Article 1(1)A commercial register (hereinafter referred to as a "register") is composed of registration records that are divided into each of the sections set forth in the left-hand columns of Appended Tables 1 through 8, in accordance with the type of register; provided, however, that a foreign company's register is composed of registration records that are divided into each of the sections set forth in the left-hand columns of Appended Tables 5 through 8 in accordance with the type of register for a company incorporated in Japan that is of the same type as that foreign company or most similar to it.

(2)The information set forth in the right-hand columns of Appended Tables 1 through 8 is recorded in the sections referred to in the preceding paragraph, in accordance with the category of the sections.

Article 1-2(1)The corporate identification number provided for in Article 7 of the Commercial Registration Act (Act No. 125 of 1963; hereinafter referred to as "the Act") (this number is hereinafter referred to as a "corporate identification number") is a 12-digit number, and when a new registration record (other than a registration record for a registration in the locality of a branch office) is created for any of the following persons, a corporate identification number is assigned in accordance with the order of creating a registration record for each registry office and each category of section set forth in one of the following items, and recorded:

(2)Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, if a company set forth in item (i) or (ii) of that paragraph (other than a foreign company) has a registration record that is to be closed due to a registration applied for at the same time as a registration creating a new registration record (other than a registration in the locality of a branch office or a registration of an incorporation due to a consolidation-type merger provided for in Article 79 of the Act) (or if it has a registration record in which information is to be recorded pursuant to Article 65, paragraph (5) due to a registration applied for at the same time as a registration creating a new registration record, that registration record; hereinafter referred to as an "closed or relocated registration record" in this paragraph), the corporate identification number to be recorded in the new registration record that is created is to be the same as the corporate identification number recorded in the closed or relocated registration record.

(3)Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1), if a new registration record is to be created for a foreign company that has a currently valid registration record which has already been created at another registry office (hereinafter referred to as "the foreign company's prior registration record" in this paragraph), the corporate identification number to be recorded in the new registration record that is created is to be the same as the corporate identification number recorded in the foreign company's prior registration record.

(4)Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1), if a new registration record is to be created for a person set forth in item (iii) of that paragraph, and the name and address of the trade name user, merchant, minor, or ward required to be recorded in the registration record have been registered in one of the following registration records (hereinafter referred to as "the merchant's prior registration record" in this paragraph), the corporate identification number to be recorded in the new registration record that is created is to be the same as the corporate identification number recorded in the merchant's prior registration record:

Article 2Closed registration records must be categorized separately from other registration records.

Article 3(1)The Minister of Justice is to prepare duplicate registration records in which the Minister records the same information as the information that has been recorded in the original registration records.

(2)If it is not possible to conduct registration work using the registration record recorded in the register, the registrar may conduct the work using the duplicate registration record referred to in the preceding paragraph. In such a case, the information recorded in the duplicate registration record is deemed to be information recorded in the original registration record.

(3)When it becomes possible to conduct registration work using the registration record that is recorded in the register, a registrar must immediately record the information recorded in the duplicate registration record pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph in the original registration record.

Article 4The acceptance number must be renewed every year.

Article 5A registry office is to keep the records under the provisions of Article 9, paragraph (6) (hereinafter referred as "seal registration record") and the application document files.

Article 6(1)The Minister of Justice is to prepare duplicate seal registration records in which the Minister records the same information as the information that has been recorded in the original seal registration records.

(2)If it is not possible to conduct work on seal impressions using a seal registration record, a registrar may conduct the work using the duplicate seal registration record referred to in the preceding paragraph. In such a case, the information recorded in the duplicate seal registration record is deemed to be information recorded in the original seal registration record.

(3)When it becomes possible to conduct work on seal impressions using a seal registration record, a registrar must immediately record the information recorded in the duplicate seal registration record pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph in the original seal registration record.

Article 7Deleted

Article 8Deleted

Article 9(1)A person must use a document that shows a clear impression of the seal to submit a seal impression. In doing so, a person submitting a seal impression set forth in one of the following items must state in addition to the information provided for in each of the following items (hereinafter referred to as "certified information"), the submitter's name, address, the date, and the name of the registry office in the document, and affix a seal to that document (this is limited to affixing the seal whose impression has been submitted to the registry office in question, if, in the case referred to in paragraph (5), item (ii), (a), item (iv), (a), or item (vi), (a), the person submitting the seal impression referred to in the relevant item is to affix the seal to the document):

(2)The document referred to in the preceding paragraph must also state the trade name, if the submitter is a trade name user.

(3)A seal impression must not be so small that it fully fits inside a one-centimeter square or so large that it does not fully fit inside a three-centimeter square.

(4)A seal impression must be suitable for use in verification.

(5)The document provided for in each of the following items must be attached to the document referred to in paragraph (1), in accordance with the category of the person that submits a seal impression set forth respectively in the items; provided, however, that this does not apply to a document evidencing the qualification of the representative of a corporation that is registered at the registry office to which the document referred to in that paragraph is being submitted (limited to a corporation that has its head office or principal office within the jurisdictional district of that registry office) or of a corporation whose corporate identification number is stated in the document referred to in that paragraph:

(6)The seal impressions submitted and the certified information are to be recorded on a magnetic disk (including an object that can record certain information securely by equivalent means; the same applies hereinafter).

(7)A person who has submitted a seal impression may file a notification to discontinue the use of a seal by submitting a document in which the person states in addition to the certified information, their name, address, and the date, and the name of the registry office, and affixing the seal to it. In such a case, the person is not required to affix a seal if they present a seal registration card.

(8)The provisions of paragraph (2) apply mutatis mutandis to the case referred to in the preceding paragraph.

(9)If the representative of a corporation that is a guardian (or the person who should perform the duties of the representative of a corporation that is a guardian, if the representative is a corporation; hereinafter the same applies in this paragraph) who has submitted a seal impression loses their qualification, the person that newly becomes the representative of the corporation that is a guardian must file a notification to that effect. In such a case, unless the person files the notification with the registry office having jurisdiction in the locality of the head office or principal office of the corporation or provides the corporation's corporate identification number in filing that notification, the person must submit a certificate of registered information for the corporation which has been prepared within the past three months.

(10)If a person who has been nominated to perform the duties of a trustee or equivalent person and has submitted a seal impression loses their qualification, the representative of the corporation that is the trustee or equivalent person (or the person who should execute the duties of the representative, if the representative is a corporation; hereinafter the same applies in this paragraph) must file a written notification to that effect (limited to one to which the representative has affixed their seal impression, if the representative has submitted a seal impression). In doing so, unless the representative has already submitted a seal impression to the registry office, they must attach to the document a certificate that the mayor of a municipality has prepared within the past three months for the seal affixed to the document.

Article 9-2(1)If a person who has submitted a seal impression loses their qualification or files a notification to change a seal or to discontinue the use of a seal, a registrar must record that fact in the seal registration record.

(2)Having registered a change or corrected a registration in connection with information recorded pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (6) of the preceding Article, a registrar must record an indication of this in the seal registration record.

Article 9-3If the impression of the seal affixed to a written application for registration or other such documents which should be verified against the seal impression that has been submitted to a registry office is not suitable for verification, a registrar may request a person to change the seal or take other appropriate measures.

Article 9-4(1)A person who has submitted a seal impression may request the issuance of a seal registration card by clearly indicating the seal impression and submitting a document that states in addition to the certified information, their name and address, the date, and the name of the registry office. The provisions of Article 9, paragraph (2) apply mutatis mutandis in such a case.

(2)When the representative of a corporation that is a guardian (or the person who should perform the duties of a corporation that is a guardian, if the representative is a corporation) or the person nominated to perform the duties of the trustee or equivalent person submits the document referred to in the preceding paragraph, a certificate of registered information prepared within the past three months for the corporation that is the guardian or the trustee or equivalent person must be attached to that document; provided, however, that this does not apply if the request for issuance of a seal registration card is filed with the registry office having jurisdiction in the locality of the head office or principal office of the corporation or if the corporation's corporate identification number is stated in that document.

(3)If a person who has submitted a seal impression loses their qualification or discontinues the use of the seal, the person who newly submits the seal impression in lieu of that person may succeed to and use the seal registration card of the person who lost the qualification or discontinued the use of the seal, by filing a request to do so at the time the person submits the seal impression.

(4)When requesting issuance of a seal registration card pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), if a person asks for the seal registration card to be sent to them, that person must pay the cost required to send it.

(5)In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, the cost required to send the card must be paid in postage stamps or a voucher that can be used for paying fees for correspondence delivery services defined in Article 2, paragraph (2) of the Act on Correspondence Delivery by Private Business Operators (Act No. 99 of 2002) (hereinafter referred to as "correspondence delivery") by a general correspondence delivery service provider defined in paragraph (6) of that Article or a specified correspondence delivery service provider defined in paragraph (9) of that Article (hereinafter collectively referred to as a "correspondence delivery service provider") and which is designated by the Minister of Justice.

(6)The designation set forth in the preceding paragraph must be made by means of public notice.

Article 9-5(1)On receiving a request referred to in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, a registrar must create a seal registration card with a magnetic strip, stating the fact that it is a seal registration card and the seal registration card number, and issue the card to the applicant.

(2)When issuing a seal registration card, a registrar must record or enter the seal registration card number and the date of issuance in the seal registration record and the document referred to in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article.

(3)A person who has been issued a seal registration card may file a notification to discontinue the use of the seal registration card using a document to which the person has affixed the seal and has entered in addition to the certified information, their name and address, the date, and the name of the registry office. In such a case, the person is not required to affix the seal to the document if they present the seal registration card.

(4)The provisions of Article 9, paragraph (2) apply mutatis mutandis to the case referred to in the preceding paragraph.

(5)If a person who has been issued a seal registration card loses their qualification, or files a notification to discontinue the use of the seal or the use of the seal registration card, the person must return the seal registration card; provided, however, that this does not apply to the case prescribed in paragraph (3) of the preceding Article.

(6)If there are reasonable grounds, such as that the magnetic records on a seal registration card have been damaged, a registrar may collect the card or take other necessary measures.

Article 9-6(1)A person may submit a seal impression and take comparable actions as under Article 9, paragraphs (1) and (7); Article 9-4, paragraph (1); and Article 9-5, paragraph (3) through an agent.

(2)In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, a document evidencing the authority of the agent must be attached to the document prescribed in each of the provisions set forth in that paragraph.

Article 9-7(1)A registrar may prepare a document required to be preserved in lieu of the electronic or magnetic record prescribed in Article 17, paragraph (4) of the Act.

(2)If a registrar prepares a document referred to in the preceding paragraph, the provisions of these Regulations concerning documents annexed to a register do not apply to the electronic or magnetic record in lieu of which the document has been prepared. In such a case, the document in question is deemed to be a document annexed to the register, and the provisions of these Regulations apply.

Article 10(1)The written application, written commissions, written notices, permit cards, and other annexed documents must be placed in an application document file.

(2)The application document file for registration cases and application document files for other cases must be compiled separately, and characters indicating the type of files must be stated on the cover.

Article 11(1)If a part of the jurisdictional area of registry office A is transferred to the jurisdiction of registry office B, registry office A must transfer the registration records, annexed documents, and seal registration records for that part of its jurisdictional area to registry office B.

(2)In the case prescribed in the preceding paragraph, if a company that needs to have information registered at registry office A has a branch office within the area to which jurisdiction has been transferred (limited to a company that does not have its head office within that area), it is sufficient for registry office A to transfer the registration records of the company that concern its trade name, head office, branch offices (limited to those located within the jurisdictional district of registry office B after the transfer of jurisdiction), and date of incorporation as a company to registry office B, notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

(3)In the case referred to in the preceding two paragraphs, if a company has a branch office within the jurisdictional district of registry office B after the transfer of jurisdiction (limited to a company that does not have its head office within the jurisdictional district), registry office A must record a cancellation code for registered information other than the registrations for the company's trade name, head office, branch offices (limited to those located within the jurisdictional district of registry office B), and date of incorporation as a company, and the information registered in the registration record section.

(4)In the case referred to in paragraph (1), once registry office A has transferred the registration records, a registrar must close those registration records except for those concerning companies that need to have information registered at registry office A.

(5)If a registration record transferred pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or (2) is that of a company which has been registered at registry office B (limited to one that has its head office within the jurisdictional district of registry office A before the transfer of jurisdiction), a registrar must close that company's registration record at registry office B.

(6)If a registration record transferred pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or (2) is that of a company which has been registered at registry office B (limited to one that does not have its head office within the jurisdictional district of registry office A before the transfer of jurisdiction), a registrar must close the registration record. In such a case, if the company does not have its head office within the jurisdictional district of registry office B before the transfer of jurisdiction, and has a branch office within the area to which jurisdiction was transferred, a registrar must register that branch office.

(7)If registry office A transfers a seal registration record pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), it must record that fact in the seal registration record.

Article 12Deleted

Article 13If a registrar removes a register or documents annexed to it from the registry office in order to avoid a serious event, the registrar must promptly report that fact to the Director of the Legal Affairs Bureau or District Legal Affairs Bureau that supervises the registrar.

Article 14When ordered or commissioned by a court to send a document annexed to a register, the registrar must send only the part of the document related to the order or commission.

Article 15(1)Except in the case prescribed in the first sentence of Article 3, paragraph (2), if all or part of a register is lost, a registrar must promptly investigate the circumstances of the loss and file a report with the Director of the Legal Affairs Bureau or District Legal Affairs Bureau that supervises the registrar, by stating the reason for the loss, the date of the loss, the type of register that was lost, and other necessary information for taking the dispositions referred to in Article 8 of the Act, and scheduling the restoration of registration record.

(2)On receiving a report referred to in the preceding paragraph, the Director of the Legal Affairs Bureau or District Legal Affairs Bureau referred to in that paragraph must conduct a reasonable investigation and state their opinion to the Minister of Justice.

Article 16The provisions of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis if a register or any documents annexed to it are likely to be lost.

Article 17Before disposing of any books or documents that are connected with registration (including electronic or magnetic records prescribed in Article 17, paragraph (4) of the Act or electronic or magnetic records prescribed in Article 19-2 of the Act; hereinafter referred to as "books, documents, or comparable records"), a registry office must obtain the approval of the Director of the Legal Affairs Bureau or District Legal Affairs Bureau.

Article 18(1)A person must submit a written application in order to request a certificate of registered information or a document referred to in Article 11 of the Act (hereinafter referred to as a "written summary of registered information"), to request to inspect a document annexed to a register, or to request certification of a seal registration.

(2)The following information must be stated in the written application referred to in the preceding paragraph:

Article 19The following information must be stated in a written application for the issuance of a certificate of registered information as the subject matter of the request:

Article 20(1)A written application for the issuance of a written summary of registered information must state the following information as the subject matter of the request:

(2)The number of sections referred to in item (ii) of the preceding paragraph may not exceed three.

Article 21(1)A written application for the inspection of a documents annexed to a register must state the part that the person seeks to inspect as the subject matter of the request.

(2)A written application referred to in the preceding paragraph must state the following information in addition to the information set forth in the items of Article 18, paragraph (2) (excluding item (iii)):

(3)The following documents must be attached to the written application referred to in paragraph (1):

Article 22(1)A written application for certification of a seal registration must state the certified information as the subject matter of the request, and identify the seal whose registration the person is requesting certification of. In such a case, the provisions of Article 9, paragraph (2) and Article 9-4, paragraph (2) apply mutatis mutandis.

(2)A person must present a seal registration card when submitting the written application referred to in the preceding paragraph.

Article 23Deleted

Article 24Deleted

Article 25Deleted

Article 26Deleted

Article 27The provisions of Article 9-6, paragraph (2) apply mutatis mutandis if a request referred to in Article 18 is made by an agent.

Article 28(1)A person must pay the fees referred to in Articles 10 through 12 of the Act pursuant to Article 13, paragraph (2) of the Act by affixing revenue stamps to the written application.

(2)When requesting issuance of a certificate of registered information or a seal registration certificate, if a person asks for the certificate to be sent to them, that person must pay the cost required to send it. In such a case, the provisions of Article 9-4, paragraphs (5) and (6) apply mutatis mutandis.

Article 29Upon receipt of a written application referred to in Article 18, a registrar must enter the date of acceptance on the written application and make an appropriate disposition in the order in which the application was received.

Article 30(1)The information to be stated in a certificate of registered information is the information set forth in the following items in accordance with the category referred to in each item (for the category referred to in items (ii) and (iii), excluding registered information for which a cancellation code has been recorded as a result of the correction of a registration pursuant to the provisions of Article 133, paragraph (2) of the Act and registered information for which a cancellation code has been recorded as a result of the corrected registration):

(2)If a request is made for the issuance of a certificate of registered information referred to in items (i) through (iii) of the preceding paragraph for some of the sections of a company's registration record, the certificate of registered information is to state the information set forth in the relevant item for the trade name section, the company status section, and the section subject to the request (if the section subject to the request is the company manager section, and certification is requested for some of the managers, this excludes information regarding other managers); and if a request is made for issuance of a certificate of registered information referred to in item (iv) of that paragraph for some of the representatives, the certificate is to state the information set forth in that item for the representatives subject to the request.

(3)When preparing a certificate of registered information, a registrar must attach a certification statement indicating that the information is all or part of the information set forth in the items of paragraph (1), and enter the date the certificate was prepared and their title and name, and affix their official seal to the certificate .

(4)If a cancellation code has been recorded to a piece of information recorded in the register, a registrar is to add a line under the information subject to the cancellation to indicate a cancellation code on the certificate of registered information.

(5)A registrar must enter the information recorded in the register by organizing the information by section or information when entering the information pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraphs.

Article 31(1)A written summary of registered information (other than a written summary of registered information set forth in the following paragraph) must be prepared using registered information that is currently valid.

(2)A written summary of registered information for a company must be prepared using information recorded in the trade name section, the company status section, and the section subject to the request, which is currently valid. In such a case, for the officer section, the written summary must also state the dates of assumption of office of directors, directors who are audit and supervisory committee members, accounting advisors, company auditors, representative directors, special directors, committee members, executive officers, representative executive officers, and financial auditors.

(3)The provisions of paragraph (5) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to a written summary of registered information.

Article 32(1)A person must inspect documents annexed to a register in the presence of a registrar.

(2)The means prescribed by Ministry of Justice Order referred to in Article 11-2 of the Act is the means of showing the information by outputting the content of information that has been recorded in the electronic or magnetic record onto a sheet of paper.

Article 32-2When preparing a seal registration certificate, a registrar must attach a certifying statement to the document that states the seal impression subject to the request and certified information, and enter the date the document was prepared, their title and name, and affix their official seal to the document.

Article 33When issuing a certificate of registered information, a written summary of registered information, or a seal registration certificate, a registrar must enter the number of pages or cases and the date of issuance in the written application.

Article 33-2The period referred to in Article 12-2, paragraph (1), item (ii) of the Act is to be a period that is the integral multiple of three months, which the person filing the request pursuant to the provisions of that paragraph specifies; provided, however, that this period may not exceed two years and three months.

Article 33-3The information prescribed in Ministry of Justice Order referred to in the proviso to Article 12-2, paragraph (1) of the Act is the following information:

Article 33-4The measures prescribed by Ministry of Justice Order referred to in Article 12-2, paragraph (1), item (i) of the Act are the measures for taking a method that conforms to Annex D of the Japanese Industrial Standards (hereinafter referred to as "JIS") X5731-8 based on the Industrial Standardization Act (Act No. 185 of 1949) and the value of the length of "n" specified in that Annex is 2048 bits, for the data that can be recorded in an electronic or magnetic record.

Article 33-5The registered information prescribed by Ministry of Justice Order referred to in Article 12-2, paragraph (3) of the Act is the certified information (other than the person's date of birth, the fact that the person is a manager, and the person's qualification); provided, however, that, if the person is a trade name user, the information is the trade name, the business office, and the person's name.

Article 33-6(1)When requesting certification under the provisions of Article 12-2, paragraph (1) or (3) of the Act (hereinafter referred to as "certification in the form of an electronic certificate"), a person must submit a written application and an electronic or magnetic record (meaning a record that is created in electronic form, magnetic form, or any other form that cannot be perceived by human senses, which is used for information processing by computers; the same applies hereinafter).

(2)The written application referred to in the preceding paragraph must state the following information, with the name and seal of the applicant or their agent affixed to it:

(3)The written application referred to in paragraph (1) or a document evidencing the authority of a privately appointed agent must have the seal impression that the applicant has submitted to a registry office affixed to it.

(4)A person must submit an electronic or magnetic record referred to in paragraph (1) that has been recorded onto an electronic or magnetic recording medium (meaning a recording medium used for electronic or magnetic records; the same applies hereinafter) with a structure that falls under either of the following items:

(5)The following information must be recorded in the electronic or magnetic record referred to in paragraph (1), in the format designated by the Minister of Justice:

(6)The trade name, its abbreviation, or a phonetic representation of a person's name to be recorded in an electronic or magnetic record shown in Roman letters or other signs, a translation of that trade name, or its abbreviation shown in Roman letters or other signs in the format designated by the Minister of Justice, may be recorded in the electronic or magnetic record referred to in paragraph (1).

(7)When recording a phonetic representation of an abbreviation prescribed in the preceding paragraph or a translation or its abbreviation shown in Roman letters or other signs in the electronic or magnetic record, the written application referred to in paragraph (1) must be accompanied by the articles of incorporation or any other such document evidencing the information being recorded (including an electronic or magnetic record prescribed in Article 19-2 of the Act).

(8)The designation referred to in paragraph (4), item (ii), paragraph (5) and paragraph (6) must be made by means of public notice.

Article 33-7(1)Upon receiving a written application and an electronic or magnetic record referred to in the preceding Article, a registrar must enter the date of acceptance on the written application and notify a registry office that has been designated as under Article 12-2, paragraph (5) of the Act (hereinafter referred to as an "electronic certification registry office") of the information recorded in the electronic or magnetic record and of any other necessary information for processing the case, in the order in which the written application was accepted.

(2)A registrar at an electronic certification registry office who has received a notice under the provisions of the preceding paragraph must make a reasonable disposition in the order in which the notice was received.

Article 33-8(1)Certification in the form of an electronic certificate must be provided through the transmission, to the applicant, of data that can be recorded in an electronic or magnetic record and that a registrar of an electronic certification registry office has taken the measures prescribed in Article 33-4 for, in the format designated by the Minister of Justice.

(2)The following information must be shown in the data being transmitted pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph (hereinafter referred to as an "electronic certificate"), in the format designated by the Minister of Justice:

(3)The designation referred to in the preceding two paragraphs must be made by means of public notice.

(4)The Minister of Justice gives public notice of the information necessary to verify that a registrar of an electronic certification registry office has taken the measures referred to in paragraph (1).

Article 33-9Having transmitted data pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, a registrar of an electronic certification registry office must record the data set forth in paragraph (2) of that Article in an electronic certificate file prepared using a magnetic disk.

Article 33-10(1)In order to file a notification as under Article 12-2, paragraph (7) of the Act, a person must submit a document.

(2)The document referred to in the preceding paragraph must state the following information and the person filing the notification or the person's agent must affix their name to it:

(3)The provisions of Article 33-6, paragraph (3) apply mutatis mutandis to the document referred to in paragraph (1).

(4)Upon receipt of a document referred to in paragraph (1), a registrar must enter the date of receipt in the document and notify an electronic certification registry office of that fact, in the order in which the document was received.

(5)Having received a notice under the provisions of the preceding paragraph, a registrar of an electronic certification registry office must record that fact, as well as the date and time the office was notified, in the electronic certificate file; provided, however, that this does not apply if data related to the registration referred to in Article 33-12, paragraph (1), item (ii) has been recorded in the electronic certificate file.

Article 33-11The minor changes prescribed in Ministry of Justice Order referred to in Article 12-2, paragraph (8), item (i) of the Act are any of the following changes:

Article 33-12(1)In the following cases, a registrar must notify an electronic certification registry office of the circumstances in question; provided, however, that this does not apply if data has been recorded pursuant to the provisions of the main clause of Article 33-10, paragraph (5) in the electronic certificate file:

(2)The provisions of the main clause of Article 33-10, paragraph (5) apply mutatis mutandis to a registrar of an electronic certification registry office that has been notified pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

Article 33-13(1)If a person to whom data has been transmitted pursuant to the provisions of Article 33-8, paragraph (1) suspends the use of an electronic certificate during the period referred to in Article 12-2, paragraph (1), item (ii) of the Act, the person may file a notification to that effect with an electronic certification registry office.

(2)The notification under the provisions of the preceding paragraph must be filed through transmission of the electronic certificate number and the identification code referred to in Article 33-6, paragraph (5), item (iv), in the format designated by the Minister of Justice.

(3)The designation referred to in the preceding paragraph must be made by means of public notice.

(4)The provisions of Article 33-10, paragraph (5) apply mutatis mutandis to a registrar of an electronic certification registry office with which a notification pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) has been filed.

(5)If a person that has filed a notification under the provisions of paragraph (1) resumes the use of the electronic certificate during the period referred to in Article 12-2, paragraph (1), item (ii) of the Act, the person may file a notification to that effect with the electronic certification registry office via the registry office referred to in that paragraph.

(6)The provisions of Article 33-10 apply mutatis mutandis to the case referred to in the preceding paragraph.

Article 33-14(1)If a person to whom data has been transmitted as under Article 33-8, paragraph (1) seeks to change the identification code referred to in Article 33-6, paragraph (5), item (iv) during the period referred to in Article 12-2, paragraph (1), item (ii) of the Act, the person may file a notification to that effect with an electronic certification registry office via the registry office referred to in Article 12-2, paragraph (1) of the Act.

(2)The provisions of Article 33-6 (excluding paragraph (2), items (iii) and (iv), paragraph (5), items (i) through (iii), paragraph (6), and paragraph (7)) and Article 33-7 apply mutatis mutandis to the case referred to in the preceding paragraph.

Article 33-15(1)The information prescribed in Ministry of Justice Order referred to in Article 12-2, paragraph (8), item (iv) of the Act is the following information:

(2)A request for certification as under Article 12-2, paragraph (8) of the Act must be made through the means of transmitting the electronic certificate number and other relevant information, in the format designated by the Minister of Justice.

(3)The provisions of Article 33-8, paragraph (1), paragraph (3), and paragraph (4) apply mutatis mutandis to the certification under the provisions of Article 12-2, paragraph (8) of the Act. In such a case, the following information must be shown in the data being transmitted, in the format designated by the Minister of Justice:

(4)The designation referred to in the preceding two paragraphs must be made by means of public notice.

Article 33-16(1)If it becomes inappropriate to provide certification under the provisions of Article 12-2, paragraph (8) of the Act due to an incident at a registry office or any other reasons, a registrar of an electronic certification registry office must record that fact in an electronic certificate file.

(2)If a record under the provisions of the preceding paragraph exists, and a request has been filed for certification under the provisions of Article 12-2, paragraph (8) of the Act, a registrar of an electronic certification registry office must indicate the fact that the record exists in the data being transmitted pursuant to the provisions of Article 33-8, paragraph (1) as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph (3) of the preceding Article.

Article 33-17When the period referred to in Article 12-2, paragraph (1), item (ii) of the Act elapses for an electronic certificate, a registrar of an electronic certification registry office must close the records in the electronic certificate file for that electronic certificate, and record that fact in an inactive electronic certificate file created in the electronic certificate file.

Article 33-18(1)The provisions of Article 9-6, paragraph (2) apply mutatis mutandis if an agent files a request under the provisions of Article 12-2, paragraph (1) or (3) of the Act, or a notification under the provisions of paragraph (7) of that Article, or under the provisions of Article 33-13, paragraph (5) or Article 33-14, paragraph (1).

(2)The provisions of Article 28, paragraph (1) apply mutatis mutandis to the fees referred to in Article 12-2 of the Act.

Article 33-19The provisions of Article 12-2 (excluding paragraphs (2) and (4)), the main clause of Article 33-2, Articles 33-3 through 33-5, Article 33-6 (excluding paragraph (2), items (iii) and (iv), paragraph (4), paragraph (5), and paragraph (8)), Articles 33-7 through 33-17 of the Act, and paragraph (1) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to the case in which the registration referred to in Article 33-12, paragraph (1), item (ii) is made during the period referred to in Article 12-2, paragraph (1), item (ii) of the Act related to an electronic certificate and the person who has received a transmission under the provisions of Article 33-8, paragraph (1) files an additional request for certification in the form of an electronic certificate. In such a case, the phrase "a period that is the integral multiple of three months, which the person filing the request pursuant to that paragraph specifies" in the main clause of Article 33-2 is deemed to be replaced with "the time remaining in the period referred to in Article 12-2, paragraph (1), item (ii) of the Act for an electronic certificate", the phrase "a written application and an electronic or magnetic record (meaning a record that is created in electronic form, magnetic form, or any other form that cannot be perceived by the human senses, which is used for information processing by computers; the same applies hereinafter)" in Article 33-6, paragraph (1) is deemed to be replaced with "a written application", the phrase "the following information" in paragraph (2) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "the following information and the electronic certificate number", the phrase "an electronic or magnetic record ... in the format designated by the Minister of Justice" in paragraph (6) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "a written application ...", the phrase "the electronic or magnetic record" in that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "the written application", the phrase "a written application and electronic or magnetic record" in Article 33-7, paragraph (1) is deemed to be replaced with "a written application", the phrase "the information recorded in the electronic or magnetic record" in that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "the information stated in the written application pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2), item (i) and paragraph (6) of that Article (excluding the date of birth)", the phrase "paragraph (5), items (i) through (iii)" in Article 33-8, paragraph (2), item (i) is deemed to be replaced with "paragraph (2), item (i)", and the phrase "the information recorded in the electronic or magnetic record" in that item is deemed to be replaced with "the information stated in the written application (excluding the date of birth), the period referred to in Article 12-2, paragraph (1), item (ii) of the Act, and the information set forth in Article 33-6, paragraph (5), items (ii) and (iii) for an electronic certificate".

Article 34(1)A registry office is to keep the following books, documents, and comparable records, in addition to those provided for in the Act or other provisions of this Ministerial Order:

(2)The books, documents, and comparable records set forth in the following items are to state the information provided for in those items:

(3)The documents provided for in the following items are to be filed in the books set forth in those items:

(4)The period for preservation of books, documents, and comparable records set forth in the following items is as specified in the respective items:

(5)The books, documents, and comparable records set forth in the items of paragraph (1) may also serve as the books, documents, and comparable records that are kept in relation to real property registration and that are equivalent to them.

Article 101(1)The following application, submission, notification, or request (hereinafter referred to as a "filing") may be filed by means of an electronic data processing system prescribed in Article 3, paragraph (1) of the Act on the Use of Information and Communications Technology pursuant to that paragraph; provided, however, that the filing must conform to the conditions specified by the Minister of Justice:

(2)The provisions of item (iv) of the preceding paragraph do not apply to the seal registration certificate that has been submitted by the representative of a corporation that is a guardian (or the person who should perform the duties of the representative, if the representative is a corporation) or by a person nominated to perform the duties of the trustee or equivalent person.

(3)The electronic data processing system specified by order of the competent ministry provided for in Article 6, paragraph (1) of the Act on Use of Information and Communications Technology means an electronic data processing system that uses telecommunications lines to connect the computer used by the registry office and a computer that is used by a person making a filing provided for in paragraph (1) and that complies with the technical standards specified by the Minister of Justice.

Article 102(1)In order to apply for a registration pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), item (i) of the preceding Article, an applicant or an applicant's representative or agent (hereinafter referred to as the "applicant or equivalent person" in this Chapter), as specified by the Minister of Justice, must transmit data concerning the information that is required to be stated in a written application pursuant to the provisions of laws and regulations, for which the measures provided for in Article 33-4 have been taken (hereinafter referred to as "data required to be entered in a written application").

(2)If there is a document that is required to be attached to a written application for registration pursuant to the provisions of laws and regulations (including an electronic or magnetic record prescribed in Article 19-2 of the Act), the applicant or equivalent person, as specified by the Minister of Justice, must transmit data that substitutes for that document, for which the person preparing the data (or the person preparing the data and the person certifying the data, if the data requires certification; the same applies in paragraph (5)) has taken the measures prescribed in the preceding paragraph (hereinafter referred to as "data substituting for the attached document"); provided, however, that this does not preclude the applicant or equivalent person from submitting or sending the relevant document to the registry office in lieu of transmitting the data substituting for the attached document.

(3)When applying for a registration and transmitting the data required to be entered in a written application, an applicant or equivalent person (other than a privately appointed agent) must also transmit one of the following certificates evidencing the information necessary for confirming that the applicant or equivalent person has taken the measures provided for in paragraph (1):

(4)If a person files an application for registration is to be filed by a privately appointed agent and transmits data required to be entered in a written application, one of the following certificates evidencing the information necessary for confirming that the agent has taken the measures prescribed in paragraph (1) must also be transmitted:

(5)When transmitting data substituting for the attached document, an applicant or equivalent person must also transmit the data provided for in the following items evidencing the information necessary for confirming that the person who prepared the relevant data has taken the measures prescribed in paragraph (1), in accordance with the category of data set forth in the relevant item:

Article 103When applying for registration pursuant to the provisions of Article 101, paragraph (1), item (i), if an applicant or equivalent person transmits, as data substituting for an attached document referred to in paragraph (2), data that substitutes for a document evidencing a person's consent to assume office referred to in Article 61, paragraph (7), for which the director or equivalent person who has consented to assume office (or the director or equivalent person who constitutes the principal that has consented to assume office, if an adult guardian or curator has agreed, on behalf of the principal, for the principal to assume office; hereinafter the same applies in this Article) has taken the measures provided for in Article 33-4, and also transmits an electronic certificate set forth in paragraph (3), item (ii) or (iii) of the preceding Article pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (5), item (ii) of that Article, the provisions of Article 61, paragraph (7) concerning the director or equivalent person who has agreed to assume office do not apply to the application.

Article 104If an application for registration is filed pursuant to the provisions of Article 101, paragraph (1), item (i), a registrar must place a document stating the content of the data required to be entered in the written application and data substituting for the attached documents into an application document file, in order to make them available for inspection as under the first sentence of Article 11-2 of the Act.

Article 105(1)When an application for registration under the provisions of Article 49, paragraph (1) of the Act is filed by the means prescribed in Article 101, paragraph (1) and cash is used to pay the fees, a person must pay the fees using the means based on the payment information obtained from a registrar.

(2)When an application for registration under the provisions of Article 49, paragraph (1) of the Act is filed by the means prescribed in Article 101, paragraph (1) and revenue stamps are used to pay the fees, the phrase "the document referred to in paragraph (1)" in Article 63, paragraph (3) is deemed to be replaced with "the documents specified by a registrar", and the relevant provisions apply.

(3)The provisions of the preceding two paragraphs apply mutatis mutandis to the registration of a membership company.

Article 106(1)When submitting a seal impression or filing a notification to discontinue use of a seal pursuant to the provisions of Article 101, paragraph (1), item (ii), the person submitting the seal impression or filing the notification to discontinue use of the seal or that person's agent (referred to as the "submitter, filer, or agent" in the following paragraph), as specified by the Minister of Justice, must transmit data concerning the information that is required to be stated or clarified in the document referred to in Article 9, paragraph (1) or the information that is required to be stated in the document referred to in paragraph (7) of that Article and for which the person submitting the seal impression or filing the notification to discontinue use of the seal has taken the measures provided for in Article 33-4 (referred to as "transmission of submission or filing data" in paragraph (3)).

(2)If there is a document that is required to be attached to the document referred to in Article 9, paragraph (1) or (7), the submitter, filer, or agent, as specified by the Minister of Justice, must transmit data that substitutes for that document and for which the person preparing the data has taken the measures prescribed in the preceding paragraph (referred to as "the transmission of data substituting for an attached document when submitting a seal impression or filing a notification to discontinue use of a seal" in the following paragraph).

(3)The provisions of Article 102, paragraph (3) apply mutatis mutandis to the transmission of submission or filing data, and the provisions of paragraph (5) of that Article apply mutatis mutandis to the transmission of data substituting for an attached document when submitting a seal impression or filing a notification to discontinue use of a seal.

Article 106-2(1)When requesting certification in the form of an electronic certificate pursuant to the provisions of Article 101, paragraph (1), item (iii), an applicant or equivalent person, as specified by the Minister of Justice, must transmit data concerning the information that is required to be entered in a written application referred to in Article 33-6, paragraph (1), for which the measures provided for in Article 33-4 have been taken (referred to as "the transmission of application data for a certification request" in paragraph (4)).

(2)An applicant or equivalent person, as specified by the Minister of Justice, must transmit the electronic or magnetic record that is required to be submitted pursuant to the provisions of Article 33-6, paragraph (1) and the data substituting for the document that is required to be attached to a written application pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (7) of that Article.

(3)If there is a document that is required to be attached to a written application referred to in Article 33-6, paragraph (1) in addition to the document prescribed in the preceding paragraph, the applicant or equivalent person, as specified by the Minister of Justice, must transmit data that substitutes for that document and for which the person preparing the data has taken the measures prescribed in paragraph (1) (referred to as "the transmission of data substituting for an attached document for a certification request" in the following paragraph).

(4)The provisions of Article 102, paragraphs (3) and (4) apply mutatis mutandis to the transmission of application data for a certification request, and the provisions of paragraph (5) of that Article apply mutatis mutandis to the transmission of data substituting for an attached document for a certification request.

(5)The part of the provisions of Article 33-7, paragraph (1) that concerns the entry of information on the written application does not apply to a request under the provisions of paragraph (1).

(6)When a person requests certification in the form of an electronic certificate by the means prescribed in Article 101, paragraph (1), they must pay the fees by the means of making a payment based on the payment information obtained from a registrar.

Article 107(1)When requesting the issuance of a certificate of registered information or a seal registration certificate pursuant to the provisions of Article 101, paragraph (1), item (iv), an applicant or equivalent person, as specified by the Minister of Justice, must transmit data concerning the information set forth in the following items (or, if requesting the issuance of a seal registration certificate, data concerning the information for which the measures prescribed in Article 102, paragraph (1) have been taken):

(2)If an applicant or equivalent person makes a request under the provisions of the preceding paragraph through an agent, data that substitutes for a document evidencing the authority of the agent (if this is a request for issuance of a seal registration certificate, the data for which the person preparing the data has taken the measures prescribed in Article 102, paragraph (1)) must also be transmitted, as specified by the Minister of Justice.

(3)The provisions of Article 102, paragraph (3), paragraph (4), and paragraph (5), item (i) apply mutatis mutandis to an electronic certificate that is required to be transmitted together with the data referred to in the preceding two paragraphs when an applicant or equivalent person requests for issuance of a seal registration certificate pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1).

(4)The provisions of Article 22, paragraph (2) (if an applicant or equivalent person is requesting issuance of a seal registration certificate, limited to when they ask for the seal registration certificate to be sent (hereinafter referred to as a "request to be sent a seal registration certificate")), Article 28, paragraph (2), Article 33, and the part of Article 29 that concerns entering information on a written application do not apply to a request under the provisions of paragraph (1).

(5)When seeking to be issued a certificate of registered information pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) (except when seeking to have the certificate of registered information sent), an applicant or equivalent person must submit the document specified by the Minister of Justice.

(6)To apply the provisions of Article 22, paragraph (2) to a request for issuance of a seal registration certificate pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) (excluding a request to be sent a seal registration certificate), the phrase "when submitting the written application referred to in the preceding paragraph" in that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "when seeking for issuance of a seal registration certificate pursuant to the provisions of Article 107, paragraph (1)", and the phrase "present a seal registration card" in that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "submit the document specified by the Minister of Justice and present a seal registration card".

(7)When requesting issuance of a certificate of registered information or a seal registration certificate by the means prescribed in Article 101, paragraph (1), a person must pay the fees by the means of making a payment based on the payment information obtained from a registrar.

Article 108The measures clarifying the name or trade name that are specified by order of the competent ministry provided for in Article 6, paragraph (4) of the Act on Use of Information and Communications Technology are measures provided for in the following items in accordance with the category set forth in that item:

Article 109When making a registration based on an order by the Director of the Legal Affairs Bureau or District Legal Affairs Bureau, a registrar must also record the name of the Director of the Legal Affairs Bureau or District Legal Affairs Bureau who issued the order, the date of the order, and the fact that the registration is being made based on the order.

Article 110Having filed a notification under the provisions of Article 15, paragraph (2), Article 15-2, paragraph (2) or (3), or Article 15-3, paragraph (2) of the Act on Prohibition of Private Monopolization and Maintenance of Fair Trade (Act No. 54 of 1947) for a merger, company split, or share transfer, an applicant or equivalent person must enter the date of the notification in the written application to register a change or incorporation of an entity due to a merger, to register a change due to an absorption-type company split to be made by the company succeeding in the absorption-type company split or to register incorporation due to an incorporation-type company split, or to register incorporation due to a share transfer; if a period has been shortened pursuant to the provisions of the proviso to Article 10, paragraph (8) of that Act as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 15, paragraph (3), Article 15-2, paragraph (4), or Article 15-3, paragraph (3) of that Act, the applicant or equivalent person must also enter the shortened period in the written application.

Article 111The provisions of Article 9-4, paragraph (2) apply mutatis mutandis if a person nominated to perform the duties of the trustee or equivalent person files an application for registration.

Article 112(1)The following registrations must be made in the member section or the officer section:

(2)In the case set forth in one of the following items, a registrar must record a cancellation code the registration provided for in that item:

Article 113(1)The following registrations must be made in the officer section:

(2)In the case set forth in one of the following items, a registrar must record a cancellation code the registration provided for in that item:

Article 114(1)The following registrations must be made in the member section or the officer section:

(2)In the case set forth in one of the following items, a registrar must record a cancellation code the registration provided for in that item:

Article 115(1)Registration concerning the disposition under the provisions of Article 241, paragraph (1) of the Insurance Business Act must be made in the member section or the officer section.

(2)In the registration referred to in the preceding paragraph, a registrar must also record the name or trade name, address, and the head office or principal office of the receiver of the insurer referred to in Article 241, paragraph (1) of the Insurance Business Act.

Article 116The provisions of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to a registration concerning an order under the provisions of Article 74, paragraph (1) of the Deposit Insurance Act.

Article 117(1)The following registrations must be made in the member section or the officer section:

(2)In the case set forth in one of the following items, a registrar must record a cancellation code the registration provided for in that item:

(3)In the following cases, a registrar must close the registration record:

Article 118Upon learning in the course of duty that there is a person who should be subject to a civil fine, a registrar must notify the district court with jurisdiction of the case without delay.