavor to provide to the user of a motor vehicle, with respect to the motor vehicles that it manufactures to be put into operation in Japan or the motor vehicles that it imports, the technical information, specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, that becomes necessary when the user of that motor vehicle carries out inspection and maintenance under Article 47.

①A motor vehicle (excluding a light motor vehicle specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (hereinafter referred to as "light motor vehicle exempt from inspection") and a special small motor vehicle; the same applies hereinafter in this Chapter) must not be used for operation unless it has undergone the inspection conducted by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as prescribed in this Chapter and has been issued a valid motor vehicle inspection certificate.

②A motor vehicle inspection certificate is a card on which the chassis number, the name of the user and other particulars specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism are stated, and on which these particulars, the validity period and other particulars specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (hereinafter referred to as "particulars recorded on the motor vehicle inspection certificate") are recorded by an electronic method, a magnetic method or any other method that cannot be recognized by human perception.

③A national administrative organ, local government, private business operator or other person that handles affairs performed by identifying specific motor vehicles and is specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism may, as prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, record the particulars necessary for handling those affairs in the part of a motor vehicle inspection certificate that is separate from the part in which the particulars recorded on the motor vehicle inspection certificate are recorded, and use it. In this case, those persons must handle the motor vehicle inspection certificate in accordance with the standards established by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as necessary to ensure the secure management of the particulars recorded on the motor vehicle inspection certificate, such as preventing their leakage, loss or damage.

The items of inspection and other methods of conducting the inspection carried out by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as prescribed in this Chapter are prescribed by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism for each type of inspection, such as new inspection.

①When it is intended to use for operation a motor vehicle prescribed in Article 4 that has not been registered, a light motor vehicle other than a light motor vehicle exempt from inspection that has not been designated a vehicle number under paragraph (1) of the following Article (hereinafter referred to as "light motor vehicle subject to inspection"), or a two-wheeled small-sized motor vehicle, the user of that motor vehicle must present it and undergo the new inspection conducted by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

②An application for new inspection (excluding that relating to a light motor vehicle subject to inspection or a two-wheeled small-sized motor vehicle) must be filed at the same time as the application for new registration.

③The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism may request a person who intends to undergo a new inspection to present records concerning the inspection and maintenance of the motor vehicle.

④The provisions of Article 7, paragraph (3) (limited to the part relating to item (ii)), paragraph (4) (limited to the part relating to item (ii)) and paragraph (5) apply mutatis mutandis to the case referred to in paragraph (1).

①If, as a result of the new inspection, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism finds that the motor vehicle conforms to the safety standards, the Minister must issue a motor vehicle inspection certificate to the user of that motor vehicle. In this case, the Minister must designate a vehicle number for a light motor vehicle subject to inspection and a two-wheeled small-sized motor vehicle.

②The issuance of a motor vehicle inspection certificate under the preceding paragraph for a motor vehicle other than a light motor vehicle subject to inspection and a two-wheeled small-sized motor vehicle must be made after new registration of that motor vehicle has been made.

①The validity period of a motor vehicle inspection certificate is one year for a motor vehicle used for motor vehicle transport business that transports passengers, a motor vehicle used for transporting cargo, and a private-use motor vehicle specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, other than a light motor vehicle subject to inspection, and two years for other motor vehicles.

②When a motor vehicle inspection certificate is issued for the first time pursuant to paragraph (1) of the preceding Article or Article 71, paragraph (4) for a motor vehicle listed in the following items, the validity period of that motor vehicle inspection certificate is, notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, the period set forth in the relevant item:

③When issuing or returning a motor vehicle inspection certificate pursuant to Article 60, paragraph (1), Article 62, paragraph (2) (including as applied mutatis mutandis in Article 63, paragraph (3) and Article 67, paragraph (4)) or Article 71, paragraph (4), if the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism finds that the motor vehicle is likely to cease to conform to the safety standards before the validity period under paragraph (1) or the preceding paragraph elapses, the Minister may shorten the validity period under paragraph (1) or the preceding paragraph.