If you are considering trademark registration in Japan, one authority you will inevitably encounter is the Japan Patent Office (JPO). Importantly, there is no government agency officially named the “Japan Trademark Office.”
Although the term "Japan Trademark Office" is frequently searched online, all trademark matters in Japan are handled by the Japan Patent Office (JPO).
This guide explains:
- What people mean by Japan Trademark Office
- How trademark registration works in Japan
- What foreign applicants should know before filing with the JPO
in a clear and practical manner.
1. Is There a “Japan Trademark Office”?
No. Japan does not have a government body officially named the "Japan Trademark Office".
All trademarks in Japan are administered by the Japan Patent Office (JPO), which is the sole governmental authority responsible for intellectual property(IP) rights in Japan.
By comparison, some countries include the word “Trademark” in the official name of their IP office, for example:
- United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
- German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA)
However, Japan consolidates trademarks, patents, designs, and utility models under the Japan Patent Office (JPO).
Intellectual Property Rights Handled by the JPO
The JPO is responsible for:
- Trademarks
- Patents
- Designs
- Utility Models
For trademarks specifically, the JPO handles:
- Examination of trademark applications
- Issuance of Office Actions (Notices of Reasons for Refusal)
- Grant of registration decisions
- Post-registration trademark management
- Trial and appeal proceedings, etc.
Unlike some jurisdictions that rely heavily on post-registration enforcement, Japan applies strict substantive examination before registration, ensuring that only legally sound trademarks are registered.
2. Trademark Registration Process in Japan (JPO Procedure)
Trademark registration in Japan is not automatic. Every application filed with the JPO is examined by a JPO examiner.
While procedural work is handled by a trademark attorney (Benrishi) on behalf of foreign applicants since foreign applicants cannot directly contact with the JPO.
Step 1: Filing a Trademark Application with the JPO
A trademark application is filed with the JPO by submitting an application containing:
- The trademark (word mark, logo, or combined mark)
- Designated goods and/or services (Nice Classification)
- Applicant information (name and address), etc.
- Important for foreign applicants -
Foreign applicants cannot file directly with the Japan Patent Office.
Applications must be submitted through a licensed Japanese patent attorney (Benrishi).
This requirement exists because direct communication between JPO examiners and overseas applicants would be administratively burdensome.
Step 2: Examination by the Japan Patent Office
After filing, the application undergoes:
- Formal Examination
- JPO examiner checks whether the application complies with filing formalities
- Substantive Examination
- JPO examiner determines whether the trademark satisfies all legal requirements under Japanese Trademark Law
Typical substantive examination points include:
- Distinctiveness
- Conflict with prior registered trademarks
- Public order and morality
- Likelihood of confusion, etc.
If issues are found, the JPO issues an Office Action (Step 3).
If no issues exist, a Decision of Registration is issued (Step 4).
Step 3: Responding to a JPO Office Action (OA)
If the JPO examiner finds legal grounds for refusal, an Office Action is issued to the applicant’s attorney.
Common refusal grounds include:
(1) Lack of Distinctiveness (Article 3)
Descriptive or overly generic trademarks are refused
(e.g., “Shoes” for footwear)
(2) Conflict with Prior Trademarks (Article 4(1)(xi))
Trademarks that are identical or similar to prior registered trademarks for the same or similar goods or services are not registrable
(e.g., “iPhone” for smartphones)
(3) Likelihood of Misrepresentation (Article 4(1)(xvi))
Marks that may mislead consumers regarding quality or origin
(e.g., “Tokyo Apple Bread” for grape bread)
Response to an Office Action
An Office Action is not a final refusal.
Applicants may respond by:
- Amending designated goods/services
- Submitting legal arguments
- Filing divisional applications (where appropriate)
Deadline:
For foreign applicants, responses must be filed within 3 months from the dispatch date.
If the examiner is satisfied, registration is granted.
If not, a Final Refusal is issued, which can be appealed through a JPO trial.
Step 4: Registration Decision and Payment of Registration Fees
Even after receiving a registration decision, trademark rights do not arise automatically.
Trademark rights are established only after payment of registration fees within 30 days from receipt of the decision.
Failure to pay results in loss of the application.
Once registered, the trademark is recorded in the JPO register and a registration certificate is issued.
3. Timeline and Official Fees for Trademark Registration in Japan
(1) Examination Timeline
Each year, more than 100,000 trademark applications are filed with the Japan Patent Office (JPO). Because each application is examined individually by JPO examiners, trademark applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, and applicants must wait their turn in the examination queue after filing.
As a result, the time from filing a trademark application in Japan to receiving the first official notice from the Japan Patent Office (JPO) - either a Notice of Reasons for Refusal (Office Action) or a Decision of Registration - is typically around 5 to 8 months. This timeframe may vary depending on factors such as the volume of trademark applications and the workload of JPO examiners.
In certain cases, applicants may be eligible to use the accelerated examination system of the Japan Patent Office. When accelerated examination is granted, the average time from filing a trademark application to receiving the first JPO notice is reduced to approximately two months.
If early trademark registration in Japan is important for your business, we recommend consulting a Japanese trademark attorney about whether accelerated examination is available.
(2) Official JPO Fees (Overview)
At the time of filing and registration, applicants are required to pay official fees to the Japan Patent Office (JPO).
In Japan, trademark application fees and registration fees increase depending on the number of designated classes of goods and/or services.
Official Trademark Fees in Japan (JPO)
Filing Fee (paid at the time of application)
- JPY 3,400 + JPY 8,600 per class of designated goods/services
Registration Fee (paid after a Decision of Registration is issued)
- JPY 32,900 per class
The registration fee above covers the full 10-year trademark protection period in Japan. Alternatively, applicants may choose to pay the registration fee in two installments every five years. In that case, the fee is JPY 17,200 per class for each installment.
These amounts are official government fees payable to the Japan Patent Office. Professional fees for a Japanese patent/trademark attorney (Benrishi) are charged separately.
4. Trademark Renewal and Long-Term Management
(1) Trademark Renewal in Japan
In Japan, a trademark registration is valid for 10 years from the registration date and may be renewed indefinitely.
If the trademark owner wishes to maintain trademark rights beyond the initial 10-year term, a trademark renewal application must be filed every 10 years.
(2) Trademark Renewal Fees in Japan
The official renewal fee payable to the Japan Patent Office (JPO) is JPY 43,600 per class.
As with initial registration fees, the renewal fee may also be paid in two installments covering five years each.
When paid in installments, the renewal fee is JPY 22,800 per class for each five-year period.
These are official government fees, and professional fees for a Japanese trademark attorney are charged separately.
(3) Trademark Renewal Deadline and Grace Period
A trademark renewal application must be filed within the six-month period immediately preceding the expiration date of the trademark registration.
The Japan Patent Office does not issue reminder notices for upcoming renewal deadlines. Trademark owners are therefore responsible for monitoring their renewal dates.
If the renewal deadline is missed, renewal is still possible within six months after expiration, provided that an additional surcharge is paid. In such cases, it is recommended to consult a Japanese patent attorney (Benrishi) to ensure proper and timely renewal.
5. APEX Patent Solutions – Supporting Foreign Trademark Applicants in Japan
APEX Patent Solutions is a Japan-based patent and trademark firm headquartered in Kobe. Our firm is staffed with licensed Japanese patent attorneys (Benrishi) who are authorized to act as official representatives before the Japan Patent Office (JPO).
We focus on assisting foreign companies and individuals seeking trademark registration in Japan, and we have extensive experience successfully handling trademark filings for clients from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania. Our clients consistently value the speed of our response, clear communication, and high quality of service.
We are also able to take over representation at any stage of the trademark process. If you need to change your current representative for any reason, we can seamlessly assume responsibility for your JPO trademark matters.
Whether you are filing your first trademark application in Japan or considering Japan as part of your international brand expansion strategy, we provide clear, strategic, and practical guidance for trademark filing and registration procedures before the Japan Patent Office.
6. Conclusion
In Japan, all trademark matters are handled by the Japan Patent Office (JPO). (There is no official government body named the “Japan Trademark Office.”)
Foreign applicants must proceed through a licensed Japanese patent attorney, making professional local support essential.
If you are considering trademark registration in Japan, please feel free to contact us. We would be pleased to assist you with clarity, professionalism, and integrity.