{"id":27,"date":"2026-03-12T19:51:03","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T10:51:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/?p=27"},"modified":"2026-11-02T16:36:15","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T07:36:15","slug":"how_to_register_a_trademark_in_japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/how_to_register_a_trademark_in_japan\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Register a Trademark in Japan: Step-by-Step Guide for Foreign Applicants [2026]"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">&#8220;What do we need to do to register our trademark in Japan?&#8221; &#8220;Where do most applications go wrong?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">In this article, Japanese Patent Attorney Toru Kano of BrandAgent walks overseas brand owners through the Japanese trademark registration process step by step \u2014 from the preparation before filing to the moment your right is registered.<\/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%;\">The whole process, from preparation to registration<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">What to do at each step: classes, search and filing<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">What typically happens during examination<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">What a Japanese patent attorney does for a foreign applicant, and the cost<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The overall process<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">In one line: <strong>preparation \u2192 filing \u2192 examination \u2192 registration<\/strong>. In practice, the outcome is often decided at the preparation stage \u2014 the choice of classes and the prior search. Skipping them can lead to a refusal and a fresh application months later.<\/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>The 5 steps<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Step 1:<\/strong> Decide the classes and goods\/services<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Step 2:<\/strong> Prior trademark search<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Step 3:<\/strong> File with the Japan Patent Office (JPO)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Step 4:<\/strong> Examination<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Step 5:<\/strong> Decision to register \u2192 registration fee \u2192 registration<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">An applicant with no domicile or business office in Japan cannot file directly with the JPO; the application and every later procedure must go through a representative in Japan \u2014 in practice, a Japanese patent attorney (<em>Benrishi<\/em>).<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Step 0: Three things to decide before filing<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>1. The mark itself:<\/strong> a word, a logo, or both. Think about variants too \u2014 the English spelling, capital vs. lower case, and whether you will also use a katakana (Japanese) version in Japan.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>2. The classes and goods\/services:<\/strong> cover what you need, neither too little nor too much.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>3. How you will actually use it in Japan:<\/strong> including expansion in the near future \u2014 for example, starting with products on Amazon Japan and later opening your own shop or offering services.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Vague decisions here lead to problems later, such as a missing class or a registration that does not cover what you actually sell. Also decide who the applicant will be \u2014 the brand-owning company or individual \u2014 and prepare the name and address in the original language and in English.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Step 1: Choose the classes (goods\/services)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Goods and services are grouped into 45 classes under the Nice Classification. The same brand name may need different protection depending on what it is used for. Aim to cover your current and planned business without adding unnecessary classes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Official fees increase with the number of classes:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Filing:<\/strong> JPY 12,000 for 1 class, plus JPY 8,600 for each additional class<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Registration:<\/strong> JPY 32,900 per class (10 years) or JPY 17,200 per class (5 years)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Japan also has its own practice for wording goods and services. A description accepted in your home country \u2014 or in a Madrid designation \u2014 may be considered unclear in Japan, so we adapt it to Japanese practice before filing.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Step 2: Prior trademark search \u2014 where the outcome is often decided<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">A good search greatly reduces the risk of refusal. The cases most often missed are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Different spelling, similar sound:<\/strong> in Japan, marks are compared by their pronunciation as well \u2014 including the katakana reading of an English word.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Combined marks sharing the dominant part:<\/strong> an earlier mark with an extra word or figure can still block yours.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Different class, but related goods:<\/strong> similarity is judged by the goods themselves, not only the class number.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Missing these can result in an Office Action, months of delay and sometimes a new application. At BrandAgent, the prior search is free when you instruct us to file.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Step 3: File the application<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The core information in the application is the mark (word or logo), the classes and goods\/services, and the applicant&#8217;s details. For a logo, the file format and how the design is represented matter, as does which element is dominant. We prepare a Power of Attorney for you; you only need to fill in the representative&#8217;s name.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">If you filed the same mark at home within the last 6 months, you can claim Paris Convention priority, so your Japanese application is examined as of your home filing date.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Step 4: Examination (an Office Action may be issued)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The JPO examines every application. Normal examination takes about 9\u201312 months from filing; with accelerated examination (certain requirements apply), about 2\u20133 months. If there is no problem, a decision to register is issued. Typical grounds for refusal are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">An identical or similar earlier mark already exists<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Weak distinctiveness (descriptive or commonplace wording)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Unclear goods\/services wording, requiring amendment<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">What if you receive an Office Action?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">You respond with a written argument (opinion), an amendment, or both. For applicants residing outside Japan, the response period is 3 months. Many cases can be resolved, but a wrong assessment can drag the process out. We report the objection to you in English or Chinese with our recommendation; our fee for preparing a response is JPY 25,000 (excluding tax, where applicable).<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Step 5: Decision to register \u2192 registration fee \u2192 registration<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">After the decision to register, the registration fee must be paid within 30 days. You can choose a 5-year or 10-year term, and the fee depends on the number of classes. <strong>The trademark right comes into existence only once the fee is paid and the mark is registered.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Where foreign applicants often go wrong<\/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 pitfalls<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Copying the goods\/services from the home filing, so the scope in Japan is unclear or does not match what is sold<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Skipping the search, leading to a refusal and a new application<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Relying on a Madrid designation and then having to find a Japanese attorney in a hurry when an objection arrives<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Filing in the name of a shop or a related company rather than the actual brand owner<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Why work with BrandAgent<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">An experienced attorney handles the class design, the search and the application documents, which lowers the risk of failure. With more than 4,000 applications filed, every case is handled personally by a licensed patent attorney \u2014 no part of the work is delegated to unqualified staff.<\/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 attorney fees<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Filing: JPY 25,000 per class \/ Registration: JPY 25,000 per class<\/strong> (excluding Japanese consumption tax, where applicable; official fees separate).<br \/>\nFor 1 class, the total including official fees is about JPY 79,200 (5 years) or JPY 94,900 (10 years).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Consultations and quotes are free. We communicate in English and Chinese, and accept PayPal (in JPY) or bank transfer.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">FAQ<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Where should we start?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. Fix the mark, list the goods\/services you sell or plan to sell, then run a prior search \u2014 in that order. Send us that information and we will propose the classes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Is an Office Action the end?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. No. Many objections can be overcome with an argument or an amendment.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Should we register both the word and the logo?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. It depends on how you use the brand. In practice, filing the word plus your main logo is often the best approach.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Can we file in Japan without a Japanese attorney?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. Not if you have no address or business office in Japan. A representative in Japan is required by law.<\/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%;\">The process is preparation \u2192 filing \u2192 examination \u2192 registration.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The class design and the prior search often decide the outcome.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Adapt your goods\/services wording to Japanese practice.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The right exists only after the registration fee is paid and the mark is registered.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">BrandAgent: JPY 25,000 per class at filing and at registration; free search when you instruct us to file.<\/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-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-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\/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_examination\/\">Japanese Trademark Office Action (Notice of Reasons for Refusal): Common Grounds and How to Respond<\/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>The Japanese trademark registration process step by step \u2014 what to decide before filing, class selection, prior search, filing, examination and registration \u2014 explained for overseas brand owners by a Japanese patent attorney.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":362,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27","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\/27","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=27"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":194,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27\/revisions\/194"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/362"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}