# 会社法 / Companies Act — 第五百七十四条 (Article 574)

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- Law: 会社法 (Companies Act), 平成十七年法律第八十六号
- English title "Companies Act": 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: 第五百七十四条 (Article 574)（破産手続開始の決定） — address `art-574`
- Text in force since: 2026-08-12
- URL (the page that opens at this provision): https://japanlaw.org/en/companies-act/art-574
- Permanent URL (e-Gov law ID, never renamed): https://japanlaw.org/l/417AC0000000086/art-574
- 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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### 第五百七十四条（破産手続開始の決定） — (Ruling for Commencement of Bankruptcy Procedures)
<sup>caption: Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>
<sup>art-574 · https://japanlaw.org/en/companies-act/art-574 · https://japanlaw.org/l/417AC0000000086/art-574</sup>

      **第一項**  裁判所は、特別清算開始後、次に掲げる場合において、清算株式会社に破産手続開始の原因となる事実があると認めるときは、職権で、破産法に従い、破産手続開始の決定をしなければならない。
      <sup>art-574/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/companies-act/art-574/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/417AC0000000086/art-574/par-1</sup>
      After the commencement of special liquidation, if the court finds, in the cases set forth below, facts on the part of the liquidating stock company that constitute cause for the commencement of bankruptcy proceedings, the court must make ex officio the ruling for commencement of bankruptcy proceedings in accordance with the Bankruptcy Act:
      <sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

        **一**  協定の見込みがないとき。
        <sup>art-574/par-1/item-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/companies-act/art-574/par-1/item-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/417AC0000000086/art-574/par-1/item-1</sup>
        if there is no prospect of an agreement;
        <sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

        **二**  協定の実行の見込みがないとき。
        <sup>art-574/par-1/item-2 · https://japanlaw.org/en/companies-act/art-574/par-1/item-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/417AC0000000086/art-574/par-1/item-2</sup>
        if there is no prospect that the agreement will be implemented; or
        <sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

        **三**  特別清算によることが債権者の一般の利益に反するとき。
        <sup>art-574/par-1/item-3 · https://japanlaw.org/en/companies-act/art-574/par-1/item-3 · https://japanlaw.org/l/417AC0000000086/art-574/par-1/item-3</sup>
        if reliance on the special liquidation is contrary to the general interest of the creditors.
        <sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

      **第二項**  裁判所は、特別清算開始後、次に掲げる場合において、清算株式会社に破産手続開始の原因となる事実があると認めるときは、職権で、破産法に従い、破産手続開始の決定をすることができる。
      <sup>art-574/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/en/companies-act/art-574/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/417AC0000000086/art-574/par-2</sup>
      After the commencement of special liquidation, if the court finds, in the cases set forth below, facts on the part of the liquidating stock company that constitute cause for the commencement of bankruptcy proceedings, the court may make an ex officio ruling for commencement of bankruptcy proceedings in accordance with the Bankruptcy Act:
      <sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

        **一**  協定が否決されたとき。
        <sup>art-574/par-2/item-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/companies-act/art-574/par-2/item-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/417AC0000000086/art-574/par-2/item-1</sup>
        if an agreement is not adopted; or
        <sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

        **二**  協定の不認可の決定が確定したとき。
        <sup>art-574/par-2/item-2 · https://japanlaw.org/en/companies-act/art-574/par-2/item-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/417AC0000000086/art-574/par-2/item-2</sup>
        if a ruling to reject an agreement has become final and binding.
        <sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

      **第三項**  前二項の規定により破産手続開始の決定があった場合における破産法第七十一条第一項第四号並びに第二項第二号及び第三号、第七十二条第一項第四号並びに第二項第二号及び第三号、第百六十条（第一項第一号を除く。）、第百六十二条（第一項第二号を除く。）、第百六十三条第二項、第百六十四条第一項（同条第二項において準用する場合を含む。）、第百六十六条並びに第百六十七条第二項（同法第百七十条第二項において準用する場合を含む。）の規定の適用については、次の各号に掲げる区分に応じ、当該各号に定める申立てがあった時に破産手続開始の申立てがあったものとみなす。
      <sup>art-574/par-3 · https://japanlaw.org/en/companies-act/art-574/par-3 · https://japanlaw.org/l/417AC0000000086/art-574/par-3</sup>
      For the purpose of the application of the provisions of Article 71, paragraph (1), item (iv) and paragraph (2), items (ii) and (iii), Article 72, paragraph (1), item (iv) and paragraph (2), items (ii) and (iii), Article 160 (excluding paragraph (1), item (i)), Article 162 (excluding paragraph (1), item (ii)), Article 163, paragraph (2), Article 164, paragraph (1) (including the cases where that paragraph is applied mutatis mutandis under paragraph (2) of that Article), Article 166, and Article 167, paragraph (2) (including the cases where that paragraph is applied mutatis mutandis under Article 170, paragraph (2)) of the Bankruptcy Act if a ruling to commence bankruptcy proceedings has been made under the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs, the petition for the commencement of bankruptcy proceedings is deemed to have been filed at the time when the petition in each of the following items for the case categories set forth in each of relevant items were filed:
      <sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

        **一**  特別清算開始の申立ての前に特別清算開始の命令の確定によって効力を失った破産手続における破産手続開始の申立てがある場合　当該破産手続開始の申立て
        <sup>art-574/par-3/item-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/companies-act/art-574/par-3/item-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/417AC0000000086/art-574/par-3/item-1</sup>
        if there was a petition for the commencement of bankruptcy proceedings before the petition for the commencement of special liquidation in bankruptcy proceedings that became ineffective because the order to commence special liquidation becoming final and binding:relevant petition for the commencement of bankruptcy proceedings;
        <sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

        **二**  前号に掲げる場合以外の場合　特別清算開始の申立て
        <sup>art-574/par-3/item-2 · https://japanlaw.org/en/companies-act/art-574/par-3/item-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/417AC0000000086/art-574/par-3/item-2</sup>
        in cases other than the cases set forth in the preceding item:the petition for the commencement of special liquidation.
        <sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

      **第四項**  第一項又は第二項の規定により破産手続開始の決定があったときは、特別清算の手続のために清算株式会社に対して生じた債権及び特別清算の手続に関する清算株式会社に対する費用請求権は、財団債権とする。
      <sup>art-574/par-4 · https://japanlaw.org/en/companies-act/art-574/par-4 · https://japanlaw.org/l/417AC0000000086/art-574/par-4</sup>
      If a ruling to commence bankruptcy proceedings is handed down under the provisions of paragraph (1) or paragraph (2), claims that have arisen in relation to the liquidating stock company for the proceedings for special liquidation and rights to seek reimbursement of expense regarding the procedures for special liquidation from the liquidating stock company constitute preferred claims against the bankrupt's estate.
      <sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

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## Cites
- art-574/par-3: 前二項 → 会社法 第五百七十四条第一項 (Article 574, paragraph (1)), art-574/par-1 — https://japanlaw.org/en/companies-act/art-574/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/417AC0000000086/art-574/par-1
- art-574/par-3: 前二項 → 会社法 第五百七十四条第二項 (Article 574, paragraph (2)), art-574/par-2 — https://japanlaw.org/en/companies-act/art-574/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/417AC0000000086/art-574/par-2
- art-574/par-3: 破産法第七十一条第一項第四号 → 破産法 第七十一条第一項第四号 (Article 71, paragraph (1), item (iv)), art-71/par-1/item-4 — https://japanlaw.org/en/bankruptcy-act/art-71/par-1/item-4 · https://japanlaw.org/l/416AC0000000075/art-71/par-1/item-4
- art-574/par-3: 第二項第二号 → 破産法 第七十一条第二項第二号 (Article 71, paragraph (2), item (ii)), art-71/par-2/item-2 — https://japanlaw.org/en/bankruptcy-act/art-71/par-2/item-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/416AC0000000075/art-71/par-2/item-2
- art-574/par-3: 第三号 → 破産法 第七十一条第二項第三号 (Article 71, paragraph (2), item (iii)), art-71/par-2/item-3 — https://japanlaw.org/en/bankruptcy-act/art-71/par-2/item-3 · https://japanlaw.org/l/416AC0000000075/art-71/par-2/item-3
- art-574/par-3: 第七十二条第一項第四号 → 破産法 第七十二条第一項第四号 (Article 72, paragraph (1), item (iv)), art-72/par-1/item-4 — https://japanlaw.org/en/bankruptcy-act/art-72/par-1/item-4 · https://japanlaw.org/l/416AC0000000075/art-72/par-1/item-4
- art-574/par-3: 第二項第二号 → 破産法 第七十二条第二項第二号 (Article 72, paragraph (2), item (ii)), art-72/par-2/item-2 — https://japanlaw.org/en/bankruptcy-act/art-72/par-2/item-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/416AC0000000075/art-72/par-2/item-2
- art-574/par-3: 第三号 → 破産法 第七十二条第二項第三号 (Article 72, paragraph (2), item (iii)), art-72/par-2/item-3 — https://japanlaw.org/en/bankruptcy-act/art-72/par-2/item-3 · https://japanlaw.org/l/416AC0000000075/art-72/par-2/item-3
- art-574/par-3: 第百六十条 → 破産法 第百六十条 (Article 160), art-160 — https://japanlaw.org/en/bankruptcy-act/art-160 · https://japanlaw.org/l/416AC0000000075/art-160
- art-574/par-3: 第一項第一号 → 破産法 第百六十条第一項第一号 (Article 160, paragraph (1), item (i)), art-160/par-1/item-1 — https://japanlaw.org/en/bankruptcy-act/art-160/par-1/item-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/416AC0000000075/art-160/par-1/item-1
- art-574/par-3: 第百六十二条 → 破産法 第百六十二条 (Article 162), art-162 — https://japanlaw.org/en/bankruptcy-act/art-162 · https://japanlaw.org/l/416AC0000000075/art-162
- art-574/par-3: 第一項第二号 → 破産法 第百六十二条第一項第二号 (Article 162, paragraph (1), item (ii)), art-162/par-1/item-2 — https://japanlaw.org/en/bankruptcy-act/art-162/par-1/item-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/416AC0000000075/art-162/par-1/item-2
- art-574/par-3: 第百六十三条第二項 → 破産法 第百六十三条第二項 (Article 163, paragraph (2)), art-163/par-2 — https://japanlaw.org/en/bankruptcy-act/art-163/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/416AC0000000075/art-163/par-2
- art-574/par-3: 第百六十四条第一項 → 破産法 第百六十四条第一項 (Article 164, paragraph (1)), art-164/par-1 — https://japanlaw.org/en/bankruptcy-act/art-164/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/416AC0000000075/art-164/par-1
- art-574/par-3: 同条第二項 → 破産法 第百六十四条第二項 (Article 164, paragraph (2)), art-164/par-2 — https://japanlaw.org/en/bankruptcy-act/art-164/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/416AC0000000075/art-164/par-2
- art-574/par-3: 第百六十六条 → 破産法 第百六十六条 (Article 166), art-166 — https://japanlaw.org/en/bankruptcy-act/art-166 · https://japanlaw.org/l/416AC0000000075/art-166
- art-574/par-3: 第百六十七条第二項 → 破産法 第百六十七条第二項 (Article 167, paragraph (2)), art-167/par-2 — https://japanlaw.org/en/bankruptcy-act/art-167/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/416AC0000000075/art-167/par-2
- art-574/par-3: 同法第百七十条第二項 → 破産法 第百七十条第二項 (Article 170, paragraph (2)), art-170/par-2 — https://japanlaw.org/en/bankruptcy-act/art-170/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/416AC0000000075/art-170/par-2
- art-574/par-3/item-2: 前号 → 会社法 第五百七十四条第三項第一号 (Article 574, paragraph (3), item (i)), art-574/par-3/item-1 — https://japanlaw.org/en/companies-act/art-574/par-3/item-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/417AC0000000086/art-574/par-3/item-1
- art-574/par-4: 第一項 → 会社法 第五百七十四条第一項 (Article 574, paragraph (1)), art-574/par-1 — https://japanlaw.org/en/companies-act/art-574/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/417AC0000000086/art-574/par-1
- art-574/par-4: 第二項 → 会社法 第五百七十四条第二項 (Article 574, paragraph (2)), art-574/par-2 — https://japanlaw.org/en/companies-act/art-574/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/417AC0000000086/art-574/par-2

## Cited by

3 provisions cite this one. No official source publishes this direction.

- 会社法 第五百七十四条第三項（破産手続開始の決定） — https://japanlaw.org/en/companies-act/art-574/par-3 · https://japanlaw.org/l/417AC0000000086/art-574/par-3
- 会社法 第五百七十四条第三項第二号（破産手続開始の決定） — https://japanlaw.org/en/companies-act/art-574/par-3/item-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/417AC0000000086/art-574/par-3/item-2
- 会社法 第五百七十四条第四項（破産手続開始の決定） — https://japanlaw.org/en/companies-act/art-574/par-4 · https://japanlaw.org/l/417AC0000000086/art-574/par-4

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## Sources

- e-Gov 法令検索, Digital Agency (デジタル庁) — 会社法 — the text in force from 2026-08-12 (https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/417AC0000000086/20260812_508AC0000000064), retrieved 2026-09-17
- Japanese Law Translation Database System, Ministry of Justice (法務省) — Companies Act — Ministry of Justice translation (part 1 of 2) (https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/4481/tb), retrieved 2026-09-17
- This site's parser, version 223 — 会社法 — structure, counts, cross-references and defined terms, computed 2026-09-17