An "action for future performance" may be brought where there is a need to claim in advance. The underlying relationship for the claim that will arise in the future must already be established, and even if such an underlying relationship exists, the interest in bringing the action is not recognized where the probability is so slight that it is deemed to have no property value. Compulsory execution of the judgment must be possible once the time limit arrives or the condition is fulfilled, and in principle it is not permitted to bring an action on a claim whose time for performance arrives only after the plaintiff first performs its own obligation. In addition, where the original purpose cannot be achieved or damage would occur if performance is not made on time, an interest in obtaining a judgment for performance in advance is considered to exist. An action for future performance brought jointly with an action for present performance is also possible.

The interest in bringing an action is recognized where there is an interest that can justify proceeding by way of an action for declaratory judgment. The subject must be a present right or legal relationship, and confirmation of the existence or non-existence of a past rights relationship cannot be claimed. However, it may exceptionally be allowed if its true intent relates to the formation of present rights and legal relationships. Also, in the case of comprehensive legal relationships such as status relationships, even past ones are allowed where they are an appropriate means of resolving the dispute. Matters concerning future rights relationships are in principle not allowed either, but exceptions are recognized for conditional rights and rights subject to a time limit. And besides rights relationships between the parties, even a rights relationship between other persons gives rise to an interest in confirmation where it is recognized as a means for one's own rights relationship.

An action for formation of rights may be brought only where it is provided for by law. However, exceptions are recognized where the purpose of the litigation has already been realized, where restoration to the original state is impossible due to a change in circumstances, or where a separate remedy procedure exists.

For reference, the material contains a sentence saying that partial claims are in principle not recognized, but case law permits partial claims themselves and holds that, where it is expressly stated that the claim is partial, res judicata does not extend to the remaining claim. The exception in the part on actions for formation of rights should be read to mean that the interest in bringing the action disappears if the purpose of the litigation has already been realized or restoration to the original state has become impossible due to a change in circumstances. The prohibition of duplicate actions is in Article 259 of the Civil Procedure Act, the prohibition of re-filing is in Article 267(2), and actions for future performance are in Article 251, so be sure to check them together with the original text of the provisions.