Except in the following cases, a user may reproduce a work that is subject to copyright (hereinafter in this Subsection referred to as a "work") if the reproduction is for personal or family use or for any other use of a similarly limited scope (hereinafter referred to as "private use"):
a user reproduces a work by means of an automated duplicator (meaning a device with a function for making reproductions, all or most of whose instruments for making the reproductions are automated) that has been set up for use by the public;
the reproduction of the work has become possible due to the circumvention of technological protection measures (meaning that the removal or alteration of the signals provided for in Article 2, paragraph (1), item (xx) or any other action that interferes with the effect of the signals (excluding any such action resulting from technological constraints accompanying the conversion of recording or transmission systems) or the restoration of sounds or images of a work, performance, phonogram or broadcast or cablecast which has been converted so as to necessitate a specific conversion as prescribed in that item makes it possible to take an action that the technological protection measures prevent or makes it so that a barrier no longer arises as a result of an action that the technological protection measures deter (other than a restoration made based on the intentions of the person that owns the copyright, etc.); the same applies in Article 113, paragraph (7) and Article 120-2, items (i) and (ii)) or a barrier to reproduction of the work no longer arises as a result of that circumvention, and the user reproduces the work in knowledge of this fact;
技術的保護手段の回避（第二条第一項第二十号に規定する信号の除去若しくは改変その他の当該信号の効果を妨げる行為（記録又は送信の方式の変換に伴う技術的な制約によるものを除く。）を行うこと又は同号に規定する特定の変換を必要とするよう変換された著作物、実演、レコード若しくは放送若しくは有線放送に係る音若しくは影像の復元を行うことにより、当該技術的保護手段によつて防止される行為を可能とし、又は当該技術的保護手段によつて抑止される行為の結果に障害を生じないようにすること（著作権等を有する者の意思に基づいて行われるものを除く。）をいう。第百十三条第七項並びに第百二十条の二第一号及び第二号において同じ。）により可能となり、又はその結果に障害が生じないようになつた複製を、その事実を知りながら行う場合
the work is received via an automatic public transmission that infringes on a copyright (including an automatic public transmission that is transmitted abroad and that would constitute copyright infringement if it were transmitted in Japan), and the user records the sounds or visuals of the work in digital format (hereinafter referred to as "specified infringing sound or visual recording" in this item and the following paragraph), in knowledge of the fact that the relevant action constitutes the specified infringing sound or visual recording;
the work is received via an automatic public transmission that infringes on a copyright (excluding the rights provided in Article 28 (limited to those for a derivative work created by a means other than translation); hereinafter the same applies in this item) (including an automatic public transmission that is transmitted abroad and that would constitute copyright infringement if it were transmitted in Japan), and the user reproduces the work in digital format (excluding sound and visual recording; hereinafter the same applies in this item) (excluding reproduction that is minor in light of the percentage of the reproduced part in the work relevant to the copyright, the accuracy of indications made at the time the part is transmitted via automatic public transmission, and other elements; hereinafter in this item and the following paragraph referred to as "specified infringing reproduction"), in knowledge of the fact that the relevant action constitutes the specified infringing reproduction (excluding cases where there are special reasons for finding that the action would not unreasonably prejudice the interests of the copyright owner in light of the nature or purpose of the work or the circumstances of the specified infringing reproduction).
著作権（第二十八条に規定する権利（翻訳以外の方法により創作された二次的著作物に係るものに限る。）を除く。以下この号において同じ。）を侵害する自動公衆送信（国外で行われる自動公衆送信であつて、国内で行われたとしたならば著作権の侵害となるべきものを含む。）を受信して行うデジタル方式の複製（録音及び録画を除く。以下この号において同じ。）（当該著作権に係る著作物のうち当該複製がされる部分の占める割合、当該部分が自動公衆送信される際の表示の精度その他の要素に照らし軽微なものを除く。以下この号及び次項において「特定侵害複製」という。）を、特定侵害複製であることを知りながら行う場合（当該著作物の種類及び用途並びに当該特定侵害複製の態様に照らし著作権者の利益を不当に害しないと認められる特別な事情がある場合を除く。）
The provisions of items (iii) and (iv) of the preceding paragraph must not be interpreted as including cases where a user undertakes the relevant action through gross negligence in not knowing the fact that the relevant action constitutes the specified infringing sound or visual recording or the specified infringing reproduction.
A person who, for private use, records the sound or visuals of a work in a digital format, on a digital sound or visual recording medium that is provided for by Cabinet Order, by means of a machine with digital sound or visual recording functions (excluding a machine with special performance capabilities for use in the broadcasting business or other special performance capabilities that are generally not offered for private use, and also excluding a telephone with a sound recording function or any other machine with sound or visual recording functions incidental to its primary function) which is provided for by Cabinet Order must pay a reasonable amount of compensation to the copyright owner.
Read this with the articles around it
(Acts Deemed to Constitute Infringement)
An act of transferring or renting to the public a command code (meaning a command to a computer by which alone a single result can be obtained) with a function that circumvents technological…
技術的保護手段の回避又は技術的利用制限手段の回避を行うことをその機能とする指令符号（電子計算機に対する指令であつて、当該指令のみによつて一の結果を得ることができるものをいう。）を公衆に譲渡し、若しくは貸与し、公衆への譲渡若しくは貸与の目的をもつて製造し、輸入し、若しくは所持し、若しくは公衆の使用に供し、又は公衆送信し…
Open this provisiona person that transfers or rents to the public a device with a function that circumvents technological protection measures or technological exploitation restriction measures…
技術的保護手段の回避若しくは技術的利用制限手段の回避を行うことをその機能とする装置（当該装置の部品一式であつて容易に組み立てることができるものを含む。）若しくは技術的保護手段の回避若しくは技術的利用制限手段の回避を行うことをその機能とするプログラムの複製物を公衆に譲渡し、若しくは貸与し…
Open this provisiona person that, in the course of trade, circumvents technological protection measures or technological exploitation restriction measures at the request of the public;
業として公衆からの求めに応じて技術的保護手段の回避又は技術的利用制限手段の回避を行つた者
Open this provision(Definitions)
"technological protection measures" means measures that use electronic means, magnetic means, or other means that cannot be perceived through the human senses…
技術的保護手段 電子的方法、磁気的方法その他の人の知覚によつて認識することができない方法（次号及び第二十二号において「電磁的方法」という。）により、第十七条第一項に規定する著作者人格権若しくは著作権…
Open this provision(Rights of the Original Author in Connection with the Exploitation of a Derivative Work)
The author of the original work underlying a derivative work holds exclusive rights in the same categories as the rights prescribed in this Subsection that the author of the derivative work holds in…
二次的著作物の原著作物の著作者は、当該二次的著作物の利用に関し、この款に規定する権利で当該二次的著作物の著作者が有するものと同一の種類の権利を専有する。
Open this provision(Reproduction for Private Use)
the work is received via an automatic public transmission that infringes on a copyright (including an automatic public transmission that is transmitted abroad and that would constitute copyright…
著作権を侵害する自動公衆送信（国外で行われる自動公衆送信であつて、国内で行われたとしたならば著作権の侵害となるべきものを含む。）を受信して行うデジタル方式の録音又は録画（以下この号及び次項において「特定侵害録音録画」という。）を、特定侵害録音録画であることを知りながら行う場合
Open this provision(Reproduction for Private Use)
the work is received via an automatic public transmission that infringes on a copyright (excluding the rights provided in Article 28 (limited to those for a derivative work created by a means other…
著作権（第二十八条に規定する権利（翻訳以外の方法により創作された二次的著作物に係るものに限る。）を除く。以下この号において同じ。）を侵害する自動公衆送信（国外で行われる自動公衆送信であつて、国内で行われたとしたならば著作権の侵害となるべきものを含む。）を受信して行うデジタル方式の複製（録音及び録画を除く。以下この号に…
Open this provision(Reproduction for Private Use)
The provisions of items (iii) and (iv) of the preceding paragraph must not be interpreted as including cases where a user undertakes the relevant action through gross negligence in not knowing the…
前項第三号及び第四号の規定は、特定侵害録音録画又は特定侵害複製であることを重大な過失により知らないで行う場合を含むものと解釈してはならない。
Open this provisionwork
「著作物」
A creative expression of thoughts or feelings falling within the literary, academic, artistic or musical domain — a work in the narrow sense, as distinct from 著作物等 (works, performances, phonograms, broadcasts and cablecasts), which the Ministry's English also calls 'work'.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (i)· applies throughout the law
performancecorrected by this site
「実演」
Performing a work by acting it out, dancing, playing music, singing, delivering, reciting or any other means, including similar acts of an entertaining nature that do not perform a work.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (iii)· applies throughout the law
phonogram
「レコード」
Sounds fixed on a phonograph record, recording tape or any other medium, other than sounds fixed to be played back only together with images.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (v)· applies throughout the law
broadcastcorrected by this site
「放送」
A transmission to the public (公衆送信) by radio communication, made so that the public receives the same content at the same time.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (viii)· applies throughout the law
cablecastcorrected by this site
「有線放送」
A transmission to the public (公衆送信) by wire telecommunication, made so that the public receives the same content at the same time.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (ix-2)· applies throughout the law
automatic public transmission
「自動公衆送信」
A transmission to the public (公衆送信) made automatically in response to requests from the public, other than broadcasting or cablecasting.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (ix-4)· applies throughout the law
derivative work
「二次的著作物」
A work created by translating, arranging, transforming, dramatising, making into a film, or otherwise adapting an existing work.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (xi)· applies throughout the law
sound recordingcorrected by this site
「録音」
Fixing sounds on a medium, or making further copies of such a fixation.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (xiii)· applies throughout the law
visual recordingcorrected by this site
「録画」
Fixing a sequence of images on a medium, or making further copies of such a fixation.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (xiv)· applies throughout the law
reproduction
「複製」
Reproducing a work in tangible form by printing, photography, photocopying, sound or visual recording or any other means; for a script or similar work for the stage it includes recording a stage performance, broadcast or cablecast of it, and for an architectural work it includes completing a building according to its architectural drawings.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (xv)· applies throughout the law
technological protection measures
「技術的保護手段」
A means using electronic, magnetic or other means people cannot perceive (電磁的方法) to prevent or deter infringement of the moral rights of authors, copyright, print rights, the moral rights of performers or neighbouring rights (other than one used against the will of the right holders), working by recording on a medium or transmitting a signal to which the equipment used reacts in a particular way, or by converting a work's or performance's sounds or images so that the equipment needs a particular conversion.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (xx)· applies throughout the law
deterrencemachine translation
「抑止」
In Article 2, paragraph (1), item (xx) and Article 30, paragraph (1), item (ii), deterring an act infringing copyright and related rights (著作権等) by putting a significant obstacle in the way of that act's result.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (xx)· applies only in this provision and in Article 30, paragraph (1), item (ii)
copyright-related matters
「著作権等」
In Article 2, paragraph (1), item (xx), Article 30, paragraph (1), item (ii), Article 113, paragraph (7) and Article 120-2, items (i) and (iv), the moral rights of authors (著作者人格権), copyright, print rights (出版権), the moral rights of performers (実演家人格権) and neighbouring rights (著作隣接権).
Short name set inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (xx)· applies only in this item and in Article 30, paragraph (1), item (ii); Article 113, paragraph (7); and Article 120-2, paragraph (1), items (i) and (iv)
in Japan
「国内」
The area in which this Act is in force, that is, Japan.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (xxiv)· applies throughout the law
abroad
「国外」
Anywhere outside the area in which this Act is in force, that is, outside Japan.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (xxv)· applies throughout the law
the public
「公衆」
The public, including a large number of specific persons and not only people at large.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (5)· applies throughout the law
copyright
「著作権」
The economic rights of an author set out in Articles 21 to 28: the rights of reproduction, stage and musical performance, on-screen presentation, public transmission, recitation, exhibition, distribution, transfer of ownership, rental, translation and adaptation, and the original author's rights over the use of derivative works.
Short name set inArticle 17, paragraph (1)
private use
「私的使用」
Using a work personally, within one's family or home, or within a similarly limited circle.
Short name set inArticle 30, paragraph (1)
work
「著作物」
In Subsection 5 of Section 3 of Chapter II, a work (著作物) in the narrow sense that is the subject of a copyright, not the wider 著作物等 (works, performances, phonograms, broadcasts and cablecasts) that the Ministry's English also calls 'work'.
Short name set inArticle 30, paragraph (1)· applies only in this subsection
circumvention of technological protection measuresmachine translation
「技術的保護手段の回避」
In Article 30, paragraph (1), item (ii), Article 113, paragraph (7) and Article 120-2, items (i) and (ii), removing or altering the signal of a technological protection measure (技術的保護手段) or otherwise interfering with its effect (except as a technical side effect of converting a recording or transmission format), or restoring sounds or images converted to need a particular conversion, so that an act the measure prevents becomes possible or an act it deters no longer meets an obstacle, unless done in line with the will of the right holders.
Defined inArticle 30, paragraph (1), item (ii)· applies only in this provision and in Article 113, paragraph (7); and Article 120-2, paragraph (1), items (i) and (ii)
specified infringing sound or visual recording
「特定侵害録音録画」
In Article 30, paragraph (1), item (iii) and Article 30, paragraph (2), digital sound or visual recording made by receiving an automatic public transmission that infringes copyright, including one made abroad that would infringe if made in Japan.
Short name set inArticle 30, paragraph (1), item (iii)· applies only in this item and in Article 30, paragraph (2)
specified infringing reproduction
「特定侵害複製」
Digital reproduction (other than sound or visual recording) made by receiving an automatic public transmission that infringes copyright (other than the Article 28 rights over a derivative work created other than by translation), including one made abroad that would infringe if made in Japan, and excluding reproduction that is minor in light of the share of the work reproduced, the display quality and other factors.
Short name set inArticle 30, paragraph (1), item (iv)· applies only in this item and in Article 30, paragraph (2)