①If the purpose of the shareholders meeting is the election of two or more directors (in cases of a company with audit and supervisory committee, directors who are audit and supervisory committee members or other directors; hereinafter the same applies in this Article), the shareholders (limited to the shareholders entitled to vote with respect to the election of the directors; hereinafter the same applies in this Article) may request the stock company that the directors be elected pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (3) through paragraph (5), except as otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation.

②The request under the provisions of the preceding paragraph must be made no later than five days prior to the day of the shareholders meeting referred to in that paragraph.

③Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 308, paragraph (1), if a request is made pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), a shareholder is entitled to relevant number of votes as is equal to the number of the directors to be elected in relevant shareholders meeting for each one share the shareholder holds (or, if the share unit is provided for in the articles of incorporation, for each one unit of the shares the shareholder holds) with respect to the resolution of the election of the directors. In these cases, the shareholder may exercise the shareholder's votes by casting votes for only one candidate or for two or more candidates.

④In the case provided for in the preceding paragraph, the directors are to be elected in the order of the votes obtained by respective candidates.

⑤Beyond what is specified in the preceding two paragraphs, necessary matters regarding the election of directors if a request has been made pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) are prescribed by Ministry of Justice Order.

⑥The provisions of the preceding Article do not apply to resolutions for the dismissal of the directors elected pursuant to the provisions of the preceding three paragraphs.