グレーな取引先への対処法

企業法務

決算が終わると会社は株主総会の準備に追われます。一頃の様な総会屋は影を潜めたものの、経営陣への質問は多岐に亘り、時には、説明義務違反による決議取消訴訟が裁判所に提起されることもありますので、準備を疎かにすることはできません。判例上、決議事項と株主の質問との関連性や質問株主の保有する資料等も総合的に考慮して、会社は、平均的な株主が議決権行使をする前提として合理的な理解や判断を行い得る程度の説明をする義務を負っているとされています。

暴力団排除（暴排）対応問題も心配される話題の１つです。暴力団排除条例では、「利用しないこと、協力しないこと、交際しないこと」を基本理念に掲げています。

昨年秋、メガバンクのＭ銀行が提携ローンによる金銭貸付の相手が反社会的勢力（暴力団関係者）であるとして、社会的非難を受け、監督官庁である金融庁から検査が入り厳しい対応を求められた事件がありました。膨大な数の取引先を抱えてＢtoＣビジネスを展開する企業であれば、他人事とは言っていられない出来事でした。

契約締結前であれば、相手方の芳しくない属性について疑わしいとの認識をもった場合、その点についての確かな資料を欠いていても、理由を明らかにしないまま謝絶すれば足ります。

これに対して、契約締結後は解除事由などの法的理由が必要になります。契約書に暴排条項がない場合には、錯誤による無効や公序良俗違反等を理由とする無効を検討することになります。相手についての情報が十分でなければ、交渉で合意解除を模索するという事態になります。

さて、Ｍ銀行に対する業務改善命令では、反社会的勢力に融資した時点ではなく、問題を把握しながら二年以上も入口チェックを実施しなかった点が問題視されました。入口で問題なかった顧客が途中からグレー、ブラックに転じることもあり、取引毎に情報管理を怠らないことが肝要ということだと思います。

精度の低い自社の個人情報データベースを直していくのはリスクもあります。全国暴力追放運動推進センター等に入会すれば、定期的な反社会勢力データの配信や個別の属性照会をすることができます。また、新規株式公開やＭ＆Ａにおける証券取引所の審査の過程や民間調査会社を利用することで、判明する場合もあります。

ブラックかホワイトかの判断は日頃の積重ねが大事です。

〈中部経済新聞　「中経論壇」平成26年５月20日掲載　池田桂子〉

How to handle transactions with companies in the so called “Gray Zone”.

Just after checking all of the account books, every company busies themselves in the preparation for the general meeting of shareholders. Recently we seldom watch or pay very much attention at the Sokaiya in terms of asking some vital questions at the meeting of shareholders. However we may focus and aim questions directly to management, during those descriptions, issues may arise such as obligations, violation resolutions, rescission and lawsuits that can be brought to court. As a result we cannot neglect preparing a strong defense in preparation for those possibilities. There are precedents as far as legal judgments that companies should show the materials held by the relevant resolutions and shareholder questions. Questions that may be brought up by shareholders are to be considered and should be comprehensively offered by the company which owes, and has a duty as to the description which is, and should be a prerequisite to voting shareholders and they may conduct and be afforded a reasonable period of understanding and judgment of any issues which were discussed. It is one of the topics that are of great concern, as well as a great source of worry about gang’s exclusion (a violent rejection) response problem.

The Gang Elimination Act advocates, do not use, do not cooperate, and do not socialize with gang associates, these are the basic principles.

Last fall, a mega-M Bank affiliate made possible a cash loan against an anti-social force (known gangsters were involved) with prompted an stringent inspection with the support from the Financial Services Agency, which brought social criticism which was raised with reference to the authorities in that case.

Companies who engage in B to C business, and have a huge number of suppliers may not say, or claim that this is none of my business or that this is not my problem. Company personnel as well cannot have any personal involvement with known gangsters.

Prior to the conclusion of any contract in a case in which there is suspected and uncertain attributes of the other party, with the lack of recognition or lacking credible articles at that point, they choose to decline without reason which is enough and has no further ramifications. However after making an agreement canceling a signed agreement needs legal reasons and legal grounds. A signed contract needs far more evidence, and involves negotiations with the counterparty. The use of legal arguments, the Gang Elimination Act may be used and considered by trial and error and disabled with the violation of Public Order and Public Morals, etc.

That is not enough information about the other party to seek an agreement in the negotiations. This was a problem point then, rather than spend time in business improvement an order against M Bank was found to be lending to anti-social known gangsters. M Bank did not conduct a lenders entrance check for more than two years and now understands the problem. I think that is essential at the entrance of loan negations with regard to customer transactions that you do not neglect the necessary information management, and data gathering, when all information has been gathered, as requested then an answer of black or white can be issued. Your risk will again be far higher if greater accuracy of their personal information in your company database is the only source reviewed. If you join in Nationwide Violence Exile Centers, etc. the regular anti-social forces data base is constantly updated and delivery of an individual’s attributes can be included in a query. You may also, by using the process of the examination of the stock of a company used in an IPO, M & A documentation and the use of private investigation companies, enter information on a daily basis, checking is the most important portion used to determine whether an answer of black or white is made.