{"id":179,"date":"2026-11-01T15:23:26","date_gmt":"2026-11-01T06:23:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-company-name-trademark\/"},"modified":"2026-11-02T16:33:34","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T07:33:34","slug":"japan-company-name-trademark","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-company-name-trademark\/","title":{"rendered":"Should You Register Your Company Name as a Trademark in Japan? Guide for Foreign Companies"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">&#8220;Our company is already registered in China. Do we also need to register our company name as a trademark in Japan?&#8221;<br \/>\n&#8220;We are about to open a Japanese subsidiary \u2014 is the company registration enough?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">These are common questions from overseas businesses entering Japan. This article, written by Toru Kano, Japanese Patent Attorney at BrandAgent (Kyoto), explains why your company name deserves trademark protection in Japan, when to file, and how to do it as a foreign applicant.<\/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%;\">A company registration (in China or in Japan) does <strong>not<\/strong> give you trademark rights in Japan.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">If your company name is also your brand name, registering it in Japan is a high priority.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">File early \u2014 ideally before you start selling, advertising or opening a store on Amazon\/Rakuten Japan.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">If unsure, start with the name in standard characters (word mark), then consider the logo.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Official fees for 1 class: JPY 12,000 at filing + JPY 17,200 (5 years) or JPY 32,900 (10 years) at registration.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Company registration and trademark registration are different systems<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Registering a company with the Chinese authorities, or setting up a Japanese subsidiary (KK or GK) with the Japanese Legal Affairs Bureau, only records your trade name as a company. It does not stop another business from using \u2014 or registering \u2014 the same or a similar name as a <strong>trademark<\/strong> for goods or services in Japan.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Japan follows a <strong>first-to-file<\/strong> system. Whoever files first at the Japan Patent Office (JPO) generally gets the right, even if you have used the name for years in your home country. A Chinese trademark registration also has no effect in Japan.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Benefits of registering your company name in Japan<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>You can stop others from using a confusingly similar name<\/strong> for the same or similar goods\/services in Japan.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Trust with Japanese partners:<\/strong> distributors, retailers and marketplaces often check whether the brand is registered.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Protection for your investment:<\/strong> if someone else registers your name first, you may have to change your website, packaging, store name and advertising in Japan.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Marketplace tools:<\/strong> Amazon Brand Registry and similar programs in Japan require a Japanese trademark (or a pending application).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>A transferable asset:<\/strong> a trademark right can be assigned, which helps in group restructuring, M&amp;A or licensing.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">When should you file?<\/span><\/h2>\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>Recommended timing<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">After a prior trademark search, and before your Japanese launch<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Before investing in a Japanese website, packaging or advertising<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Before opening an online store on Amazon Japan, Rakuten or Yahoo! Shopping<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Before you appoint a Japanese distributor (to avoid the distributor filing it first)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">If you filed the same mark in China (or another Paris Convention country) within the last 6 months, you can claim Paris priority in Japan.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">How to register: word mark or logo?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">For a company name, we usually recommend filing the name first in <strong>standard characters<\/strong> (a word mark). Logos are often redesigned, while the name tends to stay the same for many years. A word mark protects the name regardless of font or design. If your logo is also important, it can be filed separately.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Think about how the name will be used in Japan. If you plan to use a Japanese katakana version or a Chinese-character version of your name, consider which forms need protection.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The process for foreign applicants<\/span><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Prior search:<\/strong> check for identical or similar marks already filed in Japan.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Decide classes and goods\/services:<\/strong> cover what you sell now and plan to sell soon.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>File at the JPO through a Japanese patent attorney:<\/strong> an applicant without a domicile or office in Japan must use a representative in Japan.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Examination:<\/strong> normally about 9\u201312 months; accelerated examination about 2\u20133 months if the requirements are met. Respond to any Office Action.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Pay the registration fee<\/strong> and the right is registered.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Renew every 10 years<\/strong> (or pay the second installment if you chose 5 years).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Official fees (JPO)<\/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;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Item<\/span><\/th>\n<th style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">1 class<\/span><\/th>\n<th style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Formula<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Filing fee<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">JPY 12,000<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">3,400 + 8,600 \u00d7 classes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Registration fee (10 years)<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">JPY 32,900<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">32,900 \u00d7 classes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Registration fee (5 years)<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">JPY 17,200<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">17,200 \u00d7 classes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">BrandAgent&#8217;s attorney fees are JPY 25,000 per class at filing and JPY 25,000 per class at registration (plus Japanese consumption tax where applicable). The prior search is free when you instruct us to file.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Tips for a successful registration<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Distinctiveness:<\/strong> a name that only describes the goods (e.g. &#8220;Best Tea Co.&#8221;) may be refused. Coined or unusual names register more easily.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Not too broad, not too narrow:<\/strong> listing everything increases cost and can trigger a refusal for lack of intent to use; listing too little leaves gaps.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Search first, then file:<\/strong> it is much cheaper than dealing with a refusal later.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Choose the right owner:<\/strong> decide whether the parent company or the Japanese subsidiary should own the mark before filing. Changing the owner later costs extra.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">If someone uses a similar name in Japan<\/span><\/h2>\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>What to do first<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Check where and for what the other party uses the name<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Keep evidence (screenshots of websites, ads and store pages, with dates)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Check whether they have filed or registered the name at the JPO<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Then decide on a warning, negotiation, opposition or invalidation<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The right response depends on how the name is used and on which goods\/services are covered, so it is best to sort out the facts with a Japanese patent attorney before taking action.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">FAQ<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. We registered our company in China. Is our name protected in Japan?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. No. Company registration and trademark rights are separate, and trademarks are territorial. You need a Japanese trademark registration.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Should we file the name or the logo first?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. In most cases the name in standard characters first. A logo can be filed separately if it is important for your brand.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Who should be the applicant \u2014 the parent company or the Japanese subsidiary?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. Either is possible. Many groups have the parent company own the mark and license it to the subsidiary. Decide before filing to avoid a later change of owner.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Can we file the name in English, Chinese characters and katakana?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. Yes. Each different form is usually filed as a separate application, so choose the forms you will actually use in Japan.<\/span><\/p>\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-logo-trademark\/\">Registering a Logo Trademark in Japan: Word, Symbol or Combined Mark?<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-trademark-oem-manufacturing\/\">OEM Manufacturing and Japanese Trademarks: Who Should Own Your Brand in Japan?<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-trademark-risks-of-not-registering\/\">Do You Need a Trademark in Japan? Risks of Not Registering for Overseas Brands<\/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<\/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 why foreign companies should register their company or brand name as a trademark in Japan, when to file, word vs. logo, and official fees.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":317,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-179","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\/179","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=179"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/179\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":222,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/179\/revisions\/222"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/317"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=179"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=179"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=179"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}