Article 1. In this Law, "Postage Stamps, etc." shall be defined as postage Stamps, other impressed papers representing postal charges, and "Stamps" shall be defined as revenue stamps.

Article 2. The Minister of Postal Services is authorized to select Sale Agents of Postage Stamps, etc. and Stamps from among those who have enough means and public credit to perform sale of Postage Stamps, etc. and Stamps and to entrust them with sale business thereof. 2 The Ministry of Postal Services is authorized to select Sale Agents of Stamps from among juridical persons of non-profitting purposes and to entrust them with sale business thereof. 3 In case the Ministry of Postal Services intends to select Sale Agents of Postage Stamps, etc. and Stamps and of Stamps referred to in the preceding two paragraphs (hereinafter shall be called Sale Agents) shall notify publically necessary matters in order to accept applications for Sale Agents from general public in accordance with the provisions of Ministerial Ordinance. 4 In case there may be more than two applicants provided with the qualifications referred to in paragraph 1 or 2, the Ministry of Postal Services shall select one by means of lottery.

Article 3. Sale Agents shall, to conduct their business, establish at the locations fixed by the Minister of Postal Services, Sale Agencies of Postage Stamps, etc. for Sale Agents of Postage Stamps, etc. and Stamps, and Sale Agencies of Stamps for Sale Agents of Stamps only.

Article 4. Sale Agents shall, as a functionary of a part of services concerning Mail conducted by the State, perform faithfully the services thereof for the public benefit.

Article 5. Sale Agents shall, as prescribed by Ministerial Ordinance, purchase from the Ministry of Postal Services and provide, at all time, Postage Stamps, etc. and Stamps of sufficient quantity to meet the public demand and shall sell them impartially at the fixed prices.

Article 6. Sale hours at Sale Agencies of Postage Stamps, etc. and of Stamps (hereinafter shall be called Sale Agencies generally) shall be fixed by Ministerial Ordinance.

Article 7. The Minister of Postal Services shall pay to Sale Agents the sale commission of the amounts obtained by multiplying the following percentages to the amount of Postage Stamps, etc. and Stamps sold monthly, in accordance with the provisions of Article 5. However, the amounts of commission shall not exceed 11,100 yen per month: Monthly sale amount less than 5,000 yen... 5% Monthly sale amount exceeding 5,000 yen and less than 50,000 yen........................ 3% Monthly sale amount exceeding 50, 00 yen... 1% 2 The procedure of payment for sale commission referred to in the preceding paragraph shall be fixed by Ministerial Ordinance.

Article 8. In case a Sale Agent of Postage Stamps, etc. and Stamps dies and his successors have applied to that effect, the Minister of Postal Services is authorized to entrust sale business of Postage Stamps, etc. and Stamps to one of his successors as Sale Agent only within a period of sixty days from the date of death, regardless of the provisions of Article 2.

Article 9. In case Sale Agents intend to discontinue the sale business of Postage Stamps, etc. or of Stamps, they shall, as prescribed by Ministerial Ordinance submit applications to that effect to the Minister of Postal Services thirty days at the latest prior to their resignation.

Article 10. In the following cases, the Minister of Postal Services is authorized to rescind contracts concerning sale of Postage Stamps, etc. or of Stamps: (1) In case Sale Agents of Postage Stamps, etc. and Stamps have lost enough means and public credit necessary for conducting sale of Postage Stamps, etc. and Stamps; (2) In case Sale Agents of Stamps have ceased to be juridicial persons of non-profitting purposes; (3) In case Sale Agents contravene the provisions of this Law or of Ministerial Ordinance in accordance with this Law; (4) In case the Minister of Postal Services deems it unnecessary to conduct Sale business of Postage Stamps, etc. or of Stamps at the locations of the respective Sale Agents.

Article 11. Whoever has sald Postage Stamps, etc. or Stamps at price different from those of the fixed prices shall be subjected to a fine not more than ten thousand yen. 2 A person or legal entity whose representative, agent, employee or any other operative has committed the offense under the preceding paragraph in connection with the business of such a person or legal entity shall also be subjected to the penalty of the said paragraph, in addition to punishment of the person who has committed the offense.