{"id":180,"date":"2026-11-01T15:23:27","date_gmt":"2026-11-01T06:23:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-trademark-missed-deadline-relief\/"},"modified":"2026-11-02T16:33:31","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T07:33:31","slug":"japan-trademark-missed-deadline-relief","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-trademark-missed-deadline-relief\/","title":{"rendered":"Missed a Japanese Trademark Renewal Deadline? The \"Not Intentional\" Relief System Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">&#8220;Our Japanese trademark expired because the renewal was forgotten. Is the right lost forever?&#8221;<br \/>\n&#8220;Our previous agent closed down and nobody reminded us. Can we still save the registration?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Overseas trademark owners miss Japanese deadlines more often than you might think \u2014 reminders go to an old address, an agent changes, or the person in charge leaves the company. This article, by Toru Kano, Japanese Patent Attorney at BrandAgent (Kyoto), explains the options when a Japanese renewal deadline has passed.<\/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%;\">Step 1: within <strong>6 months after expiry<\/strong> you can still renew by paying a surcharge (double the renewal fee).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Step 2: if that grace period has also passed, you may restore the right if the delay was <strong>&#8220;not intentional&#8221;<\/strong> (for deadlines missed on or after 1 April 2023).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Restoration must be requested within 2 months of when you became able to act, and within 6 months after the grace period ended.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">A statement of reasons and a restoration fee of JPY 86,400 are required.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">If the owner once decided not to renew and later changed its mind, restoration is refused.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">First check: are you still within the 6-month grace period?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">A Japanese trademark is valid for 10 years from registration. Renewal can be filed from 6 months before the expiry date. If that period is missed, the renewal can still be filed within <strong>6 months after expiry<\/strong> by paying a surcharge equal to the renewal fee (i.e. double the fee). No reason needs to be given.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The official renewal fee is JPY 43,600 per class (10 years) or JPY 22,800 per class (5 years). An owner abroad must file through a Japanese patent attorney. If you are still in the grace period, act now \u2014 this is far simpler and cheaper than restoration.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">After the grace period: the &#8220;not intentional&#8221; relief system<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Following the 2021 amendment of the Japanese Patent Act and related laws, the requirement for restoring rights after a missed deadline was relaxed for deadlines missed on or after <strong>1 April 2023<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\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%;\">Deadline missed<\/span><\/th>\n<th style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Requirement<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">On or before 31 March 2023<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">&#8220;Justifiable reason&#8221; \u2014 strict, rarely accepted<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">On or after 1 April 2023<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">&#8220;Not intentional&#8221; \u2014 simple mistakes can qualify<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Trademark procedures covered<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Application for renewal of a trademark registration (Trademark Act Art. 21)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Late payment of the second installment of the registration fee (Art. 41-3) \u2014 for owners who chose the 5-year payment<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Renewal of a defensive mark registration (Art. 65-3)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Application for registration of rewriting (Supplementary Provisions Art. 3)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">For most foreign owners, the relevant ones are the 10-year renewal and the second installment of the 5-year registration fee.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Deadline for requesting restoration<\/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>Both conditions must be met<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Within <strong>2 months<\/strong> from the day you became able to act (normally the day you noticed the missed deadline)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Within <strong>6 months<\/strong> after the procedural period (including the 6-month late-renewal period) ended<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Because the 2-month period starts when you notice the problem, contact a Japanese patent attorney immediately.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">What the statement of reasons must contain<\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Why the procedure was not taken, and the date you became able to act<\/strong> \u2014 a short, clear explanation (for example, renewal reminders were sent to an old address after the previous agent closed).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>A statement that the failure was not intentional<\/strong> \u2014 the JPO guideline example is: &#8220;The failure to take the procedure within the prescribed period was not intentional.&#8221;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Evidence is not required in principle, but the JPO may ask for it.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Restoration fee<\/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%;\">Right<\/span><\/th>\n<th style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Restoration fee<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Patent<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">JPY 212,100<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Utility model<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">JPY 21,800<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Design<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">JPY 24,500<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Trademark<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">JPY 86,400<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">This is in addition to the renewal fee itself. If the delay was caused by reasons not attributable to the owner, the restoration fee may be waived; a written explanation must be filed with the request and evidence submitted within 2 months.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Cases where restoration is refused<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Restoration is not available if the owner <strong>deliberately decided not to renew<\/strong> and later changed its mind. The JPO guideline gives examples such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The company decided the mark was no longer needed, then the policy changed<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The owner did not pay the agent&#8217;s fees, so the agent did not act, and the owner later changed its mind<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The owner let the right lapse, and later another company showed interest in buying it<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The owner gave up the right for financial reasons and later business improved<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The business closed, and a successor later restarted it<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Co-owners could not agree and gave up, then later reached agreement<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The owner ignored a JPO invitation to correct, and the procedure was dismissed<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The common thread is a conscious decision not to act. A genuine oversight can qualify; a change of mind cannot.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">How to avoid missing Japanese deadlines<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Keep your Japanese agent informed of address and contact changes<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">If you chose the 5-year registration fee, record the date the second installment is due<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">When you change agents, make sure the deadline records are handed over<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">FAQ<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Our Japanese trademark expired 3 months ago. What should we do?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. You are still within the 6-month grace period. You can renew by paying the renewal fee plus an equal surcharge. No reason is needed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. The grace period has also passed. Is there any hope?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. If the deadline was missed on or after 1 April 2023 and it was not intentional, restoration may be possible. Act within 2 months of noticing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Is the restoration fee refunded if the request is refused?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. In principle, no. It is worth having a patent attorney check your situation before filing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Our previous Japanese agent is no longer reachable. Can a new agent file the request?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. Yes. A new agent can file with a power of attorney from the owner.<\/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_trademark_renewal\/\">Japanese Trademark Renewal: Deadlines, Official Fees and Procedure for Foreign Owners<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-trademark-applicant-change\/\">Changing the Applicant of a Pending Japanese Trademark Application: Process and Documents<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan_trademark_assignment\/\">Buying or Selling a Japanese Trademark: Assignment Procedure, Documents and Costs<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-trademark-rights\/\">What Is a Trademark Right in Japan? When It Arises, Scope, Duration and Infringement<\/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>Missed the renewal deadline for your Japanese trademark? A Japanese patent attorney explains the late-renewal grace period, the &#8220;not intentional&#8221; restoration system, deadlines, the JPY 86,400 fee and cases that are refused.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":316,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-180","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\/180","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=180"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/180\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":227,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/180\/revisions\/227"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/316"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=180"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=180"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=180"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}