{"id":20,"date":"2026-03-12T19:47:14","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T10:47:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/?p=20"},"modified":"2026-11-02T16:36:44","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T07:36:44","slug":"japan_trademark_registration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan_trademark_registration\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Trademark Registration in Japan? How It Works, Benefits, Costs and Process for Foreign Applicants"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">&#8220;We sell in Japan already \u2014 do we really need a Japanese trademark?&#8221; &#8220;What exactly does registration give us?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">In this article, Japanese Patent Attorney Toru Kano of BrandAgent explains what trademark registration in Japan is, what it lets you do, what can be registered, how the process works and what it costs \u2014 written for companies and individuals outside Japan who want to protect their brand in the Japanese market.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"st-mybox st-mybox-class\" style=\"margin: 18px 0; padding: 16px; border: 2px solid #e5e7eb; border-radius: 10px; background: #fafafa;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>What you will learn<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"margin: 10px 0 0 18px;\">\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">What trademark registration is and what it lets you do in Japan<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Why a home-country registration does not protect you in Japan<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">What can and cannot be registered<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The step-by-step process and the official fees<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">When to file, and why foreign applicants need a Japanese patent attorney<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">What is trademark registration?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Trademark registration is the procedure of registering a word, logo or other sign with the Japan Patent Office (JPO) in order to obtain a trademark right.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">A trademark&#8217;s basic role is to act as a &#8220;signpost&#8221; that lets consumers tell whose goods or services they are buying. Registration gives that signpost legal backing: it makes it easier for you to use the mark exclusively for the goods and services you designate.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Trademark rights are territorial. A registration in China, Korea, the EU or the US has no effect in Japan. To be protected in Japan, the mark must be registered in Japan \u2014 either by filing directly with the JPO or by designating Japan in a Madrid international registration.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">What does registration let you do?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Once your mark is registered in Japan, you can:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Use the mark exclusively for your designated goods and services in Japan<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Take action against others who use the same or a similar mark on the same or similar goods\/services<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Use your registration for brand protection programs on Amazon Japan, Rakuten and other platforms, and for infringement reports<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Show distributors, retailers and licensees in Japan that you own the brand<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">License or assign the mark as a business asset<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">In short, registration is the foundation for building a brand in Japan.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Why registration matters for overseas brands<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">1. Someone else may register your mark first<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Japan follows a first-to-file system. Even if you have been selling under the brand for years, a third party who files first \u2014 a reseller, a former distributor or a pure squatter \u2014 can generally obtain the registration. Recovering the mark afterwards is costly and uncertain.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">2. It is hard to stop look-alike names without a registration<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Some protection may be available for well-known unregistered marks, but in practice a registered right makes it far easier to send warnings, file platform complaints and stop copycats.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">3. Your investment in the brand is protected<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Packaging, Japanese-language websites, advertising and marketplace listings all build value in the name. If you lose the right to use the name, that investment is wasted.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">What can be registered?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Typical examples include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Company names and trade names<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Brand names, product names and service names<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Logos<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Store names and app names<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">In practice, most applications are either for a word mark (the name in standard characters) or a logo mark. A brand name in Latin letters, Chinese characters or Korean script can all be registered in Japan.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">What cannot be registered<\/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>Common reasons for refusal<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Common or generic names<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Words that simply describe the goods or services (their quality, function, origin, etc.)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Marks similar to an earlier registered or applied-for mark for similar goods\/services<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Marks contrary to public order or morality<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Similarity to earlier marks is the most common issue. A mark that was registered without problems in your home country may still conflict with an existing Japanese mark, which is why a search before filing is so important.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The registration process<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>1. Decide the mark<\/strong> \u2014 word, logo, or both<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>2. Choose the classes and goods\/services<\/strong> \u2014 under the Nice Classification (Classes 1\u201345), worded to fit Japanese practice<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>3. Prior trademark search<\/strong> \u2014 check for conflicting earlier marks in Japan<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>4. Filing<\/strong> \u2014 through a Japanese patent attorney (claiming Paris priority if you filed at home within the last 6 months)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>5. Examination<\/strong> \u2014 if the JPO raises an objection, an Office Action is issued and we respond<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>6. Decision of registration and payment of the registration fee<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>7. Registration<\/strong> \u2014 the trademark right comes into effect<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Steps 2 and 3 matter most. If the classes or goods are chosen carelessly, you may receive an Office Action, or end up with a registration that does not cover the products you actually sell. Examination takes about 9\u201312 months under normal examination, or about 2\u20133 months with accelerated examination (certain requirements apply).<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">How much does it cost?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Costs are made up of official fees paid to the JPO and the attorney&#8217;s fees. Official fees are paid twice \u2014 at filing and at registration \u2014 and depend on the number of classes.<\/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>Official JPO fees<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: disc;\">\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Filing:<\/strong> JPY 3,400 + JPY 8,600 \u00d7 number of classes (JPY 12,000 for 1 class)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Registration (10 years):<\/strong> JPY 32,900 \u00d7 number of classes<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Registration (5 years):<\/strong> JPY 17,200 \u00d7 number of classes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">BrandAgent&#8217;s attorney fees are <strong>JPY 25,000 per class at filing and JPY 25,000 per class at registration<\/strong> (excluding Japanese consumption tax, where applicable). For 1 class, the total including official fees is about JPY 79,200 (5 years) or JPY 94,900 (10 years). Consultations and quotes are free, and the prior search is free when you instruct us to file.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Does a company registration or domain name protect the name?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">No. Company registration, domain names and trademarks are separate systems. Registering a Japanese subsidiary or branch under your brand name, or owning a .jp domain, does not give you a trademark right. The same applies to a marketplace store name or social media account.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">When should you file?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The ideal time is <strong>before you invest in the name in Japan<\/strong>, for example:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Before launching a new brand, product or service in Japan<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Before opening a store on Amazon Japan, Rakuten or other platforms<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Before launching a Japanese website, social media or advertising<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Before signing with a Japanese distributor or licensee<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">If you have already filed in your home country, remember that the 6-month Paris priority period runs from your home filing date.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Why foreign applicants need a Japanese patent attorney<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">An applicant with no domicile or business office in Japan cannot file directly with the JPO. Filing and every later procedure \u2014 Office Action responses, registration fee payment, renewals \u2014 must be handled by a representative in Japan, in practice a licensed patent attorney (<em>Benrishi<\/em>).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Beyond the legal requirement, the real difficulty lies in the professional judgment: choosing the right classes, wording goods and services so they are accepted in Japan, assessing search results, and responding effectively to Office Actions.<\/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>Working with BrandAgent<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">More than 4,000 applications filed<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Every case handled personally by a licensed patent attorney \u2014 no unqualified staff<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Communication in English and Chinese<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Payment by PayPal (JPY) or bank transfer<\/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. What is trademark registration, in one sentence?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. It is a system that makes it easier to protect a brand name or logo for specific goods and services in Japan.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Our mark is registered in China (or Korea, the EU, etc.). Is it protected in Japan?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. No. Trademark rights are territorial. You need a Japanese registration, by direct filing or a Madrid designation of Japan.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. What happens if we do not register?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. Someone else may register the mark first, and it becomes difficult to act against similar names.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Should we register the word or the logo?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. It depends on the case, but in practice the word mark and the logo mark are often considered separately. A word mark in standard characters usually gives the broadest protection for the name itself.<\/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%;\">Trademark registration gives you an exclusive right to your mark for designated goods\/services in Japan.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">A home-country registration does not protect you in Japan; Japan is first-to-file.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Class selection and the prior search are the most important steps.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Official fees for 1 class: JPY 12,000 at filing, JPY 32,900 (10 years) or 17,200 (5 years) at registration.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Foreign applicants must file through a Japanese patent attorney. File before you invest in the name.<\/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\/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<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan_trademark_search\/\">Trademark Search in Japan: How to Check Prior Marks Before Filing (and What People Miss)<\/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 trademark registration in Japan for overseas brand owners: what it protects, what can and cannot be registered, the step-by-step process, official fees and why foreign applicants need a local attorney.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":366,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20","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\/20","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=20"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":193,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20\/revisions\/193"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/366"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}