{"id":55,"date":"2026-03-14T12:37:31","date_gmt":"2026-03-14T03:37:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/?p=55"},"modified":"2026-11-02T16:35:34","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T07:35:34","slug":"japan_trademark_application","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan_trademark_application\/","title":{"rendered":"Filing a Trademark in Japan: Process, Costs and Pitfalls for Foreign Applicants"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">&#8220;We filed in Japan \u2014 do we already own the trademark?&#8221; &#8220;How long until it is registered?&#8221; &#8220;What happens if the examiner objects?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">In this article, Japanese Patent Attorney Toru Kano of BrandAgent explains what a trademark application in Japan actually is, the steps from filing to registration, the costs involved, and the mistakes overseas applicants most often make.<\/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  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 short answer<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">A trademark application is a request to the Japan Patent Office (JPO) to register your mark for specific goods or services. <strong>Filing alone does not give you a trademark right.<\/strong> The right arises only after the application passes examination, the registration fee is paid, and the mark is entered in the register.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\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 goes into a Japanese trademark application<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The 8 steps from filing to registration<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">How to respond to an Office Action<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">When accelerated examination is available<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Official fees, attorney fees and common mistakes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">What goes into a Japanese trademark application<\/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%;\">An application must state four things accurately. Each of them affects how strong \u2014 and how useful \u2014 your registration will be.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>The mark:<\/strong> a word mark in standard characters, or a logo submitted as an image.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>The applicant:<\/strong> the company&#8217;s registered name, or an individual&#8217;s legal name (trade names and pen names are not accepted). For overseas applicants we file the name and address in Japanese together with the original-language form, so please send them in your own language and in English.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>The classes:<\/strong> goods and services are grouped into 45 classes under the Nice Classification. Fees depend on the number of classes, and a missing class means that business is not protected even after registration.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>The designated goods\/services:<\/strong> the specific items within each class. They must be worded so that their content and scope are clear. Vague wording leads to an amendment or a refusal, and a description accepted in your home country may need to be adjusted for Japanese practice.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\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 be handled by a representative in Japan \u2014 in practice, a Japanese patent attorney (<em>Benrishi<\/em>).<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">From filing to registration: the 8 steps<\/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<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\" border=\"1\">\n<thead>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #f5f5f5;\">\n<th style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Step<\/span><\/th>\n<th style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">What happens<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>1. Prior search<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Check the JPO database for identical or similar earlier marks.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>2. Filing<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Your attorney files the application online and pays the filing fee.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>3. Formality check<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Formal defects lead to an order to amend.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>4. Filing date<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The filing date is granted if the essentials (request for registration, applicant, mark, goods\/services) are present.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>5. Substantive examination<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The examiner checks distinctiveness, conflicts with earlier marks and public-interest grounds. Japan has no request-for-examination system: every application is examined.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>6. Decision or Office Action<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Either a decision to register, or a notice of reasons for refusal.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>7. Registration fee<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Paid within 30 days of the decision to register.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>8. Registration<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The mark is entered in the register and the trademark right comes into existence.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">When the JPO raises an objection (Office Action)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">A notice of reasons for refusal is not a final rejection. It is your chance to argue your case or amend the application. The most common grounds are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Article 4(1)(xi):<\/strong> identical or similar to an earlier registered mark for identical or similar goods\/services<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Article 3(1)(iii) etc.:<\/strong> the mark only describes the origin, quality or nature of the goods (no distinctiveness)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Article 4(1)(vii):<\/strong> contrary to public order or morality<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Unclear goods\/services:<\/strong> the wording does not make the scope clear<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">For applicants residing outside Japan, the response period is <strong>3 months<\/strong> (40 days for Japanese residents), and it can be extended on request for an official fee. The response is a written argument (opinion), an amendment of the goods\/services, or both. If the objection is not overcome, a final refusal is issued; an appeal against it must be filed within 3 months.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">BrandAgent&#8217;s fee for preparing an Office Action response is JPY 25,000 (excluding Japanese consumption tax, where applicable). We report the objection to you in English or Chinese, together with our assessment and recommended course of action.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Accelerated examination<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Normal examination takes about 9\u201312 months from filing. With accelerated examination, a first decision can come in about 2\u20133 months. It is available mainly in these cases:<\/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>Main eligibility cases<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The applicant (or a licensee) already uses the mark in Japan for the designated goods\/services, or has substantially prepared to use it, and registration is urgently needed<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The applicant has also filed for the same mark abroad and registration in Japan is urgently needed<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Certain applications by small and medium-sized enterprises, sole proprietors or start-ups<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Some mark types are not eligible, including motion, hologram, colour-only, sound and position marks, certain three-dimensional marks (such as store exteriors or interiors), and applications relying on the consent system. Many cross-border sellers qualify through actual use \u2014 for example, goods already sold on Amazon Japan or Rakuten \u2014 but the evidence must be prepared properly.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Costs<\/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%;\">Official fees are paid twice: at filing and at registration.<\/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%;\">1 class<\/span><\/th>\n<th style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">2 classes<\/span><\/th>\n<th style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">3 classes<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Filing fee<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">12,000<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">20,600<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">29,200<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Registration fee (10 yrs)<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">32,900<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">65,800<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">98,700<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Registration fee (5 yrs)<\/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%;\">34,400<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">51,600<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">(Official fees in JPY. Filing fee = 3,400 + 8,600 \u00d7 classes.)<\/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).<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, and the prior trademark search is free when you instruct us to file. Payment by PayPal (in JPY) or bank transfer.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Why the prior search matters<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The most common reason for refusal is a conflicting earlier mark under Article 4(1)(xi). Examiners compare marks by <strong>appearance, pronunciation and meaning<\/strong>, so a mark that looks different in your language may still be judged similar in Japan \u2014 for example, because its katakana reading sounds like an existing mark. In practice, success is largely decided before filing, at the search and drafting stage.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Direct filing, Madrid designation and priority<\/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%;\">Overseas brand owners can reach Japan in two ways: a direct national application through a Japanese attorney, or a designation of Japan in an international registration under the Madrid System. A Madrid designation is convenient for multi-country filings, but if the JPO raises an objection you will still need a Japanese attorney, and the goods\/services are not tailored to Japanese practice. When Japan is a key market, a direct filing is usually the safer choice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">If you filed the same mark at home within the last <strong>6 months<\/strong>, you can claim Paris Convention priority, so that your Japanese application is examined as if filed on your home filing date.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Common mistakes<\/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>Avoid these<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Filing without a prior search and receiving a refusal<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Choosing the wrong class, so the goods you actually sell are not covered<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Copying the goods description from your home filing without adapting it to Japanese practice<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Not deciding between a word mark and a logo mark (or both)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Filing in the wrong name \u2014 e.g. a shop name or a related company instead of the brand owner<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Assuming that filing equals owning the right<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Counting on accelerated examination for a mark that is not eligible<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">When should you file?<\/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<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Japan follows a <strong>first-to-file<\/strong> system: the first applicant generally wins, regardless of who used the mark first. Ideally, file before you invest heavily in the name:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Before launching products or services in Japan<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Before opening a Japanese website or an Amazon Japan \/ Rakuten store<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Before advertising or signing with Japanese distributors<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Before fundraising or investor presentations<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">FAQ<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Do we have trademark rights as soon as we file?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. No. The right arises only after examination, payment of the registration fee and registration.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Can we file ourselves from overseas?<\/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<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. How long does it take?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. About 9\u201312 months under normal examination, or about 2\u20133 months with accelerated examination.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. What is the most important part?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. The prior search and the choice of classes and goods\/services wording.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Can we communicate in English?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. Yes. We handle cases 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%;\">Filing starts the process \u2014 it does not create the right.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">State the mark, applicant, classes and goods\/services accurately.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Every application is examined; Office Actions can often be overcome with arguments or amendments.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Accelerated examination can shorten the wait to about 2\u20133 months.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Japan is first-to-file: file before you launch. More than 4,000 applications filed, every case handled personally by a licensed 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-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\/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-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_classes\/\">Trademark Classes in Japan: How to Choose from the 45 Nice Classes and Describe Your Goods\/Services<\/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>What a Japanese trademark application is, the 8 steps from filing to registration, official and attorney fees, Office Actions, accelerated examination and common mistakes \u2014 explained for overseas brand owners by a Japanese patent attorney.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":350,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-55","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\/55","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=55"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":195,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55\/revisions\/195"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/350"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=55"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=55"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}