Please provide links to your website where the requested information can be found in English, French, or Spanish. Alternately, you may provide text responses instead of URLs if desired. If the information is not available on your website in an ATR language, then please provide text.
URLs in responses should meet the following requirements:
The term "industrial designs" covers industrial designs and models.
Offices which issue design patents should report their design patent information activities in this series of Annual Technical Reports.
Information on the following topics is desired:
The outline of main policies and plans of patent information activities have officially been announced in the following report.
“Toward further utilization of patent information” Report, submitted by the subcommittee on dissemination and utilization of patent information consisting of patent information experts, appointed under the Intellectual Property Committee under Industrial Structure Council, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, in May 2016.
The future direction of the official patent information provision service operated by the JPO and the National Center for Industrial Property Information and Training (INPIT) has been summarized as below.
The JPO and the INPIT should continuously improve the infrastructure of patent information provision service to broadly disseminate the patent information with the efforts to provide the world’s utmost quality service for the users in Japan with full considerations of the trends of globalization, advancement of IT, approaches to the related services by foreign IP offices and private business operators, and requests from users in Japan including small and medium-sized companies and individuals.
The following policies are mentioned in the report with the said fundamental concept.
(i) Improving accessibility to foreign patent documents by using machine translation to Japanese.
(ii) Provision of One Portal Dossier (OPD) service, which is to offer overseas dossier information collectively.
(iii) Improving accessibility to unified database, which is internal and external to the JPO, through basic functions.
(iv) Provision of the service to share Japan’s world’s fastest and utmost quality examination results.
(v) External provision of substantive examinations/ appeal examinations related information regarding Design and Trademark.Refer to p.128(ii) of JPO Status Report.
https://www.jpo.go.jp/resources/report/statusreport/2026/document/index/0203.pdf#page=23Refer to p.128(ii) of JPO Status Report.
https://www.jpo.go.jp/resources/report/statusreport/2026/document/index/0203.pdf#page=23Refer to p.24-28 of JPO Status Report.
https://www.jpo.go.jp/resources/report/statusreport/2026/document/index/all.pdf(Annual Report in Japanese) https://www.jpo.go.jp/resources/report/nenji/index.html
(Status Report in Japanese and English)
Japanese: https://www.jpo.go.jp/resources/report/statusreport/index.html
English: https://www.jpo.go.jp/e/resources/report/statusreport/index.htmlInformation on the following topics is desired:
a) Paper based application
The INPIT provides the free consultation service on the procedures for industrial property rights at the Consultation Desk in the JPO office building.
Moreover, the portal site for consultation and support on intellectual property is available at:
b) Electronic application
The e-filing software allows users to conduct administrative procedures such as the filing of applications for patents, utility models, industrial designs and trademarks, and PCT-RO international application, appealing for trials and payment of the annual fees, and receipt of documents dispatched from the JPO, on-line. The software may be downloaded for free.
https://www.jpo.go.jp/system/process/shutugan/pcinfo/index.htmla) On-line reference
The software for electronic application allows users to request or refer to application documents and registers from computers from their home or office, and to make a request for issuing certifications on-line.
See 2. (1) b) for the software for electronic application.In January 2005, the JPO started using the revised Japanese Design Classification in order to cope with the new conception of articles etc. such as the information and communication devices. The revised Japanese Design Classification mainly uses the concept of the usage in the same way as the former Japanese Design Classification, which is comprised of a 3-stage classification; group, main class, and minor class, and consists of about 3,200 classification branches in total. Also, the JPO provides about 2,000 branches of D-terms, which are search keys to further subdivide the Japanese Design Classification mainly based on the forms of articles.
Further, in April 2020, graphic image designs not recorded or displayed on goods were newly protected, and in response, a new classification branch and D-terms for graphic image designs that was subdivided mainly from the viewpoint of form was created. At the same time, a new classification branch was created for buildings and interiors, which were new protected objects.
In 2025, the JPO assigned the Japanese Design Classification and D-terms to about 31,000 filed applications for design registration and about 423,000 cases of examination materials collected from foreign design gazettes, magazines, catalogues, Internet, etc.
In addition, the following information is provided.
・A Cross-reference table between the Locarno Classification and the Japanese Design Classification (a concordance data)
For effective usage of the Japanese Design Gazettes as examination materials in foreign countries, the JPO established and published a cross-reference table between the Locarno Classification and the Japanese Design Classification (a concordance data). The JPO lists the Locarno International Classification in the gazettes in addition to the Japanese Design Classification.
Information on the following topics is desired:
The JPO publishes the following official gazettes via the Internet in 2025:
- Publication of Registered Design
- Publication of Decision on Appeal/Trial in Design
The following is the URL of the Publication of Registered Design provided through the Internet.
URL: https://www.gazette.jpo.go.jp/scciidl010/onclickenglishbtn?hyouziFlag=2a) Internal databases
See 4. (3) and (4).
b) External database
In August 2025, use of a commercial database search service containing foreign design publication data and incorporating an AI-powered similar-image search function was initiated.a) Providing patent information via the Internet
a-1) Providing official gazettes via the Internet
See 3. (1)
a-2) J-PlatPat
Refer to p.128(ii) of JPO Status Report.
https://www.jpo.go.jp/resources/report/statusreport/2026/document/index/0203.pdf#page=23
3) FOPISER
In August 2015, the JPO launched the FOPISER a search service to promptly provide the general users with patent information obtained from foreign IP Offices through data exchange with foreign IP Offices.
Design documents of Russian Federation, Taiwan, EUIPO, Vietnam, Thailand, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia which are not available on the J-PlatPat, are available for retrieval of document numbers using a Japanese user interface. In addition, as of March 2025, it also has become possible to search bibliographic information by product names and descriptions regarding design.
b) Providing JPO data
The following types of data is currently provided to commercial providers in Japan by bulk download service.
b-1) New Standardized Data
This data is the JPO’s bibliographical and status information converted and processed into TSV format for better usability for external users. The data has been provided since May 2019.
b-2) Publicly Known Design Image File
Document list and image data among publicly known designs, whose use is permitted by the applicants, is recorded.
b-3) Japanese Design Classification Reanalysis Data
This is the data in CSV format of the result of reanalysis of some of the registered designs that were assigned the Japanese design classification/D term before the revision of the Japanese design classification, using the revised Japanese design classification.
c) Reference to design gazettes, etc.
The INPIT has 4 access devices which is available in the Official gazettes reading room in the JPO office building. This allows free public access to the J-PlatPat Service, gazettes on CD-ROM/DVD-ROM, etc.
d) Reference to examination and trial document
The INPIT is collecting various technical documents (books, etc.), which are used in the examinations and trials by the JPO, widely from inside and outside of Japan and making them available to the public.
e) Search support tool for Image Design Gazettes (Graphic Image Park)
INPIT started providing “Search support tool for Image Design Gazettes (Graphic Image Park)” using Image Matching technology in October 2015. Graphic Image Park is a tool which enables users to search image designs registered as Design in Japan by just entering image files.
(URL) https://www.graphic-image.inpit.go.jp/Information on the following topics is desired:
In January 2000, a paperless system for design was launched and the administrative and examination procedures were completely moved to a system based on electronic data. Therefore, a total system, covering every procedure from design application filing, formality check and substantive examination, dispatching, registration, publishing the gazette, requesting inspection of files, to requesting certification, was realized. The effect of this system is far reaching, such as more efficient drafting based on the close link between the administrative system and the design search system, more efficient examination by implementation of electronic approval, faster design gazette publication and the separate management of each application.
With the realization of the above system, the JPO started receiving online applications for designs. Since the introduction of the system, the online filing rate has been consistently high.
Refer to p.130(i) of JPO Status Report 2025 for information on system improvements.
https://www.jpo.go.jp/e/resources/report/statusreport/2025/index.htmla) Design search system
This is a client server-type online system for retrieving application documentary materials and publicly known documentary materials (including foreign design gazettes) by using the Japanese Design Classification and D-terms (search keys that subdivide the Japanese Design Classification), indication of articles (goods), applicant identifying numbers, etc. as search keys. The image data of the document retrieved is sent from the image file server and displayed (color image data is displayed in color) onto the screen of a terminal, for enabling high-speed screening. For an efficient document search, a function is provided to display the design classifications and applicant identifying numbers etc. by the frequency of them coming up as cited references based on past examination results.
As bibliographic data of filed applications for searches, application numbers, filing date, registration numbers, registration date, indication of articles (goods), Japanese Design Classification, D-terms, the International Classification of Industrial Design (Locarno Classification) and others are used. As bibliographic data of other documents for searches, disclosure dates, acceptance dates, publishing date, indication of articles (goods), Japanese design classifications, D-terms and others are used. The data is stored in a database according to the type of materials.
b) Search System for Appeal/Trial and Court Decisions (J-term search system)
Trial/appeal decisions and court judgements are accumulated in the form of electronic data with a search index, called “J-term” and searching and screening for the appropriate appeal/trial and court decisions are conducted by using “J-term.”
In addition, a full-text search service is available for appeal/trial and court decisions issued in or after January 2020.a) File building
The JPO has stored in search files the image data (including color image data) and the bibliographic data (including the Japanese Design Classification and D-term) of publicly known designs presented in the following: magazines published in Japan and abroad, catalogs, websites, foreign design gazettes and elsewhere. These are used as the base data for the JPO’s design examination.
On January 1, 2000, the JPO started accepting design registration applications on-line. Accordingly, information on designs of which the registration has been applied for is automatically put into the search files. By the end of 2025, the search files accumulated the image data and bibliographic data of about 2.8 million application materials and about 10.5 million publicly known designs.
b) Updating
In 2025, the image data and bibliographic data for about 31,000 applications and about 423,000 publicly known designs were added.
c) Storage, including mass storage media
The image data is stored on RAID and the bibliographic data on a database.
d) Documentation from other offices maintained and/or considered part of the available search file
The bibliographic data and image data of design gazettes published by the CNIPA, the EUIPO, the MOIP, the USPTO, and the WIPO are stored, and those data can be searched by using the Japanese Design Classification.Information on the following topics is desired:
a) Operation of the JPO Library, collection, and management of materials
a-1) Operation of the JPO Library
The JPO Library, as a branch library of the National Diet Library, is located on the first basement of the JPO office building, and is operated in the following manner:
- JPO staff and general users
- 9:30 to 17:30
a-2) Collection of materials
The followings are collected: Materials concerning IP right legislation and the peripheral laws inside and outside of Japan, related materials necessary for understanding IP rights, related materials necessary for study of IP rights, and reference materials for general administration.
As of the end of 2025, the library contains about 38,893 volumes.
a-3) Preservation method of materials
The books are labeled and stored with a storage number and classification data, and the bibliographic information is inputted in the library system constructing a database for the books.a) J-PlatPat and Graphic Image Park
The INPIT compiles an instruction brochure/manual for how to operate and utilize various search services provided by the J-PlatPat and Graphic Image Park.
URL https://www.inpit.go.jp/j-platpat_info/reference/index.html
b) e-filing
Useful information on e-filing including how to fill out application forms and FAQs is provided at the “E-filing software support website”.
See 3. (4) for information products available to external users.a) J-PlatPat and Graphic Image Park training seminars
Training seminars of the J-PlatPat and Graphic Image Park are held online by the INPIT for beginners of industrial property right search from individuals and SMEs. In addition, videos of the seminar were provided through the e-learning system (IP ePlat).
b) Search expert training seminars
The INPIT held the following trainings.
・Training for Design Search(Let’s get closer to the Examiner's viewpoint!)
The seminar aims at developing human resources, who are capable of effectively protecting product designs by industrial design rights and are properly figuring out scopes of rights after acquisition of rights and utilizing design rights under business strategies. (One time)
c) Provision of IP ePlat
The INPIT provides an e-learning service, “IP ePlat,” which offers free access to educational materials developed and produced based on the knowledge, experience, and expertise of the JPO and INPIT.
Japanese: https://www.inpit.go.jp/jinzai/ipeplat/index.htmlInformation on the following topics is desired:
The JPO started providing the Design Gazette which carries information about registered design of Japan on a worldwide industrial design information database, “Global Design Database” owned by World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), on August 1, 2015.
At the 12th session of the WIPO Standards (CWS) held in September 2024, the creation of the IP Data Exchange Task Force was approved. Within this Task Force, Japan, together with Saudi Arabia and the International Bureau of WIPO, is leading discussions on proposals regarding the exchange of intellectual property data.
At the 13th session of the CWS in November 2025, responses to a survey conducted by the Task Force on the practices and challenges of IP data exchange, as well as an analysis of the challenges faced in IP data exchange, were shared. The CWS also discussed the “Draft Recommendations for the Exchange of IP Data and its Use,” which were prepared based on the IP5 Information Dissemination Policy.a) Activities/cooperation through voluntary contributions (Funds-in-Trust Japan Industrial Property Global（FIT Japan IP Global）) for WIPO
a-1) ASEAN IP Register
The Japan Patent Office has been supporting the development of the “ASEAN IP Register,” an online intellectual property information search service for ASEAN countries and launched the system in fiscal year 2023. Through this system, it is now possible to access patent, design, and trademark information from nine countries—excluding Myanmar—all in one place. Even after its launch, regular meetings have been held to enhance the usability of the ASEAN IP Register. In 2025, the 8th ASEAN IP Register Regional Coordinators Meeting was held in Cambodia. At the meeting we focused on improving and strengthening the ASEAN IP Register data service, and discussed digitization efforts, the progress to date, and challenges related to improving data quality and the publication of full-text patent documents.
a-2) Digitization support
In FY 2024, we implemented the paper documents digitization project at the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI), as well as in Ecuador, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Sri Lanka.
b) Training for IT human resource development
In FY2025, the JPO conducted a training program by invitation to develop human resources for efficient construction and utilization of IT infrastructure in IP offices, and 18 IT personnel from IP offices in developing countries completed the program.Note: For each Standard listed below, please enter one of the following values:
"Fully implemented"
The WIPO Standard has been implemented in a manner compliant or compatible with the Standard.
"Partially implemented"
The WIPO Standard has been implemented in part. The Office practice aligns with some, but not all, requirements of the Standard.
"On implementation phase"
The decision to implement the WIPO Standard has been made and it is currently being deployed, configured, or integrated into systems and workflows.
"Planning to implement"
The decision to implement the WIPO Standard has been made; planning activities (resource allocation, timeline development, technical design) are underway before actual implementation begins.
"On assessment phase"
The WIPO Standard is under active evaluation to determine its feasibility, technical requirements, costs, benefits, and alignment with organizational needs before making an implementation decision.
"No plan to implement"
The WIPO Standard has been reviewed and there is currently no intention or plan to implement it.
WIPO Standard ST.2: Standard manner for designating calendar dates by using the Gregorian calendar
"Partially implemented"
In some displays, JPO represents months or days with a value of less than 10 without a leading zero.
WIPO Standard ST.3: Recommended standard on two-letter codes for the representation of states, other entities and intergovernmental organizations
"Fully implemented"
WIPO Standard ST.13: Recommendation for the numbering of applications for industrial property rights (IPRs)
"No plan to implement"
WIPO Standard ST.80: Recommendation concerning bibliographic data relating to industrial designs
"Fully implemented"
WIPO Standard ST.81: Recommendation concerning the content and layout of industrial design gazettes
“Partially implemented”
WIPO Standard ST.86: Recommendation for the processing of industrial design information using XML (extensible markup language)
"No plan to implement"
WIPO Standard ST.87: Recommendation for the exchange of industrial design legal status data
"No plan to implement"
WIPO Standard ST.88: Recommendations for electronic representation of industrial designs
"No plan to implement"
WIPO Standard ST.90: Recommendation for processing and communicating intellectual property data using web APIs (Application Programming Interfaces)
"No plan to implement"
WIPO Standard ST.91: Recommendations on digital three-dimensional (3D) models and 3D images
"No plan to implement"
WIPO Standard ST.92: Recommendations on the data package format for the electronic exchange of priority documents
"Planning to implement"
WIPO Standard ST.96: Recommendation for the processing of intellectual property information using XML (extensible markup language)
“Partially implemented” implemented for publications
WIPO Standard ST.97: Recommendation for processing of intellectual property data using JSON
"No plan to implement"
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