While litigation is pending, a party may specify a reasonable time frame for response and direct a written inquiry to the adverse party, so as to elicit from that party a response in writing, or at the option of the adverse party, either in writing or by electronic or magnetic means, with regard to particulars that are necessary for preparing allegations or proof; provided, however, that this does not apply if the inquiry falls under any of the following items:
当事者は、訴訟の係属中、相手方に対し、主張又は立証を準備するために必要な事項について、相当の期間を定めて、書面により、又は相手方の選択により書面若しくは電磁的方法のいずれかにより回答するよう、書面により照会をすることができる。ただし、その照会が次の各号のいずれかに該当するときは、この限りでない。
an inquiry that is non-concrete or non-specific;
具体的又は個別的でない照会
an inquiry that insults the adverse party or that inhibits a free choice of response;
相手方を侮辱し、又は困惑させる照会
an inquiry that constitutes a repetition of any previous inquiry;
既にした照会と重複する照会
an inquiry asking for an opinion;
意見を求める照会
an inquiry that would require unreasonable expense or time for the adverse party to respond to;
相手方が回答するために不相当な費用又は時間を要する照会
an inquiry about the same kind of particulars as those regarding which a person may refuse to testify pursuant to the provisions of Article 196 or Article 197.
A party may make an inquiry by electronic or magnetic means in lieu of an inquiry in writing under the preceding paragraph, with consent from the adverse party.
An adverse party (excluding a party that received an inquiry requiring a response either in writing or by electronic or magnetic means pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1)) may provide a response by electronic or magnetic means in lieu of a written response under the provisions of that paragraph, with consent from the party.
Read this with the articles around it