Article 17Notification of Loss or Destruction by Fire of Passport

①If an ordinary passport has become lost or was destroyed by fire, the holder of an ordinary passport must notify the Minister for Foreign Affairs through a prefectural governor when in Japan, or a consular officer when abroad of that fact, without delay, pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; provided, however, that when giving a notification in Japan, if it is urgent and a prefectural governor or the Minister for Foreign Affairs finds it necessary, the holder may appear directly at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and notify the Minister for Foreign Affairs of that fact.

②In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, if it is found to be difficult for the holder of an ordinary passport to personally give the notification due to a disease, physical disability, difficult traffic situation, or other really unavoidable reasons, the notification may be given by any of the following persons, pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

③In accepting the notification of loss or destruction by fire of an ordinary passport referred to in paragraph (1), a prefectural governor (Minister for Foreign Affairs, when notifying the Minister for Foreign Affairs directly) is to verify the identity of the notifier, verify that the notifier resides in the domicile or residence stated in the written notification of the lost passport, and verify the fact that the ordinary passport has been lost or was destroyed by fire, and may request the notifier to present or submit documents in support of those facts pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the purpose of verification.

④In accepting the notification of loss or destruction by fire of an ordinary passport referred to in paragraph (1), a consular officer is to verify the identity of the notifier and the fact that the ordinary passport has been lost or was destroyed by fire, and may request the notifier to present or submit necessary documents for the purpose of verification.

⑤If an official passport has been lost or was destroyed by fire, the holder of an official passport must notify the Minister for Foreign Affairs through the head of each ministry and agency when in Japan, or the Minister for Foreign Affairs through the head of each ministry and agency, or a consular officer when abroad, without delay, pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.