Page:The Civil code of Japan (IA cu31924069576704).pdf/277

the ancestor to make, revoke or change a will relating to the succession;

1. A person who has falsified, forged, destroyed or concealed a will of the ancestor relating to the succession.

Descendants of the ancestor being members of his house, become heir to the house according to the following provisions:—

1. As between persons of different degrees, the nearer has priority;
2. As between persons of the same degree, a male has priority;
3. As between males or as between females of the same degree, a legitimate descendant has priority;
4. As between a legitimate descendant, a shoshi and a natural descendant of the same degree, the legitimate descendant and shoshi, even though females, have priority over a natural descendant;
5. As between persons between whom none of the distinctions mentioned under 1–4 exists, the oldest has priority.

A person who according to the provisions of Art. 836 or by adoption has acquired the status of a legitimate child is deemed for the purposes of the succession to the house to have been born at the time when he acquired the status of a legitimate child.

The application of Art. 736 is not affected by the provisions of the preceding article.