"How much does it cost to get a patent in Japan?" "We already filed in China — how do we bring the case to Japan?" "Can a foreign company get the Japanese fee reduction?"
These are the questions overseas companies ask us most often. In this article, Japanese Patent Attorney Toru Kano of BrandAgent explains the official costs of a Japanese patent — filing, examination and annual fees — and the points foreign applicants should plan for.
*Official fees are those listed by the Japan Patent Office (JPO) as of April 1, 2026 (last updated: November 2026).
What you will learn
- Why foreign applicants need a Japanese patent attorney
- The two routes into Japan: Paris priority and PCT national phase
- Official JPO fees by number of claims
- Annual fees (annuities) for keeping the patent alive
- Fee reductions foreign applicants may use, and how to keep costs down
Foreign applicants must file through a Japanese patent attorney
An applicant who has no domicile or business office in Japan cannot file a patent application or handle later procedures — the examination request, responses to Office Actions, payment of annuities — directly with the JPO. A representative in Japan is required, in practice a licensed Japanese patent attorney (Benrishi).
The total cost of a Japanese patent is therefore made up of official JPO fees, the Japanese translation of your specification and claims, and attorney fees. Translation and attorney fees depend on the length and technical field of the specification and the number of claims, so we quote them case by case. This article focuses on the official fees, which are the same for everyone.
Two routes into Japan: Paris priority or PCT national phase
- Paris Convention route: file in Japan within 12 months of your first filing (for example in China) and claim priority. The application can be filed in a foreign language with a Japanese translation submitted later, but the deadline for the translation is strict.
- PCT national phase: if you filed a PCT international application, enter the Japanese national phase within 30 months of the priority date by submitting a Japanese translation. This gives you more time to decide whether Japan is worth it.
Under both routes, the Japanese translation becomes the basis of your Japanese patent. A poor translation can narrow your rights or cause refusals, so it is worth treating translation as part of the legal work, not just a cost item.
Official JPO fees: filing, examination request and registration
There are three main official fees. Except for the filing fee, they depend on the number of claims.
Official fee formula (as of April 1, 2026)
- Filing fee: JPY 14,000 (JPY 22,000 for an application filed in a foreign language)
- Request for examination: JPY 138,000 + JPY 4,000 × number of claims
- Annual fee, years 1–3: JPY 4,300 + JPY 300 × number of claims, per year (years 1–3 are paid together at registration)
Total official fees up to registration (filing + examination request + years 1–3), by number of claims, for a Japanese-language filing:
| Claims | Filing fee | Exam. request | Years 1–3 | Total (JPY) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14,000 | 142,000 | 13,800 | 169,800 |
| 2 | 14,000 | 146,000 | 14,700 | 174,700 |
| 3 | 14,000 | 150,000 | 15,600 | 179,600 |
| 5 | 14,000 | 158,000 | 17,400 | 189,400 |
| 10 | 14,000 | 178,000 | 21,900 | 213,900 |
*Years 1–3 are shown as the total for three years. Translation and attorney fees are not included.
PCT national phase: a reduced examination fee
If your application enters Japan through the PCT, the examination request fee is reduced, depending on which office prepared the international search report:
| International search report by | Request for examination (JPY) |
|---|---|
| Not a PCT application (normal) | 138,000 + 4,000 × claims |
| JPO | 83,000 + 2,400 × claims |
| An ISA other than the JPO | 124,000 + 3,600 × claims |
The examination request: do not miss the 3-year deadline
Filing alone does not start examination
In Japan, a patent application is examined only after a separate request for examination is filed. It must be filed within 3 years of the filing date (for a PCT application, the international filing date). If it is not filed in time, the application is deemed withdrawn.
Most applications receive at least one Office Action (notice of reasons for refusal). Responding with arguments or amendments does not require an official fee, but attorney work is needed, so it is wise to budget for one or two responses from the start.
Annual fees (annuities) to keep the patent
A Japanese patent lasts up to 20 years from the filing date (up to 25 years where a term extension is registered). From year 4, annual fees must be paid every year to keep it in force, and they increase over time.
| Years | Annual fee formula (per year) | 1 claim (per year) |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | 4,300 + 300 × claims | JPY 4,600 |
| 4–6 | 10,300 + 800 × claims | JPY 11,100 |
| 7–9 | 24,800 + 1,900 × claims | JPY 26,700 |
| 10–25 | 59,400 + 4,600 × claims | JPY 64,000 |
If an annuity is missed, it can still be paid within a 6-month grace period with a surcharge. Decide in advance which patents you really need to keep for the long term.
Fee reductions: foreign applicants can qualify
The JPO reduces the examination request fee and the annual fees for years 1–10 for certain applicants. According to the JPO, foreign applicants are also eligible if they meet the requirements — for example small and medium-sized enterprises (1/2), small-scale enterprises and young SMEs (1/3), and universities and researchers (1/2). Some categories, such as Japanese public institutions and approved TLOs, are not open to foreign applicants.
Eligibility depends on capital, number of employees, years since incorporation and whether the company is controlled by a large company. Tell us about your company and we will check whether a reduction applies before the examination request is filed.
How to keep the cost of a Japanese patent down
Practical tips
- Design the claims carefully: each claim adds to the examination and annual fees, but too few claims can leave gaps in protection.
- Use the PCT search result: a PCT application gets a reduced examination fee and gives you time to decide on Japan.
- Check fee reductions: SMEs and universities may cut the examination and annual fees by half or more.
- Invest in the translation: fixing translation problems later is far more expensive than getting it right first.
- Review annuities regularly: keep only the patents that still protect your business.
FAQ
- Q. Can we file a patent in Japan without a Japanese attorney?
A. Not if you have no address or business office in Japan. A representative in Japan is required by law. - Q. What are the minimum official fees?
A. About JPY 169,800 for 1 claim (filing, examination request and years 1–3), excluding translation and attorney fees. A PCT application with a JPO search report costs less. - Q. When must we request examination?
A. Within 3 years of the filing date (for PCT applications, the international filing date). Otherwise the application is deemed withdrawn. - Q. Can a foreign company use the JPO fee reduction?
A. Yes, if it meets the requirements, for example as an SME or a university. Ask us before filing the examination request. - Q. Can we communicate in English or Chinese?
A. Yes. Every case is handled personally by a licensed Japanese patent attorney, and we communicate in English and Chinese.
Key points
- Foreign applicants without a Japanese address must file through a Japanese patent attorney.
- Enter Japan within 12 months (Paris) or 30 months from priority (PCT), with a Japanese translation.
- Official fees up to registration start at about JPY 169,800 (1 claim).
- Request examination within 3 years, and budget for Office Action responses.
- Foreign SMEs and universities may qualify for fee reductions.
Related articles
- How to Get a Patent in Japan as a Foreign Applicant: Documents, Routes and Process
- Entering Japan via PCT National Phase: Deadline, Official Fees and What You Need (2026)
- Why Foreign Companies Should Get a Patent in Japan: Benefits Explained by a Japanese Patent Attorney
- Patent Infringement in Japan: How to Check Your Risk and Respond to a Warning Letter
Planning to patent your invention in Japan?
Tell us about your invention and your current filings — we will reply with the best route into Japan and a quote for translation and filing, free of charge.
BrandAgent Patent Office (Kyoto, Japan)
Toru Kano, Japanese Patent Attorney