Trademark Wiki / 国际商标

What Are the Special Requirements for Trademark Registration in Japan?

Q&APublished 2026-09-17 · Updated 2026-09-17

Japan follows the first-to-file principle with strict examination; distinctive features include registrable new types of marks such as sound marks, goods descriptions that must follow Japanese classification practice, and registration granted only after the registration fee is paid.

The overall trademark registration process in Japan is similar to China's, but several points deserve attention: strict distinctiveness examination, goods descriptions that must follow the classification practice of the Japan Patent Office (JPO), a "pay the registration fee after allowance" model, and the registrability of non-traditional marks such as sound, motion and color marks.

Examination Characteristics

  • Strict distinctiveness examination: descriptive words, common surnames and extremely simple geometric shapes are easily refused;
  • Goods/services descriptions: the JPO's conventions for naming goods are not fully aligned with China's; copying the goods list from a Chinese application verbatim may draw a requirement to amend, so adjust per Japan's Examination Guidelines for Similar Goods and Services;
  • Examination speed: ordinary applications take about 8–12 months for substantive examination; accelerated examination channels also exist (available if conditions such as use in Japan are met).

Special Trademark Types

Since 2015, Japan has opened registration of sound marks, motion marks, hologram marks, position marks and color-only marks. If your brand has a signature sound (such as a startup chime), consider laying out a sound mark in Japan.

Procedural Differences

  1. Application → formal examination → substantive examination;
  2. After the decision of allowance (decision of registration), the registration fee must be paid within 30 days; registration and issuance of the certificate follow only upon payment;
  3. Publication after registration; anyone may file an opposition within two months of the publication date;
  4. The term is 10 years and renewable; a registration unused for three consecutive years may be cancelled upon a third party's request.

Filing Routes

  • National filing: engage a local Japanese agent (benrishi) to file directly with the JPO;
  • Madrid designating Japan: Japan is a member of the Madrid Protocol, but it is an individual-fee country, and a Japanese agent is still needed for responses to amendments — the cost difference is small.

Practical Tips

  • The Japanese market values kanji and kana; if your brand contains Chinese characters, register the corresponding Japanese kana or romaji renderings as well;
  • Japanese consumers place high trust in registered marks; a Japanese trademark registration visibly helps operations on Rakuten and Amazon Japan.

If you are unsure about the issues above, you can start with a JP trademark registration at MyTMBee and act on the analysis provided by a registered agent.