Trademark registration in JapanQuick answer
Trademarks in Japan are registered with the Japan Patent Office (JPO); the official application fee is JPY 3,400, and third parties can oppose within 2 months from publication of the registration in the trademark gazette. A registration lasts 10 years from the registration date and can be renewed. Japan can be designated through the Madrid System.
Checked against official sources on 11 October 2026 · see sources
- Office
- JPO
- Official fee
- JPY 3,400
- Madrid Protocol
- Member since 2000
- Opposition
- 2 months from publication of the registration i…
- Protection
- 10 years from registration date
- Multi-class filing
- Allowed
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The trademark office and official links
Trademarks in Japan are registered by the Japan Patent Office (JPO).
- Trademark office: Japan Patent Office (JPO)
- Trademark search: official trademark database
- Law: Trademark Act (Act No. 127 of 1959), consolidated up to 21 May 2026
Official fees in Japan
| Official fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application Base fee, plus JPY 8,600 per class | JPY 3,400 |
| Application, per class | JPY 8,600 |
| Registration fee, per class (10 years, lump sum) | JPY 32,900 |
| Registration fee, per class (installment, 5 years) | JPY 17,200 |
| Renewal fee, per class (10 years, lump sum) | JPY 43,600 |
| Renewal fee, per class (installment, 5 years) | JPY 22,800 |
| Opposition Plus JPY 8,000 per class opposed | JPY 3,000 |
Official office fees only (schedule as of 2022-04). Official fee schedule. Professional fees of a local firm are extra — compare fixed-fee packages.
How to register a trademark in Japan
- Search J-PlatPat for earlier identical or similar marks, checking the similar group codes of the intended goods and services.
- File the application in Japanese with the JPO, through a Japan-domiciled representative if the applicant lives abroad.
- The application is published in the Official Gazette and undergoes formality examination.
- A JPO examiner conducts substantive examination; if reasons for refusal are notified, the applicant can respond with arguments or amendments.
- After a decision of registration, pay the registration fee (10-year lump sum or 5-year installment) to complete registration.
- The registered mark is published in the trademark gazette, and anyone may then file a post-registration opposition.
Examination, publication and opposition
- Examination: JPO examiners examine every application for formalities and on absolute and relative grounds; no standard pendency is stated on the pages consulted.
- Publication: Applications are published in the Official Gazette after filing; registrations are published in the trademark gazette.
- Opposition period: 2 months from publication of the registration in the trademark gazette (post-registration opposition)
Protection, renewal and use
- Term: 10 years from the registration date, renewable.
- Late renewal: 6 months after expiry, with a surcharge equal to the renewal fee
- Use requirement: a registration can be challenged after 3 years of non-use.
- Rights system: first to file.
Filing from abroad
- Local agent: Overseas residents cannot file directly with the JPO; they must appoint a representative domiciled in Japan (normally a Japanese patent attorney).
- Power of attorney: Not required for filing a new application through a Japanese representative; a power of attorney is needed for certain later procedures.
- Language: Japanese for national filings (English is possible only via the Madrid system)
Firms on TrademarksHub that cover Japan can act as your local agent — see firms.
Madrid Protocol
Japan is a member of the Madrid System (in force since 2000). You can designate it in an international application filed through your home office, or file a national application directly. A local firm can advise which route is cheaper for your classes and timeline.
Trademark classes
Nice Classification (45 classes); the JPO also assigns 'similar group codes' under its Examination Guidelines for Similar Goods and Services to assess similarity across classes. One application can cover several classes. Not sure which classes you need? See all 45 classes or classes by business type.
How Japan compares
- Opposition: 2 months from publication of the registration in the trademark gazette (post-registration opposition) — compare all countries
- Renewal: every 10 years; grace period 6 months after expiry, with a surcharge equal to the renewal fee — compare all countries
- Foreign owners: required — rules in every country
- Official search: www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp — all search databases
Guides: registering in any country · costs by country · Madrid
Good to know in Japan
- Opposition in Japan is post-registration: third parties oppose after the mark is registered and published, not before.
- Registration and renewal fees can be paid for 10 years at once or in two 5-year installments.
- The JPO examines likelihood of confusion using 'similar group codes', so goods in different Nice classes can be treated as similar and goods in the same class as dissimilar.
- Since 1 April 2024, a later mark similar to an earlier registered mark can be registered with the earlier owner's consent where confusion is not likely.
- Japan has a Regional Collective Trademark system for marks combining a place name with a product or service name.