Japan Trademark Paris Convention: How to Use Your Home Filing Date in Japan (2026)

Quick Answer

Japan is a Paris Convention member — foreign applicants can claim a 6-month priority right
File in Japan within 6 months of your home-country filing to claim that date as your Japan priority date
No additional JPO fee for claiming Paris Convention priority
The certified copy of your home application must be filed within 3 months of your Japan filing date
Priority protects against third-party filings during the 6-month window — critical in Japan's first-to-file system

Japan's Paris Convention priority system gives foreign businesses a 6-month window to file in Japan using their home-country filing date. In Japan's first-to-file system, that priority date can be the difference between securing your trademark and losing it to a squatter.

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What is Paris Convention Priority for Japan Trademarks

The Paris Convention is an international treaty that allows trademark owners who file in one member country to file in other member countries within 6 months — and have their application treated as if it was filed on the original home-country date.

Japan has been a Paris Convention member since 1899. The convention covers over 175 countries including the US, UK, EU member states, Australia, Canada, and most major economies.

What priority means in practice for Japan:

You file in the UK on 1 January 2026
You file in Japan on 1 June 2026 (within 6 months) with a priority claim
Your Japan application is treated as if filed on 1 January 2026
Any third party who filed in Japan between January and June has lower priority than you

Japan Trademark Cost: Priority Filing

Item	Cost
JPO filing fee (1 class) — same as standard	¥12,000
JPO registration fee (10-year, 1 class)	¥32,900
Paris Convention priority claim — JPO fee	None (no additional fee)
BrandAgent attorney fees	¥50,000 + tax (¥25,000 at filing + ¥25,000 at registration)
Total all-in (est.)	~¥94,900 + tax on attorney fees

Trademark Priority Claim Process

File in your home country — Note the exact filing date. This is day zero of your 6-month priority window
Contact BrandAgent within the 6-month window — Instruct your Benrishi to prepare the Japan application with a Paris Convention priority claim
Provide priority documents — Supply your home-country application number, filing date, and country. A certified copy will be required
File in Japan — Your attorney files the Japan application stating the home-country details as the priority basis. The Japan filing date is recorded but the priority date applies for examination purposes
Submit certified copy — A certified copy of the home-country application must be filed with the JPO within 3 months of your Japan filing date
JPO examination proceeds — The JPO examines the application using your home-country filing date as the effective priority date

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Timeline

Stage	Deadline / Duration
Home-country filing date	Day 0 — priority window opens
File in Japan with priority claim	Within 6 months of Day 0 — strict deadline
Submit certified copy to JPO	Within 3 months of Japan filing date
JPO examination	6–12 months from Japan filing date
Total to Japan registration (uncontested)	~10–14 months from Japan filing date

Common Mistakes

Missing the 6-month deadline — The Paris Convention priority deadline is absolute. File in Japan on day 181 or later and you lose the priority right entirely — your Japan filing date becomes your effective date
Forgetting the certified copy — Failing to file the certified copy of your home-country application within 3 months of the Japan filing date invalidates the priority claim
Filing a different mark version — The Japan application must cover the same mark as the home-country application. Significant differences invalidate the priority claim
Claiming priority on a broader class list — The Japan application can cover the same or narrower goods/services as the home-country application. Broader coverage than the home application is not permitted under priority
Not filing at all within 6 months — Some companies intend to use the priority window but delay too long. If no Japan application is filed within 6 months, the priority right expires permanently

FAQ

Does Paris Convention priority cost extra in Japan?

No. There is no additional JPO fee for claiming Paris Convention priority. The filing and registration fees are the same as for a standard application. Your attorney may charge a small additional fee for managing the priority documents.

Which countries can I use as a Paris Convention priority base for Japan?

Any Paris Convention member country — which includes the US, UK, EU member states, Australia, Canada, China, and over 170 other countries. Check with your attorney if you are unsure whether your home country is a member.

Can I still be refused in Japan even with a Paris Convention priority claim?

Yes. Priority gives you an earlier effective filing date — it does not guarantee registration. The JPO will still examine the mark for distinctiveness and prior conflicts as of the priority date. A clearance search before filing is still essential.

What if I miss the 6-month Paris Convention deadline for Japan?

You lose the priority right. Your Japan application will be examined based on its actual Japan filing date — not the earlier home-country date. Any third-party filings in Japan between your home filing and your Japan filing date will take priority over your application.

Conclusion

Japan trademark Paris Convention priority is a powerful and cost-free tool for foreign businesses. It protects against brand squatters during the gap between your home filing and your Japan filing — but only if you act within the strict 6-month window.