Articles of Association of the General Incorporated Association Nishi Tokyo City Cultural and Arts Promotion Association

Article 1: The association shall be called the General Incorporated Association Nishi Tokyo City Cultural and Arts Promotion Association.

(Objectives) Article 2: The objectives of the association shall be to promote cultural and artistic activities in the Nishi Tokyo City area and to aim for the creation of a culturally rich city. To achieve these objectives, the following activities shall be conducted:

1. Facilitating exchanges among citizens and organizations engaged in cultural and artistic activities to promote friendship.
2. Planning and promoting cultural events such as concerts, exhibitions, and lectures.
3. Supporting cultural events organized by the members of the association.
4. Cooperating with policies related to culture and arts in Nishi Tokyo City and actively making proposals to the city’s policies.
5. Promoting exchanges with neighboring municipalities and organizations.
6. Making proposals for the development of cultural facilities in Nishi Tokyo City.
7. Any other necessary activities related to achieving the objectives.

(Principal Office) Article 3: The principal office of the association shall be located at 4-16-24 Shimohoya, Nishi Tokyo City, Tokyo.

(Members) Article 4: Individuals and organizations who agree with the objectives of the association and apply for membership shall become members.

2. To become a member, one must apply for membership to the promotion association through the prescribed procedures and obtain approval from the board of directors.
3. Individuals who have obtained the qualification of employees of the association shall automatically become members.
4. Membership shall be divided into the following three categories: (1) Individual members: Individuals who have obtained membership qualifications. (2) Organizational members: Organizations that have obtained membership qualifications. (3) Honorary members: Individuals who have made special contributions to the activities of the association over many years, recommended by the board of directors, and approved by the general meeting of members.

(Membership Fee) Article 5: Members shall pay an annual fee as follows at the beginning of the fiscal year. The same amount shall apply to individuals and organizations joining in the middle of the fiscal year. (1) Individual members: 3,000 yen (2) Organizational members: 5,000 yen (3) Employees: 5,000 yen (4) Honorary members: No membership fee required.

(Withdrawal) Article 6: Members may withdraw at any time. However, except in unavoidable circumstances, they must notify the association in advance at least one month before withdrawing. When an employee withdraws, they lose their membership status.

(Expulsion) Article 7: A member may be expelled by a special resolution of the general meeting of members (Article 49, Paragraph 2 of the General Incorporated Association Act) if they fall under any of the following: (1) Violation of these Articles or other rules. (2) Actions damaging the reputation of the association or contrary to its objectives. (3) Existence of other legitimate reasons for expulsion.

(Loss of Membership Qualification) Article 8: In addition to the cases mentioned in the preceding two articles, a member shall lose their qualification if they fall under any of the following: (1) Becoming an adult under guardianship or a person under curatorship. (2) Death, declaration of disappearance, dissolution, etc. (3) Defaulting on membership fees for three years or more. (4) With the consent of all members.

(Loss of Rights and Obligations) Article 9: When a member loses their qualification in accordance with the preceding three articles, they lose their rights and obligations as a member of the association and are exempt from obligations. If the member is an employee, they also lose their status as an employee under the General Incorporated Association Act. However, they cannot be exempt from unfulfilled obligations. Even if a member loses their qualification, any contributions and membership fees already paid will not be refunded.

(Attendance at General Meetings) Article 10: Members may attend the general meeting of members of the association for the current fiscal year with the approval of the board of directors and express their opinions.

(Officers) Article 11: The association shall have directors and auditors. The number, selection, dismissal, etc., shall be determined by the articles of incorporation or resolution of the general meeting of members.

(Powers and Duties of Directors) Article 12: (1) The chairman and vice chairman shall represent the association and execute its business. The chairman shall preside over the affairs of the association. The vice chairman shall assist the chairman and, in the event of an accident or hindrance to the chairman, shall perform their duties in accordance with the order predetermined by the board of directors with the approval of the board of directors, and shall perform their duties when the chairman is absent. (2) Executive directors and managing directors shall share the execution of the association’s business. (3) The chairman, vice chairman, executive directors, and managing directors shall report on the execution of their duties to the board of directors at least twice a year, at intervals of more than four months per fiscal year.

(Powers and Duties of Auditors) Article 13: Auditors shall audit the execution of the duties of the directors, prepare audit reports as required by law, and at any time, request reports on the operations of the business from the directors and employees, and investigate the operations and property of the association.

(Establishment of the Board of Directors) Article 14: The association shall establish a board of directors to carry out its business.

2. The board of directors shall consist of all directors.

(Powers of the Board of Directors) Article 15: The board of directors shall perform the following duties: (1) Determination of the execution of the association’s business. (2) Supervision of the execution of the duties of the directors. (3) Selection and dismissal of the chairman, vice chairman, executive directors, and managing directors.

(Convening of the Board of Directors) Article 16: The board of directors shall be convened by the chairman or vice chairman.

2. If the chairman or vice chairman is absent or an accident occurs, each director shall convene the board of directors.

(Resolution of the Board of Directors) Article 17: Resolutions of the board of directors shall be adopted by a majority vote of the directors present, excluding directors with a special interest in the resolution.

(Setting up Operating Committees and Subcommittees) Article 18: The board of directors may establish and appoint operating committees and subcommittees to assist in the execution of the duties of the directors. The scope of their duties, term of office, and other matters shall be determined by the board of directors as appropriate.

2. Operating committees and subcommittees may include the following departments: (1) Secretariat (assistance in general affairs and accounting of the association). (2) Planning Department (planning and executing business plans). (3) Public Relations Department (editing and issuing newsletters, dissemination on the web, and other public relations activities). (4) Junior Division (planning and executing junior activities). (5) Other departments deemed necessary by the board of directors.
3. The remuneration of operating committee members shall be provided free of charge as a general rule. However, in the case of secretariat staff, remuneration may be paid only if deemed necessary by resolution of the board of directors.

(Fiscal Year) Article 19: The fiscal year of the association shall start on April 1st of each year and end on March 31st of the following year.

(Amendment of the Articles) Article 20: In case of doubt regarding the interpretation of these Articles, the decision of the board of directors shall prevail.

2. Any amendments to these Articles shall require a resolution of the board of directors.

(Supplementary Provisions) Article 21: Supplementary provisions related to the implementation of these Articles shall be separately determined by resolution of the board of directors.

Transitional Provisions

These Articles shall be effective from April 27, 2018.