Short Story: "Beyond the Article-by-Article Commentary"

"I want to open a girls' bar."

At that moment, Tanaka quietly opened the article-by-article commentary.

"Well then, first, Act on Control and Improvement of Amusement Business, etc., Article 3, Paragraph 1. 'Any person who intends to operate an amusement business must obtain permission from the Public Safety Commission.'"

"Yes..."

"Next, Article 4, Paragraph 1. These are the grounds for disqualification. 'A person who has been granted a decision to commence bankruptcy proceedings and has not been reinstated.'"

"I'm not bankrupt!"

"'1. A person who is unable to properly conduct the business of an amusement business due to mental or physical disability, as specified by the National Public Safety Commission Rules.'"

"I'm healthy!"

Sato laughs.

"That's good. It's a binding structure where 'if they do not fall under these categories, permission must be granted.' On the other hand, here is
Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, Article 7, Paragraph 1, Item 2. 'When it is found that the activity related to the application is not false and that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the applicant will engage in activities that qualify for the status of residence.'"

Yamamoto freezes.

"Reasonable grounds...?"

"Yes, 'when it is found.'"

"By whom!?"

"The Minister of Justice."

"The Minister!?"

"Technically, it's the immigration inspector, but legally, it's the discretion of the Minister of Justice."

Tanaka interjects immediately.

"The Amusement Business Act is different. Article 5, Paragraph 1. 'The Public Safety Commission must grant permission if the applicant does not fall under any of the items of Article 4, Paragraph 1.'"

"You must!"

"Provided, however, that the structural facilities must be in compliance."

"Suddenly, reality!"

"‘No facilities shall be installed that obstruct the view of the interior of the business office’ (Enforcement Regulations)."

Sato turns the page.

"This one is ‘Appended Table 1-2’. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services. ‘Engaging in services that require knowledge in the fields of physical science, engineering, or other natural sciences based on a contract with a public or private organization in Japan...’"

"Too long!"

Furthermore, Article 7, Paragraph 1, Preamble. ‘With regard to an alien who has filed an application for landing, permission for landing shall not be granted unless it is found that the alien conforms to any of the following items.’

"Then, if they conform, is it granted?"

"It says ‘is found’. "

"That again!?"

Tanaka takes out a tape measure.

"Guest room area, 5 square meters or more."

"Measurable!"

"Illuminance, 5 lux or more."

"Measurable!!"

Sato smiles quietly.

"Stability of the business."

"Not measurable!!"

"Continuity."

"It's immeasurable!!"

"The rationality of revenue projections"

"My feelings are rational!"

"That is subjective."

Silence.

Yamamoto pinned his last hopes on it.

"By the way, what if I meet all the requirements?"

Tanaka:

"Article 5, Paragraph 1. You must grant permission."

Sato:

"Article 7, Paragraph 1, Item 2. When it is recognized that there is reasonable cause."

Yamamoto:

"Then who is the one recognizing it!?"

Sato:

"Comprehensively."

That day, Yamamoto bought a clause-by-clause legal commentary.

The next day, his spirit was broken by 'Appended Table 1-2'.