# 商法 / Commercial Code — 第二章 (Part 3, Chapter 2)

This is the Markdown twin of https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/pt-3/ch-2. 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: 第二章 (Part 3, Chapter 2) — address `pt-3/ch-2`
- Text in force since: 2026-06-24
- URL (the page that opens at this provision): https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/pt-3/ch-2
- Permanent URL (e-Gov law ID, never renamed): https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/pt-3/ch-2
- 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.

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## 第二章　船長 — Chapter II Ships' Master
<sup>heading: Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>
<sup>pt-3/ch-2 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/pt-3/ch-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/pt-3/ch-2</sup>

### 第七百八条（船長の代理権） — (Master's Authority to Act as Agent)
<sup>caption: Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>
<sup>art-708 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-708 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-708</sup>

  **第一項**  船長は、船籍港外においては、次に掲げる行為を除き、船舶所有者に代わって航海のために必要な一切の裁判上又は裁判外の行為をする権限を有する。
  <sup>art-708/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-708/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-708/par-1</sup>
  Outside the port of registration, the master has the authority to perform any and all acts in and out of court as are necessary for a voyage on behalf of the shipowner, except for the following acts:
  <sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

    **一**  船舶について抵当権を設定すること。
    <sup>art-708/par-1/item-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-708/par-1/item-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-708/par-1/item-1</sup>
    mortgaging the ship; and
    <sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

    **二**  借財をすること。
    <sup>art-708/par-1/item-2 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-708/par-1/item-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-708/par-1/item-2</sup>
    borrowing money.
    <sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

  **第二項**  船長の代理権に加えた制限は、善意の第三者に対抗することができない。
  <sup>art-708/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-708/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-708/par-2</sup>
  A limitation on the master's authority to act as agent may not be asserted against a third party in good faith.
  <sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

### 第七百九条（船長による職務代行者の選任） — (Appointment of Proxy by Master)
<sup>caption: Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>
<sup>art-709 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-709 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-709</sup>

  **第一項**  船長は、やむを得ない事由により自ら船舶を指揮することができない場合には、法令に別段の定めがあるときを除き、自己に代わって船長の職務を行うべき者を選任することができる。この場合において、船長は、船舶所有者に対してその選任についての責任を負う。
  <sup>art-709/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-709/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-709/par-1</sup>
  If the master is unable to command the ship due to a compelling reason, the master may appoint another person to perform the master's duties, unless otherwise provided for by laws and regulations. In this case, the master is responsible to the shipowner for the appointment.
  <sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

### 第七百十条（属具目録の備置き） — (Keeping of Equipment Inventory)
<sup>caption: Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>
<sup>art-710 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-710 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-710</sup>

  **第一項**  船長は、属具目録を船内に備え置かなければならない。
  <sup>art-710/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-710/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-710/par-1</sup>
  The master must keep the equipment inventory on board the ship.
  <sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

### 第七百十一条（船長による積荷の処分） — (Handling of Cargo by Master)
<sup>caption: Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>
<sup>art-711 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-711 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-711</sup>

  **第一項**  船長は、航海中に積荷の利害関係人の利益のため必要があるときは、利害関係人に代わり、最もその利益に適合する方法によって、その積荷の処分をしなければならない。
  <sup>art-711/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-711/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-711/par-1</sup>
  While a ship is at sea, the master must handle cargo on behalf of persons with an interest in the cargo in a way that is in their best interests, when it is necessary to do so in order to benefit their interests.
  <sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

  **第二項**  積荷の利害関係人は、前項の処分によりその積荷について債務を負担したときは、当該債務に係る債権者にその積荷について有する権利を移転して、その責任を免れることができる。ただし、利害関係人に過失があったときは、この限りでない。
  <sup>art-711/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-711/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-711/par-2</sup>
  If a person with an interest in cargo incurs an obligation in connection with that cargo due to the handling referred to in the preceding paragraph, the interested person may be released from the liability for that obligation by transferring its rights in the cargo to the obligee; provided, however, that this does not apply if there is negligence on the part of the interested person.
  <sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

### 第七百十二条（航海継続のための積荷の使用） — (Using Cargo to Continue Voyage)
<sup>caption: Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>
<sup>art-712 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-712 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-712</sup>

  **第一項**  船長は、航海を継続するため必要があるときは、積荷を航海の用に供することができる。
  <sup>art-712/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-712/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-712/par-1</sup>
  The master may use the cargo for a voyage if this is necessary in order to continue the voyage.
  <sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

  **第二項**  第五百七十六条第一項及び第二項の規定は、前項の場合において船舶所有者が支払うべき償金の額について準用する。この場合において、同条第一項中「引渡し」とあるのは、「陸揚げ」と読み替えるものとする。
  <sup>art-712/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-712/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-712/par-2</sup>
  The provisions of Article 576, paragraphs (1) and (2) apply mutatis mutandis to the amount of compensation payable by the shipowner in the case referred to in the preceding paragraph. In this case, the term "delivered" in paragraph (1) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "discharged".
  <sup>Ministry of Justice translation with a slip corrected by this site — not the Ministry's text; the Ministry printed: "The provisions of Article 576, paragraphs (1) and (2) apply mutatis mutandis to the amount of compensation payable by the shipowner in the case referred to in the preceding paragraph. In this case, the term "delivery" in paragraph (1) of that Article is deemed to be replaced with "discharge"." — https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/4293/tb</sup>

### 第七百十三条（船長の責任） — (Liability of Master)
<sup>caption: Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>
<sup>art-713 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-713 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-713</sup>

  **第一項**  船長は、海員がその職務を行うについて故意又は過失によって他人に加えた損害を賠償する責任を負う。ただし、船長が海員の監督について注意を怠らなかったことを証明したときは、この限りでない。
  <sup>art-713/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-713/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-713/par-1</sup>
  The master is liable to compensate for loss or damage that the crew members cause to others intentionally or negligently in the course of performing their duties; provided, however, that this does not apply if the master proves that the master did not neglect to exercise due care in supervision of the crew members.
  <sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

### 第七百十四条（船長の報告義務） — (Master's Duty to Report)
<sup>caption: Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>
<sup>art-714 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-714 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-714</sup>

  **第一項**  船長は、遅滞なく、航海に関する重要な事項を船舶所有者に報告しなければならない。
  <sup>art-714/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-714/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-714/par-1</sup>
  The master must report material information about a voyage to the shipowner without delay.
  <sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

### 第七百十五条（船長の解任） — (Dismissal of Master)
<sup>caption: Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>
<sup>art-715 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-715 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-715</sup>

  **第一項**  船舶所有者は、いつでも、船長を解任することができる。
  <sup>art-715/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-715/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-715/par-1</sup>
  A shipowner may dismiss the master at any time.
  <sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

  **第二項**  前項の規定により解任された船長は、その解任について正当な理由がある場合を除き、船舶所有者に対し、解任によって生じた損害の賠償を請求することができる。
  <sup>art-715/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-715/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-715/par-2</sup>
  The master who is dismissed pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph may demand compensation from the shipowner for loss or damage arising from the dismissal, unless there are reasonable grounds for the dismissal.
  <sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

  **第三項**  船長が船舶共有者である場合において、その意に反して解任されたときは、船長は、他の船舶共有者に対し、相当の対価で自己の持分を買い取ることを請求することができる。
  <sup>art-715/par-3 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-715/par-3 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-715/par-3</sup>
  If the master is one of the part owners of the ship and is subject to involuntary dismissal, the master may demand that the other part owners buy out the master's share at a reasonable price.
  <sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

  **第四項**  船長は、前項の規定による請求をしようとするときは、遅滞なく、他の船舶共有者又は船舶管理人に対してその旨の通知を発しなければならない。
  <sup>art-715/par-4 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-715/par-4 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-715/par-4</sup>
  Before seeking to make the demand under the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the master must issue notice of this to the other part owners or to the ship's manager without delay.
  <sup>Ministry of Justice translation with a slip corrected by this site — not the Ministry's text; the Ministry printed: "Before seeking to make the demand under the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the master must issue notice of this to the other part owners or to the ship's husband without delay." — https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/4293/tb</sup>

### 第七百十六条から第七百三十六条まで  〔削除 / repealed〕
<sup>art-716-to-736 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-716-to-736 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-716-to-736</sup>

  **第一項**  削除
  <sup>art-716-to-736/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-716-to-736/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-716-to-736/par-1</sup>
  <sup>no English for this paragraph</sup>

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## Cites
- art-711/par-2: 前項 → 商法 第七百十一条第一項 (Article 711, paragraph (1)), art-711/par-1 — https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-711/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-711/par-1
- art-712/par-2: 第五百七十六条第一項 → 商法 第五百七十六条第一項 (Article 576, paragraph (1)), art-576/par-1 — https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-576/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-576/par-1
- art-712/par-2: 第二項 → 商法 第五百七十六条第二項 (Article 576, paragraph (2)), art-576/par-2 — https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-576/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-576/par-2
- art-712/par-2: 前項 → 商法 第七百十二条第一項 (Article 712, paragraph (1)), art-712/par-1 — https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-712/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-712/par-1
- art-715/par-2: 前項 → 商法 第七百十五条第一項 (Article 715, paragraph (1)), art-715/par-1 — https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-715/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-715/par-1
- art-715/par-4: 前項 → 商法 第七百十五条第三項 (Article 715, paragraph (3)), art-715/par-3 — https://japanlaw.org/en/commercial-code/art-715/par-3 · https://japanlaw.org/l/132AC0000000048/art-715/par-3

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## 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 712, 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 (商法), Article 715, paragraph (4) — 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