General Requirements
(April 1, 2011)
The applicant must submit to the Patent Office directly or by mail an application for trademark registration having the following requirements:
1. The applicant’s full name, address and nationality.
2. Details of the mark. If the mark consists of only plain block letters in English or Japanese characters, drawings are not necessary. However, if the mark consists of a logo, stylized letters, design, 3-D or has color(s), a clear drawing of the mark is necessary.
3. Goods and/or services to be covered must be itemized, but there is no limitation on the number of goods or services to be designated in one class. An additional fee is required for each additional class in the same application (a multi-class application).
4. If Convention priority is claimed, the date and country of the base application must be indicated in the application, and a certified copy of the base application must be submitted within a three-month period from the filing date of the Japanese application.
5. Neither prior use nor any evidence of use is required. Any person who intends to use the mark may file an application.
6. No specimens showing actual use of the mark are required. Additionally, no Power of Attorney or any other formal documents from the applicant are in principle required. However, the Patent Office may request that the applicant file documents to confirm nationality, corporate entity, etc.
7. An online filing system (electronic trademark applications) has been introduced beginning on January 1, 2000.