Article 17.　The assemblymen and the chief of an ordinary local public body shall, from among such persons as are qualified for being elected to that office, be elected by means of the vote by electors.

Article 18.　Any person who, being a citizen of Japan of twenty years of age or over, has had his residence within the area of a city, town or village for six consecutive months at a given date, shall have the right to vote at the election of the assemblymen or the chief of the ordinary local public body to which he belongs.

Article 19.　Any person who, being twenty-five years of age or upward who possesses the right to vote at the election of the assemblymen of an ordinary local public body shall be qualified for being elected to the office of assemblymen of the ordinary local public body to which he belongs.

Article 20.　A person who has been adjudged incompetent or quasi-incompetent or who has been sentenced to imprisonment with or without hard labor and has neither undergone the execution of such punishment nor has ceased to undergo the same shall have neither the right to vote at the elections nor be eligible to be elected thereat.

Article 21.　The electoral administration committeemen, its clerks, the superintendents of the poll, the superintendents of the counting, presiding officers of election and such government officials or local officials as are concerned in election affairs shall be ineligible for being elected at the elections within the areas in which they act as such.

Article 22.　The members of the assembly of metropolis, district or urban or rural prefecture shall be elected in the respective electoral districts.

Article 23.　The affairs regarding the elections of an ordinary local public body shall be administered by the electoral administration committee of the ordinary local public body concerned.

Article 24.　The elections of the assemblymen of an ordinary local public body and its chief shall, in cases where reasons have occured for holding such elections, be held as promptly.

Article 25.　The election of the assemblymen of metropolis, district or urban or rural prefectures, the elections of the governor of metropolis, district or urban or rural prefecture, the election of the assemblymen of a city, town or village, and the election of the mayor of city, headman of town or village may be held at the same time.

Article 26.　The election of an ordinary local public body shall be held by using the electors'register and the supplementary electors'register of the members of the House of Representatives or the abstracts thereof.

Article 27.　If it is considered that an ommission or clerical error exists in a supplementary electors'register, any person concerned may file objection against the electoral administrative committee within the period during which such electors'register shall be thrown open to inspection.

Article 28.　The polling district shall be the same as the polling district at the election of the members of the House of Representatives.

Article 29.　The office of superintendent of the poll shall be assumed by a person who, from among the persons who have the right of voting, has been chosen by the electoral administration committee of a city, town or village.

Article 30.　A candidate may, from among the persons who are entered in the electors'register in the respective electoral district, determine, upon obtaining the consent of the person himself, one person to be an inspector of the poll and may, on or before the third day prior to the day of election, file notice of the same to the superintendent of the poll, provided, however, that a candidate may file the same person as already filed.

Article 31.　The form of a ballot paper shall be prescribed by the electoral administration committee which administers the affairs of such election.

Article 32.　An elector shall, at the polling station, write down in his own hand the name of one candidate in a ballot paper and deposit it in a ballotbox.

Article 33.　The denial of a vote shall be decided by the superintendent of the poll with the advice of the inspectors of the poll.

Article 34.　With respect to the vote of an elector who establishes his inability, owing to the duties or businesses in which he is engaged, or illness or any or such grounds as are provided in Cabinet Orders, to preceed in person to a polling station and cast a ballot on the day of election, special provisions may, notwithstanding the provisions of Article 32 paragraphs 1 and 2, Article 37 and the preceding Article, be made by orders.

Article 35.　In cases where it is deemed with respect to islands or other places which have few facilities of communication, there exist such circumstances as make it impossible to send forward the ballot-boxes on the day of election, the electoral administration committee which administers the affairs of such election which related to such island or places may determine the day of the poll at its own discretion and cause the ballot-boxes the records of the poll and the abstracts of the electors'register list to be forwarded on or before the day for the counting of the votes.

Article 36.　If it is impossible to take the poll or it is necessary to take another poll, through a calamity or due to any unavoidable circumstance, the electoral administration committee which shall administer the affairs of such election as is concerned with such poll shall appoint another day and cause a poll to be taken;provided, however, that such day shall be given public notice by the electoral administration committee at least five days prior to the said date.

Article 37.　The provisions of Articles 21 to 23 inclusive, Article 25, Article 26, Articles 28 to30 inclusive, Article 32, Article 34, Article 35, and Articles 39 to 43 inclusive of the Law concerning the Election of the Members of the House of Representatives shall apply with the necessary modifications to the poll at the elections of the assemblymen of an ordinary local public body and its chief.

Article 38.　The district for the counting of the votes shall be the same as the district for the counting of the votes at the election of the members of the House of Representatives. Provided that in these cities, towns or villages where there exist electoral districts for the election of the assembly of a city, town or village, the electoral administration committee may establish vote country places without reference to the vote places for the election of the House of Representatives.

Article 39.　The office of superintendent for the counting of the votes shall be assumed by a person who from among the persons who have the right to vote, has been chosen by the electoral administration committee of a city, town or village.

Article 40.　The provisions of Article 30 shall apply with the necessary modification to an inspector for the counting of the votes.

Article 41.　Any of such votes prescribed in the provisions of Article 32, paragraph 1 as are specified below shall be void:

Article 42.　The superintendent for the counting of the votes shall, in the presence of the inspectors for the counting of the votes, open each ballotbox;he shall, first of all, investigate such votes as are prescribed in the provisions of Article 33, paragraphs 2 and 4 and decide, with the advice of the inspectors for the counting of the votes, whether such votes shall be accepted or not.

Article 43.　The provisions of the principal clause of Article 36 paragraph 1, paragraphs 2 and 3 shall apply with the necessary modifications to the counting of the votes.

Article 44.　The provisions of Article 45, Article 46, Article 48, Article 50, Article 51, Article 53 to Article 55 inclusive, and Article 57 of the Law concerning the Election of the Members of the House of Representatives shall apply with the necessary modifications to the counting of the votes at the elections of the assemblymen of an ordinary local public body and its chief.

Article 45.　The presiding officer of election shall be assumed by a person who, from among the persons who have the right of voting, has been chosen by the electoral administration committee of a city, town or village.

Article 46.　The election meeting shall be held at any place designated by the presiding officer of election.

Article 47.　The provisions of Article 30 shall apply with necessary modifications to an inspector for the election.

Article 48.　In a case where the area of the division for the election meeting is the same as that of the division for the counting of the votes, the affairs relating to the counting of the votes at the election may, notwithstanding the provisions of Article 39, Article 40, Article 42 paragraph 3, Article 43 and Article 44, be conducted at the polling station at the same time, the affairs relating to the election meeting.

Article 49.　The presiding officer of election shall, on the day on which he has, from all of the superintendents for the counting of the votes, received the returns prescribed in the provisions of Article 42 paragraph 3 or on the following day, hold an election meeting and investigate such returns and count the total number of votes obtained by each candidate in the presence of the inspectors of election.

Article 50.　The presiding officer of election shall prepare a record of election in which he shall state the particulars relating to the election meeting and attach his signature thereto together with the signatures of the inspector of election.

Article 51.　The provisions of the principal clause of Article 36 paragraph 1, paragraph 2 and paragraph 3 shall apply with the necessary modifications to the election meeting.

Article 52.　The provisions of Article 60, Article 63 and Article 66 of the Law concerning the Election of the Members of the House of Representatives shall apply with the necessary modifications to the election meetings of the election of the assemblymen and chief of an ordinary local public body.

Article 53.　A person who purports to be a candidate shall, during the period between the day on which public notice of the date of election has been given and the seventh day prior to the date of election, file notice to that effect with the presiding officer of election.

Article 54.　Any person who purports to file notice of candidacy or of recommendation of a candidate at the election of the assemblymen of metropolis, district, urban or rural prefecture or city of its chief must, for each candidate, deposit with the competent authorities such amount of money as is in accordance with the following division or national loan bonds of a face-value equal to such amount:

Article 55.　A person who has polled the majority of valid votes shall be elected;provided, however, that he shall be required, in a case of the election of the assemblymen of an ordinary local puclic body, to have polled the number of the votes which is one-fourth or more of the quotient which shall be obtained by dividing the total number of the valid votes by the whole number of the assemblymen within the concerned electoral district (in a case where there is created no electoral district, the full number of the assemblymen) or, in a case of the election of the chief of an ordinary local public body, to have polled three-eighths of the total number of the valid votes.

Article 56.　In a case where, in consequence of a filing of objection of a public action prescribed in the provisions of Article 66, paragraph 1, 2 or 4, it is possible to determine the elected person without holding another election, an election meeting shall forthwith be held and such elected person shall be determined thereat.

Article 57.　A duly elected person shall, if he has come after the day of election, to cease to be qualified for being elected, cease to be an elected person.

Article 58.　If the number of the candidates of whom notices prescribed in the provisions of Article 53 paragraphs 1 to 3 inclusive have been filed is, in respect to the election of the assemblymen of an ordinary local public body, less than the whole number of the assemblymen for the concerned electoral division (in a case where there is created no electoral division, the full number of the assemblymen) or is, in respect to the election of the chief of an ordinary local public body, one, no poll shall be taken.

Article 59.　When the elected persons have been determined, the presiding officer of election shall forthwith give such persons notification of their having been duly elected, at the same time he shall give public notice of the address and full names of the elected persons and report the full names of and the numbers of votes polled by the elected persons, respective total number of votes polled by each concerned with the election and such other particulars as are concerned with the election, to the electoral administrative committee which administers the affairs relating to that election, and also, in respect to the election of a city, town or village, to the electoral administrative committee of metropolis, district or urban or rural prefecture.

Article 60.　In a case where an elected person declines to accept office, he shall, within ten days from the day on which he receives a notification of his having duly been elected, file notice thereof with the electoral administration committee which administers the affairs relating to the election concerned.

Article 61.　In a case where the term contemplated in paragraph 1 of the preceding Article has elapsed or an elected person has accepted office, the electoral administrative committee which administers the affairs relating to the concerned election shall forthwith grant him a certificate of election and give public notice of his address and full name.

Article 62.　In cases where any of the following events has occured, the electoral administration committee which administers the affairs relating to such election of the assemblymen of an ordinary local public body or of its chief as is mentioned below, shall determine the day of election, give public notice thereof and shall cause another election to be held, if, with respect to the election of the assemblymen of an ordinary local public body, elected persons cannot be determined without holding another election or the deficiency in the number of the elected persons together with such number of unfilled vacancies in the office of assemblyman as is mentioned in Article 63 paragraph 1 has come, notwithstanding that the elected persons have been determined without holding another election, to exceed one-sixth of the whole number of the assemblymen for the electoral district concerned (in a case where there is created no electoral district, the full number of the assemblymen) or if, with respect to the election of the chief of an ordinary local public body, an elected person cannot be determined without holding another election, except if, with respect to one and the same person, public notice of the day of election has, by reason of any of the following events other than that which is considered in the fore part of the present Article or in accordance with the provisions of Article 63 paragraph 1, been given, namely:

Article 63.　If, in a case where vacancies have occurred in the offices of assemblymen of an ordinary local public body, it is unable to determine the elected person without election or when the elected person has been determined without election or the number of such vacancies in the office of assemblyman together with such deficiency in the number of elected persons as is mentioned in paragraph 1 of the preceding Article has come, exceed one-sixth of the whole number of the assemblymen to be elected in the concerned electoral district (in a case where there is created no electoral district, the full number of the assemblymen), or if a vacancy has come to occur in the office of the chief of an ordinary local public body or the chief of an ordinary local public body has made a declaration of retirement, the electoral administrative committee which administers the affairs relating to such election as is concerned with respective case mentioned above shall determine the day of election, give public notice thereof and cause an election to be held, except in a case where, with respect to one and the same person, the day of election has, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 1 of the preceding Article, further been given public notice.

Article 64.　If, in a case where, with respect to the assemblymen of an ordinary local public body or the elected persons at the election of such assemblymen, any of the events contemplated in Article 62, paragraph 1 or paragraph 1 of the preceding Article has occurred, there is or remains no assemblyman or elected person, a general election shall be held, notwithstanding these provisions, except in a case where, with respect to any of those events, public notice of an election prescribed in the provisions of Article 62 paragraph 1 or paragraph 1 of the preceding Article or public notice of an election meeting prescribed in the provisions of Article 56 paragraphs 1 to 3 or paragraph 2 of the preceding Article.

Article 65.　If, in a case of the election of the chief of an ordinary local public body, there is no person who has polled such number of votes as is prescribed in the proviso to paragraph 1 of Article 55, another election shall, within fifteen days, with respect to the election of the governor of metropolis, district or urban or rural prefecture, or within ten days, with respect to the election of the mayor of a city or, head of a town or village, from the day of public notice prescribed in the provisions of Article 59 paragraph 2, notwithstanding the provisions of Article 24 paragraphs 1 and 4 and 5 and Article 62 paragraph 1, be held;in this case, two persons who have polled the majority of valid votes cast at that election shall, notwithstanding the provisions of Article 53 paragraphs 1 to 3 inclusive and Article 54 paragraph 1 item 1 or 2, or paragraph 4, be candidates.

Article 66.　An elector or candidate who has an objection to an election or to the validity of an election may, in the case of the election on the date of the election and in the case of the validity of election within fourteen days from the day of the announcement mentioned in Article 59 paragraph 1 or 2, file the same with the electoral administration committee which administers the affairs relating to the election concerned.

Article 67.　In case where a violation of the provisions relating to elections has been committed, the electoral administration committee or the Courts shall determine or decide the whole or a part of the election to be void, only when it is likely to affect the result of the election.

Article 68.　An elector or candidate who considers the election of a person to be null and void by reason of the application with the necessary modifications of the provisions of Article 110 of the Law concerning the Election of the Members of the House of Representatives, may, within thirty days from the date of announcement provided for in Article 59 paragraph 1, bring an action against an elected person as defendant in the High Court, whose area of jurisdiction falls under the ordinary local public body to which the electoral administration committee which administers the affairs of the said election belongs.

Article 69.　The court shall, at the trial of an action prescribed in the provisions of Article 66 paragraph 4 or paragraph 1 of the preceding Article, cause a public procurator to be present at the oral proceeding.

Article 70.　In a case where an action under the provisions of Article 66 paragraph 4 is brought or has not been pending in the Court or a decision has been given, or in a case where a decision has been given with regard to an action under the provisions of Article 68 paragraph 1, or a decision has been fixed and has come into force with regard to an action under the provisions of Article 68 paragraph 2, the court shall, through the chief of the ordinary local public body concerned, give notification thereof to the electoral administration committee which administers the affairs relating to such election.

Article 71.　Any person who purports to bring an action prescribed in the provisions of Article 68, paragraph 1 shall deposit with the competent authorities, as guarantee money 300 yen or such amount of money as corresponds to national loan bonds of a face-value equal to such amount.

Article 72.　The provisions of Chapter X, XI and Article 140 paragraph 2 of the Law for the election of the members of the House of Representatives shall apply with necessary modifications to the election campaigns in the election of assemblymen and chief of an ordinary local public body, and the provisions of Article 140 paragraphs 3 to 5 inclusive of the same Law shall apply with necessary modifications to the election campaigns of the governor of metropolis, district, or urban or rural prefecture;provided, however, that the special provisions may be prescribed by Cabinet Order.

Article 73.　The provisions of Chapter XII, Articles 142,143 and 147 shall apply with necessary modifications to the election of assemblymen and chief of an ordinary local public body;provided, however, that the special provisions may be prescribed in Cabinet Order.

Article 74.　In accordance with the provisions of Cabinet Orders, the persons who have the right of voting may, under the joint signature of such persons who come to one-fiftieth or more of their total number and through their representatives, make to the chief of an ordinary local public body a demand for the enactment, revision or repeal of a byelaw.

Article 75.　In accordance with the provisions of Cabinet Orders, the persons who have the right of voting may, under the joint signature of such persons who come to one-fiftieth or more of their total number and through their representatives, make to the inspection commissioners of the ordinary local public bodies a demand for the inspection of the management of any undertaking carried on by the said ordinary local public body, the revenue and expenditure of the ordinary local public body or the administration of any of such affairs as are in the charge of the officials of the ordinary local public body and any other affairs which come under the chief of the said ordinary local public body.

Article 76.　In accordance with the provisions of Cabinet Order, the persons who have the right of voting may, under the joint signature of such persons who come to one-third or more of their total number and through their representatives, make to the electoral administration committee of an ordinary local public body a demand for the dissolution of the assembly of the ordinary local public body.

Article 77.　In a case where the result of the vote in respect of the dissolution has become known, the electoral administrative committee shall forthwith notify the same to the representatives contemplated in paragraph 1 of the preceding Article and the chairman of the assembly of the ordinary local public body concerned, and make public the same, and at the same time shall make a report thereof to the governor of a metropolis, district or urban or rural prefecture and the Minister for Home affairs, in the case of a metropolis, district or urban or rural prefecture or to the mayor of a city, or head of a town or village and the governor of metropolis, district or urban or rural prefecture, in the case of a city, town or village.

Article 78.　The assembly of an ordinary local public body shall, in case where a majority of votes has consented at the vote in respect of the dissolution as prescribed in the provisions of Article 76 paragraph 3, be dissolved on the day of public announcement contemplated in the preceding Article.

Article 79.　A demand for the dissolution of the assembly of an ordinary local public body prescribed in the provisions of Article 76 paragraph 1 shall not be made within one year from the day on which a general election of its assemblymen has been held or within one year from the day on which the vote of dissolution prescribed in paragraph 3 of the same Article has been taken.

Article 80.　In accordance With the provisions of Cabinet Orders, the persons who have the right of voting may, under the joint signature of such persons who have the right of voting in the electoral district to which they belong as come to one-third or more of their total number and through their representatives, make to the electoral administration committee of an ordinary local public body a demand for the dismissal of such assemblymen of an ordinary local public body as belongs to the electoral district concerned. In such a case when there is no electoral district, the dismissal of an assemblymen may be demanded by the joint signatures of onethird or more of persons having the right to vote.

Article 81.　In accordance with the provisions of Cabinet Orders, the persons who have the right of voting may, under the joint signature of such persons who come to one-third or more of their total number and through their representatives, make to the electoral administration committee of an ordinary local public body a demand for the dismissal of the chief of the ordinary local public body.

Article 82.　In a case where the result of the vote in respect of the dismissal in accordance with the provisions of Article 80 paragraph 3 has become known, the electoral administration committee of an ordinary local public body shall forthwith notify the same to the representatives contemplated in paragraph 1 of the same Article and the competent assemblymen and chairman of the assembly of the ordinary local public body concerned and make public the same, and at the same time shall make a report thereof to the governor of metropolis, district or urban or rural prefecture and to the Minister for Home Affairs in the case of metropolis, district or urban or rural prefecture or to the mayor of a city or head of a town or village and the governor of metropolis, district or urban or rural prefecture in the case of a city, town or village.

Article 83.　The assemblymen of an ordinary loca public body or its chief shall vacate the office in a case where a majority of votes has consented at the vote contemplated in Article 80 paragraph 3 or Article 81 paragraph 2.

Article 84.　A demand for the dismissal of an assemblyman of an ordinary local public body or its chief as prescribed in the provisions of Article 80 paragraph 1 or Article 81 paragraph 1 shall not be made within one year from the day on which he has assumed the office or within one year from the day of the vote prescribed in the provisions of Article 80 paragraph 3 or Article 81 paragraph 2 has been taken or held.

Article 85.　Except for these matters which are specially provided for in Cabinet Orders, the provisions of Chapter IV shall apply with necessary modifications to the vote of dissolution provided for in Article 76 paragraph 3 and to the vote of dismissal provided for in Article 80 paragraph 3 and Article 81 paragraph 2.

Article 86.　In accordance with the provisions of Cabinet Order, the persons who have the right of voting may, under the joint signature of such persons who come to one-third or more of their total number and through their representatives, make to the chief of an ordinary local public body a demand for the dismissal of a vice-governor, deputy-mayor, assistant-head, or treasurer, electoral administration committee or inspection commissioner.

Article 87.　A person who holds any of such offices as are prescribed in paragraph 1 of the preceding Article shall vacate his office, if, in the case contemplated in paragraph 3 of the same Article, two-thirds or more of the full number of the assemblymen of the said ordinary local public body have been present at its meeting and three-fourths or more of them have consented thereto.

Article 88.　A demand for the dismissal of a vicegovernor, deputy-mayor, assistant-head or treasurer under the provisions of Article 86 paragraph 1 shall not be made within one year from the day on which he has assumed to office or within one year from the day on which such resolution of the assembly as is prescribed in the provisions of paragraph 3 of the same Article has been adopted.

Article 89.　An ordinary local public body shall have its assembly.

Article 90.　The full number of the members of the assembly of metropolis, district or urban or rural prefecture shall be forty in the case of metropolis, district or urban or rural prefecture with a population less than seven hundred thousand, and its hall be increased by one respectively for each additional population of fifty thousand in the case of metropolis, district or urban or rural prefecture with a population more than seven hundred thousand but less than one million and for each additional population of seventy thousand in the case of metropolis, district or urban or rural prefecture with a population more than one million, and shall be limited to one hundred and twenty.

Article 91.　The full number of the members of the assembly of a city, town or village shall be as follows, and shall be increased by four respectively for each additional population of one hundred thousand in the case of a city with a population more than three hundred thousand but less than five hundred thousand and for each additional population of two hundred thousand in the case of a city with a population of more than five hundred thousand, ann shall be limited to one hundred, namely:

Article 92.　A member of the assembly of metropolis, district or urban or rural prefecture shall not be a member of the House of Representatives or of the House of Councillors at the same time.

Article 93.　The term of office of a member of the assembly of an ordinary local public body shall be four years.

Article 94.　A town or village, by virtue of its byelaw, may dispense with a town or village assembly and establish a general meeting.

Article 95.　With respect to the general convention of a town or village contemplated in the provisions of the preceding Article, the provisions relating to the assembly of a town or village shall apply with the necessary modifications.

Article 96.　The assembly of an ordinary local public body shall resolve such matters as follows:

Article 97.　The assembly of an ordinary local public body shall hold such elections as fall under its jurisdiction by virtue of laws or Cabinet Orders.

Article 98.　The assembly of an ordinary local public body may inspect any of such documents and statements of accounts relating to the ordinary local public body concerned, and may, by demanding the reports of the chief of the ordinary local public body, examine the management of the affairs, the execution of the resolutions and the revenue and expenditure.

Article 99.　The assembly of an ordinary local public body may call the chief of the ordinary local public body concerned for his explanation relating to such affairs of the national government or other ordinary local public bodies or other public bodies as are delegated to that chief, or may express its opinion thereon.

Article 100.　The assembly of an ordinary local public body may make investigations relating to the affairs of the ordinary local public body concerned, and may demand the appearance and testimony of electors or other persons concerned and the presentation of records.

Article 101.　An assembly of an ordinary local public body shall be called by the chief of the ordinary local public body. In a case where such demand for calling an extraordinary session as, has specified the business proposed to be transacted thereat, has been made by one-fourth or more of the full number of the assemblymen, the chief of an ordinary local public body shall call the same.

Article 102.　The sessions of the assembly of an ordinary local public body shall be of two kinds;namely, regular session and extraordinary session.

Article 103.　The assembly of an ordinary local public body shall elect one chairman and one vicechairman severally from among the assemblymen.

Article 104.　The chairman of an ordinary local public body shall keep order at the assembly hall, arrange the proceedings and represent the assembly.

Article 105.　The chairman of an ordinary local public body may attend the sessions of the committees and speak thereat.

Article 106.　If the chairman of an ordinary local public body is absent or unable to act or a vacancy has occurred in the office of chairman, the vice-chairman shall perform the duties devolving upon the chairman.

Article 107.　If, in a case where an election prescribed in the provisions of Article 103 paragraph 1 or paragraph 2 of the preceding Article is to be held, there fails to be a person who shall perform the duties devolving upon the chairman, a senior assemblyman shall provisionally take charge of the duties devolving upon the chairman.

Article 108.　The chairman and the vice-chairman of an ordinary local public body may, upon obtaining the approval of the assembly, retire from office;provided, however, that while the assembly is not sitting, vice-chairman may, upon obtaining the approval of the chairman, retire from office.

Article 109.　The assembly of an ordinary local public body may, by virtue of byelaws, have standing committees.

Article 110.　Special committee may be established by the assembly of an ordinary local public body by bye-law.

Article 111.　Except for those provided for in the preceding two Articles, such matters as are necessary for the standing committees and special committees shall be provided in byelaw.

Article 112.　A member of the assembly of an ordinary local public body may present a bill to the assembly on any matter which shall be decided at a session thereof other than the estimates of annual revenue and expenditure.

Article 113.　No business shall be transacted and decided at session of the assembly of an ordinary local public body, unless a majority of the full number of the assemblymen are present thereat, except in a case where the number of such assemblymen as are qualified to take part in the proceedings at the meeting is less than a half of the full number thereof in consequence of the exclusion as prescribed in the provisions of Article 117, in a case where, notwithstanding that convocation of a session has been effected twice in respect of one and the same business, the number of assemblymen present is still less than a half of the full number thereof or in a case where, notwithstanding that the assembly has responded to the call, the number of assemblymen present is less that the quorum for the transaction of business and after all peremptory notice demanding attendance given by the chairman, the number of assemblymen present is still, or has come to be, less than a half of the full number thereof.

Article 114.　If it is demanded by a majority of the full number of the assemblymen of an ordinary local public body, the chairman shall open the session on that day. If, in such case, the chairman fails to open the session notwithstanding such demand, the provisions of Article 106 paragraph 1 or 2 shall apply.

Article 115.　A session of the assembly of an ordinary local pubilc body shall be open to the public;provided, however, that in a case where, on the motion of the chairman or of three or more assemblymen, a resolution for doing so has been adopted by the majority of two-thirds or more of the assemblymen present, a secret sitting may be held.

Article 116.　All proceedings at a meeting of the assembly of an ordinary local public body shall be decided by a majority of the assemblymen present, except as elsewhere provided in the present Law, and in the case of an equality of votes, the chairman shall decide the issue.

Article 117.　The chairman or a member of the assembly of an ordinary local public body shall not take part in the proceedings at a meeting relating to such business as concerns the personal interests of his own or of his parent, grandparents, consort, successors, brothers, sisters;provided, however, that he may attend and speak at such meeting, upon obtaining the consent of the assembly.

Article 118.　With respect to an election which shall in pursuance of laws or Cabinet Orders, be held in the assembly of an ordinary local public body, the provisions of Article 32, Article 41 and Article 55 (except those parts which concern the election of the chief of the ordinary local public body) shall apply with the necessary modifications;if an objection has been raised with respect to the validity of the vote of such election, the assembly shall decide the same.

Article 119.　Such matters as have not come to be decided during a sitting of the assembly shall not continue in the following sitting thereof.

Article 120.　The assembly of an ordinary local public body shall frame the rules of procedure.

Article 121.　A chief of an ordinary local public body, a chairman of an electoral administration committee, an inspection commissioner as well as any person who has received delegation or commission therefrom, shall, when required by the chairman for presenting explanations appear at the assembly hall.

Article 122.　A chief of an ordinary local public body may present the explanation concerning the estimates or other explanations concerning the other affairs of the ordinary local public body concerned to the assembly.

Article 123.　The chairman shall cause the chief clerk (in the case of a town or village which have no chief clerk, the clerk) to prepare the minutes of a meeting of the assembly, in which the particulars of the meeting and the full names of the assemblymen present shall be stated.

Article 124.　A person who purports to file a petition with the assembly of an ordinary local public body shall present a written petition through the introduction of an assemblyman.

Article 125.　Such petition adopted at a meeting of the assembly of an ordinary local public body as is considered to be proper to cause the chief of the ordinary local public body concerned, its electoral administration committee or its inspection commissioners to take measures for the same shall be forwarded to them, and a report of the progress of disposition of the same may be demanded.

Article 126.　An assemblyman of an ordinary local public body may resign his office upon obtaining the permission of the assembly;provided, however, that while out of its sitting, its chairman may permit the same.

Article 127.　If an assemblyman of an ordinary local public body is a person who is ineligible for election to such office, his office shall be vacated;whether he is ineligible or not for such office shall, except in cases where he is ineligible for office by reason of his falling under any of the following items, be determined by the assembly of the ordinary local public body concerned;in this case it shall be determined by the majority of two-thirds or more of the assemblymen present:

Article 128.　An assemblyman of an ordinary local public body shall, until the determination, decision, or ruling of an appeal prescribed in Article 66, paragraph 1, 2 or 4, Article 68, paragraph 1 or 2, or the preceding paragraph becomes final, not vacate his office.

Article 129.　If an assemblyman contravenes the present Law or the rules of proceedings at a meeting of the assembly of an ordinary local public body or otherwise disturbs order at the assembly hall, the chairman may order him to desist or to revoke his speech and, if he fails to obey such order, prohibit him from speaking until the sitting of the day is over or cause him to withdraw from the assembly hall.

Article 130.　If any spectator admitted into a meeting of the assembly manifests aye or no openly or becomes clamorous or otherwise disturbs the proceedings of the meeting, the chairman of an assembly of an ordinary local public body may order him to desist and, if he fails to obey such order, cause him to withdraw from the assembly hall or, if necessary, turn him over to a police officer.

Article 131.　If there is a person who disturbs order in the assembly hall or who disturbs the proceedings at the meeting, any assemblyman may call the attention of the chairman thereto.

Article 132.　At a meeting of the assembly of an ordinary local public body, an assemblyman shall not use insolent word nor shall he refer to the personal affairs of other persons.

Article 133.　An assemblyman who has been put to indignity at a meeting of the assembly of an ordinary public body or of its committee may appeal to the assembly and request its disposition.

Article 134.　The assembly of an ordinary local public body may, by a resolution passed at a meeting of the assembly, impose disciplinary punishment on an assemblyman who has contravened the present Law or the rules of proceedings.

Article 135.　The disciplinary punishments shall be as follows:

Article 136.　The assembly of an ordinary local public body shall not reject such person expelled from the assembly as has been elected again to the office of assemblyman.

Article 137.　With respect to an assemblyman of an ordinary local public body who still fails without good reason to be present even after the chairman has especially served a writ of the call on him in a case where he has not responded to the call without just reason or in a case where he has been absent from a meeting of the assembly or of its committee, the chairman may, upon a resolution adopted at a meeting of the assembly, impose disciplinary punishment on him.

Article 138.　The assembly of an ordinary local public body shall have a chief clerk and a clerk;provided, however, that a city, town or village placed under special circumstances may not have a chief clerk.

Article 181.　An ordinary local public body shall have an electoral administration committee.

Article 182.　A member of electoral administration committee shall be elected at a meeting of the assembly of an ordinary local public body from among the persons who have the right of voting.

Article 183.　The term of office of a member of a committee shall be two years, provided that he shall remain in office until his successor assumes office.

Article 184.　A member of an electoral administration committee shall vacate his office if he has come to have no right of voting;whether he has the right of voting or not shall be determined by the electoral administration committee except in a case where he has no right of voting by reason of his falling under any of the events prescribed in Article 127 paragraph 1.

Article 185.　In a case where the chairman of an electoral administration committee purports to retire from his office, he shall obtain the approval of the electoral administration committee concerned.

Article 186.　An electoral administration committee shall, in pursuance of laws of Cabinet Orders, administer the affairs relating to the election of the ordinary local public body concerned or of the national government, other local public body or other public body and such affairs as are concerned therewith.

Article 187.　An electoral administration committee shall elect one chairman from among its committee.

Article 188.　A meeting of the electoral administration committee shall be convoked by the chairman;if a demand for the convocation of a meeting of the committee is made, the chairman shall convoke the same.

Article 189.　No business shall be transacted at a meeting of the electoral administration committee, unless three or more members of the committee are present thereat.

Article 190.　All proceedings at a meeting of the electoral administration committee shall be decided by a majority of the votes of the members of the committee present in the case of an equality of the votes, the chairman shall decide the issue.

Article 191.　The electoral administration committee shall have a clerk.

Article 192.　Matters relating to the status, duties, and disciplinary punishment of the members of the electoral administration committee, shall be provided for separately in laws.

Article 193.　The provisions of Article 187 paragraph 2, Article 141 paragraph 1, Article 142 and Article 166 paragraph 1 shall be applied with necessary modifications to the members of the electoral administration committee, the provisions of Article 150 shall be applied with necessary modifications to the electoral administration committee and the provisions of Article 153 paragraph 1, Article 154 and Article 159 shall he applied with necessary modifications to the chairman of the administration committee.

Article 194.　Except for those provided in the present Law and Cabinet Orders based thereon, such necessary matters as relate to an electoral administration committee shall be prescribed by the committee.

Article 195.　Metropolis, district or urban or rural prefecture shall have inspection commissioners.

Article 196.　The inspection commissioners shall, upon obtaining the consent of the assembly of an ordinary local public body, be appointed by the chief of the ordinary local public body from among the members of the assembly and from among such persons as have special knowledge and experience respectively in the same number.

Article 197.　The term of office of an inspection commissioner shall be two years.

Article 198.　An inspection commissioner shall, if he purports to retire from his office, obtain the approval of the chief of an ordinary local public body.

Article 199.　The inspection comissioners shall inspect the management of any undertaking carried on by an ordinary local public body and the administration of the revenue and expenditure and any other affairs of an ordinary local public body.

Article 200.　Clerks shall be appointed for the purpose of assisting the affairs of inspection commissioners.

Article 201.　The provisions of Article 142, Article 154, Article 159, Article 164, Article 168 paragraph 1, and Article 192 shall apply with the necessary modifications to the inspection commissioner.

Article 202.　Except for those provided in the present Law and in cabinet orders based thereon, any necessary matter relating to the inspection commissioner shall be provided by byelaws.

Article 208.　An ordinary local public body may preserve as its permanent property any of its property to be held with a view to gaining profits.

Article 209.　In case where there are among the inhabitants of a city, town or village such persons as are especially entitled to the use of any of its property or establishments by old custom and usage, such custom shall be followed. A resolution passed at a meeting of the assembly of a city, town or village shall be required in order that any alteration or abolition of such use may be effected.

Article 210.　An ordinary local public body may set up an establishment even outside of its area or by mutual agreement between the ordinary local public bodies concerned.

Article 211.　An ordinary local public body may, by mutual agreement between other ordinary local public body, cause the property or establishment of such other ordinary local public body to be thrown open to the use of its own inhabitants.

Article 212.　Any of the property or establishments of an ordinary local public body shall not be appropriated for the use, benefit or maintenance of any religious institution or association or for any charitable, educational or benevolent enterprise not under the control of public authority.

Article 213.　Excepting those provided for separately in laws or cabinet orders, with respect to the matters relating to the acquisition or creation, the management, or use and the disposition of a property or establishment, an ordinary local public body shall provide the same by bylaw.

Article 214.　An ordinary local public body may, with respect to the use of a property or establishment, provide by bylaw an administrative fine of not exceeding two thousand yen.

Article 215.　Any person who has an objection in respect of the right to use a property or establishment may file the same against the chief of an ordinary local public body.

Article 216.　An ordinary local public body may, in accordance with the provisions of laws, impose and collect local taxes.

Article 217.　An ordinary local public body may collect alloted charges.

Article 218.　An ordinary local public body may, impose and exact statutory labor and actual articles;provided, however, that a metropolis district or urban or rural prefecture may effect exaction of the same from any of the cities, towns, villages or other public bodies in the metropolis, district or urban or rural prefecture concerned.

Article 219.　With respect to such property or establishment as benefits a few persons or a part of an ordinary local public body or to such matters as are profitable for a few persons or a part of an ordinary local public body, an ordinary local public body may exact statutory labor or actual articles unevenly or from a few persons or a part of the ordinary local public body.

Article 220.　An ordinary local public body may collect rents in respect of the use of its property or establishments.

Article 221.　A city, town or village may, with respect to the use of a property or establishment prescribed in the provisions of Article 209, collect rents or entrance money in a lump sum or may collect both of them.

Article 222.　An ordinary local public body may collect fees in respect of such affairs as are necessary for a specific person.

Article 223.　Matters relating to alloted charges, rents and fees shall be provided in bylaws.

Article 224.　If any person on or from whom alloted charges, statutory labor, actual articles, rent, entrance money or fee has been imposed or collected has any reasonable cause to believe that illegality or error exists in respect of such imposition of collection, he may file an objection against the chief of an ordinary local public body within thirty days from the day on which he has received notice thereof.

Article 225.　If any person fails to pay alloted charge, rent, entrance money, fee, administrative fine or any other revenue of an ordinary local public body within a stated period, the chief of an ordinary local public body shall demand to pay the same by designating a time limit.

Article 226.　An ordinary local public body may, if and so long as it is necessary to do so for the purpose of repaying its debts or of effecting such expenditure as may be of permanent benefit to the ordinary local public body or on account of a natural calamity, raise a local loan by a resolution passed at a meeting of its assembly.

Article 227.　The chief of an ordinary local public body may, by a resolution passed at a meeting of the assembly, incur debt for temporary loans for the purpose of making defrayments provided for in the estimates.

Article 228.　An ordinary local public body is bound to defray its necessary expenses and such expenses as have hitherto fallen thereon under laws or ordinances issued or will hereinafter fall thereon under laws or cabinet orders.

Article 229.　Such expenses as may be required for the chief of an ordinary, local public body or its officials who are his auxiliary organs or the electoral administration committee to a administer the affairs of the national government, other local public bodies or other public bodies otherwise provided by laws or cabinet orders be paid by the ordinary local public body concerned.

Article 230.　An ordinary local public body shall not defray public money for the benefit or maintenance of any religions institution or association or any charitable, educational or benevolent enterprises not under the control of public authority.

Article 231.　An ordinary local public body may, if it is necessary to do so for the public interests thereof, effect donation or subsidy.

Article 232.　Upon a resolution having been passed on the estimates at a meeting of the assembly, the chief of an ordinary local public body shall forthwith deliver a copy thereof to the chief accountant or treasurer.

Article 233.　With respect to the prescription as regards any sum payable by an ordinary local public body, the same provisions as are applicable to such sums as are payable by the national government shall have effect.

Article 234.　The chief of an ordinary local public body shall draw up an estimate of annual revenue and expenditure for each fiscal year and cause a resolution of the assembly to be passed thereon at meeting thereof prior to the commencement of the fiscal year.

Article 235.　The chief of an ordinary local public body may, by a resolution passed at a meeting of its assembly, supplement or revise such estimate as has been already fixed.

Article 236.　If, in cases where the expenses in respect of a matter are to be defrayed out of the fund of an ordinary local public body, the defrayment is expected to extend over a period of several years, such amount of expenditure as is fixed for each year during that period may, by a resolution passed at a meeting of the assembly, be made a continuing expenditure.

Article 237.　An ordinary local public body shall set apart a reserve fund to meet such expenditure as is not provided for in, or is in excess over, the estimates.

Article 238.　A return of the estimates shall be made to the Minister for Home Affairs in the case of a metropolis, district or urban or rural prefecture or to the governor of a metropolis, district or urban or rural prefecture in the case of a city, town or village immediately after a resolution has been passed at a meeting of the assembly of an ordinary local public body, and public notice shall be given of a summary thereof also.

Article 239.　An ordinary local public body may, be a resolution passed at a meeting of its assembly, establish a special account.

Article 240.　The receipts and expenditure of an ordinary local public body shall be audited in each month on an usual day fixed therefor and special audit shall be held at least twice in each fiscal year.

Article 241.　The receipts and expenditure of an ordinary local public body for a fiscal year shall be closed on May thirty-first of the following fiscal year.

Article 242.　The chief accountant or treasurer shall submit to the chief of an ordinary local public body the final accounts together with instruments and papers. In this case, the chief treasurer shall submit the same within one month after the closing of receipts and expenditure.

Article 243.　Unless otherwise provided in laws or cabinet orders, an ordinary local public body shall cause the sale or loan of property, the contract of contruction works or the supply of things, labor or the like to be submitted to competitive bidding, except in a case where the gains fail to cover the losses if the price of an object for bidding is compared with the cost necessary for bidding, or in a case where the consent of the assembly has been obtained.

Article 244.　The chief of an ordinary local public body shall for the purpose of making clear the conditions of management in respect of the undertakings which have been designated by its assembly, make up balance sheets and other necessary documents at regular intervals, submit the same to the inspection of the inspection commissioners and present the same as accompanied by the opinion of the latter at the next meeting of the assembly.

Article 245.　Such provisions as may be necessary in connection with the form in which the estimates or final accounts are to be drawn up, the diversion of items of the estimates or any other matter relating to finance may be prescribed in orders.

Article 264.　A special city shall deal with its public affairs and such affairs as are charged with it by laws or cabinet orders and except those specially prescribed in cabinet orders, such affairs as came under metropolis, district or urban or rural prefecture or city formerly under laws and ordinances.

Article 265.　A special city shall be outside the area of a metropolis, district or urban and rural prefecture.

Article 266.　The arbitration or determination relating to the boundaries between a special city and a city, town or village shall be effected by the Minister for Home Affairs in conformity to the provisions of Article 9.

Article 267.　A person who has his residence within the ares of a special city shall be an inhabitant of the concerned special city.

Article 268.　A special city shall have a mayor and a deputy-mayor.

Article 269.　A special city shall have one treasurer and a few deputy-treaurers.

Article 270.　A special city shall create an administrative ward by dividing its area for administering a portion of affairs under the power of a mayor, by bylaw and establish its office.

Article 271.　An administrative ward shall have the head of a ward and one assistant head of a ward.

Article 272.　An administrative ward shall have one ward-treasurer and one deputy ward-treasurer severally.

Article 273.　The ward-treasurer shall take charge of the revenue and expenditure and other affairs relating to the accounts of the special city under the directions of the treasurer of the special city as well as the revenue and expenditure and other affairs relating to the accounts of the national government, other local public bodies or other public bodies belonging to the jurisdiction of the mayor, head of a ward, and other officials of a special city, as well as electoral administration committee of a special city or administrative ward.

Article 274.　An administrative ward may have a ward-accountant.

Article 275.　Except those contemplated in the preceding four paragraphs, the administrative ward shall have officials necessary to it. They shall be appointed by the mayor of a special city on the application of the head of a ward.

Article 276.　An administrative ward shall have an electoral administration committee.

Article 277.　The provisions concerning a city in Article 13, Article 18, Article 22, paragraph 7, Article 86 paragraph 1, Article 88, paragraph 1, Article 91, Article 145, Article 152, Article 160, Article 162 to Article 167 inclusive, Article 168 paragraphs 5 and 6, Article 169 to Article 171 inclusive, Article 209, Article 218, Article 221, Article 224, Article 232, Article 242 paragraph 1, and Article 260 shall be applied to a special city.

Article 278.　Excepting the special provisions mentioned in the present law of cabinet orders based thereupon, the provisions concerning metropolis, district, urban or rural prefecture in Volume II, shall be applied to a special city.

Article 279.　In a case where, with respect to the elections of a special city, the provisions of Volume 2, Chapter 4 are applicable in accordance with the provisions of the preceding Article, in so far as the application of the provisions relating to the elections of metropolis, district or urban or rural prefecturers in the same Chapter is concerned, the provisions relating to a city shall be applied to an administrative ward.

Article 280.　Except for those provided for in the present Law, and necessary matter relating to special city shall be provided by cabinet order.

Article 281.　A ward of a metropolis, shall be a special ward.

Article 282.　A metropolis may, with respect to a special ward, prescribe necessary provisions by its bylaws.

Article 283.　With respect to a special ward, except for those provided in cabinet orders the provisions relating to cities of Volume II shall apply.

Article 284.　Ordinary local public bodies, special cities and special wards, may, excepting the cases contemplated in the third paragraph, for the purpose of administering jointly a part of their affairs, frame articles of association by their mutual agreement and form an association of local public bodies (it shall be referred to as a partial-affairs-association) upon obtaining the permission of the Minister for Home Affairs in the case of an association which metropolis, district, urban or rural prefectures or special cities are to join or of the governor of a metropolis, district or urban or rural prefecture in the case of an association other than the latter;in this cases, if there has come not to remain any of such matters as fall within the powers of the executive organ of a local public body within an association, such executive organ shall cease to exist at the same time as the formation of the association.

Article 285.　An association of local public bodies prescribed in the provisions of paragraphs 1 to 3 inclusive of the preceding Article shall be a juristic person.

Article 286.　If an association of local public bodies purports to increase or reduce the number of the local public bodies of which the association is composed, to effect an alteration of the affairs which it administers jointly or of the articles of association, it shall, by mutual agreement of the local public bodies concerned, obtain the permission of the Minister for Home Affairs in the case of an association which metropolis, district or urban or rural prefectures join or of the governor of a metropolis, district or urban or rural prefecture in the case of an association other than the latter.

Article 287.　In the articles of association of the partial-affairs-association, the provisions relating to such matters as are specified below shall be made, namely:

Article 288.　In a case where it is intended to dissolve a partial-affairs-association or a whole-affairs-association, the report the Minister for Home Affairs or of the governor of a metropolis, district or urban or rural prefecture, in conformity to the provisions of Article 284, paragraph 1, shall, by the mutual agreement of the local public bodies concerned, be made.

Article 289.　If, in the cases contemplated in Article 285, or the preceding Article, it is necessary for the disposition of property to be effected, the same shall be determined by the mutual agreement of the local public bodies concerned, or by the mutual agreement between the local public bodies concerned and the association or by a resolution adopted at a meeting of the assembly:in a case where no mutual agreement has been reached thereon, the same shall, with the opinions of the assembly of the local public bodies concerned or the assembly of the association, be determined by the competent Minister in the case of an association which metropolis, districts, urban or rural prefectures or special cities join or by the governor of a metropolis, district or urban or rural prefecture in the case of an association other than the latter.

Article 290.　With respect to the mutual agreement contemplated in Article 284, paragraphs 1 to 3 inclusive, Article 286, Article 288, paragraph 1 and the preceding Article, a resolution shall be adopted at a meeting of the assembly in the case of a local public body concerned or at a meeting of the assembly of the association in the case of an association.

Article 291.　A local public body which has any reasonable cause to believe that there is illegality or error in connection with the allotment of the expenses of the association of a local public body may file an objection against the administrator of the association within thirty days from the day on which notice of such allotment has been given it.

Article 292.　In regard to associations of local publicbodies, unless otherwise provided in laws or the Cabinet Orders issued in virtue thereof, the provisions relating to metropolis, district or urban or rural prefectures, the provisions, relating to cities and the provisions relating to towns and villages shall respectively apply with the necessary modifications in respect of an association which metropolis, district, urban or rural prefectures or special cities join, in respect of an association which cities or special wards join but metropolis, district, urban or rural prefectures or special cities do not join and in respect of an association other than those two associations.

Article 293.　The provisions of Article 254 shall apply with the necessary modifications to the disposition prescribed in Article 284, papagraphs 1 to 4 inclusive, Article 286, Article 288 and Article 289.

Article 294.　Unless otherwise provided in laws or the Cabinet Orders, if there exists such part of a city, town or village as well as of a special city or special ward as possesses property or sets up an establishment, (this shall be referred to as a property ward) the management and disposition of its property or its establishment shall be according to the provisions relating to the management and disposition of a property or establishment of a local public body contemplated in the present Law.

Article 295.　The governor of a metropolis, district or urban or rural prefecture in the case of a city and property ward of a special ward in the case of a property ward of a special city the mayor of a special city may, if he deems it necessary do to so in connection with the property or establishment of a property-ward, cause a bylaw of a city, town or village, a special ward or a special city upon a resolution passed at a meeting of the assembly to be framed whereby an assembly of the property-ward is to be created at a meeting of which resolutions on such matters as are to be resolved by the assembly of a city, town or village or a special city or special ward shall be passed.

Article 296.　Matters relating to the full number of, the term of office of, the right to elect;the right to be elected to the office of and the electoral list of, the assemblymen of the assembly of a property-ward shall be provided in the bylaw contemplated in the preceding article.

Article 297.　Excepting for those provided in the present Law, Cabinet Orders shall prescribe in respect of the affairs of a property-ward.