Procedures and other requirements are set forth regarding the approval of Joint Implementation (JI) and Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects carried out on behalf of Japan, as a Party to the Kyoto Protocol. These procedures are based on the "Institutional Arrangements in Japan for Utilization of the Kyoto Mechanisms," a Decision of the Steering Committee of the Global Warming Prevention Headquarters made on 22 July 2002. The information below is an outline of the procedures and criteria and is not an official record by the Government of Japan.

1. Applicants seeking Japanese governmental approval for implementation of JI and CDM projects (hereinafter "Projects") implemented outside of Japan with the purpose of obtaining emissions reductions, etc., and transfer to Japan's National Registry accounts, are required to complete the necessary sections of the necessary documentation, and submit the application to the contact point for applications in one of the ministries comprising the Liaison Committee for Utilization of the Kyoto Mechanisms (hereinafter "the Liaison Committee").
2. The Liaison Committee will determine which ministry is (or ministries are) to be in charge of providing project support. The outcome of this decision will be announced to the applicant along with the Letter of Japanese Government Approval.
3. If the applicant names a ministry(or ministries) it desires to be in charge of providing project support, that request will be considered in the decision.
4. The ministry in charge of providing project support will examine the application in accordance with the criteria for approval, and report the results of examination to the Liaison Committee.
5. In cases in which official funds are part of the funding sources of a CDM-related project and the applicant must obtain affirmation from the Japanese government that the said official funds will not result in a diversion of Japanese official development assistance (ODA) and are separate from and not counted towards the financial obligations of Japan, the ministry in charge of providing project support is (are) to obtain an confirmation from the official body that provided the said funds as to whether or not the funds are counted as ODA.
6. The Liaison Committee is to determine whether to approve or not to approve a project based on the results of examination by the ministry in charge of providing project support.
7. If the project is approved, the ministry in charge of providing project support is (are) to promptly transmit a Letter of Japanese Government Approval to the applicant.
8. If the project is not approved, the ministry in charge of providing project support is (are) to promptly notify the applicant of that fact in writing, along with the reason for the project's failure to obtain approval.
   If a project has not been approved, however, the applicant may re-apply after making revisions to the application documents in order to address the reasons the previous submission failed to obtain approval.
9. The approval process is to be conducted as expeditiously as possible. In the future, a standard processing time will be determined after considering the amount of time that has been needed to process actual applications.

1. Examination of applications for approval will be conducted in accordance with the following criteria.
   (Note: This process is not the same as the examination to be done by bodies such as a Designated Operational Entity or the CDM Executive Board)
2. The project does not contravene the details of international agreements such as the Kyoto Protocol and Marrakech Accords.
3. The project participant(s) are not experiencing management difficulties or other circumstances, such as insolvency, that would clearly obstruct proper implementation of the project.

1. The ministry in charge of providing project support is (are) to ascertain the state of progress from the time of project approval until issuance of emission reductions, etc., under the Kyoto Protocol, and to provide supplementary assistance for approval, etc., as well as issuance of emissions reduction units, etc., by host country Parties and international bodies concerned.
2. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in consultation with the ministries providing project support, shall carry out affairs such as communications with Japanese Overseas Establishments and diplomatic procedures with host countries and international bodies concerned, from the start of the project until the issuance of emissions reduction units, etc., under the Kyoto Protocol, as well as necessary administrative tasks such as negotiations with the relevant agencies of the country concerned.
3. In order to fulfill the tasks set forth, the ministry in charge of providing project support may provide guidance and advice to the project participants and may require them to provide reports relating to the projects.

1. A project cannot be recognized internationally as a JI or CDM project only by obtaining approval from the Government of Japan based on these Guidelines. In the case of JI projects, the separate approval of the host country Party is required (in some cases, this includes examination by third-party entities [independent entities]). In the case of CDM projects, the separate approval of the host country Party and examination by a third party (Designated Operational Entity) is required.
2. These Guidelines will be revised as required, based on circumstances, which may include the status of international rules that may affect them. In particular, relating to approval of projects that include afforestation or reforestation, guidelines will be established after international rules for defining them and their methodologies have been determined.
3. In the interest of timeliness, the Liaison Committee shall not be required in every case to hold actual meetings in person for reporting, discussion and decision-making. Communications by fax or electronic mail for these purposes shall also be permitted.