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:
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.29 of JPO Status Report.
https://www.jpo.go.jp/resources/report/statusreport/2026/document/index/0101.pdf#page=18(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.a) Nice Classification
By adopting internationally common classification (Nice Classification), for the purpose of making it easier to search of domestic and international prior trademarks and to manage trademarks such as the procedure for the registration of a trademark etc., in April 1992, the JPO has adopted the Nice Classification which is an international classification of goods and services as the main classification system. Currently, the JPO adopts the international classification, 13th edition, version 2026 that came into effect on January 1, 2026.
b) Vienna Classification
The JPO had adopted its own figure classification as a classification of figurative element of mark, and then investigated comparative relations between the Japanese own figure classification and the Vienna Classification from April 1999 to March 2000, in order to use the Vienna Classification which is an international classification.
In consequence, the JPO started examinations based on a subdivided Vienna Classification made by subdividing the Vienna Classification (5th edition) in the context of the actual situation of Japan.
Specifically, the JPO created a subdivided original Vienna Classification by subdividing the Vienna Classification (5th edition) based on the actual situation in Japan and has utilized it as search keys of Figure trademark search system.Information on the following topics is desired :
The JPO publishes the following major official gazettes via the Internet in 2025:
- Publication of Registered Trademark
- Publication of Unexamined Trademark Application
- Publication of International Trademark Application
- Publication of Registered International Trademark
- Publication of Decision on Appeal/Trial in Trademark
The following is the URL of publications provided through the Internet.
URL：https://www.gazette.jpo.go.jp/scciidl010/onclickenglishbtn?hyouziFlag=2Concerning the following points, the examiners of the JPO use the databases for searches.
a) Newspaper/Magazine article information
A database capable of searching for entire texts of general newspapers, trade papers, and specialty journals
b) Foreign application/registration information database
A database capable of searching for foreign application/registration informationa) Providing patent information via the Internet
a-1) Providing official gazettes via the Internet
See 3. (1)
a-2) Japan Platform for Patent Information(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
a-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 by data exchange between foreign IP Offices. Trademark documents of Russian Federation, Taiwan, Australia, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (the EUIPO), Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Russia which are not available for a search on the J-PlatPat, are available for simplified search by using document numbers and English key words via Japanese user interface.
b) Providing JPO data
The following types of data is currently provided to commercial providers in Japan by bulk download service.
・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.
c) Reference to trademark gazettes, etc.
The INPIT has 4 access devices which are 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 documents
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.Information on the following topics is desired :
A paperless trademark system has been available since January 2000. Systems for administrative work and examination processing based on electronic data were constructed, and all work including filing, formality and substantive examination, dispatch, registration, gazette issuing, viewing, and certification request are processed electronically. Thus, a remarkable improvement has been achieved in terms of operational efficiency, substantiating application and case management and so forth.
Furthermore, with the implementation of the real-time trademark search function, and a trademark examination scheme that actively takes advantage of data in electric form, resulting in the downsizing of the trademark search system, cost efficiency has been also improved. Of all the trademark applications filed in 2025, 86.9% was online. On the other hand, on joining the Madrid Agreement and the Protocol, a Madrid Protocol system was developed, and put into operation in March 2000.
In addition, an examination system for the examination of international trademark registration application was constructed, and an electronic transmission system to the International Bureau was introduced in April 2005.a) On-line trademark search system
The JPO has been electronically storing trademark applications and examination-related documents for trademark examination. At the end of May 2026, trademark-related data for about 6.89 million documents were accumulated.
Trademark search system comprises of phonetic search, character string search, and well-known/famous trademarks search.
In order to protect famous trademarks, a well-known/famous trademark database was constructed, and the search system thereof was put into operation in March 2001.
b) Figurative trademark examination system
The figurative trademark examination system is to narrow down trademarks from figurative image data restored in trademark sample files by using search keys of a figure classification and similar group codes and to search figurative trademarks by high-speed screening.
Since April 2004, a figure classification used as search keys has shifted the search method from the one using a figure classification unique to Japan to the one using a figure classification which subdivides the Vienna Classification (version 5) based on the Vienna Agreement in line with the actual status of Japan.
c) 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.
d) Check table search system for indications of goods/services
With regard to the indications of designated goods and designated services, those adopted by the JPO in the past which were judged to be clear are accumulated in this system in addition to indications listed in the international classification tables and the Examination Guidelines for Similar Goods and Services. This database is used to check classifications of goods and services listed in filing documents and to present appropriate indications.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 following 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 methods 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(training seminars)
The INPIT compiles an instruction brochure/manual for how to operate and utilize various search services provided by the J-PlatPat.
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
Training seminars of the J-PlatPat 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 training.
-Training Seminar for Trademark Search Beginners (Let’s learn the Examiner’s viewpoint!)
This training seminar aims to obtain both the knowledge of trademark system and the methods of trademark search and prior trademark search by the lectures of the overview of trademark system, the status of trademark system, and the concept of trademark examination and by the lessons how to search and research trademark from the viewpoint of examiners using J-PlatPat. (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 :
We currently provide data in a media-less format.
Based on an international cooperative framework, the JPO and the WIPO started the data exchange of official gazettes including “Published Registered Trademarks” in November 2014. The scope of data exchange was expanded in 2016, and has continued to this day. The exchanged data is reflected in the Global Brand Database, WIPO's worldwide database of trademark information. In addition, the Office also exchanges the data with Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Taiwan, the EUIPO, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Australia.
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 "ASEAN IP Register," an online intellectual property information search service for ASEAN countries, and this system was launched in fiscal year 2023. Through this system, it became possible to collectively refer to patent, design, and trademark information from nine countries except Myanmar. Even after its launch, meetings have been held regularly from the perspective of improving the convenience of the ASEAN IP Register and other aspects, and in 2025, the 8th ASEAN IP Register Officials Meeting was held in Cambodia. At this meeting, the focus was on improving and strengthening the ASEAN IP Register data service, and discussions were held on digitization efforts, progress to date, and challenges related to improving data quality and the publication of full-text patent documents.
a-2) Digitization support
In FY2024, the digitalization project was implemented in OAPI (Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle), Ecuador, Cambodia, Zambia, Sri Lanka, and Laos.
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.60: Recommendation concerning bibliographic data relating to marks
"Fully implemented"
WIPO Standard ST.61: Recommendation for the exchange of trademark legal status data
"No plan to implement"
J-PlatPat provides Common Status Descriptors agreed by TM5.
WIPO Standard ST.62: Recommendation concerning standard abbreviation for “Vienna Classification”
"No plan to implement"
WIPO Standard ST.63: Recommendation concerning the content and layout of trademark gazettes
"Partially implemented"
WIPO Standard ST.64: Recommended search files for trademark search
"Partially implemented"
WIPO Standard ST.66: Recommendation for the processing of trademark information using XML (extensible markup language)
"No plan to implement"
WIPO Standard ST.67: Recommendations for the electronic management of the figurative elements of trademarks
"Fully implemented"
WIPO Standard ST.68: Recommendations for the electronic management of sound marks
"Fully implemented"
WIPO Standard ST.69: Recommendation for the electronic management of motion and multimedia marks
"Partially implemented"
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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