Cabinet Approves Sewerage Law Enforcement Decrees

The Act Partially Amending the Sewerage Act and Other Acts, Act No. 65 of 2026, was promulgated on July 23, 2026. Among its provisions, those concerning the establishment of a system under which prefectures carry out restoration works for public sewerage systems on behalf of their managers in the event of a disaster are to enter into force on a date specified by a Cabinet order within three months of the promulgation date. This time, the effective date is specified and the provisions of the Cabinet orders necessary for enforcement are established.

Prefectural restoration works for public sewerage systems after disasters will accelerate recovery.

The Decree Specifying the Effective Date of Certain Provisions of the Act Partially Amending the Sewerage Act and Other Acts sets August 17, 2026, as the effective date of the provisions concerning the establishment of a system under which prefectures carry out restoration works for public sewerage systems on behalf of their managers in the event of a disaster. The Decree Partially Amending the Enforcement Order of the Sewerage Act specifies the scope of authority that prefectures exercise in place of public sewerage system managers when carrying out restoration works on their behalf, as well as the procedures associated with exercising that authority.

The schedule is as follows: promulgation on Friday, August 7, 2026, and entry into force on Monday, August 17, 2026. Both decrees were approved by the Cabinet on August 4, 2026.