{"id":91,"date":"2026-03-14T14:46:41","date_gmt":"2026-03-14T05:46:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/?p=91"},"modified":"2026-11-02T16:34:49","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T07:34:49","slug":"japan-trademark-jpo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-trademark-jpo\/","title":{"rendered":"Japan Trademark JPO: How the Japan Patent Office Handles Trademark Registration (2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Quick Answer<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>The JPO (Japan Patent Office) is the government body that examines and registers all trademarks in Japan<\/li>\r\n<li>All trademark applications must be submitted to the JPO \u2014 there is no alternative route for national registration<\/li>\r\n<li>JPO fees are fixed by law and identical at every firm<\/li>\r\n<li>Filing fee: \u00a512,000 for 1 class (\u00a53,400 + \u00a58,600 per class) | Registration fee: \u00a532,900 (10-year) per class<\/li>\r\n<li>Foreign applicants must appoint a Japanese trademark attorney (Benrishi) to deal with the JPO<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Understanding how the Japan Patent Office works helps foreign businesses navigate the trademark registration process more effectively \u2014 and set realistic expectations for timelines, fees, and examination outcomes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Need help filing a trademark with the JPO?<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">BrandAgent Patent Office has handled over 4,000 trademark applications for domestic and international clients.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>English support<\/li>\r\n<li>Transparent pricing<\/li>\r\n<li>Experienced Japanese patent attorney<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en\/trademark_lp\/\"><strong>\u2192 Start Your Japan Trademark Filing<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the JPO<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Japan Patent Office (\u7279\u8a31\u5e81, Tokkyo-ch\u014d) is the government agency under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) responsible for examining and registering intellectual property rights in Japan \u2014 including trademarks, patents, designs, and utility models.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Key JPO functions for trademark applicants:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>Receiving and examining trademark applications<\/li>\r\n<li>Issuing office actions (provisional refusals) when grounds for refusal are found<\/li>\r\n<li>Publishing approved marks in the Official Gazette for opposition<\/li>\r\n<li>Registering marks and issuing registration certificates<\/li>\r\n<li>Handling opposition, invalidation, and cancellation trials via the Trial and Appeal Division<\/li>\r\n<li>Managing the J-PlatPat public search database<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Japan Trademark Cost: JPO Official Fees<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>JPO fee item<\/th><th>Amount<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Filing fee \u2014 1 class<\/td><td>\u00a512,000<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Each additional class<\/td><td>+\u00a58,600<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Registration fee (5-year, per class)<\/td><td>\u00a517,200<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Registration fee (10-year, per class)<\/td><td>\u00a532,900<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Renewal fee (10-year, per class)<\/td><td>\u00a543,600<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Opposition filing fee<\/td><td>\u00a53,000 + \u00a58,000\/class<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Invalidation \/ cancellation trial fee<\/td><td>\u00a515,000 + \u00a540,000\/class<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>License registration tax (per license)<\/td><td>\u00a530,000<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Assignment registration tax<\/td><td>\u00a530,000 (\u00a53,000 for inheritance or merger)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Trademark Filing Process via the JPO<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li><strong>Application submitted<\/strong> \u2014 Your Benrishi files electronically with the JPO. Filing date and application number issued immediately<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Formal examination<\/strong> \u2014 JPO checks completeness and format (1\u20132 months)<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Substantive examination<\/strong> \u2014 JPO examiner reviews distinctiveness and searches for conflicting prior marks (6\u201312 months)<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Office action (if applicable)<\/strong> \u2014 Examiner issues a provisional refusal if objections are found. Your attorney responds within 3 months<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Notice of allowance<\/strong> \u2014 If approved, you have 30 days to pay the registration fee<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Publication in Official Gazette<\/strong> \u2014 Mark published for a 2-month opposition window<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Registration<\/strong> \u2014 Certificate issued; mark entered in the JPO register<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Planning to register a trademark with the JPO?<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">BrandAgent provides full support for foreign companies.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>Trademark search<\/li>\r\n<li>Application filing<\/li>\r\n<li>JPO office action responses<\/li>\r\n<li>Registration<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en\/trademark_lp\/\"><strong>\u2192 Learn More<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Timeline<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>JPO stage<\/th><th>Duration<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Formal examination<\/td><td>1\u20132 months<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Substantive examination<\/td><td>6\u201312 months<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Opposition period<\/td><td>2 months<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Total (uncontested)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>10\u201314 months<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>With office action or opposition<\/td><td>Up to 2\u20133 years<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Common Mistakes<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li><strong>Trying to file directly with the JPO without a Benrishi<\/strong> \u2014 Foreign applicants without a Japan address cannot deal with the JPO directly. All communications must go through a licensed Benrishi<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Confusing JPO fees with attorney fees<\/strong> \u2014 JPO fees are paid to the government and are fixed by law. Attorney fees are separate and vary by firm. Always clarify the total cost<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Missing JPO response deadlines<\/strong> \u2014 The JPO sets strict deadlines for office action responses (3 months) and registration fee payments (30 days). Missing either results in automatic refusal or abandonment<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Not monitoring J-PlatPat<\/strong> \u2014 The JPO&#8217;s public database (J-PlatPat) is a free tool for checking existing marks. Use it before filing and set up ongoing monitoring after registration<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Filing English documents without translation<\/strong> \u2014 All JPO proceedings are conducted in Japanese. English documents must be translated; filing in English without translation causes delays<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQ<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I contact the JPO directly as a foreign applicant?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No. Foreign applicants without a Japan address must appoint a Benrishi (Japanese trademark attorney) who acts as the sole representative for all JPO communications. You cannot contact the JPO directly.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do I search existing trademarks on the JPO database?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The JPO&#8217;s free public search database is J-PlatPat (j-platpat.inpit.go.jp). You can search by mark name, applicant, Nice Class, and filing date. For a thorough similarity assessment, a professional search by your Benrishi is recommended.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Does the JPO conduct trademark examination in English?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No. All JPO proceedings \u2014 including examination, office actions, and trial proceedings \u2014 are conducted in Japanese. Your Benrishi handles all Japanese-language communication with the JPO on your behalf.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are JPO trademark fees the same at all firms?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. Official JPO fees are set by Japanese law and are identical regardless of which attorney or firm you use. Attorney fees are separate and vary by firm. Always confirm the full cost breakdown \u2014 JPO fees plus attorney fees \u2014 before proceeding.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The JPO is the sole authority for trademark registration in Japan. Understanding its fees, timeline, and examination process helps foreign businesses plan their brand protection strategy effectively.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>JPO filing fee: \u00a512,000 (1 class) \u2014 fixed by law<\/li>\r\n<li>JPO registration fee: \u00a532,900 (10-year, 1 class) \u2014 fixed by law<\/li>\r\n<li>All proceedings conducted in Japanese \u2014 Benrishi required for foreign applicants<\/li>\r\n<li>Total to registration (uncontested): 10\u201314 months<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Register Your Trademark in Japan<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you plan to enter the Japanese market, securing your trademark is essential. BrandAgent Patent Office has handled over 4,000 trademark filings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en\/trademark_lp\/\"><strong>\u2192 Start Your Filing Today<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\n\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\/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-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<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Quick Answer The JPO (Japan Patent Office) is the government body that examines and registers all trademarks in Japan All trademark applications must be submitted to the JPO \u2014 there is no alternative route for national registration JPO fees are fixed by law and identical at every firm Filing fee: \u00a512,000 for 1 class (\u00a53,400 + \u00a58,600 per class) | Registration fee: \u00a532,900 (10-year) per class Foreign applicants must appoint a Japanese trademark attorney (Benrishi) to deal with the JPO Understanding how the Japan Patent Office works helps foreign businesses navigate the trademark registration process more effectively \u2014 and set &#8230; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":338,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-91","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\/91","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=91"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/91\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":248,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/91\/revisions\/248"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/338"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=91"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=91"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=91"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}