Partly public
Asset declarations in Japan: who declares and whether it is public
Laws
Who must declare
National public servants by rank. Officials at assistant director level or higher at headquarters report gifts and entertainment from business operators, and officials at deputy director general level or higher at headquarters report share dealings and income. This record covers the civil service system only.1
What is declared
Gifts, entertainment or rewards from business operators worth more than 5,000 yen per case, share transactions during the previous year, and income for the previous year, with the basis noted for amounts above 1,000,000 yen. A copy of the tax return may be submitted instead of the income report. It is a reporting system on gifts, share dealings and income, not a full declaration of assets.1
How often
Gift reports within 14 days from the first day of the following quarter. Share dealing and income reports annually from 1 March to 31 March.1
Public access
Any person may request to inspect gift reports for entries where the benefit exceeds 20,000 yen per case, except portions approved in advance as posing risks to state security or crime prevention. The Act does not provide public inspection of share dealing or income reports. Reports are kept for 5 years.1
Where to find declarations
Gift reports are inspected at the official's agency, which keeps the reports. Copies go to the National Public Service Ethics Board.1
Who verifies
National Public Service Ethics Board, which receives copies of share dealing and income reports and of gift reports of officials of designated service or higher.1
Sanctions in law
The Act sets no specific penalty for failing to file or for filing a false report. For acts that violate the Act, the National Public Service Ethics Board sets standards for disciplinary action, can ask the appointer to investigate, can recommend that the appointer take disciplinary action and can itself initiate disciplinary proceedings (articles 11, 24, 29 and 30). The only penal provision in the Act concerns divulging secrets.1
Checked 28 October 2026.
Sources
- Cabinet Secretariat, Government of Japan, National Public Service Ethics Act (Act No. 129 of 1999), unofficial English translation