JapanJPO — Japan Patent OfficeEntering Japan? Secure your mark before someone else files it first.
Japan is strictly first-to-file — prior use of an unregistered mark is no defence, so priority goes to whoever applies first. A JPAA-registered benrishi* (弁理士 — patent/trademark attorney) files yours directly with the JPO, in Japanese, with a clearance search included.
- Free JPO clearance — Latin, katakana & similar-group — before you pay anything
- Flat service fee; JPO fees passed through at cost in yen
- A JPAA-registered benrishi is your agent of record at the JPO
From $590.00 GTC service fee + ¥3,400 + ¥8,600 / class JPO application fee — plus a separate ¥32,900 / class registration fee paid only after allowance. JPO fees set in yen, at cost.
What you get
Everything a Japan trademark gives you — and everything we handle
A JPO registration gives you exclusive rights to your brand name, logo, or slogan across Japan for the goods and services you sell. Because Japan is strictly first-to-file with no prior-use defence, a later applicant can register your name — or a katakana version of it — first, and box you out of the world’s third-largest economy.
Your rights once it’s registered
- Exclusive use of your mark across Japan, for your registered Nice classes and similar-group codes.
- The legal right to use the registered ® symbol on your brand in Japan.
- Eligibility to list on the major Japanese marketplaces — Amazon.co.jp, Rakuten, and Yahoo! Japan — that require a registered mark for Brand Registry.
- A basis for Japan Customs recordation, so customs can detain counterfeits at every Japanese port and airport.
- A statutory presumption of validity when you sue infringers in the Tokyo or Osaka IP High Courts.
- A basing application to extend protection worldwide through the Madrid System (Japan has been a member since 2000).
What’s included when you file with GTC
Non-resident applicants must appoint a Japan-resident agent — in practice, a JPAA-registered benrishi — who handles every Japanese-language JPO communication for you.
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JPO clearance search — Latin + katakana + similar-group
A JPO database search across the Latin-character mark, its katakana (カタカナ) reading, and Japan-specific similar-group codes — with a benrishi's read on your odds, plus a free second search if your first mark conflicts.
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Similar-group strategy, not just Nice
Japan layers a national similar-group code system on top of Nice. Your benrishi maps your goods to the right similar-groups so your registration is enforceable, not full of gaps.
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Katakana defensive-filing advice
Guidance on filing a chosen katakana (カタカナ) transliteration in parallel with the Latin mark — screened against existing JPO registrations and common Japanese readings — so a third party can't register one against you.
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Filed directly with the JPO by your benrishi
Japanese-language power of attorney prepared, then filed via the benrishi's J-PlatPat portal — so non-resident applicants are fully represented from day one.
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Refusal responses handled
A pre-action response to a Notification of Reasons for Refusal is included — arguing distinctiveness or refining the specification; substantive Article 3 / Article 4 refusals quoted upfront before any work§.
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A year of aftercare
One year of post-registration benrishi representation, included — plus monitoring of the 2-month post-grant opposition window after publication of registration.
Want ongoing protection after you file? Add Trademark Monitoring and get alerted the moment someone tries to register a similar mark — Latin or katakana — in Japan.
Which route is right for you
Three ways to file in Japan — what actually differs
The JPO charges the same government fee whoever files, so cost isn’t what sets the routes apart. What differs is the legal judgement behind your application — the similar-group and katakana strategy — who handles the JPO’s Japanese-language correspondence, and whether everything lives in one place.
| What you get | Self-file via a JPO agent | Traditional Japanese law firm | GTCOnline-first · one team |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPO clearance — Latin, katakana & similar-group codes | On your own | ||
| Similar-group strategy on top of Nice classification | |||
| Katakana defensive-filing advice | Sometimes | ||
| JPAA-registered benrishi as agent of record | Not appointed | ||
| Start, pay & track on one online platform — in English | |||
| One dedicated team across every jurisdiction you file in | Usually Japan-only | ||
| JPO government fee | Same | Same | Same |
An agent of record isn’t optional for everyone: the JPO requires non-resident applicants to appoint a Japan-resident agent — in practice, a JPAA-registered benrishi. Either way, you only pay the JPO fee once — at cost.
How much
Transparent pricing, fair because we work efficiently
We run filings on one online platform with a benrishi on the file, so the work stays efficient and the price stays fair — a flat service fee, the JPO’s fee at cost, and every cost shown before you pay.
What makes up your price
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$590.00 / classGTC service fee$590.00 first class, $420.00 each additional — JPO clearance (Latin + katakana + similar-group), similar-group strategy, Japanese-language power of attorney, benrishi filing, and standard prosecution to registration.
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¥3,400 + ¥8,600 / classJPO application (filing) feePaid to the JPO on filing: a base ¥3,400 plus ¥8,600 per class, in Japanese yen at cost. Non-refundable, even if your application is refused.
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¥32,900 / class (10-yr)JPO registration fee (after allowance)Japan splits its fee: this second payment is due only AFTER your mark is allowed — ¥32,900 / class for a 10-year term, or a 5-year split of ¥17,200 / class with the second half due before year 5.
A parallel katakana (カタカナ) filing — strongly recommended — is its own application with its own service and JPO fees. Only if it applies: substantive Article 3 / Article 4 refusals, and post-grant opposition defence, are quoted upfront before any work begins§ — never a surprise.
JPO government fees are set in Japanese yen and are subject to scheduled changes — we quote the exact amount on the day of filing.
What it costs to keep it
A Japan registration lasts 10 years from grant and renews indefinitely in 10-year terms. The 5-year split option lets you spread the registration fee. There’s no mid-cycle declaration of use, but the mark must be put to genuine use in Japan within 3 years of registration to stay safe from an Article 50 non-use cancellation. We track every deadline for the life of your portfolio so nothing lapses by accident.
How long
From search to registered across Japan — and beyond
Most Japanese marks register in about 10 to 14 months. Filing is quick; the long step is the JPO’s thorough ~8–10 month substantive examination. Japan has no pre-grant opposition, and the registration fee is paid only after your mark is allowed. Here’s the honest timeline.
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Before you pay
Free clearance search
A JPAA-registered benrishi runs a JPO search across the Latin mark, its katakana reading, and Japan-specific similar-group codes, and tells you — plainly — whether to file, refine, or pivot.
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~2–3 weeks
We prepare and file
We draft your specification with similar-group strategy, prepare the Japanese-language power of attorney (translation and execution take time for non-residents), then file directly with the JPO via the benrishi's J-PlatPat portal.
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~8–10 months
Substantive examination
The JPO examines for Article 3 distinctiveness, Article 4 conflicts (including famous-mark and similar-group conflicts), and absolute grounds. We respond to any Notification of Reasons for Refusal — the deadline to reply is 3 months.
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~1–2 months
Allowance & registration fee
Once allowed, you pay the JPO registration fee — ¥32,900 per class for a 10-year term, or a 5-year split of ¥17,200. Japan splits its fee: nothing is due at this stage until your mark is approved.
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~10–14 months total
Registration across Japan
Your mark registers and is published — valid across Japan, with the right to use the ® symbol. There is no pre-grant opposition window in Japan.
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2 months post-grant, then year 3 & every 10
Opposition, use & renewal
A 2-month post-registration opposition window opens at publication — we monitor it. Put the mark to genuine use within 3 years to keep it safe from Article 50 non-use cancellation, then renew every 10 years.
How it works
Three steps. One Japan benrishi. Zero guesswork.
Free benrishi-led clearance search
Tell us your brand and class. A JPAA-registered benrishi runs a JPO search across the Latin mark, its katakana reading, and similar-group codes, and tells you — in plain English — whether to file, refine, or add a katakana version. No charge, no obligation.
We draft and file with the JPO
We classify under Nice, map your goods to the right similar-groups, draft your specification to clear Article 3/4 examination, prepare the Japanese-language power of attorney, and file via the benrishi's J-PlatPat portal — with our benrishi as your agent of record.
We handle examination through to registration
Substantive examination, any Notification of Reasons for Refusal, allowance and the registration-fee payment, then the 2-month post-grant opposition window — your benrishi monitors and responds. You're notified at every milestone, all in one place.
Why GTC
An online-first law firm built for Japanese brand protection
We pair a JPAA-registered benrishi with one easy platform, so your Japan filing is handled with real legal judgement — in Japanese, on your behalf — and stays simple to manage from anywhere.
One platform, online-first — in English
Start your Japan filing, pay, and track it in one place — in English — alongside any other jurisdiction you file in. The JPO is a Japanese-language office; we run all of it for you and surface real-time status, examiner correspondence, and every deadline.
Japan, and your East-Asia gateway
A JPO registration anchors your East-Asia strategy — pair it with South Korea (KIPO) and China (CNIPA), or extend worldwide via a Madrid Protocol designation. The same team handles the US, EU, and 100+ jurisdictions when you grow.
A dedicated team that owns your matter
A JPAA-registered benrishi on the file and a Customer Success Team who know your brand — real people who pick up the phone, not a queue or a fresh intake form each time.
Attorney-led, transparently priced
Every application is drafted with legal judgement — similar-group strategy and katakana defence, not an automated form. Fair because we work efficiently: a flat service fee, JPO fees at cost, every line shown before you pay.
Your Customer Success Team
A real team that owns your matter — not a ticket queue.
Every GTC client gets a dedicated Account Manager and a Senior Account Manager who learn your business and stay with you from first email to final filing — real people who pick up the phone, so you never re-explain your brand or chase a queue.
Your Account Manager
Your day-to-day point of contact — coordinates every matter, keeps things moving, and already knows your file. No intake form, no re-explaining.
Your Senior Account Manager
Senior oversight on strategy and escalations, stepping in as your needs grow — so nothing important slips through the cracks.
A real person, on email or a call — at every step.
The proof
Real work, real clients, real reviews
7,500+
Trademarks filed
10,000+
Clients served
107
Trademark jurisdictions
11
In-house attorneys
“I've had the pleasure of working with Rajat for many years. He has expertly guided me through the process of registering my company in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and more. His deep knowledge of trademark law across jurisdictions is impressive.”
“We had various US trademarks to submit, and the team at Modi & Zaidi handled the entire process. They are friendly, knowledgeable and punctual. We will definitely use their services again.”
“Working with Maryam & the team of Rajat Modi has been an exceptional experience. Her professionalism, knowledge, and commitment to my case have been evident throughout the process.”
“I am a regular customer of GTC. They have done more than 15 Multi-Countries Trademarks for me so far. Their service quality and turnaround time is exceptional.”
“I had infringed on the copyright of a big brand, which threatened to lose my business. However, thanks to the professional work of this team, we signed the best possible contract and saved the business.”
“Global Trademark Company is the best in the business and I've used them for a number of my applications. Highly recommended for anyone looking for reliable trademark services.”
Questions, answered straight
Frequently asked questions
Attorney advertising. The information on this page is for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney–client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
- * Benrishi representation.
- Every Japan trademark application filed through GTC is prepared and filed by a JPAA-registered benrishi (弁理士 — patent/trademark attorney) who is the agent of record before the JPO. The JPO requires non-resident applicants to appoint a Japan-resident agent for all communications — included in the service fee.
- † JPO filing fees.
- The JPO sets its fees in Japanese yen and splits them into two payments per class: an application (filing) fee of ¥3,400 + ¥8,600 / class on filing, and a separate registration fee paid AFTER allowance — ¥32,900 / class for a 10-year term, or a 5-year split of ¥17,200 / class. Government fees are paid to the JPO at cost, are subject to scheduled changes, and are non-refundable, even if your application is refused. Refund treatment across every service we offer is governed by our Refund & Credit Policy.
- § Procedural refusal responses.
- A pre-action response to a Notification of Reasons for Refusal (clarifications to the specification, classification fixes, distinctiveness arguments) is included in the new-filing service fee. Substantive refusals under Article 3 (distinctiveness) or Article 4 (conflicts) of the Japanese Trademark Act, and post-grant opposition defence, are quoted upfront before any work begins. See scope of work for the full breakdown.
- ‡ Refusal statistics.
- The most common JPO grounds for refusal are likelihood of confusion with an earlier mark under Article 4(1)(xi), lack of distinctiveness under Article 3(1), famous-mark conflict under Article 4(1)(xv), and public-policy or prohibited-sign refusals under Article 4(1)(vii)/(vi). Figures are indicative of the relative frequency of JPO objection grounds, not a guarantee for any individual application; a pre-filing JPO and similar-group clearance search is the most reliable way to design around them.
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Talk to a Japan trademark specialist
Ready when you are.
Book a free 30-minute consult with a JPAA-registered benrishi. We'll review your brand, run a JPO read of the earlier-marks and similar-group landscape, advise on your katakana strategy, and map your fastest route to a registered Japanese mark — no sales pitch, no obligation.