(Councils)
Article 22
Prefectures, etc., public service corporations working for the humane treatment of animals and other organizations working to broaden education concerning the protection and proper keeping of animals may organize councils for the purpose of holding necessary discussions with a view to promoting the appointment of animal welfare promoters by the concerned prefectures, etc. and supporting the activities by animal welfare promoters.
Chapter 4: Miscellaneous Regulations
(Methods to Be Used When an Animal is Destroyed)
Article 23
1. When an animal must be destroyed, the animal shall be destroyed by methods that cause the animal the minimum pain possible.
2. The Minister of the Environment may, after consultation with the heads of the administrative organs concerned, prescribe such matters as are necessary with respect to the methods used under the preceding paragraph.
(Methods to Be Used When Animals are Used for Scientific Purposes and Subsequent Disposal of Such Animals)
Article 24
1. Where an animal is used for the purposes of education, experimental research, manufacture of biotics or other scientific purposes, it shall be so used by methods that cause the animal in question the minimum pain possible within the limits imposed by the said purposes.
2. When an animal is beyond recovery after use for scientific purposes, the person who used the animal for such scientific purposes must immediately dispose of the animal in question by a method that causes the animal the minimum pain possible.
3. The Minister of the Environment may, after consultation with the heads of the administrative organs concerned, prescribe standards applicable to the methods in Paragraph 1 and the measures in the preceding paragraph.
(Interim Measures)
Article 25
In the case that an order based on the provisions of this law is enacted, revised or abolished, interim measures (including interim measures concerning penal regulations) may be set within the limits judged necessary for the enactment, revision or abolition of the said order
(The Animal Welfare Council)
Article 26
1. The Animal Welfare Council (hereinafter called: "the Council") shall be established as an advisory organ of the Ministry of the Environment.
**Note: the following sections of this article have been revised according to the reorganization of the ministries occurred in January 2001, which transferred the authority of this law from the Prime Minster Office to the Ministry of the Environment.
2. The Council shall study and deliberate matters of importance relating to the protection and control of animals in response to requests by the Prime Minister.
3. The Prime Minister shall consult the Council before he establishes standards under the provisions of Paragraph 4 of Article 5, Paragraph 1 of Article 11 or Paragraph 3 of Article 24 or makes stipulations under the provisions of Paragraph 1 of Item 15 or Paragraph 5 of Article 18
(including mutatis mutandis application under Paragraph 3 of Article 19) or Item 2 of Article 23, and likewise before he changes or abolishes such standards or stipulations.
4. The Council may advise the Prime Minister of its opinion concerning matters of major importance relating to the protection and control of animals.
5. The Council shall consist of not more than fifteen (15) members.
6. Members of the Council shall be appointed by the Prime Minister from among scholars and other experienced persons. However, the majority of the members must be appointed from among persons who have specialized academic knowledge regarding animals.
7. Members shall be appointed for a term of two (2) years. However, the term of appointment of a member filling a vacancy in mid-term shall be for the remainder of his predecessor's term.
8. Members shall work on a part-time basis.
9. In addition to the provisions of each of the preceding paragraphs, such matters relating to the organization and operation of the Council as are necessary shall be prescribed by Cabinet Order.