About authorized territorial organizations

In the past, residents' associations (organizations based on territorial ties) were not recognized as legal entities. It was registered in my name. In the case of registration in the name of an individual, problems such as a change of name or inheritance may arise due to the death or relocation of the holder.
For this reason, in April 1991, the Local Autonomy Law was partially revised, and "organizations based on territorial ties (explanatory note) " such as residents' associations undergo certain procedures and receive approval for corporate status from the head of the local government. As a result, real estate can now be registered under the name of the residents' association.
We call group which acquired legal status by such a fixed procedure "authorized territorial group".

(Note) “Organizations based on territorial affiliation” means “organizations formed based on the territorial affiliation of persons who have an address in a certain area within a town, character area, or other municipality” (Local Autonomy Law Article 260-2 Section 1 term).

The authorization territorial organization system will be reviewed as follows due to the partial revision of the Local Autonomy Law.

Members who do not attend the general meeting of the approved territorial organization were able to vote by electromagnetic method instead of voting in writing by the rules or the resolution of the general meeting.
When the terms are revised, it is necessary to submit an “Application for Change of Terms”.
Application for change of terms and conditions (Word: 13KB)

Example of Voting by Electromagnetic Method

Transmission by e-mail, etc., voting using a website or application, voting by recording on a magnetic disk, etc. and delivering the disk, etc.

Until now, the authorized territorial organization system acquired legal status with the approval of the mayor of a ward or municipality when a "self-governing association that currently owns or plans to own real estate" meets certain requirements. It was introduced for the purpose of being able to become the registered holder of real estate registration.
However, due to this revision, it will be changed so that approval can be obtained regardless of the presence or absence of possession of real estate, etc.

Before the revision, the Local Autonomy Law did not stipulate provisions for mergers of authorized territorial organizations. The shortage is becoming more serious, and many organizations are unable to maintain their activities under the existing system, and the need for mergers of authorized territorial organizations is increasing compared to the past.
Among them, in view of the fact that specific voices have been raised from local areas to create provisions for mergers and to simplify the procedures for dissolution, the Local Autonomy Law and the Enforcement Regulations of the Local Autonomy Law have recently introduced the establishment of authorized territorial organizations We will establish rule about merger and became able to merge with other authorization territorial groups in the same municipalities.

For authorization, the following requirements must be met:

[Note] Due to the revision of the law in November 2021, regardless of whether or not groups based on territorial ties own or plan to own real estate, etc., the approval of the head of the municipality is required to facilitate regional joint activities. It is now possible to receive

1. The purpose is to carry out regional joint activities that contribute to the maintenance and formation of a good local community, such as communication between residents in the area, improvement of the environment, maintenance and management of assembly facilities, etc., and it is recognized that such activities are actually being carried out. matter.
2. The area is defined as being objectively obvious to the residents.
3. All individuals who have an address in the area of the group by territorial ties shall be able to become members, and a considerable number of them shall be members.
4. stipulating terms. The purpose, name, area, location of the main office, matters concerning qualifications of members, matters concerning representatives, matters concerning meetings, and matters concerning assets shall be stipulated in the bylaws.

• License application form
• Terms
• Documents certifying that the general meeting has decided to apply for approval
• list of members
• Inventory of owned assets or inventory of assets to be owned
• A document stating that you are currently conducting regional joint activities that contribute to the maintenance and formation of a good local community
• Documents certifying that the applicant is the representative

Territorial group certificates will be issued upon request with a copy of the authorized territorial group ledger. It can be issued from the date of notification by the mayor.

• delivery invoice
• Applicant's seal
• Issuance fee

We can register seal of representative of neighborhood group necessary for real estate registration. Only the representative of the organization can apply.
In addition, we will issue a certificate based on the application for issuance of seal registration certificate for authorized territorial groups.

• Approved territorial group seal registration application form
• Approved territorial group seal registration original
• Seal registration certificate
• Personal seal of the registered representative
• Authorized territorial group seal to be registered

• Approved territorial group seal registration certificate issuance application form

Corporate registration

Corporate registration as an authorized territorial organization will be replaced with a public notice by the mayor. You do not need to register your company with the Legal Affairs Bureau.
In addition, until this notice is issued, the territorial organization cannot compete against a third party due to being approved as a territorial organization.

real estate registration

An application form, cause/evidence documents, and a certificate of the territorial organization will be attached to the display registration/preservation registration of the assets owned by the authorized territorial organization.
For real estate registration procedures, please consult with a judicial scrivener or legal affairs bureau.

Notifications and applications are required when there is a change in notification items such as representatives or changes in terms.

Notices refer to the following nine matters.

• name
• Purposes stipulated in the Terms
• area
• office
• Name and address of representative
• Whether or not the representative's execution of duties has been suspended by the court and whether or not a representative has been appointed (if a representative has been appointed, his or her name and address)
• Whether there is an agent (if there is an agent, its name and address)
• If a reason for dissolution is stipulated in the Articles of Incorporation, that reason.
• Authorization date