Trademark Registration – Set up a company in Japan

Trademark Registration in Japan

Trademark Applications, Brand Protection, and Logo Protection in Japan

Entering the Japanese market begins with protecting your brand and trademarks.

When Taiwanese companies enter the Japanese market, trademark protection for brand names, company names, product names, and logos is just as essential as establishing a Japanese entity, applying for visas, and developing sales channels.

If you already use a brand name in Taiwan and plan to sell products, provide services, or operate e‑commerce in Japan, we recommend confirming whether the relevant trademark can be registered in Japan before officially entering the market.

We provide services related to Japanese trademark applications and registrations, assisting Taiwanese companies and individuals with trademark searches, categories evaluation, application filing, handling office actions from the Japan Patent Office, and subsequent trademark management to help establish comprehensive brand protection in the Japanese market.

Why do you need to apply for a trademark in Japan?

Using your company name, brand name, or logo in Japan does not automatically grant you trademark rights there.

Trademark rights in Japan are obtained only by filing an application with the Japan Patent Office (JPO), undergoing examination, and completing registration. Once registered, the trademark is protected within Japan and grants exclusive rights for the designated goods or services, allowing you —under qualifying conditions — to prevent others from using identical or similar marks.

Therefore, if a Taiwanese company plans to:

Sell products in Japan
Open physical stores in Japan
Operate Japanese e‑commerce
Build a brand in Japan
Establish a Japanese subsidiary
Bring a Taiwanese brand into Japan
License the brand to Japanese companies
Participate in exhibitions and expand the market

Trademark Registration Process in Japan

STEP 1｜Confirm the trademark

Confirm the trademark elements, including the brand name and logo.

STEP 2｜Trademark search in Japan

Confirm whether identical or similar trademarks already exist.

STEP 3｜Select goods and service categories

Select the appropriate categories based on your actual business activities.

STEP 4｜File the trademark application

The application is filed with the Japan Patent Office (JPO) through a Japanese patent attorney.

STEP 5｜Examination by the Japan Patent Office (JPO)

Undergo examination, and respond to any Office Actions (reasons for refusal) when necessary.

STEP 6｜Trademark registration

Obtain trademark rights in Japan upon completing the registration procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much does it cost to register a trademark in Japan?

The cost of applying a trademark in Japan varies, depending on the number of goods and service categories, the number of trademarks, and whether additional procedures such as responding to an Office Action are required. Fees charged by the patent attorney and the official fees of the Japan Patent Office are calculated separately, so a quotation must be based on the actual application details.

Do I still need to apply for a trademark in Japan if my trademark in Taiwan is already registered?

A separate assessment is required. Trademark rights registered in Taiwan are generally effective only within Taiwan, and do not automatically grant protection in Japan. If you intend to use and protect the same brand in Japan, it is advisable to apply another trademark in Japan.

Is trademark registration mandatory after establishing a company in Japan?

Not necessarily. Trademark registration is not a mandatory legal requirement for all companies established in Japan. However, if the company has its own brand, product name, or logo and plans to operate long‑term in Japan, it is advisable to evaluate whether trademark protection is necessary.