Supplementary Provisions

This Act comes into effect on the day on which six months have elapsed from the date of promulgation; provided, however, that the provision deleting Article 5-2, the provision amending Article 7-2, the provision adding one Chapter after Chapter II, the provisions amending Article 32, Article 39, paragraph (1) and Article 45, paragraph (2), the provision adding two Articles after Article 46 (limited to the portions pertaining to the proviso to Article 46-2, paragraph (1) and Article 46-3, paragraph (2)), the provision amending Article 55, paragraph (4), the provision amending Article 64 (limited to the portion pertaining to paragraph (3) of that Article), the provision adding one paragraph to Article 66, the provision making Article 68-2 into Article 68-3 and adding one Article after Article 68, and the provisions of Articles 5 and 15 of the Supplementary Provisions come into effect on the date specified by Cabinet Order within a period not exceeding one year from the date of promulgation, and the provisions of the following Article through Article 4 of the Supplementary Provisions come into effect on the date of promulgation.

In consideration of future population trends, progress in medicine and medical science, etc., the Government is to promptly conduct a review of the system for providing medical care, including the state of hospitals and clinics and the positioning and appropriate distribution of health care facilities for the elderly, etc., and take necessary measures such as the development of legislation based on the results.

The Government is to promptly conduct a review of the state of the training of physicians, dentists and pharmacists in response to the future demand for medical care, and take necessary measures based on the results.

In view of the importance of the social role played by medical institutions in ensuring appropriate medical care in the region, the Government is to take the necessary measures for stabilizing the management base of medical institutions and ensuring the smooth continuation of their operations.

In the case where a person listed in the items of Article 7-2, paragraph (1) after the revision files with the prefectural governor an application for the permission under Article 7, paragraph (1) or (2), the provisions of Article 7-2, paragraphs (1) through (4) before the revision remain in force, even on or after the date specified by Cabinet Order in the proviso to Article 1 of the Supplementary Provisions, with regard to a disposition of permission or non-permission made until the date on which the medical care plan of the prefecture is publicly announced pursuant to Article 30-4, paragraph (11) after the revision; in this case, the phrase "Medical Institution Development Council" in Article 7-2, paragraph (3) before the revision is deemed to be replaced with "Prefectural Council on Medical Service Facilities".

With regard to a medical corporation existing at the time of enforcement of this Act, notwithstanding the provisions of Articles 46-2 through 47 and Article 68 after the revision, the provisions then in force continue to govern for two years from the date of enforcement of this Act.

Until the day before the date specified by Cabinet Order in the proviso to Article 1 of the Supplementary Provisions, the prefectural governor must hear the opinion of the Medical Institution Development Council in advance when taking a disposition under Article 64, paragraph (2) or Article 66, paragraph (1) after the revision.

A disposition or procedure made under the provisions of the Medical Care Act before the revision and the provisions of the preceding Article is deemed to have been made under the corresponding provisions of the Medical Care Act after the revision.

With regard to the application of penal provisions to acts committed before this Act comes into effect, the provisions then in force continue to govern.