Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 52-36, paragraph (1), a person that is registered by the Prime Minister may engage in electronic payment handling services.

①A person that seeks to obtain the registration referred to in the preceding Article (referred to as a "applicant for registration" in paragraph (2) of the following Article and Article 52-60-6) must submit a written application for registration stating the following particulars to the Prime Minister:

②The following documents must be attached to the written application for registration referred to in the preceding paragraph:

①If an application is filed for the registration referred to in Article 52-60-3, the Prime Minister must register the following particulars in the electronic payment handling service providers register, except when the Prime Minister refuses to register the applicant for registration pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the following Article:

②When the Prime Minister registers an applicant for registration pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Prime Minister must notify the applicant for registration to that effect without delay.

③The Prime Minister must make the electronic payment handling service providers register available for public inspection.

①The Prime Minister must refuse the registration of an applicant for registration if the applicant falls under any of the following items, or if a written application for registration referred to in Article 52-60-4, paragraph (1) or any attached document contains a false statement on material particulars or lacks a statement of material facts:

②If the Prime Minister refuses the registration pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Prime Minister must notify the applicant for registration to that effect by indicating the reason for the refusal, without delay.

①When seeking to change any of the particulars set forth in Article 52-60-4, paragraph (1), item (v) or (vi) (excluding cases specified by Cabinet Office Order as being less likely to result in insufficient protection of customers of electronic payment handling services or impair the proper and reliable performance of electronic payment handling services), an electronic payment handling service provider must file a notification to that effect with the Prime Minister in advance.

②Except in the case specified by the Cabinet Office Order, if a particular set forth in any of the items of Article 52-60-4, paragraph (1) changes (excluding the case in which a notification pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph is filed), the electronic payment handling service provider must file a notification to that effect with the Prime Minister pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order, within 30 days after the day on which the change occurred.

③Upon accepting the notification pursuant to the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs, the Prime Minister must register the particular that has been notified in the electronic payment handling service providers register.

①Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 52-61-2, if an electronic payment handling service provider does not fall under Article 52-61-5, paragraph (1), item (i), sub-items (c) through (e) and item (ii), sub-item (b), 4. through 6., the electronic payment handling service provider may engage in electronic payment services related to the entrusting bank only when they conduct the services upon entrustment by customers of the electronic payment handling services of the electronic payment handling service provider that have opened a deposit account with the entrusting bank.

②If an electronic payment handling service provider engages in electronic payment services pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the electronic payment handling service provider is deemed to be an electronic payment service provider, and the provisions of Article 52-61-4, Article 52-61-6, Article 52-61-7, paragraph (1) (excluding item (ii)), Articles 52-61-8 through 52-61-16, Article 52-61-17, paragraph (1), Articles 52-61-19 through 52-61-30, Article 53, paragraph (6), and Article 56 (limited to the parts related to item (xxi) and items (xxiii) through (xxv)) and the provisions of Chapter IX which are related to those provisions apply. In such a case, in Article 52-61-4, paragraph (1), the phrase "If an application is filed for a registration referred to in Article 52-61-2, ..., except when refusing to register the applicant pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the following Article" is deemed to be replaced with "If a notification under Article 52-60-8, paragraph (3) is filed," and the phrase "register the following particulars in the electronic payment service providers register" is deemed to be replaced with "record the following particulars in the register"; the phrase "particulars set forth in the items of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article" in item (i) of that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "trade name, names of officers (in the case of a foreign electronic payment handling service provider, including a person that is treated in the same manner under foreign laws and regulations and its representative in Japan; the same applies in Article 52-61-7, paragraph (1), item (iii)), the name and location of the business office in which electronic payment services are conducted, and other particulars specified by Cabinet Office Order"; the term "date of registration and the registration number" in item (ii) of that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "date of notification and the notification acceptance number"; in paragraph (2) of that Article, the term "registers" is deemed to be replaced with "enters," and the term "applicant for registration" is deemed to be replaced with "person who has filed a notification under the provisions of Article 52-60-8, paragraph (3)"; the term "electronic payment service providers register" in paragraph (3) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "register referred to in paragraph (1)"; the term "any of the items of Article 52-61-3, paragraph (1)" in Article 52-61-6, paragraph (1) is deemed to be replaced with "Article 52-61-4, paragraph (1), item (i)"; "register...in the electronic payment service providers register" in paragraph (2) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "enter...in the register referred to in Article 52-61-4, paragraph (1)"; the term "individual or corporation" in Article 52-61-7, paragraph (1), item (i) is deemed to be replaced with "corporation"; the term "trade name or name" in Article 52-61-8, paragraph (1), item (i) is deemed to be replaced with "trade name"; the term "business office or office" in item (iv) of that paragraph and the term "business office or office" in Article 52-61-15, paragraph (1) are deemed to be replaced with "business office"; in Article 52-61-17, paragraph (1), the term "any of the following items" is deemed to be replaced with "item (iii)," and the term "revoke the registration under Article 52-61-2, or order the suspension of all or a part of its business during a designated period of no longer than six months" is deemed to be replaced with "order the suspension of all or a part of its electronic payment services during a designated period of no longer than six months"; and the phrase "foreign corporation or an individual who has an address in a foreign country" and the term "foreign corporation or individual" in Article 52-61-30 are deemed to be replaced with "foreign corporation"; and any other necessary technical replacement of terms is specified by Cabinet Order.

③When an electronic payment handling service provider seeks to engage in electronic payment services pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), the electronic payment handling service provider must submit documents stating their trade name, names of the officers, the name and location of the business office where they conduct electronic payment services, and other particulars specified by Cabinet Office Order, documents set forth in Article 52-61-3, paragraph (2), item (iii), a document in which the electronic payment handling service provider pledges that they do not fall under Article 52-61-5, paragraph (1), item (i), sub-items (c) through (e) and item (ii), sub-item (b), 4. through 6., and other documents specified by Cabinet Office Order to the Prime Minister.

①An electronic payment handling service provider must post a sign in the form specified by Cabinet Office Order in a place that is easily seen by the public at each of their business offices where the electronic payment handling service provider performs electronic payment handling services.

②An electronic payment handling service provider must publicize their trade name and other particulars specified by Cabinet Office Order by using the internet or by other means specified by Cabinet Office Order.

③It is prohibited for a person other than an electronic payment handling service provider to post the sign referred to in paragraph (1) or a sign similar thereto.

An electronic payment handling service provider must not have another person engage in electronic payment handling services using their name.

①When engaging in an action set forth in any of the items of Article 2, paragraph (17), an electronic payment handling service provider must explain the following particulars to customers in advance, except in the case specified by Cabinet Office Order:

②An electronic payment handling service provider, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order, must take measures of providing customers with information to prevent them from mistaking electronic payment handling services for the services conducted by banks, for ensuring the proper handling and safe control of the information on customers that the electronic payment handling service provider has acquired in connection with the electronic payment handling services, for ensuring the precise execution of electronic payment handling services when the electronic payment handling service provider entrusts a part of the services to a third party, and take other measures for ensuring the sound and appropriate management of electronic payment handling services.

An electronic payment handling service provider must not, for any reason, receive a deposit of money or other property from a customer, or have a person specified by Cabinet Order as having a close relationship with that electronic payment handling service provider deposit a customer's money or other property, in connection with the electronic payment handling services they provide; provided, however, that this does not apply in cases specified by Cabinet Office Order as being less likely to result in insufficient customer protection.

When engaging in electronic payment handling services, an electronic payment handling service provider must conclude a contract with an entrusting bank for electronic payment handling services in which particulars for sharing the liability to compensate for damages incurred by customers between the entrusting bank and the electronic payment handling service provider and other particulars specified by Cabinet Office Order are provided for, and conduct electronic payment handling services related to that entrusting bank in accordance with the contract.

①An electronic payment handling service provider must take the measures specified in the following items in accordance with the category of the cases set forth in each of those items:

②If an electronic payment handling service provider takes measures of concluding a basic contract for the implementation of dispute resolution procedures pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the service provider must publicize the trade name or name of the designated dispute resolution organization for electronic payment handling services that is the other party to the basic contract for the implementation of dispute resolution procedures.

③The provisions of paragraph (1) do not apply to the period specified in the following items, in accordance with the category of cases set forth in each of those items:

An electronic payment handling service provider must not perform any of the following actions (excluding the action set forth in item (iii) for electronic payment-related deposit intermediary services under a contract of specified deposit, etc.) concerning their electronic payment handling services:

The provisions of Chapter III, Section 1, Subsection 5 of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (excluding Article 34-2, paragraphs (6) through (8) (Cases in Which a Professional Investor Is Deemed to Be a Customer Other Than a Professional Investor) and Article 34-3, paragraphs (5) and (6) (Cases in Which a Corporation That Is a Customer Other Than a Professional Investor Is Deemed to Be a Professional Investor)) (Professional Investors), Section 2, Subsection 1 of that Chapter (excluding Articles 35 through 36-4 (Scope of Services for Persons Engaged in Type-I Financial Instruments Business or Investment Management Business; Scope of Concurrent Business by Persons That Only Engage in Type-II Financial Instruments Business or Investment Advisory and Agency Business; Establishment of an Operational Control System; Development of Systems to Protect the Interests of Customers; Posting Signs, etc.; Prohibition on Name Lending; Prohibition on Corporate Bond Management, etc.), Article 37-2 (Obligation to Clarify the Conditions of Transactions in Advance), Article 37-3, paragraph (1), item (vi) and paragraph (3) (Provision of Information Prior to the Conclusion of a Contract, etc.), Article 37-5 (Delivery of Documents in Connection with the Receipt of a Security Deposit), Article 37-6, paragraphs (1) and (2), the proviso to paragraph (4), and paragraph (5) (Written Cancellation), Article 37-7 (Obligation to Conclude a Contract with a designated dispute resolution organization, etc.), Article 38, items (i), (ii), (vii) and (viii) and Article 38-2 (Prohibited Actions), the proviso to Article 39, paragraph (3), and paragraphs (4), (6) and (7) of that Article (Prohibition on Compensation of Loss), and Articles 40-2 through 40-7 (Best Execution Policy, etc.; Prohibition of Purchase and Sale, etc. If Separate Management Is Not Ensured; Prohibition of Public Offering, etc. If Money Has Been Diverted; Prohibition of Purchase and Sale, etc. If Provision of Information on the Status of the Business Subject to Investment Is Not Ensured; Prohibition of Public Offering, etc. If Information on the Status of the Business Subject to Investment Has Not Been Provided; Restrictions on the Purchase and Sale, etc. of Securities for Professional Investors; Obligation to Notify in Connection with Securities for Professional Investors; Prohibition of Trading Against Self; Obligation to Use an Electronic Data Processing System for Over-the-Counter Transactions of Derivatives, etc.)) (General Rules), and Article 45 (excluding items (iii) and (iv)) (Miscellaneous Provisions) of that Act apply mutatis mutandis to an electronic payment handling service provider that engages in electronic payment-related deposit intermediary services concerning a contract for specified deposit, etc. In such cases, the term "financial instruments transaction contract" in these provisions (excluding the provisions of Article 34 and Article 37-6, paragraph (3) of that Act) is deemed to be replaced with "contract for specified deposit, etc."; in Article 34 of that Act, the phrase "contract for performing an act that constitutes a financial instruments transaction (meaning an act set forth in the items of Article 2, paragraph (8); the same applies hereinafter) with a customer as the counterparty or on behalf of a customer (hereinafter referred to as a 'financial instruments transaction contract'" is deemed to be replaced with "contract for specified deposit, etc. (meaning a contract for specified deposit, etc. prescribed in Article 13-4 of the Banking Act; the same applies hereinafter", the phrase "paragraph (31), item (iv) of that Article" is deemed to be replaced with "Article 2, paragraph (31), item (iv)", the phrase "financial instruments transaction contract that is the same as the financial instruments transaction contract" is deemed to be replaced with "contract for specified deposit, etc. that is the same as the contract for specified deposit, etc.", the phrase "financial instruments transaction contract in the past" is deemed to be replaced with "provision of intermediary services for the conclusion of a contract for specified deposit, etc. in the past", the term "concluded" is deemed to be replaced with "performed", and the phrase "concludes a financial instruments transaction contract" is deemed to be replaced with "provides intermediary services for the conclusion of a contract for specified deposit, etc."; the term "or concludes" in Article 34-2, paragraph (2) of that Act is deemed to be replaced with "or provides intermediary services for"; the term "concluding" in paragraph (3), item (iii) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "providing intermediary services for"; the term "concludes" in paragraph (5), item (ii) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "provides intermediary services for concluding"; the term "concluding" in Article 34-3, paragraph (2), item (ii) of that Act is deemed to be replaced with "providing intermediary services for"; the phrase "and a subject contract" in item (iv), sub-item (a) of that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "through the intermediary services of a subject contract"; the term "concluding" in items (v) and (vi) of that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "providing intermediary services for"; the term "concludes" in paragraph (4), item (ii) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "provides intermediary services for concluding"; the term "or concludes" in paragraph (10) of that Article and Article 34-4, paragraph (5) of that Act is deemed to be replaced with "or provides intermediary services for"; the phrase "trade name, name or full name" in Article 37, paragraph (1), item (i) of that Act is deemed to be replaced with "trade name"; the phrase "performing an act that constitutes a financial instruments transaction" in paragraph (2) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "concluding a contract for specified deposit, etc."; in Article 37-3, paragraph (1) of that Act, the phrase "seeks to conclude" is deemed to be replaced with "provides intermediary services for concluding", and the phrase "matters set forth" is deemed to be replaced with "matters set forth and, in order to contribute to the protection of customers, the content of that contract for specified deposit, etc. and other matters that should serve as a reference for the customer (referred to as 'reference matters, etc.' in the following paragraph)"; the phrase "trade name, name or full name" in item (i) of that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "and the trade name of the entrusting bank (meaning the entrusting bank prescribed in Article 2, paragraph (17), item (ii) of the Banking Act; the same applies in Article 37-6, paragraph (3)) pertaining to that contract for specified deposit, etc."; the phrase "an act that constitutes a financial instruments transaction to be performed" in item (v) of that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "a contract for specified deposit, etc. to be concluded"; the phrase "excluded)" in paragraph (2) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "excluded) and the reference matters, etc."; the phrase "that matter" in the proviso to that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "those matters"; in Article 37-6, paragraph (3) of that Act, the phrase "the provisions of paragraph (1)" is deemed to be replaced with "a request from the customer", the phrase "if a financial instruments transaction contract is cancelled" is deemed to be replaced with "in the case where damages or other money has been paid to the entrusting bank in connection with the cancellation of a contract for specified deposit, etc.", the phrase "fees, remuneration or other consideration payable by the customer in relation to that financial instruments transaction contract that corresponds to the period until the cancellation of the financial instruments transaction contract (referred to as 'consideration' in the following paragraph), in excess of the amount specified by Cabinet Office Order as the amount of that consideration, the cancellation of that financial instruments transaction contract" is deemed to be replaced with "payment", and the phrase "or the payment of a penalty" is deemed to be replaced with "payment of other money, to that customer,"; in paragraph (4) of that Article, the phrase "the provisions of paragraph (1)" is deemed to be replaced with "a request from the customer" and the term "customer" is deemed to be replaced with "that customer"; in Article 39, paragraph (1), item (i) of that Act, the phrase "purchase and sale or other transaction of securities (excluding a purchase and sale with a repurchase requirement in which the repurchase price is determined in advance and other transactions specified by Cabinet Order) or derivatives transaction (hereinafter referred to as 'purchase and sale or other transaction of securities, etc.' in this Article)" is deemed to be replaced with "conclusion of a contract for specified deposit, etc.", the phrase "securities or derivatives transaction (hereinafter referred to as 'securities, etc.' in this Article)" is deemed to be replaced with "contract for specified deposit, etc.", the phrase "customer (including, where a trust company, etc. (meaning a trust company or a financial institution that has obtained the authorization under Article 1, paragraph (1) of the Act on Engagement in Trust Business by Financial Institutions; the same applies hereinafter) conducts a purchase and sale of securities or a derivatives transaction on account of a person who establishes a trust based on a trust contract, that person who establishes the trust; the same applies hereinafter in this Article)" is deemed to be replaced with "customer", and the phrase "in order to supplement" is deemed to be replaced with "in order to supplement, otherwise than under that contract for specified deposit, etc."; in item (ii) of that paragraph, the term "purchase and sale or other transaction of securities, etc." is deemed to be replaced with "conclusion of a contract for specified deposit, etc.", the term "securities, etc." is deemed to be replaced with "contract for specified deposit, etc.", and the phrase "in order to add" is deemed to be replaced with "in order to add, otherwise than under that contract for specified deposit, etc."; in item (iii) of that paragraph, the term "purchase and sale or other transaction of securities, etc." is deemed to be replaced with "conclusion of a contract for specified deposit, etc.", the term "securities, etc." is deemed to be replaced with "contract for specified deposit, etc.", and the phrase "in order to add," is deemed to be replaced with "in order to add, otherwise than under that contract for specified deposit, etc."; the term "purchase and sale or other transaction of securities, etc." in each item of paragraph (2) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "conclusion of a contract for specified deposit, etc."; the phrase "that which is specified by Cabinet Order as becoming a cause" in paragraph (3) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "that which becomes a cause"; the phrase "an act that constitutes a financial instruments transaction" in Article 40, item (i) of that Act is deemed to be replaced with "the conclusion of a contract for specified deposit, etc."; and in Article 45, item (ii) of that Act, the phrase "Articles 37-2 through 37-6, Article 40-2, paragraph (4) and Article 43-4" is deemed to be replaced with "Article 37-3 (limited to the part pertaining to items (i) through (v) and item (vii) of paragraph (1), and excluding paragraph (3)), Article 37-4, and Article 37-6, paragraphs (3) and (4) (excluding the proviso)" and the term "concluded" is deemed to be replaced with "provided intermediary services for the conclusion of"; in addition, any other technical replacement of terms that is necessary is specified by Cabinet Order.

An electronic payment handling service provider must prepare and preserve books and documents concerning electronic payment handling services, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order.

①Each business year, an electronic payment handling service provider must prepare a written report on their electronic payment handling services and submit it to the Prime Minister, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order.

②The written report referred to in the preceding paragraph must be attached with the documents concerning finance, an audit report prepared by a certified public accountant (including a foreign certified public accountant prescribed in Article 16-2, paragraph (5) (Special Provisions for Those Qualified in Foreign Jurisdictions) of the Certified Public Accountants Act (Act No. 103 of 1948)) or audit corporation regarding those documents, and other documents specified by Cabinet Office Order.

①If the Prime Minister finds it to be necessary for ensuring the sound and appropriate management of electronic payment handling services by an electronic payment handling service provider, the Prime Minister may ask the electronic payment handling service provider to make a report or submit materials on the status of their business or property.

②If the Prime Minister finds it to be particularly necessary for ensuring the sound and appropriate management of electronic payment handling services by an electronic payment handling service provider, the Prime Minister may, to the extent necessary, request a person that conducts transactions with the electronic payment handling service provider related to electronic payment handling services or a person that the electronic payment handling service provider has entrusted with its electronic payment handling services (including a person further entrusted by that entrusted person (including entrustment at two or more degrees of separation from the original entrustment); the same applies in the following paragraph and paragraphs (2) and (5) of the following Article) to make a report or submit materials on the status of business or property of the electronic payment handling service provider.

③A person conducting transactions with an electronic payment handling service provider related to electronic payment handling services or a person that an electronic payment handling service provider has entrusted with its electronic payment handling services may refuse to make a report or submit materials pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph if the person has legitimate grounds for doing so.

①If the Prime Minister finds it to be necessary for ensuring the sound and appropriate management of electronic payment handling services by an electronic payment handling service provider, the Prime Minister may have relevant officials enter the business office or any other facilities of the electronic payment handling service provider, have those officials ask questions about the status of their business or property, and have them inspect their books, documents and any other articles.

②If an entry into facilities is to be made, and questioning or inspection is to be conducted, pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, and the Prime Minister finds it to be particularly necessary, the Prime Minister may, to the extent necessary, have relevant officials enter the facilities of a person conducting transactions with the electronic payment handling service provider that are related to electronic payment handling services or of a person that the electronic payment handling service provider has entrusted with its electronic payment handling services, have those officials ask that person questions about any particulars that are required to be asked in relation to the questioning or inspection of the electronic payment handling service provider, or have them inspect that person's books, documents and any other articles.

③In the cases referred to in the preceding two paragraphs, the relevant official must carry an identification card, and must present it if a person concerned requests them to do so.

④The authority under the provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2) must not be construed as being granted for criminal investigation purposes.

⑤The provisions of paragraph (3) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to the questioning and inspection of the person conducting transactions with an electronic payment handling service provider that are connected with electronic payment handling services or of the person that the electronic payment handling service provider has entrusted with its electronic payment handling services, pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2).

If the Prime Minister finds it to be necessary for ensuring the sound and appropriate management of electronic payment handling services by an electronic payment handling service provider, the Prime Minister may order the electronic payment handling service provider to change its business content and business methods and order other measures that are necessary for supervision, to the extent necessary.

①If an electronic payment handling service provider falls under any of the following items, the Prime Minister may revoke the registration referred to in Article 52-60-3, or order the suspension of all or a part of the electronic payment handling services during a designated period of no longer than six months:

②If an electronic payment handling service provider that provides electronic payment handling services pursuant to the provisions of Article 52-60-8, paragraph (1) violates the provisions of this Act which apply pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2) of that Article or a disposition based on these provisions by the Prime Minister or is found to have committed an extremely inappropriate action in relation to electronic payment handling services, the Prime Minister may order the electronic payment handling service provider to discontinue the electronic payment handling services.

③If the Prime Minister is unable to ascertain the location of the business offices of an electronic payment handling service provider or is unable to ascertain the whereabouts of the officer representing an electronic payment handling service provider, the Prime Minister may issue public notice of that fact and revoke the electronic payment handling service provider's registration under the provisions of Article 52-60-3 if no application is made by the electronic payment handling service provider after 30 days have passed since the day of the public notice, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order.

④The provisions of Chapter III (Adverse Dispositions) of the Administrative Procedure Act do not apply to a disposition pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

In the following cases, the Prime Minister must cancel the registration of an electronic payment handling service provider:

The Prime Minister may certify a general incorporated association that has been incorporated by electronic payment handling service providers and that satisfies the following requirements, as a person that conducts services prescribed in the following Article (hereinafter referred to as "certified services" in this Section), upon application by the general incorporated association, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Order:

A certified association of electronic payment handling service providers is to perform the following services:

①A certified association of electronic payment handling service providers must make its membership list available for public inspection.

②A person that is not a certified association of electronic payment handling service providers (excluding a person certified under the provisions of Article 85-3-4 (Certification of Certified Association of Electronic Payment Handling Service Providers for Shinkin Banks) of the Shinkin Bank Act and any other person specified by Cabinet Order as being similar to them) must not use a word in their name which is likely to be mistaken for a certified association of electronic payment handling service providers.

③A person that is not the association member of a certified association of electronic payment handling service providers (excluding a person that is a member of a certified association of electronic payment handling service providers for Shinkin banks prescribed in Article 85-3-5 (Services of Certified Association of Electronic Payment Handling Service Providers for Shinkin Banks) of the Shinkin Bank Act and any other person specified by Cabinet Order as being similar to them) must not use a word in their name which is likely to be mistaken for an association member of the certified association of electronic payment handling service providers.

A certified association of electronic payment handling service providers must be able to provide customers of electronic payment handling services with the information with which it has been provided by the Prime Minister pursuant to the provisions of Article 52-60-35 which contributes to protecting customers of electronic payment handling services.

①If a customer of electronic payment handling services files an application with a certified association of electronic payment handling service providers to resolve a complaint related to the electronic payment handling services which an association member conducts, the certified association of electronic payment handling service providers must provide consultation and necessary advice to the customer who filed the application and investigate the circumstances concerning the complaint, as well as notify the association member of the content of the complaint and ask the member to promptly process the complaint.

②If a certified association of electronic payment handling service providers finds that it is necessary for resolving a complaint in relation to the application filed under the preceding paragraph, it may request the association member to provide a written or oral explanation or to submit materials.

③If a request referred to in the preceding paragraph is made by a certified association of electronic payment handling service providers, an association member must not refuse the request without legitimate grounds.

④A certified association of electronic payment handling service providers must fully inform its association members of an application referred to in paragraph (1), the circumstances concerning the complaint, and the outcome of its resolution.

①Having obtained information on actions performed by an electronic payment handling service provider that result in insufficient customer protection or any other information specified by Cabinet Office Order as necessary to protect the interests of customers of electronic payment handling services, an association member must report that information to the certified association of electronic payment handling service providers.

②If a certified association of electronic payment handling service providers receives a request from an association member to provide an information prescribed in the preceding paragraph that it holds, it must provide the association member with that information unless it has legitimate grounds not to do so.

①It is prohibited for an officer or employee of a certified association of electronic payment handling service providers, or a person that has held one of those positions (referred to as a "former or current officer or employee" in the following paragraph), to divulge or misappropriate any confidential information learned in the course of duty.

②A former or current officer or employee of a certified association of electronic payment handling service providers must not use any information learned in the course of duty other than for the purpose of providing the information for use in certified services (if the certified association of electronic payment handling service providers is a general incorporated association that obtained the certification referred to in Article 85-3-4 (Certification of Certified Association of Electronic Payment Handling Service Providers for Shinkin Banks) of the Shinkin Bank Act and the former or current officer or employee is a former or current officer or employee engaged in the services prescribed in Article 85-3-5 (Services of Certified Association of Electronic Payment Handling Service Providers for Shinkin Banks) of that Act that are conducted by the general incorporated association, including the provision of information for use in those services or in other services specified by Cabinet Order as being similar to those services).

In addition to the particulars set forth in the items of Article 11, paragraph (1) (Contents or Recorded Particulars in the Articles of Incorporation) of the Act on General Incorporated Associations and General Incorporated Foundations (Act No. 48 of 2006) and the provisions of the articles of incorporation prescribed in Article 52-60-25, item (ii), a certified association of electronic payment handling service providers must provide in its articles of incorporation that if an association member violates this Act, an order that is based on this Act, a disposition that is based on this Act or the order, or the rules referred to in Article 52-60-26, item (iii), the certified association of electronic payment handling service providers will order the suspension or restriction of the association member's rights provided for in the articles of incorporation, or expel the association member from the certified association of electronic payment handling service providers.

①The Prime Minister may, to the extent necessary for the enforcement of this Act, order a certified association of electronic payment handling service providers to make a report or submit materials that is to serve as a reference on the status of their business or property, or have relevant officials enter the office of the certified association of electronic payment handling service providers, have those officials ask questions about the status of their business or property, or have them inspect their books, documents, and any other articles.

②In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, the relevant official must carry an identification card, and must present it if a person concerned requests them to do so.

③The authority under the provisions of paragraph (1) must not be construed as being granted for criminal investigation purposes.

①Upon finding that the operation of certified services needs to be improved, the Prime Minister may order a certified association of electronic payment handling service providers to take necessary measures to improve the operation, to the extent necessary for the enforcement of this Act.

②When business operations of a certified association of electronic payment handling service providers have violated this Act, an order that is based on this Act, or a disposition that is based on this Act or the order, the Prime Minister may revoke its certification or order the suspension of all or part of its services during a designated period of no longer than six months.

In response to a request by a certified association of electronic payment handling service providers, the Prime Minister may provide a certified association of electronic payment handling service providers with the information on the service providers that is specified by Cabinet Office Order as contributing to certified services, to the extent necessary to ensure that the certified association of electronic payment handling service providers properly performs certified services.

①If an electronic payment handling service provider falls under any of the following items, the service provider must file a notification to that effect with the Prime Minister without delay:

②If an electronic payment handling service provider discontinues all of the electronic payment handling services, the registration of the electronic payment handling service provider referred to in Article 52-60-3 ceases to be effective. In such a case, a person who has been the electronic payment handling service provider is deemed to be an electronic payment handling service provider for the purpose of completing the performance of obligations to be borne by the service provider in relation to the electronic payment handling services they conduct, and returning the customers' property managed by them in relation to the electronic payment handling services they conduct to customers.

③If an electronic payment handling service provider seeks to discontinue all or part of the electronic payment handling services, to transfer all or part of the electronic payment handling services, to implement a merger (limited to a merger in which the electronic payment handling service provider disappears as a result of the merger), to dissolve for reasons other than a merger or an order commencing bankruptcy proceedings, or to have another service provider succeed to all or part of the electronic payment handling services due to a company split, the service provider must give public notice to that effect at least thirty days before the relevant date and post a notice to that effect in a place easily seen by the public at all of its business offices, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Office Order.

④Having given public notice pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, an electronic payment handling service provider must immediately notify the Prime Minister to that effect.

⑤Having given public notice pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (3) (excluding cases in which an electronic payment handling service provider has given public notice on the succession of the relevant business through transfer of business, merger or company split, or for other reasons), the electronic payment handling service provider must promptly complete the performance of obligations to be borne by them in relation to the electronic payment handling services that they seek to discontinue, and promptly return the customers' property they manage in relation to the electronic payment handling services they conduct to customers.

⑥The provisions of Article 940, paragraph (1) (limited to the part related to item (i)) and paragraph (3) (Public Notice Period of Electronic Public Notice) of the Companies Act apply mutatis mutandis to the cases in which an electronic payment handling service provider (excluding a foreign electronic payment handling service provider) gives public notice under the provisions of paragraph (3) by electronic public notice. In such a case, any necessary technical replacement of terms is specified by Cabinet Order.

⑦The provisions of Article 940, paragraph (1) (limited to the part related to item (i)) and paragraph (3) (Public Notice Period of Electronic Public Notice), Article 941 (Electronic Public Notice Investigation), Article 946 (Obligation of Investigation), Article 947 (Cases Where an Electronic Public Notice Investigation Is Unable to Be Carried Out), Article 951, paragraph (2) (Keeping and Inspection of Financial Statements), Article 953 (Order for Improvement), and Article 955 (Statements in an Investigation Record Book) of the Companies Act apply mutatis mutandis to the cases in which an electronic payment handling service provider that is a foreign electronic payment handling service provider gives public notice under the provisions of paragraph (3) by electronic public notice. In such a case, any necessary technical replacement of terms is specified by Cabinet Order.

When the registration referred to in Article 52-60-3 for an electronic payment handling service provider has been revoked pursuant to provisions of Article 52-60-23, paragraph (1) or (3) (excluding the cases specified by Cabinet Office Order as being less likely to result in insufficient protection of customers of electronic payment handling services or to impair the sound and appropriate performance of electronic payment handling services), the person who has been the electronic payment handling service provider must promptly complete the performance of obligations to be borne by them in relation to the electronic payment handling services they conduct, and promptly return the customers' property they manage in relation to the electronic payment handling services to customers. In such a case, the person who has been the electronic payment handling service provider is deemed to be an electronic payment handling service provider for the purpose of completing the performance of those obligations and returning the property to customers.

A foreign electronic payment handling service provider that has not obtained the registration referred to in Article 52-60-3 must not solicit a person in Japan for the actions set forth in the items of Article 2, paragraph (17) or actions equivalent to those actions.

Cabinet Order prescribes technical replacements of terms for applying this Act to an electronic payment handling service provider that is a foreign corporation, and other necessary particulars for applying the provisions of this Act to the foreign corporation.