The law as Act on the Arrangement of Related Acts upon the Enforcement of the Act Partially Amending the Civil Code, etc. (Act No. 46 of 2026) leaves it, with the words it changes marked.
The main text is read a page at a time: a chapter to a page, and a long chapter in runs of articles. The whole main text, and the supplementary provisions and appended tables this amendment changes. Those it leaves untouched are on the page for the text in force.
Chapter II Ships' Master第二章 船長
Article 708第七百八条
Master's Authority to Act as Agent(船長の代理権)
Article 708, paragraph (1)
Outside the port of registration, the master has the authority to perform any and all acts in and out of court as are necessary for a voyage on behalf of the shipowner, except for the following acts:
A limitation on the master's authority to act as agent may not be asserted against a third party in good faith.
船長の代理権に加えた制限は、善意の第三者に対抗することができない。
Article 709第七百九条
Appointment of Proxy by Master(船長による職務代行者の選任)
Article 709, paragraph (1)
If the master is unable to command the ship due to a compelling reason, the master may appoint another person to perform the master's duties, unless otherwise provided for by laws and regulations. In this case, the master is responsible to the shipowner for the appointment.
The master must keep the equipment inventory on board the ship.
船長は、属具目録を船内に備え置かなければならない。
Article 711第七百十一条
Handling of Cargo by Master(船長による積荷の処分)
Article 711, paragraph (1)
While a ship is at sea, the master must handle cargo on behalf of persons with an interest in the cargo in a way that is in their best interests, when it is necessary to do so in order to benefit their interests.
If a person with an interest in cargo incurs an obligation in connection with that cargo due to the handling referred to in the preceding paragraph, the interested person may be released from the liability for that obligation by transferring its rights in the cargo to the obligee; provided, however, that this does not apply if there is negligence on the part of the interested person.
The master may use the cargo for a voyage if this is necessary in order to continue the voyage.
船長は、航海を継続するため必要があるときは、積荷を航海の用に供することができる。
Article 712, paragraph (2)
The provisions of Article 576, paragraphs (1) and (2) apply mutatis mutandis to the amount of compensation payable by the shipowner in the case referred to in the preceding paragraph. In this case, the term "delivered" in paragraph (1) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "discharged".
The master is liable to compensate for loss or damage that the crew members cause to others intentionally or negligently in the course of performing their duties; provided, however, that this does not apply if the master proves that the master did not neglect to exercise due care in supervision of the crew members.
The master must report material information about a voyage to the shipowner without delay.
船長は、遅滞なく、航海に関する重要な事項を船舶所有者に報告しなければならない。
Article 715第七百十五条
Dismissal of Master(船長の解任)
Article 715, paragraph (1)
A shipowner may dismiss the master at any time.
船舶所有者は、いつでも、船長を解任することができる。
Article 715, paragraph (2)
The master who is dismissed pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph may demand compensation from the shipowner for loss or damage arising from the dismissal, unless there are reasonable grounds for the dismissal.
If the master is one of the part owners of the ship and is subject to involuntary dismissal, the master may demand that the other part owners buy out the master's share at a reasonable price.
Before seeking to make the demand under the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the master must issue notice of this to the other part owners or to the ship's manager without delay.
The day a law or an amendment starts to apply. It is often months or years after promulgation, so that people have time to prepare. The Ministry of Justice's English usually says a law "comes into force" or "comes into effect", and sometimes calls the day its "enforcement date". Its "enforcement" more often means the word's other sense, carrying a law out, as in an Order for Enforcement (施行令), the Cabinet Order (政令) that sets out the details for carrying out an Act.
The Ministry of Justice's English of this passage has a slip, so the English shown is this site's correction of it. The Ministry printed:
The provisions of Article 576, paragraphs (1) and (2) apply mutatis mutandis to the amount of compensation payable by the shipowner in the case referred to in the preceding paragraph. In this case, the term "delivery" in paragraph (1) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "discharge".
Japanese Law Translation, Ministry of Justice
Translates the law as amended by Act No. 29 of 2018 (平成三十年法律第二十九号)
The Ministry of Justice's English of this passage has a slip, so the English shown is this site's correction of it. The Ministry printed:
Before seeking to make the demand under the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the master must issue notice of this to the other part owners or to the ship's husband without delay.
Japanese Law Translation, Ministry of Justice
Translates the law as amended by Act No. 29 of 2018 (平成三十年法律第二十九号)