{"id":274,"date":"2026-11-01T18:39:45","date_gmt":"2026-11-01T09:39:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-patent-office-action-translation-correction\/"},"modified":"2026-11-02T16:19:27","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T07:19:27","slug":"japan-patent-office-action-translation-correction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-patent-office-action-translation-correction\/","title":{"rendered":"Responding to a Japanese Patent Office Action on a Translated Application: Deadlines, Amendments and Mistranslation Correction"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">&#8220;We received a Notice of Reasons for Refusal from the JPO. How long do we have?&#8221; &#8220;The examiner says our claims are unclear, but they were fine in China.&#8221; &#8220;We just found a translation error in the Japanese text \u2014 can it be fixed?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Most Japanese patent applications receive at least one Office Action \u2014 in Japan called a <strong>Notice of Reasons for Refusal<\/strong>. It is not a final rejection: with well-reasoned arguments and amendments, many applications go on to grant. But when your Japanese application is a translation of an English or Chinese specification, there are extra points to watch. In this article, Japanese Patent Attorney Toru Kano of BrandAgent explains how to respond, covering deadlines for overseas applicants, amendment limits and the correction of mistranslations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">*Information as of November 2026. Official fees are listed in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jpo.go.jp\/e\/system\/process\/tesuryo\/hyou.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">JPO schedule of fees<\/a>.<\/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%;\">How translated applications work in Japan (foreign-language filings and PCT national phase)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The most common grounds for refusal<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Response deadlines and extensions for overseas applicants<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Limits on amendments, including after a &#8220;final&#8221; notice<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Correcting mistranslations \u2014 procedure and official fee<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Responses must be filed through a Japanese patent attorney<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">An applicant with no domicile or business office in Japan cannot respond to the JPO directly. Arguments, amendments, extension requests and appeals are filed through a representative in Japan \u2014 a licensed Japanese patent attorney (<em>Benrishi<\/em>). At BrandAgent, every case is handled personally by the patent attorney; we report Office Actions with an English or Chinese explanation and a recommended strategy, and payment can be made by PayPal (in JPY) or bank transfer.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Translated applications: foreign-language filings and PCT national phase<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Japan allows a <strong>foreign-language application<\/strong>: you file the specification in English (or another language) and submit the Japanese translation later. The translation is due within <strong>1 year and 4 months<\/strong> of the filing date \u2014 or of the earliest priority date if priority is claimed. If it is missing, the JPO sends a notice and allows 2 more months; after that, the application is deemed withdrawn. For a PCT application, the Japanese translation is filed on entering the national phase, within 30 months of the priority date.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">In both cases, the JPO examines the <strong>Japanese translation<\/strong>. For a foreign-language application, the translation is deemed to be the description, claims and drawings as filed. In other words, the quality of the translation is the quality of your patent.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Common grounds for refusal<\/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;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Ground<\/span><\/th>\n<th style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">What it means<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Novelty (Art. 29(1))<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The same invention was publicly known before filing.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Inventive step (Art. 29(2))<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">A person skilled in the art could easily have made the invention from the prior art. The most common ground.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Clarity (Art. 36(6)(ii))<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The claims are unclear \u2014 often caused by literal translation or inconsistent terminology.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Support (Art. 36(6)(i))<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The claimed invention goes beyond what the description discloses.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Enablement (Art. 36(4)(i))<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The description does not allow a skilled person to carry out the invention.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Matter beyond the original text (Art. 49(vi))<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">In a foreign-language application, the Japanese text contains matter not described in the original foreign-language document.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Clarity objections are especially frequent for translated applications. A Chinese claim translated word for word into one very long Japanese sentence, or a component given two different Japanese terms, can easily be judged unclear \u2014 even if the claim passed examination in China. Different offices apply different standards, so an allowance abroad is useful evidence but not a guarantee.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Response deadlines and extensions for overseas applicants<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The response period set in a Notice of Reasons for Refusal is <strong>60 days<\/strong> for domestic residents and <strong>3 months<\/strong> for overseas applicants. For notices issued during examination of a patent application, the JPO allows the following extensions (practice since 1 April 2016):<\/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;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Extension<\/span><\/th>\n<th style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Overseas applicants<\/span><\/th>\n<th style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Official fee<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Requested within the period<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">1st request: 2 months; 2nd request: 1 more month (max. 3 months)<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">JPY 2,100 per request<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Requested after the period expired<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">2 months, if requested within 2 months after expiry<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">JPY 51,000<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">No reason is needed for an extension, and the two in-period requests can be filed at the same time. A late extension request is not available if an in-period extension was already granted or if you already responded within the original period. These rules do not apply to notices issued after an appeal against a decision of refusal has been filed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">With translation into and out of Japanese and internal review on your side, 3 months goes quickly. We recommend deciding early whether to extend \u2014 the in-period extension is far cheaper than the late one.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">How to respond: arguments and amendments<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Written opinion (arguments):<\/strong> rebut the examiner&#8217;s findings and explain the differences from the cited references and the advantageous effects of the invention.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Amendment:<\/strong> narrow the claims or fix unclear wording.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Filing arguments and an ordinary amendment carries no official fee. For inventive step, the key is to attack the logic of combining the references and to show the invention&#8217;s effects. If the same invention is being examined in China, the US or Europe, the amendments and reasoning there are valuable input. Interviews with the examiner (including online) are also possible through your Japanese attorney.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Limits on amendments<\/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>Main restrictions on amendments<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>No new matter (Art. 17-2(3)):<\/strong> amendments cannot go beyond the description, claims and drawings as filed. For a translated application, an ordinary amendment must stay within the <strong>Japanese translation<\/strong>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>No &#8220;shift&#8221; amendments (Art. 17-2(4)):<\/strong> after a Notice of Reasons for Refusal, you cannot switch the claims to a different invention that lacks unity with the invention already examined.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>After a final notice (Art. 17-2(5)):<\/strong> claim amendments are limited to (1) deleting claims, (2) restrictively narrowing the claims, (3) correcting clerical errors, and (4) clarifying unclear statements pointed out in the notice.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">A &#8220;final&#8221; Notice of Reasons for Refusal basically notifies only reasons that became necessary because of the amendments made in response to the first notice. Because your options shrink at that stage, it pays to make well-planned amendments in the first response. A divisional application can also be considered while you are still able to amend.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Correcting a mistranslation<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Sometimes the Office Action reveals that the Japanese text does not match the original \u2014 for example, &#8220;at least one&#8221; translated as &#8220;one&#8221;, or a term rendered more narrowly than in the original. To fix such errors, you file a <strong>statement of correction of mistranslation<\/strong> instead of an ordinary amendment.<\/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>Correction of mistranslation \u2014 key rules<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">It allows amendments beyond the Japanese translation, as long as they stay within the <strong>original text<\/strong> (the foreign-language document, or the international application as filed).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The reasons for the correction must be stated.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">It can be filed at the same times as ordinary amendments.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Official fee: <strong>JPY 19,000<\/strong>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Ordinary amendments made at the same time can be included in the same statement.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Matter that is not in the original text cannot be added at all, and for a foreign-language application, matter beyond the original document is itself a ground for refusal. When you receive an Office Action, we recommend <strong>checking the Japanese translation against the original<\/strong> at the same time as preparing arguments. Sometimes the wording you need as a basis for an amendment was lost in translation \u2014 and a mistranslation correction can bring it back.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">If the application is finally refused<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">If the reasons for refusal are not overcome, the examiner issues a decision of refusal. You can file an appeal within <strong>3 months<\/strong> of service of the decision; for patent applications of overseas applicants, the JPO extends this by 1 month ex officio, giving about 4 months in total. Claims can be amended at the same time as the appeal is filed (within the four purposes listed above).<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">FAQ<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. How long do we have to respond?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. 3 months for overseas applicants, extendable by up to 3 months with in-period requests (JPY 2,100 each).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. We missed the deadline. Is it too late?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. If no more than 2 months have passed, a late extension request (JPY 51,000) may give you 2 more months \u2014 unless an extension was already granted.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Can we fix a translation error?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. Yes, within the scope of the original text, by a correction of mistranslation (official fee JPY 19,000), filed when amendments are allowed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Do arguments cost an official fee?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. No. Arguments and ordinary amendments have no official fee; attorney fees depend on the case \u2014 ask us for a free quote.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Can we communicate in English or Chinese?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. Yes. Every case is handled personally by a licensed Japanese patent attorney, in English and Chinese.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\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 JPO examines the Japanese translation, so translation quality equals patent quality.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Overseas applicants have 3 months to respond, extendable by up to 3 months.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Watch the limits: no new matter, no shift amendments, restricted purposes after a final notice.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Translation errors can be corrected within the original text (JPY 19,000).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Check the translation against the original whenever an Office Action arrives.<\/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-patent-prosecution-highway-pph\/\">Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) in Japan: Speed Up Examination with CNIPA and Other Office Results<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/how-to-file-a-patent-in-japan\/\">How to Get a Patent in Japan as a Foreign Applicant: Documents, Routes and Process<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-patent-cost\/\">How Much Does a Japanese Patent Cost? Official JPO Fees for Foreign Applicants (2026)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-patent-annuity-late-payment\/\">Japanese Patent Annuities (2026): How to Pay, Late Payment and Restoration of a Lapsed Patent<\/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>Received a Japanese Office Action?<\/strong><br \/>\nSend us the notice and your application number \u2014 we will review the reasons for refusal, check the translation against the original, and reply with a strategy and a 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\/home\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Free consultation \u2014 visit BrandAgent&#8217;s English site<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Responding to a Japanese patent Office Action on a translated application: common grounds, deadlines, extensions, amendment limits, mistranslation correction.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":292,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-274","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-patents"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/274","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=274"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/274\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":284,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/274\/revisions\/284"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/292"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=274"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=274"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=274"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}