JAPANESE TRADEMARK GUIDE — BY A LICENSED JAPANESE PATENT ATTORNEY
Protect your brand in Japan,
the right way, the first time.
Practical guides for overseas companies on Japanese trademark registration: costs, timelines, classes, Office Actions and disputes — written by Toru Kano, Japanese Patent Attorney at BrandAgent (Kyoto).
4,000+ applications
Filed for clients in China, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Europe and the US.
Clear, fixed fees
JPY 25,000 per class at filing and at registration. Free prior search when you instruct us.
Attorney handles every case
No unqualified staff. You deal directly with the patent attorney.
English & Chinese, PayPal OK
Communicate in English or Chinese. Pay in JPY by PayPal or bank transfer.
Start here
How Much Does a Japanese Trademark Cost? Fees for Foreign Applicants
Official fees and attorney fees for 1–2 classes.
How to Register a Trademark in Japan: Step-by-Step Guide for Foreign Applicants
From search to registration, step by step.
Designating Japan via the Madrid System: Procedure, Refusals and Costs
Madrid designation or direct filing in Japan?
Trademark basics
- What Is Trademark Registration in Japan? How It Works, Benefits, Costs and Process for Foreign Applicants
- What Is a Trademark Right in Japan? When It Arises, Scope, Duration and Infringement
- Do You Need a Trademark in Japan? Risks of Not Registering for Overseas Brands
- Japan Trademark First to File: What Every Foreign Business Must Know
- Standard Character Marks in Japan: Word Mark vs. Logo Mark and How to Choose
- Japan Trademark Katakana: Why Foreign Brands Must Register in Japanese Script
- Japan Trademark Symbol: ™ and ® Rules for Foreign Businesses
- Japan Trademark JPO: How the Japan Patent Office Handles Trademark Registration
Costs, process & timeline
- How Much Does a Japanese Trademark Cost? Fees for Foreign Applicants
- Japan Trademark Filing Fee: Complete Cost Breakdown for Foreign Businesses
- How to Register a Trademark in Japan: Step-by-Step Guide for Foreign Applicants
- Filing a Trademark in Japan: Process, Costs and Pitfalls for Foreign Applicants
- How Long Does Trademark Registration Take in Japan? Timeline from Filing to Registration
- Accelerated Trademark Examination in Japan: Requirements, Evidence, Pros and Cons
- Japan Trademark Priority Claim: How to Use Your Home Filing Date in Japan
- Japan Trademark Paris Convention: How to Use Your Home Filing Date in Japan
- Japanese Trademark Renewal: Deadlines, Official Fees and Procedure for Foreign Owners
Classes, searches & Office Actions
- Trademark Classes in Japan: How to Choose from the 45 Nice Classes and Describe Your Goods/Services
- Japan Trademark Nice Classes: Complete Guide for Foreign Businesses
- Trademark Search in Japan: How to Check Prior Marks Before Filing (and What People Miss)
- Japanese Trademark Office Action (Notice of Reasons for Refusal): Common Grounds and How to Respond
- Refused for a Similar Trademark in Japan? Article 4(1)(xi) Explained by a Japanese Patent Attorney
- Refused for Lack of Distinctiveness in Japan? Article 3 of the Japanese Trademark Act Explained
Disputes & enforcement
- Trademark Opposition in Japan: Requirements, 2-Month Deadline and Procedure
- Non-Use Cancellation Trials in Japan: Requirements, Procedure and When You Can Win
- Japan Trademark Cancellation: What Foreign Businesses Need to Know
- Trademark Invalidation Trial in Japan: Grounds, Who Can File, and How It Differs from Opposition
- Accused of Trademark Infringement in Japan? How to Respond to a Warning Letter or an Amazon/Rakuten Complaint
- Japan Trademark Dispute: How to Resolve Brand Conflicts in Japan
- Japan Trademark Squatting: How to Protect Your Brand Before It's Too Late
- Japan Trademark Well-Known Mark: Protection for Famous Brands
- Japan Trademark Watch Service: Monitor and Protect Your Brand in Japan
E-commerce, licensing & international
- Amazon Brand Registry in Japan: Getting the Japanese Trademark You Need
- Japan Trademark E-commerce: Protect Your Brand on Rakuten, Amazon Japan and More
- Designating Japan via the Madrid System: Procedure, Refusals and Costs
- Buying or Selling a Japanese Trademark: Assignment Procedure, Documents and Costs
- Japan Trademark License: A Complete Guide for Foreign Businesses
- Japan Trademark Franchise: How to Protect Your Brand Before Franchising in Japan
- Japan Trademark Benrishi: What Is a Benrishi and Do You Need One?
- Japan Trademark Attorney: What Foreign Businesses Need to Know
Japanese patents
- Why Foreign Companies Should Get a Patent in Japan: Benefits Explained by a Japanese Patent Attorney
- How to Get a Patent in Japan as a Foreign Applicant: Documents, Routes and Process
- How Much Does a Japanese Patent Cost? Official JPO Fees for Foreign Applicants (2026)
- Entering Japan via PCT National Phase: Deadline, Official Fees and What You Need (2026)
- Patent Infringement in Japan: How to Check Your Risk and Respond to a Warning Letter
- Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) in Japan: Speed Up Examination with CNIPA and Other Office Results
- Responding to a Japanese Patent Office Action on a Translated Application: Deadlines, Amendments and Mistranslation Correction
- Japanese Patent Annuities (2026): How to Pay, Late Payment and Restoration of a Lapsed Patent
Japanese designs
- How Much Does Design Registration Cost in Japan? Official JPO Fees for Foreign Applicants (2026)
- How to File a Design Application in Japan: Process, Drawings and Timeline for Foreign Applicants
- Partial Designs and Related Designs in Japan: How to Protect Key Features and Variations
- Designating Japan via the Hague System vs Filing Directly: A Guide for Foreign Design Applicants
- Protecting GUI, Icon, Building and Interior Designs in Japan: What Qualifies Since 2020
- How to Remove Copycat Listings on Amazon Japan with a Japanese Design Right
Utility models
- Utility Model vs Patent in Japan: Which Should Foreign Applicants Choose?
- Japan Utility Model Cost and Procedure (2026): Official JPO Fees, Timeline and Filing Tips
- Japan Utility Model Technical Evaluation Report: Enforcement Risks and Converting to a Patent
More Trademark Guides
- SaaS and App Trademarks in Japan: Why Class 42 Alone Leaves Gaps (Classes 9, 35 and More)
- OEM Manufacturing and Japanese Trademarks: Who Should Own Your Brand in Japan?
- 3D Shape Trademarks in Japan: Which Product and Packaging Shapes Can Be Registered?
- Registering a Logo Trademark in Japan: Word, Symbol or Combined Mark?
- Should You Register Your Company Name as a Trademark in Japan? Guide for Foreign Companies
- Missed a Japanese Trademark Renewal Deadline? The "Not Intentional" Relief System Explained
- "Intent to Use" Refusals in Japan: Too Many Goods, Class 35 Retail and How to Respond
- Changing the Applicant of a Pending Japanese Trademark Application: Process and Documents
- Japan's Trademark Consent System (Since April 2024): Requirements, Documents and Limits for Foreign Applicants
- Japan's Trademark Fast Track Examination: Is It Still Available? Fast Track vs. Accelerated Examination
- How Japan Judges Trademark Similarity: Appearance, Sound and Meaning Explained
- Accused of Trademark Infringement in Japan? What Overseas Sellers Should Check and Do
- Trademark vs Patent vs Design vs Copyright in Japan: What Each One Protects
- Do You Need a Japanese Trademark to Sell on TikTok Shop Japan? A Guide for Overseas Sellers
- Chinese Brand Names in Japan: Register Kanji, Pinyin, Katakana or English? (2026)
- Selling on Rakuten, Yahoo! Shopping or Qoo10 Japan? Why You Need a Japanese Trademark (2026)
- Stopping Counterfeits at Japanese Customs: How to File an Import Suspension Application (2026)
- Changing the Owner's Name or Address on a Japanese Trademark: Pending vs Registered (2026)
- How to Keep Evidence of Trademark Use in Japan (Non-Use Cancellation Checklist, 2026)
- Power of Attorney and Documents for Japanese Trademark, Patent and Design Filings (Foreign Applicants, 2026)
Planning to protect your brand in Japan?
Tell us your mark and your products — we will reply with the classes you need and a fixed quote, free of charge.
BrandAgent Patent Office (Kyoto, Japan)
Toru Kano, Japanese Patent Attorney