{"id":184,"date":"2026-11-01T15:26:41","date_gmt":"2026-11-01T06:26:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-trademark-fast-track-examination\/"},"modified":"2026-11-02T16:33:18","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T07:33:18","slug":"japan-trademark-fast-track-examination","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-trademark-fast-track-examination\/","title":{"rendered":"Japan's Trademark Fast Track Examination: Is It Still Available? Fast Track vs. Accelerated Examination"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">&#8220;We heard Japan has a &#8216;Fast Track&#8217; for trademarks. Can we use it to get our registration sooner?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Japan did have a trademark <strong>Fast Track examination<\/strong> \u2014 but it has been <strong>suspended since the end of fiscal 2022<\/strong>, with no restart date announced. In this article, Japanese Patent Attorney Toru Kano of BrandAgent explains how Fast Track worked, how it differs from <strong>accelerated examination<\/strong> (which is still available), and what overseas applicants can do today to avoid delays.<\/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>Fast Track:<\/strong> an automatic, free scheme that shortened the wait for the first examination result. <strong>Suspended<\/strong> since fiscal 2022.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Madrid designations were never eligible<\/strong> for Fast Track.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Today&#8217;s option:<\/strong> accelerated examination \u2014 about 2\u20133 months instead of about 9\u201312 months to registration.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Biggest time-saver:<\/strong> describe goods and services in the JPO&#8217;s standard wording.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">What was Fast Track examination?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Fast Track was an examination practice the Japan Patent Office (JPO) trialled from 2020. Eligible applications received the first examination result about a few months earlier than ordinary applications. There was <strong>no request and no fee<\/strong>: the JPO picked out qualifying applications automatically.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">An application qualified only if:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">at filing, all goods and services were described using <strong>standard wording<\/strong> \u2014 terms listed in the JPO&#8217;s Examination Guidelines for Similar Goods and Services, the Trademark Act Enforcement Regulations, or the Nice Classification; and<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">the goods and services were <strong>not amended<\/strong> before examination began.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Excluded were non-traditional marks (sound, colour, motion and similar), regional collective marks, certain shop-design 3D marks, and <strong>international registrations designating Japan under the Madrid Protocol<\/strong>. Even a small difference from the standard wording \u2014 one missing word or a different character \u2014 took an application out of Fast Track.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Is Fast Track available now?<\/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>Current status<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The JPO suspended Fast Track at the end of fiscal 2022 because ordinary examination times had come down.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">No restart date has been announced. The JPO says it will give advance notice on its website if it resumes.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The idea behind Fast Track \u2014 <strong>use standard wording for goods and services<\/strong> \u2014 is still the best way to keep examination smooth.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Fast Track vs. accelerated examination<\/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;\"><\/th>\n<th style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Fast Track<\/span><\/th>\n<th style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Accelerated examination<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Status<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Suspended<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Request<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Automatic<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Request with an explanation of circumstances<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Official fee<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">None<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">None<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Key condition<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Standard wording, no amendment<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The mark is already used (or about to be used) and certain conditions are met<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Typical time to registration<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">\u2014<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">About 2\u20133 months (normal: about 9\u201312 months)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Accelerated examination generally requires that you already use the mark (or are preparing to) for the designated goods or services in Japan, and you must submit evidence such as product photos or web pages. It is the realistic choice when a launch date or a marketplace deadline (for example, Amazon Brand Registry) is close.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">How foreign applicants can avoid delays today<\/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>Practical tips<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Use standard Japanese wording<\/strong> for goods and services. Literal translations from Chinese or English lists often trigger an Office Action for unclear descriptions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Search before filing<\/strong> so that a similar earlier mark does not cost you months.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Get the applicant details right:<\/strong> name and address in the original language and in English, matching your business licence.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Use accelerated examination<\/strong> when you already sell or are about to sell in Japan.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">FAQ<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. When will Fast Track restart?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. The JPO has not announced a date. It says it will give notice in advance on its website.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. How long does a Japanese trademark take now?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. Usually about 9\u201312 months from filing to registration; about 2\u20133 months with accelerated examination, if no Office Action is issued.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Is there an official fee for accelerated examination?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. No official fee. You submit an explanation of circumstances with supporting evidence.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Could a Madrid designation of Japan use Fast Track?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. No. International registrations designating Japan were excluded from Fast Track.<\/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%;\">Fast Track was automatic and free, but has been suspended since fiscal 2022.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Madrid designations were never eligible.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">For speed today, use accelerated examination (about 2\u20133 months).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Standard wording for goods and services still saves the most time.<\/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-accelerated-examination\/\">Accelerated Trademark Examination in Japan: Requirements, Evidence, Pros and Cons<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-trademark-registration-timeline\/\">How Long Does Trademark Registration Take in Japan? Timeline from Filing to Registration (2026)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/how_to_register_a_trademark_in_japan\/\">How to Register a Trademark in Japan: Step-by-Step Guide for Foreign Applicants [2026]<\/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>Japan&#8217;s trademark Fast Track examination has been suspended since fiscal 2022. A Japanese patent attorney explains how it worked, why it stopped, how it differed from accelerated examination, and what foreign applicants can do now to get a faster result.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":312,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-184","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\/184","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=184"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/184\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":206,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/184\/revisions\/206"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/312"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=184"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=184"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=184"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}