Noise and Vibration Control Act.

The purpose of this Act is to enable all citizens to live in a tranquil environment by preventing any damage due to noises and vibration generated in factories, construction work fields, roads, railroads, etc. and by controlling and regulating such noises and vibrations properly. The Minister of Environment shall install measuring networks and make regular measurements. Emission standards of noises and vibrations emitted from a factory shall be determined by the Ordinance of the Ministry of Environment. Any person who desires to install emission facilities shall report it to, and obtain permission from, the Mayor/Do governor (art. 9). An environment manager shall be appointed to direct and control those who are engaged in emission and preventive facilities, so as not to violate this Act. Where living noises and vibrations exceed the standards for control the Mayor/Do governor may order a person who emits the living noises and vibrations to take necessary measures such as the adjustment of working hours, suspension of noise-and vibration-generating acts, and installation of soundproof and vibration-proof facilities. The Mayor/Do governor may designate a regulation area where it is deemed necessary to regulate noise and vibrations produced by transport facilities. Motor vehicles shall be manufactured in a manner that the noises emitted are conformed to the permissible manufactured car noise standards (arts. 32 to 35). Any person who installs any soundproof facilities, such as soundproof walls, soundproof forests, soundproof banks, etc., to prevent noises, shall make the design and execute the work so as to produce sufficient sound insulation effects. The remaining part of the Act contains penal provisions and provisions of miscellaneous nature.