①In litigation involving infringement that may harm business interests through unfair competition, if a party, legal representative, or witness is to be examined regarding a matter that serves as the basis for determining whether the infringement occurred and the matter falls under trade secrets held by that party, and if the court, by the unanimous agreement of the judges, finds that the party, legal representative, or witness is unable to provide a sufficient statement because it is clear that giving such a statement in open court would significantly hinder the party's business activities based on the trade secrets, and that, without the statement, the court would be unable to make an appropriate judicial decision regarding whether the infringement occurred, the court may rule to conduct the examination of the matter in a closed session.

②The court must hear the opinions of the parties, etc. in advance before making the ruling under the preceding paragraph.

③In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, if the court finds it necessary, the court may order a party, etc., to present the court with a document outlining the matters to be stated or an electronic or magnetic record recording the matters that are to be written in such a document. In such a case, no person may request the disclosure of the presented document or electronic or magnetic record.

④If the court finds it necessary to disclose the documents or electronic or magnetic records under the second sentence of the preceding paragraph and to hear opinions, the court may disclose them to the relevant parties, etc., the counsel, or the assistant in court.

⑤If the court is to conduct an examination on a matter without opening it to the public pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), it must make a statement to that effect along with the reason for it to the members of the public before having them leave the courtroom. When the examination on the matter ends, the court must allow the members of the public to re-enter the courtroom.