Japan Trademark JPO: How the Japan Patent Office Handles Trademark Registration (2026)

Quick Answer

The JPO (Japan Patent Office) is the government body that examines and registers all trademarks in Japan
All trademark applications must be submitted to the JPO — there is no alternative route for national registration
JPO fees are fixed by law and identical at every firm
Filing fee: ¥12,000 for 1 class (¥3,400 + ¥8,600 per class) | Registration fee: ¥32,900 (10-year) per class
Foreign applicants must appoint a Japanese trademark attorney (Benrishi) to deal with the JPO

Understanding how the Japan Patent Office works helps foreign businesses navigate the trademark registration process more effectively — and set realistic expectations for timelines, fees, and examination outcomes.

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What is the JPO

The Japan Patent Office (特許庁, Tokkyo-chō) is the government agency under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) responsible for examining and registering intellectual property rights in Japan — including trademarks, patents, designs, and utility models.

Key JPO functions for trademark applicants:

Receiving and examining trademark applications
Issuing office actions (provisional refusals) when grounds for refusal are found
Publishing approved marks in the Official Gazette for opposition
Registering marks and issuing registration certificates
Handling opposition, invalidation, and cancellation trials via the Trial and Appeal Division
Managing the J-PlatPat public search database

Japan Trademark Cost: JPO Official Fees

JPO fee item	Amount
Filing fee — 1 class	¥12,000
Each additional class	+¥8,600
Registration fee (5-year, per class)	¥17,200
Registration fee (10-year, per class)	¥32,900
Renewal fee (10-year, per class)	¥43,600
Opposition filing fee	¥3,000 + ¥8,000/class
Invalidation / cancellation trial fee	¥15,000 + ¥40,000/class
License registration tax (per license)	¥30,000
Assignment registration tax	¥30,000 (¥3,000 for inheritance or merger)

Trademark Filing Process via the JPO

Application submitted — Your Benrishi files electronically with the JPO. Filing date and application number issued immediately
Formal examination — JPO checks completeness and format (1–2 months)
Substantive examination — JPO examiner reviews distinctiveness and searches for conflicting prior marks (6–12 months)
Office action (if applicable) — Examiner issues a provisional refusal if objections are found. Your attorney responds within 3 months
Notice of allowance — If approved, you have 30 days to pay the registration fee
Publication in Official Gazette — Mark published for a 2-month opposition window
Registration — Certificate issued; mark entered in the JPO register

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Timeline

JPO stage	Duration
Formal examination	1–2 months
Substantive examination	6–12 months
Opposition period	2 months
Total (uncontested)	10–14 months
With office action or opposition	Up to 2–3 years

Common Mistakes

Trying to file directly with the JPO without a Benrishi — Foreign applicants without a Japan address cannot deal with the JPO directly. All communications must go through a licensed Benrishi
Confusing JPO fees with attorney fees — JPO fees are paid to the government and are fixed by law. Attorney fees are separate and vary by firm. Always clarify the total cost
Missing JPO response deadlines — The JPO sets strict deadlines for office action responses (3 months) and registration fee payments (30 days). Missing either results in automatic refusal or abandonment
Not monitoring J-PlatPat — The JPO's public database (J-PlatPat) is a free tool for checking existing marks. Use it before filing and set up ongoing monitoring after registration
Filing English documents without translation — All JPO proceedings are conducted in Japanese. English documents must be translated; filing in English without translation causes delays

FAQ

Can I contact the JPO directly as a foreign applicant?

No. Foreign applicants without a Japan address must appoint a Benrishi (Japanese trademark attorney) who acts as the sole representative for all JPO communications. You cannot contact the JPO directly.

How do I search existing trademarks on the JPO database?

The JPO's free public search database is J-PlatPat (j-platpat.inpit.go.jp). You can search by mark name, applicant, Nice Class, and filing date. For a thorough similarity assessment, a professional search by your Benrishi is recommended.

Does the JPO conduct trademark examination in English?

No. All JPO proceedings — including examination, office actions, and trial proceedings — are conducted in Japanese. Your Benrishi handles all Japanese-language communication with the JPO on your behalf.

Are JPO trademark fees the same at all firms?

Yes. Official JPO fees are set by Japanese law and are identical regardless of which attorney or firm you use. Attorney fees are separate and vary by firm. Always confirm the full cost breakdown — JPO fees plus attorney fees — before proceeding.

Conclusion

The JPO is the sole authority for trademark registration in Japan. Understanding its fees, timeline, and examination process helps foreign businesses plan their brand protection strategy effectively.

JPO filing fee: ¥12,000 (1 class) — fixed by law
JPO registration fee: ¥32,900 (10-year, 1 class) — fixed by law
All proceedings conducted in Japanese — Benrishi required for foreign applicants
Total to registration (uncontested): 10–14 months

Register Your Trademark in Japan

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