GUIDE · TRADEMARK
Registering a trademark in Japan
商標登録First to file wins — protect your brand early
In Japan, a trademark goes to whoever files first — even if you used the name earlier. If your brand matters, file before you launch.
Rule
First to file
Earlier use does not decide
Term
10 years
Renewable again and again
Classes
45
Categories of goods and services
Filing fee
¥3,400
+ ¥8,600 per class
First to file
Japan uses a first-to-file system: when two people apply for the same or similar mark, the one who filed first gets it, whoever used it first. A registration in your home country does not protect you in Japan.
Before filing, search existing marks for free on J-PlatPat, the Japan Patent Office’s database, which also lists the goods and services in each class.
Official fees
| Step | Fee |
|---|---|
| Application | ¥3,400 + ¥8,600 per class |
| Registration (10 years) | ¥32,900 per class — or two payments of ¥17,200 per class |
| Renewal (10 years) | ¥43,600 per class |
Official fees only. A patent attorney (benrishi) charges separately.
How it works
- 01
Search 調査
Check J-PlatPat for the same or similar marks in your classes.
- 02
File 出願
Apply to the Japan Patent Office with your mark and the goods or services it covers.
- 03
Examination 審査
The office checks the mark; you may need to respond to objections.
- 04
Register 登録
Pay the registration fee; protection lasts 10 years from registration.
Branding work such as a new logo or website may be covered by subsidies — see Website subsidies.
FAQ
Does Japan use first to file for trademarks?
Yes. When two people apply for the same or similar mark, the first to file gets it, regardless of who used it first.
How much does a trademark cost in Japan?
Official fees are ¥3,400 plus ¥8,600 per class to apply, and ¥32,900 per class to register for 10 years. Attorney fees are extra.
How long does a Japanese trademark last?
Ten years from registration, and it can be renewed every 10 years without limit.
Sources
- Overview of the trademark system (商標制度の概要) — Japan Patent Office
- Industrial property fees (産業財産権関係料金一覧) — Japan Patent Office
This page is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. The official Japanese guidelines always take priority.
NEED HELP IN ENGLISH?
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Patent attorneys (benrishi) who file trademarks for foreign companies — in English.
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