(Purpose of this Law) Article 1. The purpose of this Law is to provide for the fundamental matters concerning the coordinated development of the resources in Hokkaido.

(Program for Coordinated Development of Hokkaido) Article 2. The state shall, for the purpose of contributing to the Rehabilitation of the economy of the people and the solution of the population problem, formulate a program for the coordinated development of Hokkaido (hereinafter referred to as the "development program" ), and shall carry out works based on such program in accordance with the provisions of laws concerned (including Cabinet Orders and Ministerial Ordinances issued thereunder) as from the fiscal year 1951-52. 2 The development program shall be a program for the coordinated development of land, water, forests, minerals, electricity, and other resources in Hokkaido, and its scope shall be provided for by Cabinet Order.

(Submission of Opinions of Local Public Bodies Concerned) Article 3. The local public bodies concerned may submit their opinions to the Cabinet in regard to the development program.

(Establishment of Hokkaido Development Agency) Article 4. In accordance with the provisions of Article 3 paragraph 2 of the National Government Organization Law (Law No.120 of 1948), the Hokkaido Development Agency shall be established as an external organ of the Prime Minister's Office. 2 The head of the Hokkaido Development Agency shall be a Director of the Hokkaido Development Agency to be appointed from among the Ministers of State.

(Scope of Responsibilities and Powers of Hokkaido Development Agency) Article 5. The Hokkaido Development Agency shall make investigations and formulate the development program and take charge of adjustment and promotion of such affairs as are related to the execution of works based on the development program.

(Special Positions in Hokkaido Development Agency) Article 6. The Hokkaido Development Agency shall have a Deputy Director. 2 The Deputy Director shall assist the Director in regulating the affairs of the Agency.

Article 7. There shall be not more than ten Councillors in the Hokkaido Development Agency to participate in the affairs of the Agency. 2 The councillors shall be appointed by the Director from among the officials of the administrative organs concerned. 3 The councillors shall be of part-time service.

(Hokkaido Development Council) Article 8. The Hokkaido Development Agency shall have a Hokkaido Development Council (hereinafter referred to as the "Council" ).

Article 9. The Council may investigate and deliberate on important matters relating to the development program and make proposals to the Director of Hokkaido Development Agency with respect to the result thereof. 2 The Council shall in compliance with request by the Director investigate and deliberate on important matters relating to the development program.

Article 10. The Council shall be composed of not more than twenty members, who shall be appointed by the Prime Minister as follows: (1) Persons nominated by the House of Representatives from among the members of the House of Representatives; 5 (2) Persons nominated by the House of Councillors from among the members of the House of Councillors; 3 (3) Governor of Hokkaido;1 (4) Chairman of Hokkaido Assembly;1 (5) Persons of learning and experience (selected by the Prime Minister): not more than 10 2 The term of office of the members shall be two years. However, the term of office of a member filling a vacancy shall be the remaining period of his predecessor's term of office. The members may be re-elected. 3 The members shall be of part-time service. 4 The chairman of the Council shall be elected mutually by the members of the Council. In cases where the chairman is prevented from performing his duties, a member who has been nominated by the chairman in advance shall perform his duties in his behalf. 5 The Chairman shall preside over the affairs of the Council. 6 In addition to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, necessary matters relating to proceedings of the Council shall be determined by the Council.

(Personnel) Article 11. With respect to appointment, dismissal, promotion, disciplinary punishment and other matters concerning personnel administration of the Hokkaido Development Agency, the provisions of the National Public Service Law (Law No.120 of 1947) shall apply.

(The Fixed Number of Personnel) Article 12. The fixed number of personnel for the Hokkaido Development Agency shall be provided for by law separately.