Representative director (代表取締役,daihyō-torishimariyaku) is the position of the most seniorexecutive in charge of managing a corporation which is registered in Japan. As regulated by theCompanies Act of Japan,joint-stock companies incorporated in Japan must have a representative director.[1] The representative director typically reports to the company'sboard of directors and is responsible for maximizing the value of the business.[2]
Corporations registered in Japan have multiple directors. The representative director is a type of director with the company's highest authority and possesses the right to enter into business and signlegal contracts on behalf of the corporation in Japan. The person holding this position is registered publicly on the official corporate register.[3] His or her statementslegally bind the corporation.[4]
In Japan, a representative director is not considered to be anemployee of that company and is unable to receive certain benefits which are accorded to employees.[5]