①Persons who discover that someone has been subject to spousal violence (limited to physical violence by a spouse or former spouse; hereinafter the same applies in this Chapter) must endeavor to make a notification to that effect to a spousal violence counseling and support center or police officer.

②Physicians or other medical personnel that, during the course of their duties, come across a person which they consider has suffered an injury or medical condition as a result of spousal violence may make a notification to that effect to a spousal violence counseling and support center or police officer. In this case, they are to endeavor to respect the wishes of the person.

③The provisions of the Penal Code (Act No. 45 of 1907) concerning unlawful disclosure of confidential information and the provisions of other laws concerning confidentiality obligations must not be construed as preventing notification pursuant to the preceding two paragraphs.

④Physicians or other medical personnel who, during the course of their duties, come across a person whom they consider has suffered an injury or medical condition as a result of spousal violence must endeavor to provide the person with information they have concerning the use of spousal violence counseling and support centers, etc.

When receiving notification or being consulted about a victim, where necessary, the spousal violence counseling and support center is to give an explanation and advice regarding the services provided by spousal violence counseling and support centers pursuant to the provisions of Article 3, paragraph (3) and recommend the victim receive any necessary protection.

If a police officer finds that spousal violence has been committed based on a notification or other means, pursuant to the provisions of the Police Act (Act No. 162 of 1954), Police Duties Execution Act (Act No. 136 of 1948), and other laws and regulations, the officer must endeavor to take necessary measures to stop the violence, protect the victim, and otherwise prevent harm caused by spousal violence.

If a request is received from a person subjected to spousal violence for assistance in personally preventing harm from spousal violence, and if that request is found to be reasonable, pursuant to the provisions of the Rules of the National Public Safety Commission, the Superintendent General of the Metropolitan Police Department, the chief of prefectural police headquarters (or the chief of area headquarters for an area that does not include the location of the Hokkaido Prefectural Police Headquarters; the same applies in Article 15, paragraph (3)), or the chief of a police station is to advise the person subjected to spousal violence on measures to personally prevent the harm and offer other necessary assistance to prevent the person from suffering harm from spousal violence.

Offices handling welfare affairs as prescribed by the Social Welfare Act (Act No. 45 of 1951) (referred to as "welfare offices" in the following Article) must endeavor to take any necessary measures to support victims to become self-reliant pursuant to the provisions of the Public Assistance Act (Act No. 144 of 1950), the Child Welfare Act (Act No. 164 of 1947), the Act on Welfare of Mothers with Dependents, Fathers with Dependents, and Widows (Act No. 129 of 1964), and other laws and regulations.

In providing protection to victims, spousal violence counseling and support centers, prefectural police, welfare offices, child guidance centers, other relevant prefectural or municipal organizations, and other relevant organizations are to endeavor to coordinate and cooperate with each other so that appropriate protection is provided.

When a complaint is received from a victim regarding the performance of duties by personnel in charge of the protection of victims, the relevant organizations referred to in the preceding Article are to endeavor to process the complaints appropriately and promptly.