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In such cases, however, an appeal will lie
or an action may be brought in an administrative
court (Article 20).
This is an entirely
4.
novel feature of the bill, there having
previously been no means of redreas in cases
where religious bodies felt that they were
being unfairly treated by the authorities.
(6)
Provision is made for the appointment
of superintendent priests (in the case of
Shinto or Buddhist seats), directors (in the
case of denominations), superiors (in the case
of churches) and also for the appointment,
from amongst the "believers" belonging to a
(Buddhist) temple or church, of official
"representatives", whose duty it is to be to
assist those responsible for its management (Artiolee 4, 7 and 8).
(7)
Penal clauses providing for the
punishment of persons who have infringed certain
of the regulations governing religious bodies
are included (Articles 36 to 28).
In introducing the measure in the
House of Feers the Minister of Education (General Araki)
dwelt on the necessity for its passage with a view to
the sound development of religion, especially at a
time when the country was faced with an emergency such
as the China "incident".
Existing laws and regu-
lations relating to religion were, he said, vague
and/