{"id":183,"date":"2026-11-01T15:26:41","date_gmt":"2026-11-01T06:26:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-trademark-consent-system\/"},"modified":"2026-11-02T16:33:21","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T07:33:21","slug":"japan-trademark-consent-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-trademark-consent-system\/","title":{"rendered":"Japan's Trademark Consent System (Since April 2024): Requirements, Documents and Limits for Foreign Applicants"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">&#8220;The JPO refused our trademark because it is similar to an earlier Japanese registration \u2014 but the owner is our business partner and does not object. Can we still register?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Since <strong>April 1, 2024<\/strong>, the answer can be yes. Japan introduced a <strong>consent system<\/strong> (Article 4(4) of the Trademark Act): if the owner of the earlier registered mark consents, and there is no likelihood of confusion, a similar mark can coexist on the register. In this article, Japanese Patent Attorney Toru Kano of BrandAgent explains how the system works for overseas brand owners.<\/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 of this article<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Two requirements:<\/strong> written consent from the earlier registrant <strong>and<\/strong> no likelihood of confusion.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Applies to:<\/strong> applications filed on or after April 1, 2024 (including Madrid designations with an international registration or subsequent designation date on or after that day).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Japan&#8217;s version is &#8220;qualified&#8221;:<\/strong> the examiner still checks for confusion even with consent.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Limits:<\/strong> not available with accelerated examination; identical mark + identical goods is not accepted.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">What is the consent system?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">In Japanese examination, a mark that is identical or similar to an earlier registered mark, for identical or similar goods or services, is refused under Article 4(1)(xi). In real business, however, two companies can use similar names without any real risk of confusion \u2014 different industries, different sales channels, or companies in the same group.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Under the consent system, the later mark can be registered if:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">the owner of the earlier registered mark gives written consent, and<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">the examiner finds that the two marks will not cause confusion.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">For many foreign applicants this matters because consent agreements are common in China, the US, the EU and Korea. Until 2024, a coexistence agreement had no effect on Japanese examination. That gap has now been partly closed.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Japan uses a &#8220;qualified&#8221; consent system<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Some countries accept a consent letter as enough on its own. Japan does not. Even with a signed consent, the examiner independently judges whether confusion is likely, considering:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">how similar the two marks are,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">how each mark is actually used (logo, house mark, additional wording),<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">the trade circumstances \u2014 customers, distribution channels, industries and regions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">A registration in another country obtained through consent does not by itself prove that there is no confusion in Japan. The Japanese situation is assessed separately.<\/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; text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">More likely to be accepted<\/span><\/th>\n<th style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Less likely to be accepted<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Different industries, customers and sales channels<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Identical mark for identical goods\/services (not accepted)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Use is clearly differentiated (logo, company name added)<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Very similar marks used in the same channels<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Group companies that agree on how each mark is used<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Relying only on a foreign consent registration<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Being in the same corporate group is not enough on its own. An agreement to show the group relationship when using the mark is, however, a relevant factor.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Documents and procedure<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The usual flow is:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">File the application (on or after April 1, 2024).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Receive an Office Action citing the earlier mark under Article 4(1)(xi).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Negotiate with the earlier owner and obtain consent.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">File a response with (1) the <strong>consent letter<\/strong> and (2) a document explaining <strong>why there is no likelihood of confusion<\/strong>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The examiner decides: registration or refusal.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">If you already know about the earlier mark, the documents can be filed earlier, even at the time of filing. The JPO publishes templates for both documents in its Trademark Examination Manual. The consent must come from the <strong>owner<\/strong> of the cited registration. A consent letter written in a foreign language must be filed with a <strong>Japanese translation<\/strong>.<\/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>Madrid designations of Japan<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">International registrations designating Japan can also use the system if the international registration date (or subsequent designation date) is on or after April 1, 2024. To file the consent documents with the JPO, you need to appoint a Japanese representative.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Limits and pitfalls<\/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>Points to watch<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Filing date:<\/strong> applications filed before April 1, 2024 cannot use the system, even if still pending. Divisional applications from such parents are also excluded.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Paris priority:<\/strong> an application filed in Japan on or after April 1, 2024 can use the system even if the priority application was filed earlier.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>No accelerated examination:<\/strong> an application relying on consent is not eligible for accelerated examination.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Identical mark + identical goods:<\/strong> not accepted.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Consent alone is not enough:<\/strong> prepare a real explanation of how confusion is avoided.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">After registration<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Marks registered through consent are marked as such in the official gazette and on J-PlatPat. Two safeguards remain after registration:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Request to add a distinguishing indication<\/strong> (Article 24-4): if one owner&#8217;s use threatens to harm the other&#8217;s business, the other owner can ask for an indication that prevents confusion.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Cancellation trial for improper use<\/strong> (Article 52-2): if one owner uses the mark for the purpose of unfair competition and causes confusion, anyone can request cancellation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">So a consent agreement should also cover how each party will use its mark in practice.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">FAQ<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. If the earlier owner consents, is registration guaranteed?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. No. Japan&#8217;s system is qualified: the examiner must also find no likelihood of confusion.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. We have a coexistence agreement signed in China. Can we use it in Japan?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. It can be a starting point, but the JPO needs a consent letter addressed to the Japanese situation (with a Japanese translation) and an explanation of why there is no confusion in Japan.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Our application was filed in 2023. Can we use consent now?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. No. Only applications filed on or after April 1, 2024 qualify. Filing a new application may be an option.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Can we combine consent with accelerated examination?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. No, an application relying on consent is not eligible for accelerated examination.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Summary<\/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>Key points<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Since April 1, 2024, consent from the earlier owner can overcome a similarity refusal in Japan.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The examiner still checks for confusion \u2014 consent alone is not enough.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Madrid designations from April 2024 onward qualify; a Japanese representative is needed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Not available with accelerated examination, and not for identical mark + identical goods.<\/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-trademark-similarity-refusal\/\">Refused for a Similar Trademark in Japan? Article 4(1)(xi) Explained by a Japanese Patent Attorney<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-trademark-similarity-test\/\">How Japan Judges Trademark Similarity: Appearance, Sound and Meaning Explained<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan_trademark_examination\/\">Japanese Trademark Office Action (Notice of Reasons for Refusal): Common Grounds and How to Respond<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan_trademark-non-use-cancellation\/\">Non-Use Cancellation Trials in Japan: Requirements, Procedure and When You Can Win<\/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>Refused in Japan because of a similar earlier mark? Since April 1, 2024, a consent letter from the earlier owner can overcome an Article 4(1)(xi) refusal. A Japanese patent attorney explains the two requirements, documents, Madrid cases and limits.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":313,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-183","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\/183","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=183"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/183\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":212,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/183\/revisions\/212"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/313"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=183"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=183"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=183"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}