{"id":160,"date":"2026-11-01T15:20:02","date_gmt":"2026-11-01T06:20:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-logo-trademark\/"},"modified":"2026-11-02T16:33:37","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T07:33:37","slug":"japan-logo-trademark","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-logo-trademark\/","title":{"rendered":"Registering a Logo Trademark in Japan: Word, Symbol or Combined Mark?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">&#8220;Should we register our logo in Japan, or just the brand name?&#8221;<br \/>\n&#8220;Can one application cover the word, the symbol and the combined logo?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Your logo is how Japanese customers recognise you on packaging, Amazon Japan listings and social media. Registering it helps stop copycats \u2014 but in Japan <strong>what exactly you register<\/strong> (the word, the symbol or the combination) changes both cost and protection. A wrong choice can mean paying for an application that does not protect what you actually use.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">This guide by Toru Kano, Japanese Patent Attorney at BrandAgent (Kyoto), explains how logo trademarks work in Japan and how overseas brands should decide what to file.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"st-mybox  has-title st-mybox-class\" style=\"background:#f1f8e9;border-color:#a5d6a7;border-width:2px;border-radius:5px;margin: 25px 0 25px 0;\"><p class=\"st-mybox-title\" style=\"color:#4caf50;font-weight:bold;text-shadow: #fff 3px 0px 0px, #fff 2.83487px 0.981584px 0px, #fff 2.35766px 1.85511px 0px, #fff 1.62091px 2.52441px 0px, #fff 0.705713px 2.91581px 0px, #fff -0.287171px 2.98622px 0px, #fff -1.24844px 2.72789px 0px, #fff -2.07227px 2.16926px 0px, #fff -2.66798px 1.37182px 0px, #fff -2.96998px 0.42336px 0px, #fff -2.94502px -0.571704px 0px, #fff -2.59586px -1.50383px 0px, #fff -1.96093px -2.27041px 0px, #fff -1.11013px -2.78704px 0px, #fff -0.137119px -2.99686px 0px, #fff 0.850987px -2.87677px 0px, #fff 1.74541px -2.43999px 0px, #fff 2.44769px -1.73459px 0px, #fff 2.88051px -0.838246px 0px;\"><i class=\"fa fa-check-circle st-css-no\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>In short<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Logos fall into three types: logotype (stylised word), symbol, and combined mark.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">One application covers one mark \u2014 the three types are separate applications.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Start with the form you use most, usually the word or the combined logo.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Official fees: filing JPY 3,400 + 8,600 per class; registration JPY 32,900 per class (10 years) or JPY 17,200 (5 years).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Three types of logo<\/span><\/h2>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\" border=\"1\">\n<thead>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #f5f5f5;\">\n<th style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Type<\/span><\/th>\n<th style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">What it is<\/span><\/th>\n<th style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Typical use<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Logotype<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The brand name in a particular font or design<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">When the name is what customers say and search<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Symbol mark<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">A figure or illustration only<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">When the symbol is recognised on its own<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Combined mark<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Word + symbol together<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">When you always use them together<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">If your Japanese priority is to protect the <em>name<\/em>, a standard character (plain word) mark is usually the strongest choice, because it covers the word in any font. A logo registration adds protection for the visual design.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Why register your logo in Japan<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Deters copycats and lookalike packaging<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Gives you a clear legal basis for warning letters and platform takedowns<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Supports Amazon Japan Brand Registry, which relies on a Japanese trademark<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Makes licensing, distribution and franchise deals easier<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Points for overseas brands<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Chinese-character logos<\/strong>: Japanese examiners read kanji in Japanese readings and also look at appearance and meaning. A Chinese-character mark may be similar to an existing Japanese mark you would not expect. A prior search in Japan is important.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Latin-letter names<\/strong>: if your logo combines Chinese characters and an English or pinyin name, consider a separate word mark for the Latin name \u2014 that is what Japanese customers and Amazon search will use.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Use the exact logo you use on products<\/strong>: a registration for an old version may not cover a redesigned logo.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Filing process<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Decide which form to register (logotype, symbol or combined).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Prior search \u2014 figurative elements are searched with figure classification codes (Vienna classification), which requires experience.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">File: choose classes and goods\/services carefully.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Examination: respond to any Office Action.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Registration: pay the registration fee.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Examination takes about 9\u201312 months; accelerated examination is possible in about 2\u20133 months if you qualify.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Costs<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Japanese costs consist of official JPO fees and attorney fees. Official fees per application: JPY 3,400 + 8,600 per class at filing; JPY 32,900 per class for 10 years (or 17,200 for 5 years) at registration. BrandAgent charges JPY 25,000 per class at filing and JPY 25,000 per class at registration.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Because each form is a separate application, filing the word, the symbol and the combined mark means three applications and three sets of fees. Prioritise.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"st-mybox  has-title st-mybox-class\" style=\"background:#ffebee;border-color:#ef9a9a;border-width:2px;border-radius:5px;margin: 25px 0 25px 0;\"><p class=\"st-mybox-title\" style=\"color:#ef5350;font-weight:bold;text-shadow: #fff 3px 0px 0px, #fff 2.83487px 0.981584px 0px, #fff 2.35766px 1.85511px 0px, #fff 1.62091px 2.52441px 0px, #fff 0.705713px 2.91581px 0px, #fff -0.287171px 2.98622px 0px, #fff -1.24844px 2.72789px 0px, #fff -2.07227px 2.16926px 0px, #fff -2.66798px 1.37182px 0px, #fff -2.96998px 0.42336px 0px, #fff -2.94502px -0.571704px 0px, #fff -2.59586px -1.50383px 0px, #fff -1.96093px -2.27041px 0px, #fff -1.11013px -2.78704px 0px, #fff -0.137119px -2.99686px 0px, #fff 0.850987px -2.87677px 0px, #fff 1.74541px -2.43999px 0px, #fff 2.44769px -1.73459px 0px, #fff 2.88051px -0.838246px 0px;\"><i class=\"fa fa-check-circle st-css-no\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>Common mistakes<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Trying to cover several logo versions in one application<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Registering a logo version you no longer use<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Not checking the licence of a commercial font used in the logotype<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Skipping the search for a kanji logo<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Which to file first<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The name is what matters \u2192 standard character (word) mark first<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The symbol is strongly recognised \u2192 symbol mark<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">You always use word and symbol together \u2192 combined mark<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">If unsure, look at how the mark actually appears on your products, packaging, website and listings.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">FAQ<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Do we have to register our logo?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. Not legally, but the more your logo is seen in Japan, the higher the copying risk.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Word or logo first?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. To protect the name, a word mark usually comes first; it covers the word in any style.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Do three logo forms cost three times as much?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. Yes, each is a separate application. You can file in stages.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Our logo is in Chinese characters. Any special risk?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. Japanese readings and appearance are compared with existing marks, so a search in Japan is essential before filing.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"st-mybox  has-title st-mybox-class\" style=\"background:#f1f8e9;border-color:#a5d6a7;border-width:2px;border-radius:5px;margin: 25px 0 25px 0;\"><p class=\"st-mybox-title\" style=\"color:#4caf50;font-weight:bold;text-shadow: #fff 3px 0px 0px, #fff 2.83487px 0.981584px 0px, #fff 2.35766px 1.85511px 0px, #fff 1.62091px 2.52441px 0px, #fff 0.705713px 2.91581px 0px, #fff -0.287171px 2.98622px 0px, #fff -1.24844px 2.72789px 0px, #fff -2.07227px 2.16926px 0px, #fff -2.66798px 1.37182px 0px, #fff -2.96998px 0.42336px 0px, #fff -2.94502px -0.571704px 0px, #fff -2.59586px -1.50383px 0px, #fff -1.96093px -2.27041px 0px, #fff -1.11013px -2.78704px 0px, #fff -0.137119px -2.99686px 0px, #fff 0.850987px -2.87677px 0px, #fff 1.74541px -2.43999px 0px, #fff 2.44769px -1.73459px 0px, #fff 2.88051px -0.838246px 0px;\"><i class=\"fa fa-check-circle st-css-no\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>Key points<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Logotype, symbol and combined mark are separate applications.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">A word mark is often the best first step to protect the name.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Kanji logos need a careful Japanese search.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">BrandAgent fees: JPY 25,000 per class at filing and at registration; free prior search when you instruct us to file.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"related-articles\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Related articles<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-standard-character-mark\/\">Standard Character Marks in Japan: Word Mark vs. Logo Mark and How to Choose<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-3d-shape-trademark\/\">3D Shape Trademarks in Japan: Which Product and Packaging Shapes Can Be Registered?<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan_trademark_classes\/\">Trademark Classes in Japan: How to Choose from the 45 Nice Classes and Describe Your Goods\/Services<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-trademark-cost\/\">How Much Does a Japanese Trademark Cost? Fees for Foreign Applicants (2026)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f0f7ff; border: 2px solid #0066cc; padding: 20px; margin: 24px 0; border-radius: 6px;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Planning to protect your brand in Japan?<\/strong><br \/>\nTell us your mark and your products \u2014 we will reply with the classes you need and a fixed quote, free of charge.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">BrandAgent Patent Office (Kyoto, Japan)<br \/>\nToru Kano, Japanese Patent Attorney<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a style=\"color: #0066cc; font-weight: bold;\" href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en\/trademark_lp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Get a free quote for your Japanese trademark<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Japanese patent attorney explains logo trademarks in Japan for overseas brands: the three logo types, separate applications, kanji logos, official fees and what to file first.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":318,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-160","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-trademark"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/160","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=160"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/160\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":201,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/160\/revisions\/201"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/318"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=160"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=160"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=160"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}