I hereby promulgate the Law concerning the Restriction of use of the Emblem and Appellation of the Red Cross. Signed:HIROHITO, Seal of the Emperor This tenth day of the twelfth month of the twenty-second year of Showa (December 10, 1947) Prime Minister KATAYAMA Tetsu Law No.159

Article 1. The emblem of Red Cross on White Ground, the Appellation of Red Cross or Geneve Cross, or any emblem or appelation similar to the foregoing shall not be used without authority. The distinctive signes provided in Article 5 of the Treaty on the adaptation to the maritime warfare of the principles of the Geneve Convention, or any sign similar to the foregoing shall not be used on ships without authority.

Article 2. The Japan Red Cross Society shall be able to use the emblem of Red Cross on White Ground and the appellation of Red Cross.

Article 3. Any person who wants to use the emblem of Red Cross on White Ground, in order to indicate the place of aid exclusively reserved to give free-of charge care to the injured or the sick, shall be able to use it by authorization of Japan Red Cross Society.

Article 4. Any person who has violated the provisions of Article 1, shall be punished by confinement for less than six months, or by a fine of less than one thousand yen.

Supplementary Provision: This Law shall come into force as from January 1, 1948. Minister of Welfare HITOTSUMATSU Sadayoshi Minister of Transportation KITAMURA Tokutaro Prime Minister KATAYAMA Tetsu