Article 1. The Advisory Council on Social Security (hereinafter referred to as the "Advisory Council" ) shall be under the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister and shall investigate, diliberate and make recommendations relative to social security in Japan.

Article 2. The Advisory Council shall have the duty, and the right of its own motion, of studying and making recommendations to the Prime Minister for submittal to the Diet, and providing written advice to the Prime Minister and other Ministers concerned, as to the most effective methods of providing economic security through social insurance, and as to legislation and matters of administrative policy concerning social insurance and related subjects. 2 The Prime Minister and other Ministers concerned shall request the opinion of the Advisory Council before acting upon matters involving planning, legislation or administrative policy concerning social security.

Article 3. The Advisory Council shall consist of 40 members, provided that, in addition, twelve or less temporary members may be appointed if the Prime Minister considers such temporary members necessary for the consideration of extraordinary matters.

Article 4. There shall be a chairman vice-chairman and chief secretary of the Advisory Council, and they shall be elected from among the members by mutual vote. 2 The chairman shall preside over the affairs of the Advisory Council and, in his absence, the vice-chairman shall act for him. 3 The chief secretary shall maintain a written record of its proceedings and advice tendered.

Article 5. The members shall be appointed by the Prime Minister in equal proportion from among the following groups of persons: (1) Members of the Diet. (2) Officials of the government offices concerned. (3) Persons of learning and experience. (4) Employers, employees, physicians, dentists, pharmacists and others similarly participating in the operations of the social insurance programs. 2 The temporary members shall be appointed by the Prime Minister in equal proportion from the last three groups designated in Paragraph 1.

Article 6. The term of office of the members shall be two years, and one-half of the members shall be appointed annually. 2 The member appointed to fill a vacancy shall hold office for the remainder of the term of his predecessor. 3 The term of office of temporary members shall be the period necessary for the completion of the specific task assigned to them.

Article 7. The government offices concerned shall produce such data and information as the Advisory Council may request.

Article 8. The Advisory Council shall convene as often as necessary, and at least once every three months, unless good cause is shown for the postponement of a given meeting.

Article 9. Within sixty days after the close of each fiscal year, the Advisory Council shall submit a written report to the Prime Minister for submittal to the Diet concerning their activities and findings and a summary of their recommendations during the fiscal year concerned.

Article 10. The Advisory Council shall have not more than 30 secretaries. 2 The secretaries shall be appointed by the Prime Minister from among the officials of the government offices administering social insurance programs and men of learning and experience. 3 The secretaries shall be at the service, at all times, of the members of the Advisory Council for the purpose of rendering technical advice and administrative aid.

Article 11. The Advisory Council shall have not more than 20 clerks. 2 The clerks shall be appointed by the Prime Minister from among the officials of the government offices concerned. 3 The clerks shall perform clerical duties under the supervision of their superiors.