{"id":23,"date":"2026-03-12T19:49:27","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T10:49:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/?p=23"},"modified":"2026-11-02T16:36:40","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T07:36:40","slug":"japan_trademark_opposition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan_trademark_opposition\/","title":{"rendered":"Trademark Opposition in Japan: Requirements, 2-Month Deadline and Procedure"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">&#8220;Someone has registered a trademark in Japan that is almost the same as our brand. Can we stop it?&#8221; &#8220;Is there a way to challenge a registration without going to court?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Japan has an <strong>opposition system<\/strong> that lets anyone ask the Japan Patent Office (JPO) to cancel a newly registered trademark. It is cheaper and simpler than a trial, but the deadline is very short. In this article, Japanese Patent Attorney Toru Kano of BrandAgent explains the requirements, the deadline and the procedure for foreign brand owners.<\/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 a trademark opposition is<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The 2-month deadline and who can file<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Grounds that can and cannot be raised<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The procedure and possible decisions<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Opposition vs. invalidation trial vs. non-use cancellation trial<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">What is a trademark opposition?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-3096\" src=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/space-3262811_1280-1024x640.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"920\" height=\"575\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">An opposition is a request to the JPO to cancel a trademark that has already been registered. Examiners can overlook problems, so the system works as a <strong>public re-check after registration<\/strong>: third parties point out errors, and the JPO reviews the registration again.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Japan uses a post-registration opposition system. Unlike some countries, there is no opposition period before registration \u2014 you can only oppose after the mark has been registered and published.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Deadline: within 2 months of publication<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-3097\" src=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/to-register-257986_1280-1024x662.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"920\" height=\"662\" \/><\/p>\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>The 2-month rule<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">An opposition must be filed <strong>within 2 months of the publication of the trademark registration gazette<\/strong>. After that, opposition is no longer possible and you will need to consider an invalidation trial instead.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Two months passes quickly, especially when documents have to be translated and evidence collected abroad. If Japan is an important market, we recommend watching new Japanese registrations in your field so you can act in time.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Who can file an opposition?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-3098\" src=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/audit-3929140_1920-1-1024x594.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"920\" height=\"594\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Anyone<\/strong> can file \u2014 you do not have to prove that you are an interested party. Foreign companies and individuals can file too. However, if you have no domicile or business office in Japan, the opposition must be filed through a Japanese patent attorney, and the same applies to all later procedures.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Grounds for opposition<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-3099\" src=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/rockets-4528194_1280-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"920\" height=\"518\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Grounds are limited to those listed in Article 43-2 of the Japanese Trademark Act. The main ones are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Article 3:<\/strong> lack of distinctiveness (e.g. a common name or a descriptive word)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Article 4(1):<\/strong> statutory bars, such as item (xi) similarity to an earlier registered mark, item (xvi) risk of misleading as to quality, and item (vii) public order or morality<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Article 7-2(1):<\/strong> violation of the requirements for regional collective trademarks<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Article 8(1), (2) and (5):<\/strong> violation of the first-to-file rule<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Violation of a treaty<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">In practice, <strong>similarity to an earlier mark (Article 4(1)(xi))<\/strong> is the most common ground.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Some grounds <strong>cannot<\/strong> be raised in an opposition \u2014 for example, violation of the one-mark-one-application rule (Article 6), registration by a person not entitled to it, and events that occur after registration. These are handled by invalidation or other trials instead. If your own agent or distributor registered your brand in Japan without permission, a separate cancellation trial under Article 53-2 (based on Paris Convention Article 6septies) is available.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The opposition procedure<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-3100\" src=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/financial-4560047_1280-1-1024x660.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"920\" height=\"592\" \/><\/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>Procedure flow<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">\u2460 The trademark is registered and the registration gazette is published.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">\u2461 The opposition is filed within 2 months.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">\u2462 The JPO checks formalities and appoints trial examiners.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">\u2463 A copy of the opposition is sent to the trademark owner.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">\u2464 A panel of 3 or 5 trial examiners reviews the case, usually on documents only.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">\u2465 If the panel is inclined to cancel, it notifies the owner of the reasons, and the owner may file a written opinion.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">\u2466 Decision: the registration is maintained or cancelled.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The opponent may supplement grounds and evidence within <strong>30 days after the 2-month opposition period ends<\/strong>, but changes that alter the substance of the opposition are generally not allowed. Several oppositions against the same registration are usually examined together. An opposition can be withdrawn until the notice of reasons for cancellation is issued.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Decisions and their effect<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-3096\" src=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/space-3262811_1280-1024x640.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"920\" height=\"575\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The JPO either <strong>maintains<\/strong> or <strong>cancels<\/strong> the registration. When a cancellation becomes final, the trademark right is treated as <strong>never having existed<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">If the registration is cancelled, the owner can appeal to the Intellectual Property High Court within 30 days. A decision to maintain the registration cannot be appealed \u2014 the opponent would need to file an invalidation trial (if an interested party) to continue the challenge.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Opposition vs. invalidation trial vs. non-use cancellation trial<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-3097\" src=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/to-register-257986_1280-1024x662.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"920\" height=\"662\" \/><\/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;\"><\/th>\n<th style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Who can file<\/span><\/th>\n<th style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">When<\/span><\/th>\n<th style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Effect<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Opposition<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Anyone<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Within 2 months of publication<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Right deemed never to have existed<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Invalidation trial<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Interested parties<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Generally at any time (some grounds limited to 5 years after registration)<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Right deemed never to have existed<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Non-use cancellation trial<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Anyone<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">When the mark has not been used in Japan for 3+ consecutive years<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Right extinguished from the date the trial request is registered<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Within the 2-month window, opposition is usually the first option to consider. After the window, or when you want to pursue the matter as an interested party, an invalidation trial is the choice. If the registered mark is not actually being used in Japan, a non-use cancellation trial can be the simplest route.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Practical points<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-3101\" src=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/trademark-scaled-1-1024x512.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"920\" height=\"460\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Act early:<\/strong> the 2-month deadline cannot be extended. Contact a Japanese patent attorney as soon as you find the registration.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Legal grounds and evidence:<\/strong> &#8220;it&#8217;s unfair&#8221; or &#8220;we used the name first abroad&#8221; is not enough. The opposition must be based on a statutory ground supported by evidence.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>If your registration is opposed:<\/strong> foreign owners must also respond through a Japanese patent attorney. Do not ignore a notice of reasons for cancellation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">BrandAgent handles oppositions and trials for overseas clients in English and Chinese. With more than 4,000 applications filed, every case is handled personally by a licensed patent attorney. Consultations and quotes are free.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">FAQ<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Can a foreign company file an opposition in Japan?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. Yes. Anyone can file. If you have no domicile or office in Japan, it must be filed through a Japanese patent attorney.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. What if the 2-month period has already passed?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. Opposition is no longer possible. Consider an invalidation trial (interested parties only) or, if the mark is not used in Japan, a non-use cancellation trial.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Is an opposition likely to succeed?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. It depends on the case. It can be effective when there is a clear legal ground, such as a similar earlier mark. Subjective arguments will not be accepted.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Can an opposition be withdrawn?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. Yes, until the notice of reasons for cancellation is issued. If all oppositions are withdrawn, the proceedings end.<\/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%;\">Anyone can oppose a Japanese registration within 2 months of its publication.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Grounds are limited by law; similarity to an earlier mark is the most common.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Examination is usually on documents; the result is maintenance or cancellation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">After the deadline, consider invalidation or non-use cancellation trials.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Foreign parties must act through a Japanese patent attorney.<\/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-invalidation-trial\/\">Trademark Invalidation Trial in Japan: Grounds, Who Can File, and How It Differs from Opposition<\/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<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-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>Anyone can oppose a newly registered Japanese trademark within 2 months of its publication. A Japanese patent attorney explains the grounds, procedure, and how opposition compares with invalidation and non-use cancellation trials.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":365,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23","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\/23","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=23"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":213,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23\/revisions\/213"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/365"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}