(5) The statute of limitations shall not run in the period in
which dispositions are prohibited or suspended pursuant to Paragraphs
(2) and (3).
(6) The court may, if it deems that there would be no detriment
to reorganization, order the continuation of the suspended proceedings
or dispositions, ex officio or upon the application of the receiver
or a person with the authority of collection regarding the claim
prescribed in Article122 ( 1) , and if the court deems it necessary
for reorganization, it may order the cancellation of dispositions
or procedures suspended with or without the offering of any security,
ex officio or upon the request of the receiver; provided, that
this will not apply in the case of bankruptcy proceedings.
(7) Any claims arising in respect of the company as a result
of proceedings which lost effect in accordance with Paragraph
(1), claims for expenses in respect of the company regarding such
proceedings, or claims for expenses in respect of the company
regarding dispositions or proceedings continued in accordance
with the preceding paragraph, shall be claims for common profits.
Article 68 (Suspension of Legal Proceedings)
When a decision has been made to commence reorganization proceedings,
legal proceedings relating to company property shall be suspended.
Article 69 (Taking Over of Proceedings)
(1) Any legal proceedings suspended pursuant to the preceding
Article, which are not related to reorganization claims or securities,
may be taken over by the receiver or the other party. In this
case, the claim for litigation expenses in respect of the company,
shall be a claim for common profits.
(2) If the reorganization proceedings are completed prior to
the taking-over under the preceding Paragraph, the company shall
naturally take over the legal proceedings.
(3) If the reorganization proceedings are completed after the
taking-over occurs under the preceding paragraph, the legal proceedings
shall be suspended. In this case, the company shall take over
the legal proceedings.
(4) In the case referred to in the preceding Paragraph, the other
party may also take over the legal proceedings.
Article 70 (Cases pending before Administrative Agency)
The provisions of the two preceding Article shall apply mutatis
mutandis to any case concerning company property pending before
the administrative agency at the time the reorganization proceedings
are commenced.
Article 71 (Transfer)
(1) If litigation relating to company property is pending in
another court at the same time as commencement of the reorganization
proceedings, the court dealing with reorganization may decide
to request the transfer thereof. This provision shall also apply
in cases where litigation is pending in another court after the
commencement of reorganization proceedings.
(2) When the decision referred to in the preceding paragraph
is made, the court receiving the request for transfer shall transfer
the litigation to the court dealing with reorganization.
(3) The transfer referred to in the preceding paragraph may be
carried out even during the interruption or suspension of the
legal proceedings.
(4) The provisions of the three preceding paragraphs shall not
apply to any litigation pending in a superior court.
Article 72 (Court Measures)
(1) Where a decision has been made for the commencement of reorganization
proceedings, the court may, if it deems it necessary, ex officio
or upon the request of the receiver, order the following measures
in addition to those prescribed in Article 39:
- Assessment of any claim for the payment of shares to promoters,
directors, auditors, inspectors or liquidators, or for damages
on the basis of their responsibility; and
- Preservative measures taken in respect of the property of
the promoters, directors, auditors, inspectors, or liquidators
in relation to the claim for the payment of shares or damages
referred to in the preceding subparagraph.
(2) The court may, if it deems it urgently necessary, order
the measures referred to in subparagraph 2 of the preceding paragraph,
even prior to the making of a decision to commence reorganization
proceedings.
(3) The provisions of Article 39 (3) and
(4) shall apply mutatis mutandis to any measures referred to
in paragraph (1) 2 and paragraph (2).
Article 73 (Commencement of Proceedings for Assessment of
Claims for Payment of Shares etc.)
(1) Upon the making a request for assessment pursuant to paragraph
(1)1 of the preceding Article, an explanation shall be given of
the facts giving rise thereto.
(2) Where the court commences ex officio assessment proceedings,
it shall issue a decision to that effect.
Article 74 (Judgment concerning Assessment)
(1) Judgment of the assessment and judgments rejecting the application
for assessment shall be handed down by a decision with the reasons
attached.
(2) The court shall undertake an examination of the interested
persons prior to the decision.
Article 75 (Actions for Objection)
(1) Any person-who is dissatisfied with the judgment of assessment,
may bring an action for objection within the peremptory term of
one month after being served with the decision.
(2) Any judgment authorizing or modifying the assessment, shall
have the same effect as a judgment ordering performance of compulsory
execution.
(3) Actions under paragraph (1) shall fall under the exclusive
jurisdiction of the court concerned with reorganization, and pleadings
may not begin unless and until the period prescribed in the said
paragraph has elapsed.
(4) If several actions are pending simultaneously, the pleadings
and judgments shall be joined.
Article 76 (Effect of Assessment)
If no action is brought within the period prescribed in Paragraph
(1) of the preceding Article, the assessment shall have the same
effect as a final and conclusive judgment ordering performance.
This provision shall also apply in cases where the action is dismissed.
Article 77 (Interruption of Prescription)
An application for assessment shall be regarded as a judicial
claim in regard to suspension of the statute of limitations. This
provision shall also apply to the ex officio commencement of assessment
proceedings.
Article 78 (Right of Denial)
(1) The following acts may be denied in the interests of company
property after the commencement of reorganization proceedings:
- Acts performed by the company in knowledge of the fact that
it might be prejudicial to any reorganization creditors or security
holders (hereinafter in this Article referred to as the "reorganization
creditors, et al." ); provided, that this provision shall not
apply to cases where the person who benefited from such act,
did not know that it might be prejudicial to the reorganization
creditors, et al. at the time of such act;
- Acts prejudicial to the reorganization creditors, et al.,
and acts concerning the offer of any security or the cancellation
of an obligation, committed by the company after applications
for the suspension of payment, bankruptcy, or the commencement
of composition proceedings or reorganization proceedings (hereinafter
referred to in this Article as the "suspension of payment, etc."
); provided, that this is limited only to cases where the person
who benefited from such act, had knowledge of the fact that
suspension of payment, etc. took place, or that such acts were
prejudicial to the reorganization creditors, et al. at the time
of the act ;
- Acts concerning the provision of security or the cancellation
of an obligation, performed by the company upon suspension,
etc. of the payment, or within ,thirty days prior to such act,
which do not fall within the duties of the company, or the method
or time of which does not fall within the duties of the company;
provided, that this shall not apply to cases where at the time
of such act, the creditor had no knowledge of the fact that
the company performed the act knowing that it might be prejudicial
to its equality with other reorganization creditors, et al.,
or that payment was suspended after suspension of payment takes
place : and
- Gratuitous acts performed by the company after payment is
suspended. or within six months prior to such act, and acts
for value to be performed simultaneously.
(2) The provisions of the preceding paragraph shall not apply
in respect of acts concerning the cancellation of an obligation
or provision of security performed by the company for a person
with collection authority concerning the claim prescribed in Articles
121 (1) 5 and 122 (1) .
Article 79 (Examples of Cases of Payment of Obligations under
Bills)
(1) Where a person issued with a bill from a company loses his
rights under the bill against one or several debtors, the provisions
of Paragraph (1) of the preceding Article shall not apply but
for the receipt of the bill.
(2) In the case prescribed in the preceding Paragraph, if the
final debtor or the person charged with the issue of the bill,
knew or should, in the exercise of due care and diligence, have
known of the application for the suspension of payment, bankruptcy,
or the commencement of composition proceedings or reorganization
proceedings, at the time of issuance of the bill, the receiver
may require that person to redeem the amount paid by the company.
Article 80 (Requirements for Opposing Changes in Rights and
Denial of Requirements for Validity)
(1) Where actions necessary in order to oppose a third person
by means of the creation, transfer or modification of a right,
are performed after an application is made for the suspension
of payment, bankruptcy. commencement of composition proceedings
or reorganization proceedings, the act may, if performed in bad
faith upon the expiration of fifteen days after the creation,
transfer or modification of the right, be denied; provided, that
this shall not apply to cases where formal registration takes
place after the recording of provisional registration. with respect
to any registration.
(2) The provisions of the preceding paragraph shall apply mutatis
mutandis to any registration or registration giving effect to
the acquisition of a right. Article 81 (Denial of Executory Acts)
The right of denial may be exercised in cases where there is an
executory title of debt in respect of the act to be denied, or
where the act is based on an executory act.
Article 82 (Exercise of Right of Denial)
(1) The right of denial shall be exercised by the receiver in
accordance with legal proceedings, or a request for or plea of
denial.
(2) The legal proceedings and cases of requests for denial referred
to in the preceding paragraph, shall fall within the exclusive
jurisdiction of the court of reorganization.
Article 83 (Explanation of Grounds for Request of Denial)
Upon making a request for denial, an explanation of the grounds
for such request shall be given.
Article 84 (Judgment regarding Request for Denial)
(1) Any judgment accepting or rejecting a request for denial
shall be made by a decision with the reason attached.
(2) The court shall, before making a decision, hear from the
other party or subsequent purchaser.
Article 85 (Action of Objection)
(1) Any person who is dissatisfied with a decision accepting
a request for denial, may bring an action of objection within
a peremptory term of one month after being served with the decision.
(2) The action referred to in the preceding paragraph shall fall
within the exclusive jurisdiction of the court of reorganization.
Article 86 (Idem)
When a judgment authorizing a decision to accept a request for
denial, becomes final, the decision shall have the same effect
as a final and conclusive judgment. This provision shall also
apply in cases where no action is brought during the period prescribed
in Paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, and where the action
is rejected.
Article 87 (Effect of Exercise of Denial Right)
(1) The exercise of the right of denial shall restore the property
of company to its original status.
(2) In cases where the act prescribed in Article 78 (1) 4 is
denied, the other party shall, if he acted in good faith at the
time of such act, be permitted to redeem the profits to the extent
that they exist.
Article 88 (Status of Other Party)
(1) In cases where an act of a company is denied, the other party
may, if any counter-performance received by the company exists
in respect of company property, claim the return thereof, and
if any profit is accruing from the counter-performance, the other
party may exercise his right as a public interest creditor within
the limits of such profits.
(2) If there are no profits accruing from counter-performance,
the other party may exercise his right as a reorganization creditor
for redemption of the equivalent value. This provision shall also
apply in respect of the difference where the value of the counter-performance
is larger than the existing profit.
Article 89 (Restoration of Other Party's Claim)
In cases where the act of the company is denied, if the other
party returns the performance received or redeems the value thereof,
his claim shall thereby be restored to its original status.
Article 90 (Right of Denial against Subsequent Purchasers)
(1) The right of denial may also be exercised against a subsequent
purchaser, in the following cases:
- Where the subsequent purchaser knows that there is a cause
of denial against the former party, at the time of the subsequent
purchase; and
- Where the subsequent purchaser made the purchase through a
gratuitous act or act for value to be carried out simultaneously,
and there is a cause of denial against the former party.
(2) The provisions of Article 87 (2) shall apply mutatis mutandis
in cases where the right of denial is exercised under subparagraph
2 of the preceding Paragraph.
Article 91 (Restrictions on Denial due to Knowledge of Suspension
of Payment)
Any act performed prior to the expiration of one year from the
date of application for the commencement of reorganization proceedings,
shall not be denied on the grounds that the fact of the suspension
of payment was known .
Article 92 (Extinctive Prescription)
If the right of denial is not exercised within two years from
the commencement of reorganization proceedings, the statute of
limitations shall expire. This provision shall also apply where
twenty years have elapsed from the date of the exercise of the
right.
Article 93 (Actions for Revocation. etc. by Creditor)
(1) If an action brought by a reorganization creditor pursuant
to Article406 (1) of the Civil Act, or an action for denial under
the Bankruptcy Act, is pending at the time the reorganization
proceedings are commenced, the legal proceedings shall be suspended.
(2) The provisions of Article 69 shall apply mutatis mutandis
to the case referred to in the preceding paragraph. In this case,
the term "company" used in paragraphs (2) and (3) of the said
Article, shall be read as "reorganization creditor or trustee
in bankruptcy".
CHAPTER II-2 ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE
Article 93-2 (Establishment)
The administrative committee shall be established at a district
court prescribed by the regulations of the Supreme Court for the
appropriate and prompt disposal of reorganization matters, bankruptcy
matters and composition matters. [This Article Newly Inserted
by Act No. 5517, Feb. 24, 1998]
Article 93-3 (Duty and Right of Administrative Committee)
(1) The administrative committee shall carry out each of the
following subparagraphs under the direction of the court:
- Presentation of the opinions on the appointment of a receiver,
manager, and investigative committee;
- Supervision and evaluation regarding the appropriateness
of the performance of duties of a receiver, manager, and investigative
committee;
- Examination about the reorganization programs;
- Organization of the council of creditors and conveyance of
information on creditors;
- Evaluation on the circumstances of reorganization proceedings
in progress; and
- Other duties prescribed by laws and decrees or the court.
(2) The administrative committee may entrust a part of the duties
to a member of the administrative committee for the effective
performance of each duty of Paragraph (1) above.
(3) The court may, in cases where it deems not appropriate for
a member of the administrative committee to perform such duties
under the provision of Paragraph (2), request the administrative
committee to entrust such duties to another member of the administrative
committee.
(4) In the cases where the administrative committee is not established,
the particulars regarding the member of the administrative committee
among the regulations of Articles 40 (3), 54-2, 54-3, and 284
(1) and particulars regarding the administrative committee among
the regulations of the proviso of Article 38, Articles 39 (1),
39 (3), 39 (4), 40 (1), 53-2 (1), 94, 112-2 (3), 247 (3), 247
(4), 274, and 277 shall not apply. [This Article Newly Inserted
by Act No. 5517, Feb. 24, 1998]
Article 93-4 (Composition of Administrative Committee)
(1) The administrative committee shall be composed of more than
three (3) and less than fifteen (15) members including one (1)
chairman.
(2) The term of office of a member of the administrative committee
shall be three (3) years and the majority of the members shall
be full-time commissioners.
(3) A member of the administrative committee shall be designated
by the head of a district court among any of the following persons:
- A person qualified for an attorney-in-fact or a certified
public accountant;
- A person who has the working experience for more than fifteen
(15) years at a banking institution under the Banking Act or
a person who has been in service as an officer of the listed
company;
- A person who obtained a degree of master or more in jurisprudence,
business administration, economics, or similar studies and was
engaged in such field related thereto for more than seven (7)
years; or
- A person with learning and experience who can be treated
as the same as the person provided in subparagraphs 1 through
3.
(4) Any person who falls under any one of the following subparagraphs
may not become a member of the administrative committee:
- Incompetent person, quasi-incompetent person, or bankrupt
who is not reinstated;
- A person who is sentenced to imprisonment or heavier penalty
and the execution of which has terminated (including the execution
regarded as being terminated) or five (5) years have not expired
after the remission of the execution (?);
- A person who is sentenced to suspension of execution of imprisonment
or heavier penalty and two (2) years have not expired after
the termination of the term of suspension (?);
- A person who is sentenced to the suspension of pronouncement
of imprisonment or heavier penalty and is under the term of
suspension; or
- A person whose qualification is lost or suspended in accordance
with the judgement of the court or other laws.
(5) The administrative committee shall be resolved with the
attendance of the majority of its members and the concurrence
of the majority of the members attended.
(6) The establishment, organization and operation, of the administrative
committee, and requirements for qualification, guarantee of the
office and disciplinary actions, of the members of the administrative
committee, and other necessary matters shall be determined by
the regulations of the Supreme Court.
(7) A member of the administrative committee shall be regarded
as a public officer in the application of the punishment pursuant
to Criminal Code and other regulations under the law. [This Article
Newly Inserted by Act No. 5517, Feb. 24, 1998]