# 商法 / Commercial Code — 第四章 (Part 2, Chapter 4) This is the Markdown twin of https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/pt-2/ch-4. Every law, and how to address a provision: https://japanlaw.org/llms.txt. The same laws as MCP tools (no sign-in): https://japanlaw.org/mcp. - Law: 商法 (Commercial Code), 明治三十二年法律第四十八号 - English title "Commercial Code": Ministry of Justice translation - Kind: Act — the distinction between 法律 (Act), 政令 (Cabinet Order), 省令 (Ministerial Order) and 条例 (local ordinance) decides who may issue it and what it may say. - Provision: 第四章 (Part 2, Chapter 4) — address `pt-2/ch-4` - Text in force since: 2026-06-24 - URL (the page that opens at this provision): https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/pt-2/ch-4 - Permanent URL (e-Gov law ID, never renamed): https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/pt-2/ch-4 - Every provision below carries its address and both URLs on the line under it. - Japanese text: e-Gov 法令検索, Digital Agency (デジタル庁). English: as marked on each line below. Only the Japanese as published by the government has legal effect; the text below is a copy of it. Every English rendering below is a translation and says which kind: the Ministry of Justice's translation, or this site's machine translation, whose model and date the Sources list names. They are never merged and never substituted for one another. --- ## 第四章　匿名組合 — Chapter IV Silent Partnerships heading: Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System pt-2/ch-4 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/pt-2/ch-4 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/pt-2/ch-4 ### 第五百三十五条（匿名組合契約） — (Silent Partnership Agreements) caption: Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System art-535 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-535 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-535 **第一項** 匿名組合契約は、当事者の一方が相手方の営業のために出資をし、その営業から生ずる利益を分配することを約することによって、その効力を生ずる。 art-535/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-535/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-535/par-1 A silent partnership agreement becomes effective by virtue of a first party promising to make a contribution to a second party's business, and the second party promising to distribute profits arising from its business to the first party. Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System ### 第五百三十六条（匿名組合員の出資及び権利義務） — (Silent Partners' Contributions, Rights, and Obligations) caption: Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System art-536 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-536 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-536 **第一項** 匿名組合員の出資は、営業者の財産に属する。 art-536/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-536/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-536/par-1 A silent partner's contribution is part of the assets of the proprietor. Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System **第二項** 匿名組合員は、金銭その他の財産のみをその出資の目的とすることができる。 art-536/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-536/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-536/par-2 A silent partner may only make money and other assets the subject matter of the contribution. Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System **第三項** 匿名組合員は、営業者の業務を執行し、又は営業者を代表することができない。 art-536/par-3 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-536/par-3 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-536/par-3 A silent partner may not be engaged in executive management of the proprietor's business and may not act as the proprietor's representative. Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System **第四項** 匿名組合員は、営業者の行為について、第三者に対して権利及び義務を有しない。 art-536/par-4 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-536/par-4 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-536/par-4 A silent partner holds no rights against or obligations towards a third party in connection with the actions of the proprietor. Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System ### 第五百三十七条（自己の氏名等の使用を許諾した匿名組合員の責任） — (Liability of Silent Partners Permitting Use of Their Own Names) caption: Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System art-537 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-537 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-537 **第一項** 匿名組合員は、自己の氏若しくは氏名を営業者の商号中に用いること又は自己の商号を営業者の商号として使用することを許諾したときは、その使用以後に生じた債務については、営業者と連帯してこれを弁済する責任を負う。 art-537/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-537/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-537/par-1 If a silent partner permits the use of their own surname or full name in the trade name of the proprietor or permits the use of its own trade name as the trade name of the proprietor, the partner is liable, jointly and severally with the proprietor, for any obligations arising once the name is in use. Ministry of Justice translation with a slip corrected by this site — not the Ministry's text; the Ministry printed: "If a silent partner permits the use of their own surname or full name in the trade name of the proprietor or permits the use of its own trade name in the trade name of the proprietor, the partner is liable, jointly and severally with the proprietor, for any obligations arising once the name is in use." — https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/4293/tb ### 第五百三十八条（利益の配当の制限） — (Restriction on Dividends of Profits) caption: Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System art-538 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-538 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-538 **第一項** 出資が損失によって減少したときは、その損失をてん補した後でなければ、匿名組合員は、利益の配当を請求することができない。 art-538/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-538/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-538/par-1 If a contribution decreases due to a loss, a silent partner may not claim a dividend of profits until after compensating for the loss. Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System ### 第五百三十九条（貸借対照表の閲覧等並びに業務及び財産状況に関する検査） — (Inspecting Balance Sheets; Checking on State of Business and Assets) caption: Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System art-539 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-539 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-539 **第一項** 匿名組合員は、営業年度の終了時において、営業者の営業時間内に、次に掲げる請求をし、又は営業者の業務及び財産の状況を検査することができる。 art-539/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-539/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-539/par-1 At the end of the business year, during the business hours of the proprietor, a silent partner may make the following requests and check on the state of the proprietor's business and assets: Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System **一** 営業者の貸借対照表が書面をもって作成されているときは、当該書面の閲覧又は謄写の請求 art-539/par-1/item-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-539/par-1/item-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-539/par-1/item-1 if the proprietor's balance sheet is prepared in the form of a paper document, a request to inspect or copy that document; Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System **二** 営業者の貸借対照表が電磁的記録（電子的方式、磁気的方式その他人の知覚によっては認識することができない方式で作られる記録であって、電子計算機による情報処理の用に供されるもので法務省令で定めるものをいう。）をもって作成されているときは、当該電磁的記録に記録された事項を法務省令で定める方法により表示したものの閲覧又は謄写の請求 art-539/par-1/item-2 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-539/par-1/item-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-539/par-1/item-2 if the proprietor's balance sheet is prepared in the form of an electronic or magnetic record (meaning a record used in computerized data processing as provided for by the Ministry of Justice Order, which is created in electronic form, magnetic form, or any other form that cannot be perceived by the human senses), a request to inspect or copy something that has been made to show the information recorded in the electronic or magnetic record, in the manner that the Ministry of Justice Order prescribes. Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System **第二項** 匿名組合員は、重要な事由があるときは、いつでも、裁判所の許可を得て、営業者の業務及び財産の状況を検査することができる。 art-539/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-539/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-539/par-2 If there are material grounds for a silent partner to do so, the partner may check on the state of the business and assets of the proprietor at any time, with the permission of the court. Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System **第三項** 前項の許可に係る事件は、営業者の営業所の所在地（営業所がない場合にあっては、営業者の住所地）を管轄する地方裁判所が管轄する。 art-539/par-3 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-539/par-3 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-539/par-3 A case in which a person seeks the permission referred to in the preceding paragraph is subject to the jurisdiction of the district court having jurisdiction over the locality of the proprietor's place of business (or its domicile, if it has no place of business). Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System ### 第五百四十条（匿名組合契約の解除） — (Cancellation of Silent Partnership Agreements) caption: Ministry of Justice translation with a slip corrected by this site — not the Ministry's text; the Ministry printed: "(Termination of Silent Partnership Agreements)" — https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/4293/tb art-540 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-540 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-540 **第一項** 匿名組合契約で匿名組合の存続期間を定めなかったとき、又はある当事者の終身の間匿名組合が存続すべきことを定めたときは、各当事者は、営業年度の終了時において、契約の解除をすることができる。ただし、六箇月前にその予告をしなければならない。 art-540/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-540/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-540/par-1 If a silent partnership agreement does not specify the duration of the silent partnership or if it provides that the silent partnership is to continue to exist for the life of either party, either party may cancel the agreement at the end of a business year; provided, however, that the party cancelling the agreement must give six months' advance notice. Ministry of Justice translation with a slip corrected by this site — not the Ministry's text; the Ministry printed: "If a silent partnership agreement does not specify the duration of the silent partnership or if it provides that the silent partnership is to continue to exist for the life of either party, either party may terminate the agreement at the end of a business year; provided, however, that the party terminating the agreement must give six months' advance notice." — https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/4293/tb **第二項** 匿名組合の存続期間を定めたか否かにかかわらず、やむを得ない事由があるときは、各当事者は、いつでも匿名組合契約の解除をすることができる。 art-540/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-540/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-540/par-2 Regardless of whether or not the duration of a silent partnership is specified, either party may cancel the silent partnership agreement at any time, if there is a compelling reason to do so. Ministry of Justice translation with a slip corrected by this site — not the Ministry's text; the Ministry printed: "Regardless of whether or not the duration of a silent partnership is specified, either party may terminate the silent partnership agreement at any time, if there is a compelling reason to do so." — https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/4293/tb ### 第五百四十一条（匿名組合契約の終了事由） — (Circumstances That End Silent Partnership Agreements) caption: Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System art-541 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-541 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-541 **第一項** 前条の場合のほか、匿名組合契約は、次に掲げる事由によって終了する。 art-541/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-541/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-541/par-1 Other than in cases as referred to in the preceding Article, a silent partnership agreement ends as a result of the following circumstances: Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System **一** 匿名組合の目的である事業の成功又はその成功の不能 art-541/par-1/item-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-541/par-1/item-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-541/par-1/item-1 the successful completion of the business that is the objective of the silent partnership, or the impossibility of its successful completion; Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System **二** 営業者の死亡又は営業者が後見開始の審判を受けたこと。 art-541/par-1/item-2 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-541/par-1/item-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-541/par-1/item-2 the death of the proprietor or the proprietor's becoming subject to a ruling for the commencement of guardianship; Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System **三** 営業者又は匿名組合員が破産手続開始の決定を受けたこと。 art-541/par-1/item-3 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-541/par-1/item-3 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-541/par-1/item-3 the proprietor's or silent partner's becoming subject to an order commencing bankruptcy proceedings. Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System ### 第五百四十二条（匿名組合契約の終了に伴う出資の価額の返還） — (Return of Value of Contribution at the End of Silent Partnership Agreement) caption: Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System art-542 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-542 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-542 **第一項** 匿名組合契約が終了したときは、営業者は、匿名組合員にその出資の価額を返還しなければならない。ただし、出資が損失によって減少したときは、その残額を返還すれば足りる。 art-542/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-542/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-542/par-1 Once a silent partnership agreement has ended, the proprietor must return the value of the contribution to the silent partner; provided, however, that if the contribution has decreased due to a loss, it is sufficient for the proprietor to return the remaining value. Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System --- ## Cites - art-539/par-3: 前項 → 商法 第五百三十九条第二項 (Article 539, paragraph (2)), art-539/par-2 — https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-539/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-539/par-2 - art-541/par-1: 前条 → 商法 第五百四十条 (Article 540), art-540 — https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-540 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-540 --- ## Sources - claude-opus-5-5 — Corrections to the Ministry of Justice's English of paragraphs, written 2026-11-05 - e-Gov 法令検索, Digital Agency (デジタル庁) — 商法 — the text in force from 2026-06-24 (https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/132AC0000000048/20260624_508AC0000000046), retrieved 2026-11-05 - Japanese Law Translation Database System, Ministry of Justice (法務省) — Commercial Code (商法), Article 537, paragraph (1) — the Ministry of Justice's English as printed (https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/4293/tb), retrieved 2026-11-05 - Japanese Law Translation Database System, Ministry of Justice (法務省) — Commercial Code (商法), Article 540 — the Ministry of Justice's English as printed (https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/4293/tb), retrieved 2026-11-05 - Japanese Law Translation Database System, Ministry of Justice (法務省) — Commercial Code (商法), Article 540, paragraph (1) — the Ministry of Justice's English as printed (https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/4293/tb), retrieved 2026-11-05 - Japanese Law Translation Database System, Ministry of Justice (法務省) — Commercial Code (商法), Article 540, paragraph (2) — the Ministry of Justice's English as printed (https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/4293/tb), retrieved 2026-11-05 - Japanese Law Translation Database System, Ministry of Justice (法務省) — Commercial Code — Ministry of Justice translation (https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/4293/tb), retrieved 2026-11-05 - This site's parser, version 224 — 商法 — structure, counts, cross-references and defined terms, computed 2026-11-05