TM Symbol (™)
A TM symbol is used for unregistered products. It doesn’t provide any legal protection against copies and forged goods.
Are you looking to protect your brand in the cut, copy, paste culture? If yes, getting trademark registration in Japan will fulfil all your brand protection needs. You don’t even have to book any flight/cruise tickets to visit any governmental office. Our authorized agents will do everything on your behalf.
Take advantage of the Japanese consumer markets in electronics, manufacturing, robotics, automobiles, machinery & equipment, green energy, fintech, and technology.
With Corpbiz expert-led support, as a foreign entrepreneur and company, you can:


A trademark is a unique expression that may consist of words, logos, shapes, letters, numbers, symbols, slogans, and patterns. The 5th largest economy in the world follows the “first-to-file” principle for trademark registration in Japan.
From exclusive TM rights to brand recognition, there are several benefits of trademark registration in Japan, as explained below:

After trademark registration in Japan, you can market, sell, license, or franchise your brand, enhancing the value of your brand.
A registered trademark can help you gain loyal consumers in the market. Customers always prefer goods that are authentic and verified.
Once you’ve registered a trademark in Japan, you’re entitled to take action against anyone who infringes/attempts to violate your exclusive rights to the brand. This includes taking legal action and obtaining monetary damages.
A trademark owner can obtain border assistance from the Japanese Customs Authority after Japan TM registration to block and prevent the entry and exit of counterfeit products.
Investors are more likely to invest in your business if you’ve registered a trademark in Japan. Similarly, you can also apply for a loan, and your registered brand can serve as collateral.
With successful trademark registration in Japan, you can establish a strong competitive edge in the market.
The basic requirements that all applicants must comply with for Japan trademark registration are described below:


The list of documents needed for trademark registration in Japan is as follows:
Given below are the recognized symbols for trademark registration in Japan-

A TM symbol is used for unregistered products. It doesn’t provide any legal protection against copies and forged goods.

This mark is used for registered goods/services. The universal symbol demonstrates the official registration of a brand with the Japan Patent Office. It provides legal protection against counterfeits and infringements.
Scroll down and learn how to register a trademark in Japan with Corpbiz’s assistance:

Contact Us
The first step is to contact us, and one of our consultants will discuss your marketing strategy for your brand registration during the 30-minute free consultation.
Appointment of Local Representative
Once you’ve signed up with us, we’ll help you appoint a local representative from our network of 100+ local agents as per the Japanese trademark law mandate for foreign applicants.
Classification of Goods and Services
We’ll help you sort your list of products and services that you want covered under the trademark as per the Nice Classification (1-45). Each class has a separate fee.
Pre-Trademark Search
Our specialized IPR consultant will assist you in conducting a trademark search with the Japan Patent Office’s TM search database to prevent you from applying for identical/similar trademarks.
Application Filing
Your appointed local agent will apply for a trademark with mandatory documents, including identifications, TM’s graphic representation, a list of goods and services, and a power of attorney, all in Japanese translation.
Initial Examination
The Japan Patent Office will formally examine your application to check if your application is complete without any mistakes and that the fees are duly paid as prescribed.
Extensive Evaluation
Once your application has been passed through the formal examination, the authorities will check if your TM is distinct, doesn’t conflict with an earlier registered trademark, or doesn’t conflict with the Japanese laws.
Office Action (if applicable)
In case the authority finds any discrepancies in your application, then they will contact us, and our attorneys will take necessary actions to take corrective measures after taking your explicit consent.
Publication in the Gazette
After examination, the trademark authority will register your trademark, then publish it on their official gazette to allow third-party objections for two months.
Opposition (if any)
If a third party objects to your trademark registration, then our lawyers will send a counterstatement to the patent office within the timeline as prescribed in the notice of opposition.
Issuance of Certificate of Registration
If there’s no objection filed against you within the prescribed deadline, then the Japan Patent Office will grant a certificate of trademark registration in Japan.
Check out the commonly registered classes for Japan trademark registration as described below:

Cosmetic & Cleaning Preparation

Pharmaceutical

Electronics & Software

Clothing & Footwear

Advertising and Business Management

Entertainment & Education

Restaurant & Hotels

Medical and Beauty Care
All businesses that want to protect their brand must register a trademark in Japan.
From words, letters, images, and logos, there are different types of trademarks for Japan TM registration, as explained below:

You can register foreign or Japanese characters, words, letters, numbers, and slogans as a trademark in Japan.

You can register a trademark in Japan for Images, logos, and symbols.

A combination of text and graphical elements, including words and logos, can be registered as a Japanese TM.

A three-dimensional shape of a product and packaging can be registered as a trademark with the Japan Patent Office (JPO).

You can apply a color or a combination thereof for Japan TM registration. Applicants can trademark a specific tone/color shade.

This category includes ringtones, jingles, musical notes, songs, or related melody elements.

This type of trademark includes moving images and movements like video clips.
Explore the key features of trademark registration in Japan, including brand recognition, legal protection, exclusive rights, and validity:

Fulfill your compliance obligations after Japan trademark registration with Corpbiz’s assistance:
We provide continuous watch services, including monitoring trademark databases, social media, online domains, and digital marketplaces to protect your brand identity.
Our associates will send you regular notifications for trademark renewal during the last six months of your 10-year ongoing registration.
Our IPR attorneys will send legal notices in case anybody infringes your Japan TM registration as the first stage of our legal enforcement. In case the dispute is not resolved amicably through mediation/arbitration, then we’ll file a lawsuit in the appropriate court.
After trademark registration in Japan, if you wish to license or transfer your exclusive rights to the brand, then we’ll draft a licensing or assignment agreement on your behalf.
To avoid revocation of your Japan TM registration, we’ll assist you in maintaining the constant usage of your registered brand. We’ll help you record sales invoices, packaging materials, and promotional activities.
If you transfer the ownership to a third party or update the list of goods and services under the TM, then we’ll help you inform the Japan Patent Office (JPO).
To legally enforce your Japan trademark registration, we’ll oppose newly-published TMs that are deceptively similar/identical to your registered mark.
If it comes to our attention that a mark should never have been registered as it violates your registered TM, then we’ll apply for rectification/cancellation of the said mark.
Using your trademark registration in Japan, we’ll help you apply for global TM registration in 120+ foreign jurisdictions via the Madrid Protocol.
You must apply for the renewal of trademark registration in Japan before the last six months of your ongoing validity.

We have over a decade of experience in providing IP protection and trademark registration solutions.
You don’t need to visit any governmental offices for trademark registration in Japan. Our local agents will take care of all the formalities on your behalf.
Our expert team of over 200 attorneys will assist you in every legal matter, starting from sending notices, filing lawsuits, renewing your TM, and overall legal enforcement of your IPR.
Our executives work 24*7 to provide uninterrupted support to all our clients. Call anytime from anywhere.
We provide money-saving EMI facilities with leading banks at best interest rates- avail our services now and pay later with EMI.
We don’t have any hidden charges for our services. You pay what you see on our platform for Japan trademark registration services.
Legal Researcher
Written by Neha Dawra. Last updated on May 30 2026, 04:43 AM
Neha Dawra has 4+ years of experience in legal research and intellectual property advisory. Her expertise lies in analyzing IP laws, drafting structured legal content, and simplifying complex registration procedures into clear, simple insights.
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