Kamakura Ethical Lab Membership Agreement

Article 1 (Purpose)
The purpose of these Regulations (hereinafter referred to as "these Regulations") is to prescribe matters concerning the members provided for in Article 5 of the Constitution of Kamakura Ethical Lab (hereinafter referred to as the "Constitution") based on the provisions of Article 7 of the Constitution, and to define fundamental matters for the operation and membership activities of Kamakura Ethical Lab (hereinafter referred to as the "Association"), including admission and withdrawal of members, membership fees, and member privileges and obligations.

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Article 2 (Admission)

1. A person who intends to become a member of the Association shall apply for admission by the method separately prescribed by the Association and must receive the approval of the Officers specified in Article 8 of the Constitution (hereinafter referred to as "Officers").

2.  Procedures for admission, payment of membership fees, and other necessary matters shall be separately prescribed.

3.  Membership status shall commence on the date when the membership fee specified in Article 4 is paid.
    

Article 3 (Approval or Refusal of Admission)
Officers may refuse to approve admission if an applicant falls under any of the following items or fails to meet other criteria separately prescribed by the Association:

1.  When the applicant does not support the purpose, regulations, or other policies established by the Association;

2.  When the applicant has previously violated these Regulations or other rules and has been expelled or subject to a compulsory withdrawal disposition;

3.  When there is any falsehood, misstatement, or material omission in the application details;

4.  When the applicant engages in activities that violate laws, regulations, or public order and morals;

5.  When it is reasonably judged that the applicant has significantly damaged the credibility of the Association, or disrupted or is likely to disrupt the order or operation of the Association, or is otherwise deemed unsuitable as a member.
    

Article 4 (Membership Fees)

1. The annual membership fee for each member class shall be as follows:
   Individual Members: 3,000 yen
    Corporate Members: 10,000 yen
    Supporting Members: 3,000 yen or more per unit
   However, this shall not apply if the Officers approve circumstances to be taken into consideration.
   Furthermore, for Individual Members, this shall not apply to those falling under paragraphs 2 and 3.

2.  Membership fees shall be waived for persons enrolled in schools prescribed in Article 1 of the School Education Act (Act No. 26 of 1947).

3.  If it is difficult to pay the membership fee and the Officers approve, the membership fee may be waived.

4.  The annual membership fee for the initial year of admission must be paid within two weeks after receiving notice of approval for admission from the Officers pursuant to Article 2, paragraph 1.

5.  The annual membership fee for subsequent fiscal years must be paid by the day prior to the date specified in Article 2, paragraph 3.

6.  Membership fees shall be paid by credit card payment using the method designated by the Association.

7.  If the Association specifically permits, payment may be made by other methods notwithstanding the preceding paragraph.

8.  Annual membership fees once paid shall not be refunded for any reason whatsoever.

Article 5 (Effective Period)
The effective period of membership status shall be one year from the date of payment of the membership fee specified in Article 4. However, unless falling under Article 6 (Withdrawal), Article 7 (Expulsion), or Article 8 (Loss of Membership Status), the membership status shall be automatically renewed.
 

Article 6 (Withdrawal)

1. A member may voluntarily withdraw from the Association by submitting a notification of withdrawal separately prescribed at least one month prior to the date of withdrawal.

2.  If a member defames the Association, acts contrary to the purposes of the Association, engages in anti-social behavior, conducts themselves against public order and morals, or violates their obligations as a member, the Association may cause the member to withdraw based on a resolution of the Board of Directors.

3.  When a decision on withdrawal has been made based on the preceding paragraph, the member shall be notified promptly.

Article 7 (Expulsion)
A member may be expelled by a resolution of the Board of Directors if they fall under any of the following items:

1.  When they violate the Constitution or other regulations;

2.  When they damage the honor of the Association or act against its purposes;

3.  When they conduct independent commercial activities directed at other members that are unrelated to the Association's activities without the permission of the Association;

4.  When they engage in acts competing with the Association without the permission of the Association;

5.  When they engage in acts infringing upon trademark rights owned by the Association without the permission of the Association;

6.  When they file a trademark application similar to trademarks owned by the Association without the permission of the Association;

7.  When there is false information in the registration details provided to the Association;

8.  When facts are recognized indicating that they defamed or slandered the Association or its stakeholders;

9.  When they adversely affect the business activities of the Association, such as by obstructing its business activities;

10.  When they engage in solicitation for multi-level marketing, network marketing, or other pyramid selling transactions, or solicitation for religious activities, etc., toward other members (including all acts deemed equivalent to such solicitation);

11.  When they engage in acts that violate laws, regulations, or public order and morals;

12.  When there are other justifiable reasons for expulsion.
     

•  When a resolution for expulsion is to be made pursuant to the preceding paragraph, the member concerned must be given an opportunity to explain themselves in advance.

•  When a decision on expulsion has been made pursuant to the preceding two paragraphs, the member shall be notified promptly.
   

Article 8 (Loss of Membership Status)
In addition to the cases specified in the preceding Article, a member shall lose their status if they fall under any of the following items:

1.  Upon death, declaration of disappearance, or dissolution;

2.  When becoming an adult ward or a person under curatorship;

3.  When membership fees are in arrears for six (6) months or longer without justifiable grounds;

4.  When the Board of Directors so resolves.
    

Article 9 (Privileges and Obligations Accompanying Loss of Membership Status)
When a member loses their status pursuant to the provisions of the preceding three Articles, they shall lose their privileges as a member toward the Association and be exempted from obligations. However, they shall not be exempted from unfulfilled obligations. Furthermore, they may not request a refund of membership fees or other contributed funds and goods already paid.
 

Article 10 (Member Privileges)
Individual Members and Corporate Members shall enjoy the following privileges:
(1) Provision of opportunities to gather information regarding the activities of the Association;
(2) Support for disseminating member information;
(3) Information on various seminars, events, networking meetings, etc.;
(4) Participation in working groups;
(5) Others.
 

Article 11 (Obligations of Members)
Members shall bear the following obligations:

1.  Comply with the Constitution, other regulations, and resolutions;

2.  Pay membership fees and other dues of the Association;

3.  Endeavor to expand the membership;

4.  When conducting business with other members or persons met through projects executed by the Association, the member concerned shall immediately report such fact to the Secretariat of the Association;

5.  When changes occur in registered membership details, submit them using the method separately prescribed.

Article 12 (Membership Roster)
The Association shall maintain a membership roster containing the names or denominations, email addresses, and other details of members.

Article 13 (Protection of Confidential Information)
The Association shall make every effort to protect confidential information acquired in the course of its operations.

Article 14 (Protection of Personal Information)
The Association shall make every effort to protect personal information acquired in the course of its operations.

Article 15 (Disclaimer and Damages)
Members shall decide at their own discretion whether and how to utilize materials, information, etc., obtained in connection with the activities of the Association. Even if a member or a third party suffers damage arising from such use, the Association shall bear no responsibility whatsoever. In the event that the Association is liable to a member for damages, regardless of the cause, the Association shall not be liable for indirect damages, special damages, lost profits, claims from third parties, or damages based on ordinary negligence, regardless of whether they were foreseeable.

Article 16 (Surviving Clauses)
Even after a member loses membership status due to withdrawal, expulsion, etc., the provisions of Article 13 (Protection of Confidential Information), Article 14 (Protection of Personal Information), and Article 15 (Disclaimer and Damages) shall continue to remain effective with respect to the member concerned.

Article 17 (Amendments)
These Membership Regulations may not be amended unless approved by a two-thirds (2/3) or greater majority vote of the attendees (including those who submitted proxies) at a General Meeting of the Association.

Article 18 (Compliance with Laws and Regulations)
All members of the Association shall comply with the provisions of various laws, cabinet orders, ministerial ordinances, and other regulations, and shall follow the code of ethics or relevant rules if separately established by the Association.
In witness whereof, these Regulations shall apply to all members of the Association, and all members shall agree to and comply with these Regulations.
 

Supplementary Provisions

These Regulations shall come into effect on May 1, 2023.
These Membership Regulations shall come into effect on May 1, 2026.