Japan Trademark Symbol: ™ and ® Rules for Foreign Businesses (2026)

Quick Answer

® (registered trademark symbol) can only be used after your mark is officially registered with the JPO
™ (trademark symbol) has no legal standing in Japan — it is not commonly used
Japan uses its own registered trademark symbol: 登録商標 or ®
Using ® before registration is granted is a criminal offence in Japan
Register first — then display ® on your products, packaging, and marketing

Japan trademark symbol rules are stricter than in many Western countries. Using the wrong symbol — or using ® before registration — can expose your business to legal penalties. This guide explains what you need to know.

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What is the Japan Trademark Symbol

Japan recognises two official ways to indicate a registered trademark:

® (circled R) — Internationally recognised symbol for a registered trademark. Legal to use in Japan after JPO registration is granted
登録商標 — The Japanese characters for "registered trademark." Used on Japanese-language packaging and advertising

The ™ symbol:

™ has no legal meaning or protection under Japanese trademark law
It is not commonly used in Japan
Using ™ does not indicate pending or registered status in Japan
Foreign companies sometimes use it out of habit — but it provides no legal benefit in Japan

Japan Trademark Cost

Item	Cost
Filing fee (1 class)	¥12,000
Registration fee (10-year, 1 class)	¥32,900
Total JPO fees (1 class, 10-year)	¥44,900
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 Filing Process

File your trademark application — Submit to the JPO via your Japanese trademark attorney. Do not use ® during this stage
JPO examination — 6–12 months. Your mark is pending — ® cannot be used yet
Notice of allowance received — Your application is approved. ® still cannot be used until registration is complete
Pay registration fee — Within 30 days of notice of allowance
Registration certificate issued — From this date, you may legally use ® or 登録商標 on your products, packaging, and marketing materials
Update all materials — Add ® or 登録商標 to packaging, advertising, website, and product labels in Japan

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Timeline

Stage	Duration	Symbol permitted?
Application filed — pending	Day 1	No ®
JPO examination	6–12 months	No ®
Notice of allowance	~10–13 months	No ®
Registration certificate issued	~10–14 months	✔ ® permitted

Common Mistakes

Using ® before registration — In Japan, displaying ® on an unregistered mark is a criminal offence under the Unfair Competition Prevention Act. Penalties include fines and imprisonment
Assuming ™ provides protection — ™ has no legal meaning in Japan. It does not indicate pending status or provide any enforceable rights
Forgetting 登録商標 on Japanese materials — For Japanese-language packaging and advertising, use 登録商標 alongside or instead of ® to communicate registered status clearly to Japanese consumers
Not updating materials after registration — Once registered, update all Japan-facing materials promptly. Displaying ® signals your enforceable rights to potential infringers
Using ® for unregistered classes — ® only applies to the specific goods/services covered by your registration. Do not use it for products or services outside your registered classes

FAQ

Can I use ® in Japan before my trademark is registered?

No. Using ® before JPO registration is granted is a criminal offence in Japan. Wait until you receive your registration certificate before displaying ® on any products, packaging, or marketing materials.

Is ™ recognised in Japan?

No. The ™ symbol has no legal meaning under Japanese trademark law. It does not indicate pending application status or confer any enforceable rights. There is no equivalent symbol recognised by the JPO for unregistered marks.

What does 登録商標 mean?

登録商標 (tōroku shōhyō) means "registered trademark" in Japanese. It is the Japanese equivalent of ® and is commonly used on Japanese-language product packaging, advertising, and business materials to indicate a JPO-registered mark.

Do I need to use ® on my products in Japan?

It is not legally required, but it is strongly recommended. Displaying ® or 登録商標 deters infringers, signals your legal rights to competitors, and supports enforcement actions if infringement occurs.