{"id":45,"date":"2026-03-13T08:54:34","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T23:54:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/?p=45"},"modified":"2026-11-02T16:35:46","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T07:35:46","slug":"madrid_protocol_japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/madrid_protocol_japan\/","title":{"rendered":"Designating Japan via the Madrid System: Procedure, Refusals and Costs"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">&#8220;We already have an international registration through WIPO. Should we just add Japan?&#8221; &#8220;We received a provisional refusal from Japan \u2014 what now?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The Madrid System lets you extend a trademark from your home country to Japan with a single international application. It is convenient, but there are Japan-specific points that many applicants only discover when a refusal arrives. In this article, Japanese Patent Attorney Toru Kano of BrandAgent explains how a Madrid designation of Japan works from the foreign applicant&#8217;s point of view, and when filing directly in Japan is the better choice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">*Last updated: October 2026. Fees and procedures change, so check WIPO and the JPO for the latest information.<\/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 designating Japan through the Madrid System works<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">How the JPO examines a designation of Japan<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Provisional refusals and why you need a Japanese attorney<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Dependency and &#8220;central attack&#8221;<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Costs, and Madrid vs. direct filing in Japan<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">1. What is a Madrid designation of Japan?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large\" 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%;\">Under the Madrid Protocol, you file one international application through your home trademark office (for example, CNIPA in China, KIPO in Korea or IPOS in Singapore), based on your home application or registration. WIPO records the international registration and notifies each country you designate. Japan is a member, so you can designate Japan either in the original international application or later through a subsequent designation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Once WIPO notifies the JPO, your designation is examined in Japan under Japanese law, just like a national application. The international registration itself does not guarantee protection in Japan.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">2. Benefits of the Madrid route<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/to-register-257986_1280-1024x662.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"920\" height=\"662\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>One application, many countries:<\/strong> one form, one language and one payment to WIPO.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>No local attorney at filing:<\/strong> if Japan raises no objection, the mark can be protected without appointing a Japanese attorney.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Central management:<\/strong> renewals, changes of name\/address and assignments can be recorded at WIPO for all countries at once.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Countries can be added later<\/strong> through a subsequent designation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">3. How the JPO examines a designation of Japan<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large\" 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%;\">The JPO applies the same substantive examination as for direct Japanese filings: distinctiveness, conflicts with earlier Japanese marks (including marks that sound the same in Japanese), and whether the goods and services are clearly described. Japan has declared an 18-month period for notifying refusals, counted from WIPO&#8217;s notification of the designation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">In our experience, a very common reason for refusal of Madrid designations is the <strong>description of goods and services<\/strong>. Wording accepted by WIPO or by your home office is often judged too broad or unclear in Japan (Article 6(1) of the Japanese Trademark Act). Another frequent ground is an earlier similar mark in Japan (Article 4(1)(xi)).<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">4. Provisional refusal: you will need a Japanese attorney<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large\" 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%;\">If the JPO finds a problem, it sends a <strong>Notification of Provisional Refusal<\/strong> through WIPO. Under Japanese law, a holder with no domicile or office in Japan cannot respond to the JPO directly. The response \u2014 an amendment of the goods\/services, a written argument or both \u2014 must be filed through a representative in Japan, i.e. a Japanese patent attorney.<\/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>Deadlines to watch<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The response period is <strong>three months from the date of the notification<\/strong> shown on the provisional refusal (not from the date you received it). Extensions are available on request.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The notification is in English and often arrives through your home attorney, so time is easily lost. Contact a Japanese attorney as soon as you receive it.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">If no response is filed, the JPO issues a decision of refusal and Japan is lost from your international registration.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">For a refusal based only on unclear goods, an amendment that rewords the goods in Japanese practice usually solves it. You can also limit the goods through WIPO (Form MM6), but a limitation alone may not address the examiner&#8217;s specific objection, so it is safer to have a Japanese attorney review the refusal first. BrandAgent&#8217;s fee for a response to an Office Action is JPY 25,000 (excluding tax, where applicable).<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">5. Dependency and &#8220;central attack&#8221;<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/financial-4560047_1280-1-1024x660.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"920\" height=\"592\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">For five years from the international registration date, the international registration depends on your home (basic) application or registration. If the basic mark is refused, withdrawn, cancelled or narrowed during that period, the international registration \u2014 including the protection in Japan \u2014 is cancelled or limited to the same extent. This is called &#8220;central attack.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">If this happens, you can file a national application in Japan within three months of the cancellation, for the same goods, and keep the original date (transformation). This requires a Japanese attorney and payment of Japanese national fees, so it is worth knowing in advance.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">6. Costs<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">For a Madrid designation, fees are paid to WIPO in Swiss francs: the basic fee and an individual fee for each designated country, including Japan. Japan&#8217;s individual fee depends on the number of classes. For designations made on or after April 1, 2023, Japan&#8217;s individual fee is paid in full at the time of designation (the former two-part payment was abolished). Because WIPO fees and exchange rates change, please use <strong>WIPO&#8217;s online Fee Calculator<\/strong> for an exact figure rather than relying on amounts quoted in articles.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">On top of WIPO fees, budget for a possible provisional refusal in Japan: the Japanese attorney&#8217;s response fee, and in some cases translation of the refusal. Home-office handling fees and your home attorney&#8217;s fees are separate.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Madrid designation vs. direct filing in Japan<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/trademark-scaled-1-1024x512.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"920\" height=\"460\" \/><\/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%;\">Madrid designation<\/span><\/th>\n<th style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Direct filing in Japan<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Basis<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Requires a home application or registration<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">No home mark needed<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Goods wording<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Cannot be broader than the basic mark; often objected to in Japan<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Drafted for Japanese practice from the start<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Japanese attorney<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Needed only if Japan raises an objection<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Required from filing<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Dependency<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Depends on the basic mark for 5 years<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Independent Japanese right<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Speed<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Japan may take up to 18 months to notify a refusal<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">About 9\u201312 months; 2\u20133 months with accelerated examination<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Japanese application number<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Identified by the international registration number<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Japanese number issued at filing (useful for e.g. Amazon.co.jp Brand Registry)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Madrid is efficient when you protect one mark in many countries and Japan is one of them. When Japan is a key market, or you need rights quickly, direct filing often costs less once a likely refusal response is factored in. Paris Convention priority (six months from your home filing) is available for both routes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">For reference, BrandAgent&#8217;s fees for direct filing are JPY 25,000 per class at filing and JPY 25,000 per class at registration (excluding tax, where applicable), and the prior search is free if you instruct us to file.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">FAQ<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Do we need a Japanese attorney to designate Japan via Madrid?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. Not at filing. But if the JPO issues a provisional refusal, the response must be filed through a Japanese attorney.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. How long do we have to respond to a provisional refusal from Japan?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. Three months from the date of the notification. Extensions can be requested, but contact a Japanese attorney early.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. How much is Japan&#8217;s individual fee?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. It depends on the number of classes and changes from time to time. Please use WIPO&#8217;s Fee Calculator for the current amount.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. What happens to Japan if our home trademark is cancelled?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. Within five years of the international registration, Japan is also cancelled. You can transform it into a Japanese national application within three months to keep the original date.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Can you handle the response in English or Chinese?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. Yes. We report and communicate in English and Chinese.<\/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 Madrid designation of Japan is examined by the JPO under Japanese law.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Unclear goods wording is a frequent reason for provisional refusal in Japan.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Responses must be filed through a Japanese attorney, within three months of the notification date.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The international registration depends on your home mark for five years.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Check WIPO&#8217;s Fee Calculator for current fees; consider direct filing when Japan is a key market.<\/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_examination\/\">Japanese Trademark Office Action (Notice of Reasons for Refusal): Common Grounds and How to Respond<\/a><\/span><\/li>\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_renewal\/\">Japanese Trademark Renewal: Deadlines, Official Fees and Procedure for Foreign Owners<\/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>Extending your international trademark registration to Japan? A Japanese patent attorney explains how a Madrid designation of Japan is examined, how to respond to a JPO provisional refusal, central attack, costs and when direct filing is better.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":354,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-45","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\/45","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=45"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":225,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45\/revisions\/225"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/354"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}