A clear and streamlined process designed for international clients
At APEX Patent Solutions, we understand that the Japanese IP system can feel complex — especially for overseas businesses entering the Japanese market for the first time.
Our service flow is designed to be simple, transparent, and fully supported by bilingual Japanese patent attorneys (Benrishi).
Below is our standard workflow for trademark, patent, and design matters. The exact steps may vary depending on your case, but the overall process remains consistent and client-friendly.
- 1. Contact us
- Start by reaching out through our contact form or by requesting a quote.
What you do:
Briefly tell us what you need (e.g., “Trademark filing for class 3” or “PCT national phase entry”).
Attach any relevant documents (optional).
What we do:
Review your inquiry and reply promptly in English.
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- 2. Consultation
- We provide an initial consultation to understand your situation and goals.
What you can expect:
- Clear explanation of Japanese requirements
- Advice on filing strategy
- Answers to any questions (no Japanese language needed)
- Consultations can be handled entirely by e-mail (or via a video call if preferred).
- 3. Proposal & Estimated Fees
- We prepare a tailored proposal based on your needs.
You will receive:
- A breakdown of official JPO fees
- Our flat service fees
- Filing plan, timeline, and recommended next steps
- Our estimates are transparent and free of hidden charges.
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- 4. Engagement & Filing Instructions
- Once you approve the proposal, we confirm the engagement and begin preparing your documents.
What happens next:
We send filing instructions and request any additional details needed
You provide the necessary information (classes, goods/services, drawings, specifications, etc.)
All communication is handled in English.
- 5. Application Preparation & Filing
- We prepare all documents required for the application to Japan Patent Office (JPO).
We handle the entire filing process and keep you informed at every step.
For trademarks:
Class check & goods/services refinement
Filing application with the JPO
For patents:
Japanese translation
Application preparation
Claim formatting & filing
For designs:
Drawings review
Hague or domestic filing preparation
- 6. Examination & Office Actions
- If the JPO issues an Office Action(OA), we fully support you.
We proceed only after your approval.
Our support includes:
- English explanation of the examiner’s objections
- Recommended response strategies
- Preparation and filing of reply arguments and amendments
- Fee estimates before any action is taken
- 7. Registration & Delivery
- Once approved, we proceed with the registration and send you all official documents.
What you receive:
- Registration certificate (PDF)
- Renewal information (for trademarks)
- Instructions on maintaining your IP in Japan
We also support Amazon Brand Registry and other post-registration procedures.
- 8. Payment
- We invoice after major steps such as filing, Office Action(OA) responses, or registration procedures.
Payments can be made via:
- Credit card
- PayPal
- Payoneer
- Wise
- Bank transfer
- (If you prefer another payment method, please feel free to let us know.)
We’re Here to Help
If you’re preparing to enter the Japanese market or protect your IP in Japan, our team is ready to support you.
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👉 Contact Us