Director - Torishima Riyaku
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In the Companies Act, in consideration of the actual situation of companies adopting the joint stock company form and in order to unify with the previous limited company regulations, all joint stock companies are required to have a minimum organizational structure of a general meeting of shareholders and at least one director (Articles 295 and 326, paragraph 1 of the Companies Act), and the establishment of a board of directors is optional except for public companies, companies with an audit committee, and companies with a committee system (Articles 326, paragraph 2 and 327, paragraph 1 of the Companies Act). Therefore, the status and authority of directors differ depending on the organizational structure. In a company without a board of directors, each director is an organ of the company with the authority to execute the company's business and represent the company. In a company with a board of directors, the directors are members of the board of directors, and each director does not immediately become an organ of the company. In a company without a board of directors, in principle, each director executes the company's business (Article 348 of the Companies Act) and represents the company alone (Article 349, paragraph 1, main text and paragraph 2 of the Companies Act). In a company with a board of directors other than a company with a committee system, all directors constitute the board of directors, and the board of directors decides on the execution of the company's business (Article 362, paragraph 2, item 1 of the Companies Act). The board of directors selects a representative director (Article 362, Paragraphs 2 and 3 of the Company Law), who executes the company's business (Article 363, Paragraph 1 of the Company Law) and represents the company. In a company with committees, the authority of the board of directors is primarily to decide on fundamental matters of the company and to supervise the execution of business (Article 416 of the Company Law), and business execution is carried out by the executive officers (Article 418 of the Company Law). [Shuzo Toda and Norihiko Fukuhara] Appointment/terminationDirectors are appointed by ordinary resolution of the general meeting of shareholders (Article 329, Paragraph 1 of the Companies Act). When appointing two or more directors, shareholders may request that the directors be appointed by cumulative voting, unless excluded by the articles of incorporation (Article 342 of the same act). Let us explain cumulative voting. Normally, when appointing multiple directors, a resolution is made for each person, but if a cumulative voting system is introduced, one vote is given for the number of people to be appointed as directors, and the resolution to appoint all directors is made at the same time. In this way, even candidates represented by minority shareholders are more likely to be appointed as directors. Although the articles of incorporation of the Companies Act eliminate the need for a quorum for ordinary resolutions of the general meeting of shareholders (Article 309, Paragraph 1 of the same act), in consideration of the importance of the position of directors, in order to eliminate the risk of being appointed by too few people, a quorum is required for at least one-third of the voting rights (Article 341 of the same act). Since there is a delegation relationship between the director and the company (Article 330 of the same act), the director will terminate his/her position due to the termination of the ordinary delegation relationship. On the other hand, a company may dismiss a director at any time, regardless of the reason, by ordinary resolution of the general shareholders meeting (Articles 339, 347, and 341 of the Companies Act). However, a special resolution is required to dismiss a director who has been appointed by cumulative voting (Article 309, Paragraph 2, Item 7 of the Companies Act). The weighting of the quorum is the same as for a resolution to appoint a director (Article 341 of the Companies Act). [Shuzo Toda and Norihiko Fukuhara] QualificationsIn a public company, the articles of incorporation cannot limit the qualifications of directors to shareholders (Article 331, Paragraph 2, Main Text of the Companies Act). This is to attract a wide range of directors. However, in a private company, the articles of incorporation can limit the qualifications of directors to shareholders (Article 331, Paragraph 2, proviso). This is to ensure a closed nature of the company. In addition, the Companies Act stipulates the grounds for disqualification of directors (Article 331, Paragraph 1 of the Companies Act), and corporations, adult wards, persons under curatorship, and certain criminals cannot become directors. [Shuzo Toda and Norihiko Fukuhara] Number of membersIn a company without a board of directors, one director is sufficient (Article 326, Paragraph 1 of the Companies Act), but in a company with a board of directors, there must be three or more directors (Article 331, Paragraph 4 of the Companies Act). [Shuzo Toda and Norihiko Fukuhara] Term of officeIn principle, the term of office of directors is two years after their election (Article 332, Paragraph 1 of the Companies Act). In private companies (excluding companies with committees), the term of office can be extended to ten years after their election by stipulation of the articles of incorporation (Article 332, Paragraph 2 of the Companies Act). The term of office of directors in companies with committees is one year after their election (Article 332, Paragraph 3 of the Companies Act). In companies with accounting auditors and companies with a board of auditors, even if the authority to distribute surpluses, etc. is given to the board of directors, the term of office of directors is one year after their election (Article 459, Paragraph 1 of the Companies Act). [Shuzo Toda and Norihiko Fukuhara] ObligationsSince there is a delegation relationship between a company and its directors (Article 330 of the Companies Act), directors have a duty to exercise the care of a prudent manager in performing their duties toward the company (Article 644 of the Civil Code). At the same time, they have a duty to faithfully perform their duties for the company (duty of loyalty) (Article 355 of the Companies Act). Generally, these two obligations are considered to be the same. Based on this general obligation, the Companies Act specifically prescribes obligations in competitive transactions and transactions involving conflicts of interest (Articles 356 and 365, paragraph 1 of the Companies Act). [Shuzo Toda and Norihiko Fukuhara] responsibilityThe Companies Act stipulates liability to the company (Article 423, Paragraph 1) and liability to third parties (Article 429). [Shuzo Toda and Norihiko Fukuhara] board of directorsIt is a council consisting of all directors, and is an organization that decides the company's intentions regarding business execution and supervises the execution of the directors' duties (Article 362, Paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Companies Act). Public companies, companies with an audit committee, and companies with committees are required to establish a board of directors (Article 327, Paragraph 1 of the Companies Act). The board of directors has the authority to decide on all business execution of the company, except for matters that are specified as matters to be resolved at the general meeting of shareholders by the Companies Act or the articles of incorporation, and makes important decisions such as disposal or acquisition of important assets, large amounts of borrowing, selection and dismissal of managers and other important employees, establishment, change, and abolition of branches and other important organizations, offering of bonds, decisions regarding the establishment of an internal control system (a system to ensure that the execution of directors' duties complies with laws and regulations and the articles of incorporation, and the properness of other company operations), and partial exemption of directors from liability, which cannot be delegated to directors (Article 362, Paragraph 4 of the Companies Act). [Shuzo Toda and Norihiko Fukuhara] "All about the New Company Law for Directors, Executive Officers, and Auditors" by Azsa & Co. (2006, Seibunsha) " "Company Law Study Group of the Business Law Association (ed.) "Company Law Guidebook for Directors" Revised Edition (2006, Shojihomu)" [Reference] | | | | |Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend |
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会社法では、株式会社形態を採用する会社の実情を踏まえ、また、従来の有限会社規律との一本化を図るために、すべての株式会社に株主総会と1人以上の取締役という最低限の機関設計を義務づけ（会社法295条、326条1項）、公開会社、監査役会設置会社、委員会設置会社を除いて、取締役会の設置を任意とした（同法326条2項、327条1項）。したがって、取締役の地位と権限は、機関設計によって異なる。取締役会非設置会社の取締役は、各取締役自体が会社の業務執行権と代表権を有する会社の機関である。取締役会設置会社の取締役は、取締役会を構成する一員であって、各取締役自体はただちに会社の機関となるわけではない。取締役会非設置会社では、原則的に各取締役が会社の業務執行を行い（同法348条）、単独で会社を代表する（同法349条1項本文・2項）。委員会設置会社以外の取締役会設置会社では、取締役全員で取締役会を構成し、取締役会が会社の業務執行を決定する（同法362条2項1号）。取締役会では代表取締役を選定し（同法362条2項・3項）、代表取締役が会社の業務執行を行い（同法363条1項）、会社を代表する。委員会設置会社では、原則的に取締役会の権限は会社の基本的事項の決定と業務執行の監督（同法416条）が中心となり、業務執行を行うのは執行役である（同法418条）。 ［戸田修三・福原紀彦］ 選任・終任取締役は株主総会の普通決議によって選任する（会社法329条1項）。2人以上の取締役を選任する際には、定款で排除されない限り、株主は累積投票によって取締役を選任するように請求できる（同法342条）。なお、累積投票について説明しておく。通常は取締役を複数選任する際には1人ずつ決議がなされるが、累積投票制度を導入すると、1議決権につき取締役を選任する人数分だけ票を与え、いちどきに取締役全員に対して選任決議が行われる。このようにすると、少数派株主の候補者であっても、取締役として選任される可能性が高くなる。通常の株主総会決議は、定款によって定足数を排除しているのであるが（同法309条1項）、取締役の地位の重要性にかんがみ、あまりにも少数の人間によって選任される危険を排除するため、議決権の3分の1以上までは定足数を必要とするものとした（同法341条）。取締役と会社とは委任関係である（同法330条）ため、通常の委任関係の終了事由によって終任する。他方、会社はなんどきでも、事由のいかんを問わず、株主総会普通決議によって取締役を解任することができる（同法339条、347条、341条）。ただし、累積投票によって選任された取締役の解任には特別決議が必要である（同法309条2項7号）。定足数の加重については選任決議と同様である（同法341条）。 ［戸田修三・福原紀彦］ 資格公開会社では定款によっても取締役の資格を株主に限定することができない（会社法331条2項本文）。取締役の人材を幅広く集めるためである。ただし、非公開会社では定款で取締役の資格を株主に限定することが認められている（同法331条2項但書）。閉鎖性を確保するためである。また、会社法は取締役の欠格事由を定めており（同法331条1項）、法人・成年被後見人・被保佐人・一定の犯罪者は取締役とはなれない。 ［戸田修三・福原紀彦］ 員数取締役会非設置会社では取締役は1人で足りるが（会社法326条1項）、取締役会設置会社では取締役は3人以上でなければならない（同法331条4項）。 ［戸田修三・福原紀彦］ 任期取締役の任期は原則として選任後2年である（会社法332条1項）。非公開会社（委員会設置会社を除く）では定款によって、任期を選任後10年に伸張することができる（同法332条2項）。委員会設置会社の取締役の任期は、選任後1年である（同法332条3項）。会計監査人設置会社および監査役会設置会社で、剰余金配当等の権限を取締役会に与えた場合も、取締役の任期は選任後1年である（同法459条1項）。 ［戸田修三・福原紀彦］ 義務会社と取締役の間は委任関係である（会社法330条）ので、取締役は職務を行うにあたり、会社に対して善良な管理者の注意を遂行する義務を負う（民法644条）。それとともに、会社のために忠実にその職務を遂行する義務（忠実義務）を負う（会社法355条）。一般に両者は同一の義務であると解されている。このような一般的義務を受け、会社法では具体的に、競業取引、利益相反取引における義務が規定されている（同法356条、365条1項）。 ［戸田修三・福原紀彦］ 責任会社法では会社に対する責任（会社法423条1項）と第三者に対する責任（同法429条）とが規定されている。 ［戸田修三・福原紀彦］ 取締役会取締役の全員で構成される合議制の会議体であり、業務執行につき会社の意思を決定するとともに、取締役の職務の執行を監督する機関である（会社法362条1項・2項）。公開会社、監査役会設置会社、委員会設置会社では取締役会の設置が義務づけられる（同法327条1項）。取締役会は、会社法または定款により株主総会の決議事項とされた事項を除き、会社の業務執行すべてにつき決定する権限を有し、代表取締役の選定・解職（同法362条2項3号）など法の各所に取締役会の権限と明示された事項のほか、重要な財産の処分または譲受け、多額の借財、支配人その他の重要な使用人の選解任、支店その他重要な組織の設置・変更・廃止、社債の募集、内部統制システム（取締役の職務の執行が法令および定款に適合すること、その他会社の業務の適正を確保するための体制）整備に関する決定、取締役等の責任の一部免除など、重要な決定を行い、これらは取締役にゆだねることができない（同法362条4項）。 ［戸田修三・福原紀彦］ 『あずさ監査法人著『新会社法による取締役・執行役・監査役実務のすべて』（2006・清文社）』▽『経営法友会会社法問題研究会編『会社法対応 取締役ガイドブック』全訂版（2006・商事法務）』 [参照項目] | | | | |出典 小学館 日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について 情報 | 凡例 |
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