# This English translation of the Professional Engineer Act has been prepared (up to the revisions of Act No.50 of 2006 (Yet to enter into force)) in compliance with the Standard Bilingual Dictionary March 2007 edition. This is an unofficial translation. Only the original Japanese texts of laws and regulations have legal effect, and translations are to be used solely as reference material to aid in the understanding of Japanese laws and regulations. The Government of Japan will not be responsible for the accuracy, reliability or currency of the legislative material provided on this Website, or for any consequence resulting from use of the information on this Website. For all purposes of interpreting and applying the law to any legal issue or dispute, users should consult the original Japanese texts published in the Official Gazette. Professional Engineer Act (Act No. 25 of 1983) Chapter I General Provisions Article 1 (Purpose) The purpose of this Act is to specify qualification of professional engineer etc., and to ensure the appropriateness of the business, so as to contribute to the improvement of science and technology and development of the national economy. Article 2 (Definition) (1) "Professional engineer" in this Act means a person who has obtained a registration under Article 32 (1) and conducts business (excluding business conduct which is restricted by any other Act) on matters of planning, research, design, analysis, testing, evaluation or guidance thereof, which require advanced and adaptive expertise in science and technology (excluding matters relating only to cultural science. this shall also apply hereinafter) using the name of professional engineer. (2) "Associate professional engineer" in this Act means a person who obtained a registration under Article 32 (2) and assists a professional engineer with respect to the business prescribed in the preceding paragraph using the name of the associate professional engineer in order to acquire necessary skill to become a professional engineer. Article 3 (Disqualification provisions) Any person who falls under any of the following provisions may not become a professional engineer or an associate professional engineer. (i) Any adult ward or person under curatorship. (ii) Any person who has been sentenced to imprisonment without work or severer punishment and has not yet passed two years from the date of completion of the execution of such punishment or the date on which such execution has been remitted. (iii) Any public officer who has been dismissed from public officer by disciplinary action and has not yet passed two years from the date of such punishment. (iv) Any person who has been sentenced to a fine in violation of the provisions of Article 57 (1) or (2) and has not yet passed two years from the date of completion of the execution of such punishment or from the date on which such execution has been remitted. (v) Any person who has been subjected to rescission of his/her registration pursuant to the provisions of Article 36 (1) (ii) or (2) and has not yet passed two years from the date of the rescission. (vi) Any person who has been subjected to prohibition of business pursuant to the provision of Article 32 (3) of the Patent Attorney Act (Act No.49 of 2000), or who has been subjected to deletion of his/her registration pursuant to the provision of Article 52 (ii) of the Survey Act(Act No.188 of 1949), or who has been subjected to rescission of his/her license pursuant to the provision of Article 10 (1) of the Kenchikushi Act for Architects & Building Engineers (Act No.202 of 1950), or who has been subjected to a disposition of prohibition from engaging in business pursuant to the provision of Article 13 (1) (iii) of the Land and House Investigator Act (Act No.228 of 1950), and who has not yet passed two years from the date of such a disposition. Chapter II Professional Engineer Examination Article 4 (Stages of professional engineer examinations) (1) The professional engineer examinations shall be divided so as to be the first stage examination and the second stage examination, and these examinations shall be held according to each technical discipline specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (hereinafter referred to as "technical discipline"). (2) A person who has passed the first stage examination is qualified to become an associate professional engineer. (3) A person who has passed the second stage examination is qualified to become a professional engineer. Article 5 (The first stage examination) (1) The purpose of the first stage examination shall be to judge whether or not a person has the necessary fundamental knowledge covering throughout science and technology to become a professional engineer, the aptitude to observe the provisions of Chapter IV, and the necessary expert knowledge on the matter of the technical discipline to become an associate professional engineer. (2) A person who has the qualification specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology may be exempted from a part of the first stage examination pursuant to the provision of Ordinance of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Article 6 (The second stage examination) (1) The purpose of the second stage examination shall be to judge whether or not a person has the necessary expert knowledge and advanced expertise for specific technical discipline to become a professional engineer. (2) A person who falls under any of the following provisions may take the second stage examination. (i) A person, as an associate professional engineer, who has assisted a professional engineer for a period longer than that specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. (ii) In addition to those provided for in the preceding item, a person (limited to a person who has the qualification to become an associate professional engineer) who has engaged, for a period longer than that specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, in business on matters of planning, research, design, analysis, testing, evaluation, or guidance thereof, which requires advanced and adaptive expertise in science and technology, under supervision by a person (limited to a person who falls under requirement specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) who conducts the business stipulated herein. (iii) In addition to those provided for in the previous two items, a person (restricted to a person who has the qualification to become an associate professional engineer) who has engaged in business on the matters prescribed in the preceding item for a period longer than that specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, (3) A person who is qualified to become a professional engineer for specific technical discipline and who intends to take the second stage examination for a technical discipline, which is other than the said specific technical discipline, may be exempted from a part of the second stage examination pursuant to the provision of Ordinance of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Article 7 (Conducting professional engineer examinations) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology shall conduct the professional engineer examinations one or more times per year. Article 8 (Certificate of passing) A person who has passed either the first stage professional engineer examination or the second stage professional engineer examination (referred to as "each examination" in Article 10 (1)) is given a certificate of success in the corresponding examination. Article 9 (Rescission of passing, etc.) (1) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology may rescind the decision of passage or prohibit taking of the professional engineer examination for a person who has taken or attempted to take it by illicit means. (2) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology may prohibit a person who has been subjected to a disposition under the preceding paragraph from taking the professional engineer examination for a period of up to two years. Article 10 (Examination fee) (1) A person who intends to take each stage of professional engineer examinations shall , as provided by Cabinet Order, pay an examination fee to the State(or to the designated examining agency, for a person who intends to take each examination of the professional engineer examinations for which the designated examining agency prescribed in the next Article paragraph (1) conducts the examination works prescribed in the same paragraph) in an amount provided by Cabinet Order with consideration of actual cost. (2) The examination fee paid to the designated examining agency provided by the provision of the preceding paragraph shall be an income to the designated examining agency pursuant to the same paragraph. (3) The examination fee under paragraph (1) shall not be refunded even if the payer does not take the professional engineer examinations. Article 11 (Designation of the designated examining agency) (1) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology may, pursuant to the provision of Ordinance of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, make the designated agency (hereinafter referred to as "designated examining agency") conduct the examination works with respect to implementation of the professional engineer examinations (hereinafter referred to as "examination works") . (2) Designation of the designated examining agency, pursuant to the provision of Ordinance of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, shall be made when an application is filed by a agency intends to conduct the examination works. (3) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology shall not designate the designated examining agency unless there is no other agency which obtained the designation and the said application under the preceding paragraph is recognized as satisfying the following requirement. (i) The plans for implementation of the examination works with respect to employees, equipment, method for implementation of the examination works and other matters are appropriate for proper and certain implementation of the examination works. (ii) Accounting and technical foundations, which are necessary for proper and certain implementation of the plan for implementation of the examination works under the preceding item, is provided. (4) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology shall not designate the designated examining agency in the case where the application under paragraph (2) falls under any of the following. (i) The applicant agency is one other than a general incorporated association or a general incorporated foundation. (ii) The applicant agency is likely to be unable to conduct the examination works fairly due to its other business. (iii) The applicant agency has been rescinded the designation pursuant to the provision of Article 24 and has not yet passed two years from the date of rescission. (iv) Any of the officers of the applicant agency falls under any of the following conditions. (a) A person who has been sentenced to punishment in violation of this Act and has not yet passed two years from the date of completion of the execution or from the date on which such execution has been remitted. (b) A person who has been dismissed by the order pursuant to the provision of the next Article (2) and has not yet passed two years from the date of such dismissal. Article 12 (Appointment and dismissal of officers in the designated examining agency) (1) The appointment and dismissal of officers in the designated examining agency shall not come into effect unless approval by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology is given. (2) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology may order the dismissal of an officer of the designated examining agency when the officer has acted in violation of this Act (including orders and punishments based on this Act) or the rules of the examination works provided in Article 14 (1), or has acted extremely inappropriately with respect to the examination works. Article 13 (Approval of business plan, etc.) (1) The designated examining agency shall prepare year-on-year a business plan and a budget for income and expenditure, and shall obtain approval by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology prior to the each start of business year. The same shall apply to the case where the designated examining agency intends to make change on these. (2) The designated examining agency shall prepare a business report and a settlement of income and expenditure for the business year within three months of the end of the business year, and shall submit those to the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Article 14 (Rules of administration on examination works) (1) The designated examining agency shall provide rules with respect to implementation of the examination works (hereinafter referred to as "rules of examination works") and obtain approval by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology prior to commencing the examination works. The same shall apply to the case where the designated examining agency intends to make change thereon. (2) The matters to be provided in the rules of examination works shall be specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. (3) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology may order the designated examining agency to change the rules of examination works, when he/she finds the approved rules of examination works under paragraph (1) are inappropriate for proper and certain implementation of the examination works. Article 15 (Professional engineer examiner in designated examining agency) (1) The designated examining agency shall make the professional engineer examiner (referred to as "examiner" in the next paragraph, paragraph (4) and (5), and the next Article, and Article 18 (1)) prepare the examination questions and grade examination papers for the professional engineer examinations. (2) The examiner shall be appointed by the designated examining agency for each execution of the professional engineer examinations from among the examiner candidates who have been selected by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. (3) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology shall select, for each execution of the professional engineer examination, the examiner candidates from among persons with relevant knowledge and experience necessary for execution of the professional engineer examinations, based on recommendation by the Council for Science and Technology. (4) The appointment and dismissal of the examiner shall not come into effect without obtaining approval by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. (5) The provision of Article 12 (2) shall apply mutatis mutandis to the dismissal of the examiner. Article 16 (Prohibition of unfair acts) The examiner shall maintain a strict attitude and shall not act unfairly in preparing examination questions and in grading examination papers. Article 17 (Prohibition of taking the examination, etc.) (1) In the case where the designated examining agency conducts the examination works, the designated examining agency may prohibit a person who has attempted to take the professional engineer examinations by illicit means from taking the examination. (2) In addition to the preceding paragraph, with respect to application of the provision of Article 9 in the case where the designated examining agency conducts the examination works, "rescind the decision of passage or prohibit taking of the professional engineer examination for a person who has taken or attempted to take it by illicit means" in the same Article (1) shall be deemed to replace with "rescind the decision of passage of the professional engineer examination for a person who has taken it by illicit means", and "the preceding paragraph" of the same Article (2) shall be deemed to replace with "the preceding paragraph or Article 17 (1)". Article 18 (Obligation of secrecy, etc.) (1) Officers or employees of the designated examining agency (including the examiners. the same shall be applied in the next paragraph) or persons who have taken such positions in the past shall not divulge secret information gained through the examination works. (2) Officers or employees who are engaging in the examination works of the designated examining agency shall be deemed to be officials engaging in public service by the Acts with respect to the application of the Penal Code (Act No. 45 of 1907) or other penal provisions. Article 19 (Keeping books, etc.) The designated examining agency shall keep and preserve, pursuant to the provision of Ordinance of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, books recording the matters with respect to the examination works which are specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Article 20 (Supervisory orders) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology may, when he/she finds a necessity for enforcement of this Act, give the designated examining agency a supervisory order which is necessary to supervise the examination works. Article 21 (Reports) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology may, when he/she finds a necessity for enforcement of this Act, to the limit of its necessity, make the designated examining agency report to him/her pursuant to the provision of Ordinance of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Article 22 (On-site inspection) (1) The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology may, when he/she finds a necessity for enforcement of this Act, to the limit of its necessity, make his/her official enter into the office of the designated examining agency and inspect books, documents, and other necessary materials of the said designated examining agency, or ask questions to the person concerned. (2) The said official who conducts the on-site inspection pursuant to the provision of the preceding paragraph shall carry an identification card and produce it to the people concerned when requested. (3) The authority provided in paragraph (1) shall not be construed as being approved for a criminal investigation. Article 23 (Suspension or abolition of examination works) The designated examining agency shall not suspend or abolish whole or part of the examination works without obtaining permission by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Article 24 (Rescission of designation, etc.) (1) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology shall rescind the designation of the designated examining body agency when the designated examining agency falls under any of the provisions of each item in Article 11 (4) (except item (iii). hereinafter the same shall apply in this paragraph). In this case, "applicant agency" in each item of the said Article (4) shall be deemed to be replaced with "designated examining agency". (2) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology may rescind the designation of the designated examining agency or order to suspend whole or a part of the examination works by specifying a period within two years. (i) When the designated examining agency is found to be not satisfying any conditions of Article 11 (3). (ii) When the designated examining agency has violated the order pursuant to the provision of Article 12 (2) (including the cases where it is applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 15 (5)), Article 14 (3), or Article 20. (iii) When the designated examining agency has violated the provisions of Article 13, Article 15 (1) or (2), or the preceding Article. (iv) When the designated examining agency has conducted the examination works without complying to the rules of examination works which were approved under Article 14 (1). (v) When the designated examining agency has violated the condition of the next Article (1). Article 25 (Conditions for designation, etc.) (1) The designation, approval or permission pursuant to the provisions in this Chapter may be set condition thereon and the condition may be changed. (2) The conditions under the preceding paragraph shall be within its minimum necessity for attempting certain implementation of matters with respect to the said designation, approval or permission, and shall not impose unreasonable obligations on those who are subject to the said designation, approval or permission. Article 26 (Special provisions for hearing) (1) The proceeding on the date of a hearing with respect to the disposition pursuant to the provisions of Article 24 shall be open to the public. (2) The chairperson of the hearing under the preceding paragraph shall permit a request for participation in the proceeding of the said hearing made by interested parties related to the said disposition pursuant to the provision of the Administrative Procedure Act (Act No. 88 of 1993) Article 17 (1). Article 27 (Appeal against the disposition, etc. conducted by the designated examining agency) A person who is dissatisfied with the disposition or inaction with respect to the examination works conducted by the designated examining agency, may apply examination to the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology pursuant to the Administrative Appeal Act (Act No. 160 of 1962). Article 28 (Implementation of examination works, etc. by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) (1) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology shall not conduct the examination works when he/she has designated a designated examining agency. (2) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology shall conduct whole or part of the examination works by him/herself, when the designated examining agency suspends whole or part of the examination works by obtaining permission pursuant to the provision of Article 23, or when he/she ordered the designated examining agency to suspend whole or part of the examination works pursuant to the provision of Article 24 (2), or when he/she finds necessity to conduct whole or part of the examination works by him/herself in case that the designated examining agency faces difficulties to conduct whole or part of the examination works due to a natural disaster or other reasons. Article 29 (1) In cases when the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology conducts whole or part of the examination works by him/herself, he/she shall make the professional engineer examiner (hereinafter referred to as "examiner" from the next paragraph to paragraph (5)) prepare the examination questions and grade examination papers for the professional engineer examinations. (2) The fixed number of examiners shall be specified by Cabinet Order. (3) The examiner shall be appointed by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology from among the persons with relevant knowledge and experience necessary for execution of the professional engineer examinations, based on recommendation by the Council for Science and Technology. (4) The examiner shall work part-time. (5) The provision of Article 16 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the examiner. Article 30 (Public notice) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology shall make a public notice in the Official Gazette in the following cases. (i) When he/she has made the designation pursuant to the provision of Article 11 (1). (ii) When he/she has given permission pursuant to the provision of Article 23. (iii) When he/she has rescinded the designation or has ordered to suspend whole or part of the examination works pursuant to the provision of Article 24. (iv) When he/she conducts whole or part of the examination works pursuant to the provision of Article 28 (2), or when he/she does not to conduct whole or part of the examination works which he/she has conducted by him/herself. Article 31 (Details of professional engineer examinations, etc.) In addition to the subjects so specified in this Chapter, the examination subjects, the examination procedures, succession of the examination works, other necessary matters for the professional engineer examinations and the designated examining agency shall be specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Chapter II-2 Special Provision Concerning Qualification of Professional Engineer, etc. Article 31-2 (1) A person who has a foreign qualification in science and technology, which is equivalent or more than a professional engineer (Japan) and the qualification is certified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and who is recognized by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology to have considerable knowledge and ability to conduct business in Japan regarding any professional engineer technical disciplines based on Japanese laws and regulations, shall be qualified to become a professional engineer notwithstanding the provision of Article 4 (3). (2) A person, who has completed a course on science and technology in university or other educational institution, and the said competition of the course is recognized by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology as being equivalent to the success in the first stage of professional engineer examination shall be qualified to become an associate professional engineer notwithstanding the provision of Article 4 (2). Chapter III Registration of Professional Engineer, etc. Article 32 (Registration) (1) If a person who has qualified to become a professional engineer intends to become a professional engineer, he/she shall obtain a registration in the professional engineer's registry with name, date of birth, office's name and address, name of the technical discipline passed in the second stage examination (in the case of a person having qualification to become a professional engineer pursuant to the provision of preceding Article paragraph (1), name of the technical discipline which is recognized by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology pursuant to the provision of the said paragraph) and other particulars specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. (2) If a person who has qualified to become an associate professional engineer intends to become an associate professional engineer, he/she shall appoint a professional engineer to assist (whose technical discipline shall be the same as that of the first stage examination in which he/she passed (or the same technical discipline recognized by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology for a person having qualification to become an associate professional engineer pursuant to the provision of preceding Article paragraph (2). hereinafter the same shall apply in this paragraph)) and shall obtain a registration in the associate professional engineer's registry with name, date of birth, name of the technical discipline passed in the first stage examination, name of the professional engineer to assist, office's name and address of the said professional engineer and other particulars specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. (3) When an associate professional engineer obtained a registration as a professional engineer pursuant to the provision in the paragraph (1), his/her registration as an associate professional engineer shall become invalid. Article 33 (Professional engineer's registry and associate professional engineer's registry) The professional engineer's register and the associate professional engineer's register shall be kept in the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Article 34 (Certificate of registration for professional engineers and associate professional engineers) (1) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, when he/she registered a professional engineer or an associate professional engineer, shall issue respectively a certificate of registration for professional engineer or a certificate of registration for associate professional engineer (hereinafter collectively referred to as "certificate of registration") to the applicant. (2) The following matters shall be shown on the certificate of registration. (i) Date of registration and number of registration (ii) Name (iii) Date of birth (iv) Name of the registered technical discipline Article 35 (Notification of changes on registration matters, etc.) (1) A professional engineer or an associate professional engineer, when his/her registered matters change, shall notify the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology without delay. (2) A professional engineer or an associate professional engineer, when notifying pursuant to the provision of the preceding paragraph and if there has been a change in the matters shown on the certificate of registration, he/she shall submit the notification together with the certificate of registration to make the certificate corrected. Article 36 (Rescission of registration, etc.) (1) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology shall rescind the registration in cases when a professional engineer or an associate professional engineer falls under any of the following. (i) In cases when the engineer has come to fall under any item of Article 3 (excluding item (v)). (ii) In cases when the engineer has obtained registration based on false or unfair facts. (iii) In cases when a person who has qualified as a professional engineer pursuant to the provision of Article 31-2 (1) lost the qualification provided in the said paragraph in a foreign state. (2) In cases when a professional engineer or an associate professional engineer has violated the provisions in the next Chapter, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology may rescind the registration of the professional engineer or the associate professional engineer, or may order the suspension of use of the name of the professional engineer or the associate professional engineer specifying a period not exceeding two years. Article 37 (1) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology may, when considering whether a professional engineer or an associate professional engineer has obtained his/her registration based on false or unfair facts or has violated the provisions of the next Chapter, conduct necessary investigation by authority. (2) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology shall, when orders to rescind the registration or to suspend the use of the name of professional engineer or associate professional engineer pursuant to the provision of the preceding Article paragraph (1) (ii) or paragraph (2), take the said action in consideration of opinion from the Council for Science and Technology after giving an opportunity for hearing or explanation to the said engineer. (3) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology may make his/her official take the following actions to conduct necessary investigation on the case pursuant to the provision of paragraph (1). (i) To order the person concerned with a case or a witness to appear for inquiry or ask for an opinion or a report from them. (ii) To order an expert witness to appear to request an opinion. (iii) To make the owners of books, documents, and other materials, produce the said materials. (4) The witness or the expert witness, who was ordered to appear under the provision of the preceding paragraph, may , as provided by Cabinet Order, claim payment for travel expenses, daily allowance, and other expenses. Article 38 (Deletion of registration) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology shall delete the registration of a professional engineer or an associate professional engineer when the registration becomes invalid. Article 39 (Registration license tax and registration fee) (1) A person who intends to obtain the registration as a professional engineer pursuant to the provision of Article 32 (1), or a person who intends to obtain the registration as an associate professional engineer pursuant to the provision of the same Article (2), shall pay the registration license tax pursuant to the provision of the Registration and License Tax Act (Act No.35 of 1967). (2) A person who intends to obtain the registration as a professional engineer pursuant to the provision of Article 32 (1), a person who intends to obtain the registration as an associate professional engineer pursuant to the provision of the same Article (2), or a person who intends to make his/her certificate of registration, or a person who intends to obtain the reissue of his/her certificate of registration pursuant to the provision of Article 35 (2) shall, as provided by Cabinet Order, pay the registration fee, in the amount specified by Cabinet Order in consideration of the actual cost to the State (or to the designated registration agency, in the case where the designated registration agency prescribed in the next Article (1) conducts the registration works prescribed in the same paragraph). (3) The provision of the preceding paragraph (limited to a portion pertaining to a person who intends to obtain the registration as a professional engineer and a person who intends to obtain the registration as an associate professional engineer) shall not be applied to cases in which the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology conducts the registration works provided in the next Article (1). (4) The registration fee paid in pursuant to the provision of paragraph (2) to the designated registration agency which is provided in the next Article (1) shall be an income for the designated registration agency. Article 40 (Designation of designated registration agency, etc.) (1) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology may, pursuant to the provision of Ordinance of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, make the designated agency (hereinafter referred to as "designated registration agency") conduct the works with respect to implementation of the registration of professional engineer and associated professional engineer (hereinafter referred to as "registration works"). (2) Designation of a designated registration agency, pursuant to the provision of Ordinance of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, shall be made when an application is filed by an agency intends to conduct the registration works. Article 41 With respect to application of the provisions of Article 33, Article 34 (1), Article 35 (1) and Article 38 in the case where the designated registration agency conducts the registration works, "Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology" and "Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology" shall be deemed to be replaced with "designated registration agency". Article 42 (Mutatis Mutandis Application) The provisions of Article 11 (3) and (4), from Article 12 to Article 14, from Article 18 to Article 28, and Article 30 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the designated registration agency. In this case, the term "designated examination agency" in these provisions shall be deemed to be replaced with "designated registration agency", the term "examination works" in these provisions shall be deemed to be replaced with "registration works", the term "rules of examination works" in these provisions shall be deemed to be replaced with "rules of registration works", the term "the preceding paragraph" in Article 11 (3) and "paragraph (2)" in the same Article (4) shall be deemed to be replaced with "Article 40 (2)", the term "employees (including the examiner. the same shall be applied in the next paragraph)" in Article 18 (1) shall be deemed to be replaced with "employees", the term "Article 12 (2) (including the cases where it is applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 15 (5))" in Article 24 (2) (ii) shall be deemed to be replaced with "Article 12 (2)", the term ", Article 15 (1) or (2), or the preceding Article" in the same paragraph (iii) shall be deemed to be replaced with "or the preceding Article", the term "this Chapter" in Article 25 (1) shall be deemed to be replaced with "Article 12 (1), Article 13 (1), Article 14 (1), Article 23 or Article 40 (1)", and the term "Article 11 (1)" in Article 30 (i) shall be deemed to be replaced with "Article 40 (1)". Article 43 (Details of registration, etc.) In addition to the subjects specified in this Chapter, procedures for registration, deletion of registration, reissue and return of certificate of registration, succession of registration works and other necessary matters for registration of professional engineers and associate professional engineers and also for designated registration agency , shall be specified by Ordinance of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Chapter IV Obligation of Professional Engineer, etc. Article 44 (Prohibition of dishonorable conduct) Any professional engineer or associate professional engineer shall avoid conduct that discredits professional engineers or associate professional engineers, nor professional engineers and associate professional engineers as a whole. Article 45 (Obligation of secrecy by professional engineers or associate professional engineers) Any professional engineer or associate professional engineer shall not divulge or misappropriate without justifiable grounds the confidential information that came to his/her knowledge with their business. The same shall also apply after he/she has been relieved of professional engineer or associate professional engineer status. Article 45-2 (Responsibility of professional engineers or associate professional engineers for public interest) Any professional engineer or associate professional engineer shall endeavor not to harm public interest such as public safety, environment preservation, and the like, upon conducting his/her business. Article 46 (Obligation to indicate name for professional engineers) When a professional engineer indicates the name of a professional engineer with regard to his/her business, he/she shall clearly indicate the technical discipline in which he/she obtained registration, and shall not indicate any name in which he/she has not obtained registration. Article 47 (Limitation of business for associate professional engineers) (1) Except for the case where an associate professional engineer assists a professional engineer for the business pursuant to the provision Article 2 (1), he/she shall not conduct the said business indicating the name of the associate professional engineer. (2) The provision of the preceding Article shall apply mutatis mutandis to indication of the name of the associate professional engineer with regard to the business of the professional engineer which the associate professional engineer assists. Article 47-2 (Responsibility to improve the capability of professional engineers) Professional engineers shall at all times endeavor to improve their level of knowledge and skill with regard to his/her business, and endeavor to do self-improvement. Chapter V Deletion Article 48 Deletion. Article 49 Deletion. Article 50 Deletion. Article 51 Deletion. Article 52 Deletion. Article 53 Deletion. Chapter VI Institution of Professional Engineers, Japan Article54 (Incorporation) (1) The general incorporated association which uses such words as "Institution of Professional Engineers, Japan" in its name may be established, limited to the case that association is prescribed by articles of incorporation that stipulates its member shall be professional engineers, and the purpose of the association is to nationally-administrate matters relating to train professional engineers, give guidance and liaise with members, in order to contribute to maintain dignity, improvement of qualification and quality and upgrading business activities for nationwide professional engineers. (2) The provision of articles of incorporation prescribed in the preceding paragraph may not be changed. Article55 (Notification of incorporation) The general incorporated association of the preceding Article (hereinafter referred to as "Institution of Professional Engineers, Japan"), once incorporated, shall provide notice of incorporation to the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology within two weeks from the date of incorporation, together with the registration certificate and a copy of its articles incorporation. Article55-2 (Supervision of business of the Institution of Professional Engineers, Japan) (1) Business of the Institution of Professional Engineers, Japan shall be under supervision of the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. (2) The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology may, when he/she finds necessity for securing proper implementation of the business of the Institution of Professional Engineers, Japan, anytime inspect the said business and properties of the Institution of Professional Engineers, Japan or give necessary order for the supervision of said business. Chapter VII Miscellaneous Provisions Article 56 (Reward to business) A reward to a business of a professional engineer shall be fair and proper. Article 57 (Restriction on use of the name) (1) Any person who is not a professional engineer shall not use the name "professional engineer" or similar thereto. (2) Any person who is not an associate professional engineer shall not use the name "associate professional engineer" or similar thereto. Article 58 (Transitional measure) In case of enacting, revising or abolishing an order pursuant to the provisions of this Act, necessary transitional measure (including transitional measures for the penal provisions) may be specified by the said order within the scope being interpreted as reasonably necessary along with the said enactment, revision or abolition. Chapter VIII Penal Provisions Article 59 (1) Any person who has violated the provision of Article 45 shall be punishable by imprisonment with work for a term not more than one year or by a fine of not more than 500,000 yen. (2) The crime set forth in the preceding paragraph shall be prosecuted only upon complaint. Article 60 Any person who has violated the provision in Article 18 (1) (including the cases where it is applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 42) shall be punishable by imprisonment with work for a term not more than one year or by a fine of not more than 300,000 yen. Article 61 Any officer or employee of the designated examining agency or the designated registration agency who has violated an order of suspension of the examination works or registration works pursuant to the provision in Article 24 (2) (including the cases where it is applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 42) shall be punishable by imprisonment with work for a term not more than one year or by a fine of not more than 300,000 yen. Article 62 Any person who falls under one of following items shall be punishable by a fine of not more than 300,000 yen. (i) Any person who has unfairly graded on the professional engineer examinations in violation of the provision of Article 16 (including the cases where it is applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 29 (5)). (ii) Any person who has been ordered to suspend the use of the name of professional engineer or the name of associate professional engineer pursuant to the provision of Article 36 (2) and has used the name of professional engineer or associate professional engineer during the period when the said order was effective. (iii) Any person who has violated the provision of Article 57 (1) or (2). Article 63 Any officer or employee of the designated examining agency or the designated registration agency who falls under one of the following provisions by acting the said violation shall be punishable by a fine of not more than 200,000 yen. (i) When any officer or employee did not prepare the book, or did not write in the book, or wrote false record, or did not keep the book in violation of the provision of Article 19 (including the cases where it is applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 42). (ii) When any officer or employee did not report or gave false report in violation of the provision of Article 21 (including the cases where it is applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 42). (iii) When any officer or employee refused, or disturbed, or recused the entry or inspection pursuant to the provision of Article 22 (including the cases where it is applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 42), or did not give statement to the question, or gave false statement. (iv) When any officer or employee abolished all of the examination works or the registration works without obtaining the permission pursuant to the provision of Article 23 (including the cases where it is applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 42). Article64 Any director, inspector or liquidator of the Institution of Professional Engineers, Japan who falls under one of the following items shall be punishable by a non-penal fine of not more than 500,000 yen. (i) When any director, secretary or liquidator did not notify incorporation or made a false notification in violation of the provision of Article 55. (ii) When any director, secretary or liquidator refused, disturbed or challenged the inspection by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology pursuant to the provision of Article 55-2 (2), or violated the order of supervision by the Minister, pursuant to the said paragraph.