Rules

Note: This document is a reference translation of the Japanese Rules. In case of any discrepancies or differences in interpretation between the English and Japanese versions, the Japanese version shall be considered the authoritative version.

Chapter 1. General Provisions

Article 1 (Purpose)

These rules establish the necessary provisions regarding the members, membership fees, and other related matters of the Home NOC Operators Group, a General Incorporated Association.

Article 2 (Purpose of the Association)

This association aims to contribute to the development of technical professionals by enabling students and early-career engineers with an interest in network technology to design, build, and operate autonomous systems connected to the internet.

Article 3 (Association Activities)

To achieve the objectives outlined in Chapter 2, this association will conduct the following activities:

Design, construction, and operation of network infrastructure and other equipment for learning internet operation technologies
Conducting experiments utilizing new network technologies
Providing internet connectivity and equipment to individuals or organizations that support this association’s activities
Organizing meaningful exchanges with other technical communities and study sessions
Any other activities deemed necessary to fulfill the objectives specified in Article 2

Chapter 2. Members

Article 4 (Types of Members)

The association recognizes four types of members:

Regular Members
A legal member of this general incorporated association, possessing voting rights at general meetings and participating in formulating the association’s operational policies and budget. Student members among regular members are designated as student regular members.

The term “student” refers to individuals enrolled in educational institutions as defined in Articles 1, 124, and 134 of the School Education Act.

Experimental Network Members
Individuals or organizations that support this association’s activities and utilize its provided internet connectivity and equipment.
Community Members
Individuals or organizations that do not utilize the association’s internet connectivity or equipment but support its activities, participating in interactions, information sharing, and consultations through the association’s Slack channel.
Corporate Members
Members representing corporate entities that support this association’s activities.

Article 5 (Membership Application)

Individuals or organizations wishing to join this association in good faith must submit a membership application form in accordance with this association’s prescribed format.
Membership shall be granted upon approval by the Board of Representative Director or a regular member appointed as a Board of Representative Director.

For individuals who are minors as defined in Article 4 of the Civil Code and wish to join as student members, prior consent from their legal representative (parent or guardian) must be obtained.
At the time of submission of the membership application by a minor, they will be considered to have obtained the consent of their legal representative (parent or guardian).
The Association shall not be obligated to disclose any reasons or other information if it declines to admit an applicant for membership.

Article 6 (Membership Termination)

Any member may voluntarily terminate their membership by submitting a withdrawal application form in accordance with this association’s prescribed format.

For student members, automatic termination will occur at the end of the month in which they graduate or withdraw from the educational institution they were enrolled in at the time of joining. Those wishing to continue as regular members must go through the membership application process specified in Article 5 (Membership Application) again.

Article 7 (Expulsion)

This association may revoke a member’s membership without prior notice if the member falls under any of the following categories.

When a person is recognized as belonging to organized crime groups, organized crime group members, quasi-members of organized crime groups, associates of organized crime groups, corporate extortionists, or other antisocial forces (hereinafter referred to as “antisocial forces”).
When antisocial forces are recognized as substantially involved in management.
When a person is recognized as utilizing antisocial forces.
When a person is recognized as providing funds or other benefits to antisocial forces, or otherwise engaging in involvement with them.
When the customer is found to have a socially reprehensible relationship with antisocial forces.
When the customer, either directly or through a third party, uses fraud, violent acts, or threatening language against the Association or its related parties.

This association may revoke a member’s membership without prior notice if the member, either personally or through a third party, engages in any of the following acts:

Violent demands
Unjust demands exceeding legal liability
Threatening words or actions, or the use of violence in connection with transactions
Spreading rumors, using deceit or force to damage the Association’s credibility or obstruct its operations
Other acts equivalent to the foregoing

Members shall declare that they are not affiliated with any antisocial forces, nor are they corporations or other entities in which antisocial forces substantially participate in management, and shall pledge that they will not become so affiliated in the future.

Should the Association revoke membership under the provisions of this Article, the Association shall not be obligated to compensate or indemnify the member for any damages incurred. Furthermore, should the Association suffer damages as a result, the member shall compensate the Association for such damages.

Article 8 (Expulsion)

Members who fall under any of the following categories may be expelled from the association by a two-thirds majority vote of regular members:

Violation of these bylaws
Engaging in inappropriate activities while utilizing the association’s internet connectivity or equipment
Committing actions that damage the reputation of this association
Members who have failed to respond or whose contact information has been unavailable for over one year despite repeated communications from the association
Members who have failed to pay membership fees for three months or more without legitimate reason and show no prospect of improvement
Any other members deemed by regular members to be unsuitable as association members

Chapter 3. Membership Fees

Article 9 (Payment of Membership Fees)

Regular members and experimental network members must pay the annual membership fee in accordance with these bylaws.
Membership fees are exempt for students who meet legitimate criteria approved by the association.

The term “student” refers to individuals enrolled in educational institutions as defined in Articles 1, 124, and 134 of the School Education Act.
Among the students specified in Article 8.1, those engaged in full-time employment or who have established their own businesses may be required to pay membership fees at the discretion of the board of directors.
For organizational members, all constituent members must be enrolled in the educational institutions specified in Article 8.1.
For individuals enrolled in educational institutions outside Japan, eligibility as a student will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Article 10 (Fee Amount)

The annual membership fee is to be paid in full for 12,000 yen.
For monthly installment payments, the fee amount is 1,200 yen per month.

Article 11 (Payment Method)

Membership fees are collected on an annual basis, with single payment as the standard method. Installment payments are allowed for legitimate reasons approved by the association.
Payment methods: Fees must be paid in Japanese yen according to the methods specified by this association.

Article 12 (Payment Deadline for Membership Fees)

First year: By the last month of the following year after joining Subsequent years: By the last day of the 12-month period following the last fee payment

If a student loses their membership status due to graduation, withdrawal, or other reasons, they must pay the first year’s membership fee by the last month of the following month.

Article 13 (Refund Policy)

No refunds will be issued for already paid membership fees, regardless of the reason.

Chapter 4. Supplementary Provisions

The bylaws of this association may be amended by resolution at the general meeting of members.

These bylaws come into effect as of March 1, 2022.
Revised: December 1, 2025
Revised: January 25, 2026