1. Reasons for Amendment

The Amendment streamlines restrictions on the reacquisition of liquor manufacturing/sales business licenses by those whose licenses have been revoked. It modifies the organization of regulations concerning the revocation of liquor sales business licenses, improves standards on liquor tax evasion amounts under the grounds for revocation of liquor manufacturing licenses to better reflect reality, and otherwise addresses and improves upon a number of weaknesses that have emerged from the operation of the current system.

2. Major Provisions

A. Prevent persons whose liquor licenses have been revoked from reacquiring a license within two years through an affiliated person or by converting or newly establishing a corporation by prescribing that reacquisition shall be restricted when a relative or other affiliated person applies for the same license at the same location as the business establishment for which the license was revoked, while also restricting the appointment of such affiliated persons as a representative or executive of a converted or newly established corporation.

B. Protect the rights and interests of taxpayers by increasing the base amount of liquor tax evasion, one of the grounds for revoking liquor manufacturing licenses, to account for such factors as inflation.

C. Minimize the likelihood of disputes concerning the acceptable extent to which liquor is sold in small volumes by clearly stating that simple processing and handling of liquors is permitted within the business establishment of a food service business.

D. Prescribe grounds to impose an administrative fine when a person who has obtained a liquor manufacturing/sales business license has violated the provisions prohibiting the provision of money and valuables.