{"id":25,"date":"2026-03-12T19:50:24","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T10:50:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/?p=25"},"modified":"2026-11-02T16:36:37","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T07:36:37","slug":"japan_trademark_renewal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan_trademark_renewal\/","title":{"rendered":"Japanese Trademark Renewal: Deadlines, Official Fees and Procedure for Foreign Owners"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">&#8220;Our Japanese trademark was registered ten years ago \u2014 what do we need to do now?&#8221; &#8220;We changed agents. Who handles the renewal?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">A Japanese trademark does not last forever. It must be renewed every 10 years, and if the deadline is missed the right can be lost. In this article, Japanese Patent Attorney Toru Kano of BrandAgent explains when to renew, how much it costs, and how overseas owners can renew smoothly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">*Official fees are those in effect since the April 1, 2022 revision of the JPO fee schedule (last updated: October 2026).<\/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 renewal is<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The difference between a renewal and the first registration fee<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The renewal window and the 6-month grace period<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Official renewal fees (5 or 10 years) and BrandAgent&#8217;s fee<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Points to check before renewing<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">1. What is trademark renewal?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">A Japanese trademark registration lasts <strong>10 years from the date of registration<\/strong>. By filing a renewal application and paying the renewal fee, you extend the term by another 10 years. There is no limit on the number of renewals, so a mark you keep using can be protected indefinitely.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">An owner without a domicile or business office in Japan cannot file the renewal directly with the Japan Patent Office (JPO); it must be filed through a representative in Japan \u2014 in practice, a Japanese patent attorney. This applies even if the original filing was made by a different firm: you can appoint any Japanese patent attorney for the renewal.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">2. Renewal vs. the first registration fee (important)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">These two payments are often confused, but they are separate procedures with different fees.<\/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;\"><\/th>\n<th style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Renewal application<\/span><\/th>\n<th style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">First registration fee<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>When<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Every 10 years, around the expiry date<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Once, after the decision to register<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Purpose<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Extends an existing right<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Creates the right<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Official fee per class<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">10 yrs: JPY 43,600<br \/>5 yrs: JPY 22,800<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">10 yrs: JPY 32,900<br \/>5 yrs: JPY 17,200<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Legal basis<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Trademark Act Art. 20<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Trademark Act Arts. 40\u201341<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">In short, the registration fee &#8220;creates&#8221; the trademark right, while the renewal &#8220;keeps it alive.&#8221; Note that the renewal fee is higher than the first registration fee.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">3. Renewal deadline: from when, until when?<\/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>Renewal deadlines<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: disc;\">\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Term:<\/strong> 10 years from the date of registration<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Renewal window:<\/strong> from 6 months before the expiry date until the expiry date<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Grace period:<\/strong> up to 6 months after expiry, with a surcharge (double the renewal fee)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Example:<\/strong> a mark registered on April 1, 2020 expires on March 31, 2030. The normal renewal window is October 1, 2029 to March 31, 2030. If you miss it, you can still renew until the end of September 2030 by paying double the fee \u2014 after that, the right is lost.<\/span><\/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>Do not rely on reminders<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Do not assume you will be reminded before expiry. If your original Japanese agent has closed, changed, or simply does not contact you, nobody may remind you. Check the expiry date of each of your Japanese registrations yourself, or ask us to check it for you.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">4. Renewal procedure step by step<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Step 1: Confirm the expiry date<\/strong> \u2014 from the registration certificate or the JPO database J-PlatPat. Send us the registration number and we will confirm it.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Step 2: Review the registration<\/strong> \u2014 check that the owner&#8217;s name and address are still correct, and decide whether to renew all classes. If the name or address has changed, a recordal of the change is usually filed first or at the same time.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Step 3: File the renewal and pay the fee<\/strong> \u2014 we file the renewal application and pay the official fee for 5 or 10 years.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Step 4: Renewal is recorded<\/strong> \u2014 the JPO records the renewal and the term is extended by 10 years.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>What we need from you:<\/strong> the registration number, the owner&#8217;s current name and address (in the original language and in English), the classes to renew, and a Power of Attorney if we are newly appointed (we prepare it for you).<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">5. Renewal costs (5 years \/ 10 years)<\/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: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">5 years<\/span><\/th>\n<th style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">10 years<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>First registration fee (reference)<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">17,200<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">32,900<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #f0f7ff;\">\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Renewal fee (JPY per class)<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>22,800<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>43,600<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Difference<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">+5,600<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">+10,700<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The fee is multiplied by the number of classes renewed. With the 5-year option, the second 5 years (another JPY 22,800 per class) must be paid later; paying 10 years at once is cheaper overall.<\/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>BrandAgent&#8217;s renewal fee<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>JPY 10,000<\/strong> (excluding Japanese consumption tax, where applicable), plus the official fee above.<br \/>\nExample: 1 class, 10 years = JPY 43,600 + JPY 10,000 = JPY 53,600.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Payment by PayPal (in JPY) or bank transfer. Every case is handled personally by a licensed patent attorney.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">6. Points to check before renewing<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The deadline comes first<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Missing the deadline risks losing the right altogether. If a lapsed mark is registered by someone else, getting it back can be very difficult. Contact us well before the expiry date \u2014 at least 2\u20133 months ahead is ideal for overseas owners, to allow time for instructions and payment.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">You may be able to renew only the classes you need<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Renewal fees are charged per class, so dropping classes you no longer need can reduce cost. However, a class kept for defensive reasons or future expansion may be worth keeping. Also remember that a mark not used in Japan for 3 or more consecutive years can be challenged in a non-use cancellation trial.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Check that your current business is still covered<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Renewal does not change the registered goods\/services. If your product range has grown \u2014 for example, from clothing into bags or cosmetics \u2014 the new products may not be covered, and a new application may be needed.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">FAQ<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. When can we file the renewal?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. From 6 months before the expiry date until the expiry date.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Is the renewal fee the same as the registration fee?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. No. The renewal fee is higher: JPY 43,600 per class for 10 years (vs. JPY 32,900), or JPY 22,800 for 5 years (vs. JPY 17,200).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. We missed the expiry date. Is it too late?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. You can still renew within 6 months after expiry by paying double the renewal fee. After that, the right is lost.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Can BrandAgent renew a mark that another firm filed?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. Yes. Just send us the registration number and a Power of Attorney (we prepare it).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. 5 years or 10 years?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. 10 years is cheaper overall and suits brands you will keep using. 5 years can make sense if your plans for Japan are uncertain.<\/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%;\">A Japanese trademark lasts 10 years and can be renewed any number of times.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Renew from 6 months before expiry; a 6-month grace period is available at double the fee.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Official renewal fee: JPY 43,600 per class (10 years) or JPY 22,800 (5 years).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Foreign owners must renew through a Japanese patent attorney. BrandAgent&#8217;s fee: JPY 10,000.<\/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-missed-deadline-relief\/\">Missed a Japanese Trademark Renewal Deadline? The &#8220;Not Intentional&#8221; Relief System Explained<\/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-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-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>A Japanese trademark lasts 10 years and must be renewed. A Japanese patent attorney explains the renewal window, grace period, official fees (5 or 10 years) and how foreign owners renew through a Japanese representative.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":364,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25","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\/25","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=25"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":226,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25\/revisions\/226"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/364"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}