CHAPTER I General Provisions

(Purpose) Article 1. The purpose of this Law is to prevent the invasion of germs of communicable diseases which are not ordinarily existent in this country through vessels or aircraft and also to adopt measures necessary for the prevention of other communicable diseases with respect to vessels or aircraft.

(Quarantinable Diseases) Article 2. The term "quarantinable diseases" as used in this Law shall mean cholera, plague. typhus, smallpox and yellow fever.

(Quarantine Seaport, etc.) Article 3. The seaport where quarantine procedures are executed (hereinafter referred to as the "quarantine seaport" ) and the airport where quarantine procedures are executed (hereinafter referred to as the "quarantine airport" ) shall be designated by Cabinet Order).

CHAPTER II Quarantine Procedures

(Prohibition of Entry into Port, etc.) Article 4. The captain (including a person who acts for him;hereinafter the same) of the undermentioned vessel (hereinafter referred to as the "vessel which has arrived from a foreign country" ) shall not let such vessel enter any seaport in this country before obtaining issue of free pratique or provisional pratique;provided that this shall not apply to the case where he lets such vessel enter into the quarantine area as provided for in Article 8 paragraph 1 or into a place as directed under the provision of paragraph 3 of the same Article for quarantine clearance: (1) The vessel which has arrived originating from or calling at a foreign country; (2) The vessel which has trans-shipped any person or transferred articles on board from another vessel (excluding the vessel which has obtained issue of free pratique, or provisional pratique) which originated from or called at the foreign area designated by Cabinet Order as an area where the quarantinable disease is spreading or likely to spread. 2 The captain (including the person who acts for him;hereinafter the same) of any aircraft which has arrived originating from or calling at a foreign country (hereinafter referred to as the "aircraft which has arrived from a foreign country" ) shall not let such aircraft land, or alight on water, at any airport in this country other than the quarantine airport before obtaining issue of free pratique or provisional pratique.

(Restriction of Traffic, etc.) Article 5. With respect to the vessel or aircraft arriving from a foreign country (hereinafter referred to as the "vessel, etc." ) no person shall disembark or unload goods from such vessel, or shall leave or carry out goods from such aircraft, before the captain thereof has obtained issue of free pratique or provisional pratique;provided that this shall not apply to the case where the chief of quarantine station gives permission.

(Notification prior to Quarantine Inspection) Article 6. The captain of the vessel, etc. which is expected to undergo quarantine inspection shall, when such vessel, etc. has approached any quarantine seaport or quarantine airport, notify by any appropriate method the chief of quarantine station (including the branch office and the detached office of the quarantine station) which is established at such quarantine seaport or quarantine airport on the existence or non-existence of any case of or death from quarantinable disease and on other matters as provided for by Ministry of Welfare Ordinance.

(Disinsectization on Aircraft) Article 7. The captain of aircraft arriving from a foreign country shall disinsectize the aircraft, prior to its initial landing or alighting on water at the quarantine airport.

(Quarantine Area) Article 8. The captain of a vessel, when he expects to undergo quarantine inspection, shall let such vessel enter into the quarantine area. 2 The captain of the aircraft arriving from a foreign country shall, when he first lets such aircraft land or alight on water at the quarantinable airport, immediately let it enter into the quarantine area. 3 In the case coming under the preceding two paragraphs, when the chief of quarantine station (including the chief of the branch office or the detached office of the quarantine station) has given direction that the vessel, etc. concerned should be entered into an area other than the quarantine area because of weather or any other reason, the captain of the vessel, etc. shall obey such direction. 4 One or more of the quarantine areas stated in paragraph 1 and paragraph 2 shall be fixed and given public notice by the Minister of Welfare through consultation with the Minister of Transportation for each quarantine seaport or quarantine airport.

(Quarantine Signal) Article 9. The captain, of a vessel shall hoist the quarantine signal on such vessel in accordance with the provisions of Ministry of Welfare Ordinance, from the time he lets such vessel enter into the quarantine area or the place directed under the provision of paragraph 3 of the preceding Article in order to undergo quarantine inspection until the time he receives issue of free pratique or provisional pratique. The same shall apply, in cases where the provisional pratique has become invalid under the provision of Article 19 paragraph 1 while the vessel is in port, or where information of the invalidation of the provisional pratique in accordance with the provision of paragraph 2 of the same Article has been received, from the time of invalidation or the time of the information of invalidation until such vessel is let out of port or the issue of free pratique or provisional pratique is received anew.

(Start of Quarantine Inspection) Article 10. When the vessel, etc. has entered into the quarantine area or the place directed under the provision of Article 8 paragraph 3, the chief of quarantine station shall start quarantine inspection, without delay, except in the case of bad weather or in case there are other unavoidable reasons; provided that, with respect to the vessel which entered after sunset, he may not start quarantine inspection until sunrise.

(Submission and Presentation of Documents) Article 11. The captain of the vessel, etc., upon undergoing quarantine inspection, shall submit to the chief of quarantine station a declaration stating the name or registration number of the vessel, etc., port of departure, port of call, and other matters as provided for by Ministry of Welfare Ordinance; provided that, in the case of the quarantine inspection undergone after the validity of provisional pratique is lost, this shall be done only on request from the chief of quarantine station. 2 The chief of quarantine station may request the captain of the vessel, etc. for the submission of documents listed under items (1) to (3) inclusive and the presentation of documents listed under items (4) and (5): (1) Crew manifest; (2) Passenger manifest; (3) Cargo manifest; (4) Log book of sea navigation or flight; (5) Other documents necessary for quarantine inspection.

(Question) Article 12. The chief of quarantine station may put necessary questions to the captain of the vessel, etc. or to other persons on board the vessel, etc., or let the quarantine officer do so.

(Medical Examination and Inspection) Article 13. The chief of quarantine station may carry out medical examination of persons on board the vessel, etc. and inspect whether or not germs are existent on the vessel, etc., in regard to the quarantinable diseases, or may let the quarantine officer do so. 2 The chief of quarantine station may carry out autopsy on the dead body (including the dead body of embryo) which was carried on board the vessel, etc. or let the quarantine officer do so, when he finds it necessary for the inspection stated in the preceding paragraph.

(Measures on Vessel, etc. Infected Likely to have been Infected) Article 14. The chief of quarantine station may, with respect to the vessel, etc. which arrived originating from or after calling at the area designated by Cabinet Order under the provision of Article 4 paragraph 1 item (2), or the vessel, etc. on board which there has occurred a case of or death from any quarantinable disease, or the vessel, etc. which has carried any patient of quarantinable disease or any dead body thereof or on board which rodents carrying or likely to be carrying germs of plague have been found, or any other vessel, etc. which has been infected or is likely to have been infected by the germs of any quarantinable disease, take the whole or a part of the measures as listed below, in so far as such is reasonably judged to be necessary: (1) To isolate any patient of quarantinable disease (including the germ carrier and suspected case of quarantinable disease;hereinafter the same), or to let the quarantine officer do so; (2) To hold under observation any person infected or likely to have been infected with germs of quarantinable disease, or to let the quarantine officer do so; (3) To disinfect articles or places infected or likely to have been infected with germs of quarantinable disease, or to let the quarantine officer do so, or to order such articles to be destroyed if they are not amenable to disinfection; (4) To cremate the dead body (including the dead body of embryo) which is infected or is likely to have been infected with germs of quarantinable disease, in accordance with the provisions of the Law regarding Graveyards, Burial and Others (Law No.48 of 1948); (5) To prohibit or restrict the use of any article or place which is infected or is likely to have been infected with germs of the quarantinable disease, or to prohibit the moving of such article; (6) To let the quarantine officer or other person considered to be appropriate carry out deratting or disinsectization; (7) To carry out vaccination for persons who are considered to require it or to let the quarantine officer or other person considered to be appropriate do so. 2 If the chief of quarantine station considers, in cases where it is necessary to carry out the measures listed under items (1) to (3) inclusive or item (6) of the preceding paragraph, that it is impossible to meet such necessity for such reasons as the shortage of equipment of the quarantine station concerned, he may direct, by showing the reasons, the captain of the vessel, etc. concerned to proceed to another quarantine seaport or quarantine airport.

(Isolation) Article 15. The isolation provided for in paragraph 1 item (1) of the preceding Article shall be carried out by way of accommodation in the isolation room set up in the quarantine station;provided that the patient of smallpox or typhus may be isolated by committing him to a hospitAl which has facilities for accommodation of such patients. 2 No person, except when permitted by the chief of quarantine station, shall have access to the place where the isolated patient has been accommodated, or carry away any article from such a place. 3 The chief of quarantine station shall immediately discontinue isolation, when a patient of quarantinable disease has been cured of it, when a carrier of the germ of quarantinable disease has ceased to discharge such germ, when a person with a suspected case of quarantinable disease has ceased to show the symptoms or when his symptoms have been disproved as those of quarantinable disease.

(Observation) Article 16. The observation provided for in Article 14 paragraph 1 item (2) shall be carried out by way of accommodation in the observation room set up in the quarantine station for a fixed detention period; provided that, in the case of unavoidable circumstances, this may be carried out on board the vessel, with the consent of the captain of the vessel. 2 The detention period under the preceding paragraph shall not extend beyond the timelimit as listed below for each quarantinable disease: (1) 120 hours for cholera; (2) 144 hours for plague; (3) 336 hours for typhus; (4) 336 hours for smallpox; (5) 144 hours for yellow fever. 3 In cases where several persons have been accommodated in the same place, if a case of or death from quarantinable disease has occurred among the detainees, the detention period of the rest of the detainees may be extended. 4 The period of detention to be extended under the provision of the preceding paragraph shall be the period as listed in paragraph 2 for each quarantinable disease from time the extension is started. 5 The provision of paragraph 2 of the preceding Article shall apply mutatis mutandis to the place where persons under observation are accommodated.

(Issue of Free Pratique) Article 17. The chief of quarantine station shall, when he has found that there is no danger of invasion of germs of quarantinable disease into this country through the vessel, etc. concerned, issue free pratique to the captain of such vessel, etc.

(Issue of Provisional Pratique) Article 18. Even in cases where the free pratique cannot be issued, the chief of quarantine station may, when he has found that there is scarcely any danger of invasion of germs of quarantinable disease into this country through the vessel, etc. concerned, issue provisional pratique to the captain of such vessel, etc., fixing a certain duration of time. In this case, the chief of quarantine station may give direction to those who are likely to have been infected with germs of quarantinable disease but are not held under observation that they must receive medical examination at any health center or other medical treatment facilities when any abnormal symptom appears in their health conditions, and on other necessary matters for the prevention of quarantinable disease.

(Invalidation of Provisional Pratique) Article 19. When a case of or death from quarantinable disease occurs on board the vessel, etc. which has obtained issue of provisional pratique during the period fixed under the provision of the preceding Article, such provisional pratique shall lose its validity. In this case, the captain of such vessel, etc. shall promptly notify the fact to the chief of the nearest quarantine station (including the chief of the branch office or the detached office of the quarantine station;hereinafter the same in paragraph 3). 2 The chief of quarantine station who has issued provisional pratique may, when he finds it necessary further to take the measures listed in the items of Article 14 paragraph 1 with respect to the vessel, etc. concerned, invalidate such provisional pratique for the duration of time fixed in accordance with the provision of the preceding Article. In this case, the chief of the quarantine station concerned shall promptly notify the fact to the captain of such vessel, etc. 3 In cases where provisional pratique is invalidated under the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs, if the vessel, etc. concerned is lying at anchor or staying within the seaport or airport, the chief of quarantine station who has received the notification mentioned in paragraph 1, or the chief of quarantine station who has issued such provisional pratique, may order the captain of such vessel, etc. to let such vessel, etc. enter into the quarantine area or into the place directed by him, or move out of the seaport or the airport.

(Issue of Certificate) Article 20. In cases where the chief of quarantine station has let the quarantine officer or other persons considered to be appropriate carry out deratting with respect to a vessel under the provision of Article 14 paragraph 1 item (6), he shall issue a certificate thereof, if so requested by the captain of such vessel. 2 In cases where the chief of quarantine station has carried out vaccination or has let the quarantine officer or other persons considered to be appropriate do so under the provision of Article 14 paragraph 1 item (7), he shall issue a certificate concerning it, if so requested by the person who has received such vaccination.

(Emergency Refuge) Article 21. In cases where the captain of the vessel, etc. which has not obtained issue of free pratique or provisional pratique has inevitably let such vessel, etc. enter into a seaport in this country or let it land or alight on water at an airport other than the quarantine airport to avoid imminent danger, he shall let such vessel enter into the quarantine area or into the place as directed by the chief of quarantine station (including the chief of the branch office or the detached office of the quarantine station), or shall move such vessel out of the seaport, or shall let such aircraft leave the airport, as soon as such imminent danger has ceased to exist. 2 In the case of the preceding paragraph, if it is not possible to let the vessel enter into the quarantine area, etc. or move it out of the seaport or let the aircraft leave the airport for unavoidable reasons, the captain of the vessel, etc. shall make a report of the presence or absence of any patient of quarantinable disease, port of departure, port of call and other matters prescribed by Ministry of Welfare Ordinance to the chief of the nearest quarantine station, or health center if there is no quarantine station. 3 The chief of quarantine station or of health center who has received the report mentioned in the preceding paragraph may carry out inspection, disinfection and other measures necessary for the prevention of quarantinable disease with respect to the vessel, etc. concerned. 4 With respect to the vessel, etc. coming under paragraph 2 when it has been confirmed by the chief of quarantine station or of health center that there is scarcely any danger of invasion of germs of quarantinable disease into this country through such vessel, ctc., the provision of Article 5 shall not apply so long as such vessel, etc. stays at the same place. 5 The provisions of the preceding three paragraphs shall apply mutatis mutandis to the vessel, etc. which has become incapable of navigation at a coast other than the seaport or a place other than the airport in this country. 6 The captain of the vessel, etc, which has not obtained issue of free pratique or provisional pratique shall, when anyone has inevitably disembarked or unloaded any article from such vessel, or left or carried away any article from such aircraft to avoid imminent danger, promptly make a report on the presence or absence of any patient of quarantinable disease and other matters prescribed by Ministry of Welfare Ordinance to the chief of the nearest health center or the mayor of the nearest city, town or village.

(Quarantine Inspection of Military Vessels, etc.) Article 22. The quarantine inspection of military vessels or military aircraft of foreign countries shall be provided for by law separately.

(Exceptions regarding the Vessels, etc. of Maritime Safety Agency) Article 23. In cases where the vessels of Maritime Safety Agency or other vessels engaged in the duties of prevention and suppression of and search for crimes on sea or in the duties of arresting criminal suspects on sea have come to fall under Article 4 paragraph 1 item (2) in connection with official duty, special provisions may be made by Cabinet Order for the quarantine procedures applicable to these vessels. 2 In the Cabinet Order mentioned in the preceding paragraph, provisions may be made where under the chief of health center may be charged with the quarantine duties.

CHAPTER III Other Sanitary Measures to be Carried Out by the Chief of Quarantine Station

(Emergency Measures) Article 24. In conducting the quarantine inspection, the chief of quarantine station, when he has discovered on the vessel, etc. concerned a case of or death from any of the communicable diseases which are provided for in Article 1 paragraph 1 of the Infectious Disease Prevention Law (Law No.36 of 1897) or designated by the Minister of Welfare under the provision of paragraph 2 of the same Article and which are not the quarantinable diseases, or when he has found that such vessel, etc. is infected or is likely to have been infected by germs of these communicable diseases, shall let the quarantine officer or other person considered to be appropriate carry out, for the prevention thereof, such necessary emergency measures as medical examination, disinfection, deratting or disinsectization, etc.

(Deratting) Article 25. In conducting the quarantine inspection, the chief of quarantine station may, when he has found the vessel concerned has not been adequately deratted, order the captain of such vessel to carry out deratting. 2 In conducting the quarantine inspection, the chief of quarantine station shall, in cases where he has found that the vessel concerned has adequately been deratted or where he has found that deratting has adequately been effected according to the order for deratting under the provision of the preceding paragraph, issue a certificate of each fact, if so requested by the captain of such vessel.

(Inspection, etc. by Application) Article 26. The chief of quarantine station may, when the owner or the captain of the vessel or aircraft requests him for inspection with regard to the presence or absence of germs of quarantinable disease, disinfection, deratting, disinsectization of the vessel or the aircraft concerned, medical examination or preventive vaccination for the crew, etc., or issuance of the certificate with regard to these matters by paying the fee stipulated by Cabinet Order, comply with such request so long as it does not interfere with the quarantine duties at the quarantine station concerned. 2 The chief of quarantine station may, when any person intending to go abroad requests him for the medical examination concerning the quarantinable disease, inspection with regard to the presence or absence of germs of quarantinable disease, preventive vaccination, or the issuance of the certificate concerning these matters by paying the fee stipulated by Cabinet Order, comply with such request so long as it does not interfere with the quarantine duties at the quarantine station concerned.

(Emergency Sanitary Measures at the Quarantine Seaport, etc.) Article 27. When the chief of quarantine station finds that the communicable disease provided for in Article 1 paragraph 1 of the Infectious Disease Prevention Law or the communicable disease designated by the Minister of Welfare under the provision of paragraph 2 of the same Article is prevailing or is likely to prevail, he may, only within such area as may be stipulated by Cabinet Order for each quarantine seaport or quarantine airport, cause the quarantine officer or other person considered to be appropriate carry out deratting or disinsectization, cleaning up or disinfection of the vessel or aircraft within such area, or of facilities, building and other places within such area, or carry out health examination or disinsectization of the persons who are engaged in labor within such area. 2 The chief of quarantine station shall, when he has taken the measures mentioned in the preceding paragraph, promptly notify the fact to the chief of the administrative organ concerned.

CHAPTER IV Miscellaneous Provisions

(Quarantine Officers) Article 28. There shall be appointed quarantine officers in the Ministry of Welfare to have them charged with the administrative affairs provided for by this Law.

(Authority for Entrance) Article 29. The chief of quarantine station and the quarantine officers may, if necessary for carrying out the duties under the provisions of this Law, enter the vessel, aircraft or the facilities, buildings and other places provided for in Article 27 paragraph 1.

(Interpretation of Authority) Article 30. The authority of the chief of quarantine station and the quarantine officers under the provisions of this Law shall not be interpreted as having been recognized for the purpose of crime detection.

(Wearing of Uniform and Carrying of Identification Card) Article 31. The chief of quarantine station and the quarantine officer shall wear the uniform, carry the identification card showing their status, and show it whenever requested by any of the persons concerned, in the performance of the duties under the provisions of this Law. 2 The regulations on the uniform of the chief of quarantine station and the quarantine officer shall be fixed by the Minister of Welfare.

(Collection of Actual Expenses) Article 32. The chief of quarantine station shall collect the actual expenses from the owner or the captain of the vessel, etc. in accordance with the provisions of Cabinet Order in the following cases: (1) When the measures under the provision of Article 14 paragraph 1 item (3), (4) or (6) have been taken; (2) When the measures under the provision of Article 14 paragraph 1 item (1) or (2) have been taken for the crew of the vessel, etc. 2 The chief of quarantine station shall, when he has taken the measures provided for in Article 14 paragraph 1 item (1) or (2) for the persons other than the crew on board the vessel, etc., collect the actual expenses from such persons in accordance with the provisions of Cabinet Order. 3 The chief of quarantine station may not, when it is found that the person who must bear the actual expenses under the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs cannot bear the whole or a part of such actual expenses under economical circumstances, collect the whole or a part thereof, regardless of the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs. 4 The provisions of the preceding three paragraphs shall apply mutatis mutandis to the case where the chief of quarantine station or the chief of health center has taken the necessary measures in accordance with the provision of Article 21 paragraph 3 (including the case where this applies mutatis mutandis in paragraph 5 of the same Article).

(Disbursement and Share of Expenses) Article 33. The expenses necessary for the measures taken by the chief of health center in accordance with the provision of Article 21 paragraph 3 (including the case where this applies mutatis mutandis in paragraph 5 of the same Article) shall be defrayed by To, Do, Fu or prefecture or the city which established the health center concerned, and the National Treasury shall share the expenses in accordance with the provisions of Cabinet Order. The same shall apply with respect to the expenses necessary in cases where the chief of health center engages in the quarantine duties in accordance with the provisions of Cabinet Order issued under the provision of Article 23 paragraph 2.

(Application with Necessary Modifications of this Law to Communicable Diseases Other than the Quarantinable Disease) Article 34. When any communicable disease other than the quarantinable disease breaks out in a foreign country and the germs thereof are likely to invade into this country if quarantine measures are not taken againgt it, and thus it is likely that serious effects will be exerted upon the life and health of the people, the whole or a part of the provisions of Chapter II and this Chapter (excepting those of the next Article to Article 40 inclusive) may apply mutatis mutandis to the communicable disease concerned, designating the kind of communicable disease and limiting the period to within one year by Cabinet Order. In this case, as regards the period of detention for observation, special provision may be made by the Cabinet Order concerned, in consideration of the latent period of the communicable disease concerned.

(Penal Provisions) Article 35. A person coming under any of the following items shall be sentenced to penal servitude not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding 100,000 yen: (1) A person who has violated the provision of Article 5; (2) A person who has been committed to isolation or observation and who has escaped during the duration of such commitment; (3) A person who has violated the provision of Article 15 paragraph 2 (including the cases where it applies mutatis mutandis in Article 16 paragraph 5).

Article 36. A person coming under any of the following items shall be sentenced to penal servitude not exceeding six months or a fine not exceeding 50,000 yen: (1) A person who fails to submit the declaration as provided for in Article 11 paragraph 1, or who has submitted the declaration with false facts entered on it; (2) A person who, when the submission or presentation of the documents is requested in accordance with the provision of Article 11 paragraph 2, does not submit or present these, or has submitted or presented the documents with false facts entered on these; (3) A person who has made a false answer to the questions under the provision of Article 12; (4) A person who has refused, interfered with or evaded the medical examination or inspection conducted by the chief of quarantine station or by the quarantine officer under the provisions of Article 13; (5) A person who has refused, interfered with or evaded the measures taken by the chief of quarantine station or the quarantine officer under the provisions of Article 14 paragraph 1 items (1) to (3) inclusive or item (6) or (7); (6) A person who has violated the disposition under Article 14 paragraph 1 item (5); (7) A person who has refused, interfered with or evaded the measures taken by the quarantine officer under the provision of Article 24; (8) A person who has refused, interfered with or evaded the entrance of the chief of quarantine office or by the quarantine officer under the provision of Article 29.

Article 37. A person coming under any of the following items shall be sentenced to a fine not exceeding 100,000 yen: (1) A person who has violated the provision of Article 4 paragraph 1 or paragraph 2; (2) A person who has violated the provision of Article 19 paragraph 1; (3) A person who has violated the order issued under the provision of Article 19 paragraph 3; (4) A person who has violated the provision of Article 21 paragraph 1 or paragraph 2 (including the cases where it applies mutatis mutandis in paragraph 5 of the same Article), or paragraph 6 of the same Article.

Article 38. A person coming under any of the following items shall be sentenced to a fine not exceeding 5,000 yen: (1) A person who has violated the provision of Article 9; (2) A person who has violated the order issued under the provision of Article 25 paragraph 1.

Article 39. In case any representative of a juridical person or any proxy, employee or other worker of a juridical person or of a person has committed an act violation under the preceding four Articles in connection with the business of such juridical person or such person, not only the perpetrator shall be punished, but also the juridical person or the person shall be liable to the fine under the respective Articles;provided that this shall not apply to the juridical person or the person who has been proved to have exerted adequate caution and supervision over the business to prevent such act of violation of the proxy, employee or other worker of the juridical person or the person.

Article 40. In the case of Article 34, the penal provisions under the preceding five Articles concerning the provisions which apply mutatis mutandis in the Cabinet Order concerned shall also apply mutatis mutandis.

(Delegation to Ministerial Ordinance) Article 41. Except the matters delegated to Cabinet Order by this Law, the procedure for the enforcement of this Law and other matters necessary for its execution shall be fixed by Ministry of Welfare Ordinance.