合名会社、合資会社又は合同会社（以下「持分会社」と総称する。）を設立するには、その社員になろうとする者が定款を作成し、その全員がこれに署名し、又は記名押印しなければならない。
In order to incorporate an general partnership company, limited partnership company or limited liability company (hereinafter collectively referred to as "membership company"), persons who intend to be its members must prepare articles of incorporation which must be signed by or record the names of and be affixed with the seals, of all members.
The articles of incorporation in the preceding paragraph may be prepared as an electronic or magnetic record. In these cases, measures prescribed by Ministry of Justice Order must be taken in lieu of signing, or the recording of names and affixing of seals, with respect to the data recorded in that electronic or magnetic record.