(Purpose and Establishment) Article 1. For the purpose of conducting public opinion research fairly and autonomously in order to contribute to the establishment of policy and the operation of administration, the National Public Opinion Research Institute (hereinafter to be referred to as "the Institute" ) shall be established udder this Law as an auxiliary organ of the Prime Minister's Office.

(Functions and Powers) Article 2. The Institute shall be an autonomous organ independent of partisan political controls and pressures and shall administer the following matters for the implementation of the purpose mentioned in the preceding Article: (1) To conduct scientific research of public opinion concerning Government policy and administration; (2) To submit reports upon the results of public opinion research to the Cabinet and Government agencies concerned and to make public the said results; (3) To give necessary advises to and cooperate with local public bodies and other organizations conducting public opinion research; (4) To study public opinion and methods of public opinion research and to collect necessary materials thereof; (5) To promote the dissemination and development of public opinion research.

Article 3. The Institute and the personnel of the Institute, in the execution of the functions mentioned in the preceding Article, shall not make the following conducts: (1) To make surveys for the benefit of specific political parties and factions; (2) To utilize the findings of surveys for the benefit of specific political parties and factions; (3) To utilize surveys for control over or surveillance of thought; (4) To release individual privacy attained from surveys; (5) To compel answers for questions put for the purpose of surveys.

Article 4. When necessary, the Institute may commission its researches to other organizations or may make researches commissioned by other organizations.

(Board of Governors) Article 5. The Board of Governors (hereinafter to be referred to as "the Board" ) shall be established in the Institute. 2 The Board shall administer the following matters: (1) To determine the general policy of the Institute; (2) To determine research program of the Institute; (3) To determine the form of publication of results; (4) To determine other important matters concerning the management of the Institute, other than those mentioned in each of the preceding items.

Article 6. The Board shall consist of seven members. 2 The members shall be appointed by the Prime Minister with the consent of the Board from among men of learning and experience recommended by non-government organizations related to public opinion research. 3 The term of office of the Board members shall be two years, but the term of office of members appointed to fill vacancies shall be the remainder of that of their predecessors. 4 The Board members may be reappointed.

Article 7. The Board shall have a Chairman. 2 The Chairman shall act as the presiding officer, and shall preside over the affairs of the Board. 3 The Chairman shall be elected by mutual vote from among the Board members. In case the Chairman is prevented from performing his duties, a person designated by the Chairman beforehand shall act far him.

(Director) Article 8. The Institute shall have one Director. He shall be in charge of the management of the Institute. 2 The Director shall be appointed by the Prime Minister with the consent of the Board from among persons having technical knowledge in public opinion research.

(Personnel) Article 9. With respect to appointment, dismissal, promotion, disciplinary punishment and other matters concerning personnel administration of the Institute, the National Public Services Law (Law No.120 of 1947) shall apply.

Article 10. The fixed number of personnel of the Institute shall be provided for separately by law.

(Delegation to Orders) Article 11. Necessary matters related to the Board shall be provided for by Cabinet Order and those related to internal organization and management of the Institute by Prime Minister's Office Ordinances, excepting those provided for in this Law.