①Changes to a common area (excluding those that do not involve significant changes to the shape or function of the common area; the same applies in paragraph (5)) are decided at a meeting at which a majority of the unit owners (excluding those who do not hold voting rights; hereinafter the same applies in this paragraph and paragraph (3)) (or, if a higher proportion is specified in the bylaws, at least that proportion), who hold a majority of the voting rights (or, if a higher proportion is specified in the bylaws, at least that proportion), are present, by resolution by at least a three-fourths majority (or, if a lower proportion (limited to a proportion exceeding one-half) is specified in the bylaws, that proportion) each of the unit owners present and of their voting rights.

②In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, if the changes to the common area will have a particular influence on the use of an exclusively-owned area, the approval of the owner of that exclusively-owned area must be obtained.

③In the case of making changes to a common area by a resolution under paragraph (1), if there is a special provision in the bylaws, an act of preservation of an exclusively-owned area, or an act for the purpose of using or improving an exclusively-owned area to the extent that it does not change the nature of the exclusively-owned area, that becomes necessary in connection with the changes to the common area (referred to as an "act of preservation of an exclusively-owned area, etc." in the following paragraph and paragraph (4) of the following Article) may be decided at a meeting at which a majority of the unit owners (or, if a higher proportion is specified in the bylaws, at least that proportion), who hold a majority of the voting rights (or, if a higher proportion is specified in the bylaws, at least that proportion), are present, by resolution by at least a three-fourths majority (or, if a lower proportion (limited to a proportion exceeding one-half) is specified in the bylaws, that proportion) each of the unit owners present and of their voting rights.

④When adopting a resolution referred to in the preceding paragraph, if matters concerning the manner of the act of preservation of an exclusively-owned area, etc. or the sharing of expenses are to be specified, equity in the interests among unit owners must be ensured by taking into consideration the status of use of the exclusively-owned area subject to the resolution by its unit owner, the price paid by the unit owner for the act of preservation of an exclusively-owned area, etc. concerning that exclusively-owned area, and any other circumstances.

⑤For the purpose of applying the provisions of paragraph (1) and paragraph (3) to changes to a common area that become necessary for removing a defect in the installation or preservation of the common area in the case where the rights or legally protected interests of others are infringed or are likely to be infringed due to the defect, or to changes to a common area that become necessary in order to improve the convenience and safety of the movement of, or the use of facilities by, elderly persons, disabled persons, etc. (meaning elderly persons, disabled persons, etc. as prescribed in Article 2, item (i) of the Act on Promotion of Smooth Transportation, etc. of Elderly Persons, Disabled Persons, etc. (Act No. 91 of 2006)) by reducing the physical burden relating to their movement or their use of facilities, the term "three-fourths" in those provisions is deemed to be replaced with "two-thirds".

①Except in the case referred to in the preceding Article, matters concerning the management of the common areas may be decided by resolution at a meeting; provided, however, that each co-owner may perform an act of preservation.

②The provisions of the preceding paragraph do not preclude any provisions to the contrary in the bylaws.

③The provisions of paragraph (2) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis pursuant to the case referred to in the main clause of paragraph (1).

④In the case of managing a common area by a resolution under the main clause of paragraph (1), if there is a special provision in the bylaws, an act of preservation of an exclusively-owned area, etc. that becomes necessary in connection with the management of the common area may be decided by a resolution at a meeting.

⑤The provisions of paragraph (4) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to a resolution referred to in the preceding paragraph.

⑥Entering into a non-life insurance contract for a common area is deemed to be a matter that concerns the management of the common areas.

Each co-owner assumes the burdens of the common areas and collects profits arising from the common areas in proportion to their share, except as otherwise provided for in the bylaws.

①The unit owner specified as the owner of a common area by the bylaws pursuant to the provisions of Article 11, paragraph (2) assumes the obligation of managing the common area for the benefit of all the unit owners (or, if applicable, for the benefit of all the unit owners who should have common use of the private common area). This being the case, that unit owner may request reasonable management expenses from the relevant unit owners.

②The owner of a common area referred to in the preceding paragraph may not make changes to a common area prescribed in Article 17, paragraph (1).

If the grounds of the building or attached facilities not constituting a common area (including rights related to the grounds or facilities) is co-owned by unit owners, the provisions of Articles 17 through 19 apply mutatis mutandis to the grounds or attached facilities.

①If the right to use the grounds is a right of ownership or other such right that is held by multiple persons, a unit owner may not dispose of their exclusively-owned area separately from the right to use the grounds that is connected with their exclusively-owned area; provided, however, that this does not apply if otherwise provided for in the bylaws.

②In the case referred to in the main clause of the preceding paragraph, if the unit owner holds two or more exclusively-owned areas, the proportion of the right to use the grounds for each exclusively-owned area is to be based on the proportion specified in Article 14, paragraphs (1) through (3); provided, however, that if a proportion different from this proportion is specified in the bylaws, the right to use the grounds for each exclusively-owned area is to be based on that proportion.

③The provisions of the preceding two paragraphs apply mutatis mutandis if the right to use the grounds that is held by the person who owns all the exclusively-owned areas in the building is an ownership right or any other such right that is held by a single person.

The invalidity of a disposition of an exclusively-owned area or of the right to use the grounds that is in violation of the provisions of the main clause of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph (3) of that Article), may not be asserted against the other party if they acted in good faith; provided, however, that this does not apply if the exclusively-owned areas and the right to use the grounds are disposed of after it has been registered that they may not be disposed of separately, as provided for in the Real Property Registration Act (Act No. 123 of 2004).

In the case referred to in the main clause of Article 22, paragraph (1), the provisions of Article 255 of the Civil Code (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 264 of that Act) do not apply to the right to use the grounds.

①Except as otherwise provided for in the bylaws, the unit owners may appoint or dismiss a manager by resolution at a meeting.

②If the manager has committed a wrongful act or if there are other circumstances due to which it is not suitable for them to carry out their duties, each of the unit owners may file a request with the court for the dismissal of that manager.

①The manager has the right and the obligation to preserve the common areas and to preserve the grounds of the building and its attached facilities in the case prescribed in Article 21 (each of these is referred to as a "common area or co-owned grounds or attached facilities" in the following paragraph), to implement meeting resolutions, and to engage in the acts specified in the bylaws.

②In connection with their duties (including claims for and the receipt of insurance money based on a non-life insurance contract under the provisions of Article 18, paragraph (6) (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 21), as well as compensation for damages arising in connection with a common area or co-owned grounds or attached facilities and monies to be returned due to unjust enrichment (hereinafter referred to as "insurance money, etc." in this Article and Article 47); the same applies in paragraph (4)), the manager acts as the agent of the unit owners (or, with regard to claims for and the receipt of insurance money, etc., of the persons who hold the right to claim insurance money, etc. (limited to unit owners or persons who were unit owners (excluding persons who were unit owners and who have manifested an intention to the contrary in writing or by electronic or magnetic means (meaning the means of using an electronic data processing system or of making use of information and communications technology that is specified by Ministry of Justice Order; the same applies hereinafter)); hereinafter the same applies in this Article and Article 47); the same applies in that paragraph).

③A limitation on a manager's authority to act as agent may not be asserted against a third party in good faith.

④Pursuant to the provisions of the bylaws or meeting resolutions, the manager may be named as plaintiff or defendant for a unit owner, in connection with their duties.

⑤In the cases set forth in the following items, the manager must notify the persons specified in the respective items of this without delay. In such a case, the provisions of Article 35, paragraphs (2) through (4) apply mutatis mutandis to the notice to unit owners.

①The manager may own common areas if there are special provisions in the bylaws permitting this.

②The provisions of Article 6, paragraph (2) and Article 20 apply mutatis mutandis to the case referred to in the preceding paragraph.

Beyond what is prescribed in this Act and in the bylaws, the rights and obligations of a manager are governed by the provisions on delegation.

①The proportion of liability that a unit owner assumes in connection with the acts the manager has performed with a third party within the scope of their duties is the same as the proportion specified in Article 14;provided, however, that if the bylaws have specified a proportion for sharing in the expenses necessary for the management of the building, its grounds, and its attached facilities, the proportion of liability is to be based on that proportion.

②A claim that a third party holds against a unit owner due to an act under the preceding paragraph may be brought against the specific successor of the unit owner.

①Beyond what is provided for in this Act, the bylaws may provide for matters among the unit owners that concern the management or use of a building or its grounds or attached facilities.

②Matters concerning a private common area that do not affect the interests of all of the unit owners may be provided for in the bylaws of the unit owners who are to have common use of that area, unless these are provided for in the bylaws of all the unit owners.

③The bylaws prescribed in the preceding two paragraphs must be established in a manner that ensures equity in the interests among unit owners by comprehensively taking into consideration the shapes, areas, positional relationships, purpose of use, and status of use, as well as the price paid by each unit owner and any other circumstances concerning the exclusively-owned areas, common areas, or grounds or attached facilities of the building (including rights related to the grounds or attached facilities).

④In the cases referred to in paragraph (1) and paragraph (2), the bylaws may not prejudice the rights of persons other than unit owners.

⑤The bylaws must be prepared in writing or by means of electronic or magnetic records (meaning a record that is created in an electronic format, a magnetic format, or any other format that cannot be perceived by the human senses, and that is specified by Ministry of Justice Order as being used in computerized information processing; the same applies hereinafter).