Japanese Patent FAQs

Examination

Update 2020.10.22

Q.When is the deadline for filing a request for examination?

A request for examination must be filed within three years from the filing date (or the international filing date for a PCT case).

Q.A request for examination was not timely filed by the due date. Is there any option available for reviving the application?

Article 48(3) of the Japanese Patent Law prescribes that, if a request for examination has not been made within the time limit, the application shall be deemed withdrawn. Accordingly, there is no way to restore the case, not even if the deadline was missed due to a mistake or an error.

Q.When may we expect to receive examination results in a normal application procedure?

Normally, an application is examined within approximately nine and a half months (9.5 months) after filing a request for examination.

Q.How can I find out whether or not an application has been granted a patent?

You can check the status of a patent application through the JPO website. Enter the application number on the following URL, and click the search button. If a registration number appears in the results, the patent application matured into a patent. However, please note that there is a time lag for updates.

https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/

Q.What is the JPO’s fee for filing a request for examination?

The official fee for filing a request for examination is calculated as follows:

– Request for examination for applications filed on or before March 31, 2019 (international filing date is on or before March 31, 2019 for PCT case):

Paris Convention case:	118,000 yen + (number of claims x 4,000 yen)
PCT case:	106,000 yen + (number of claims x 3,600 yen)
PCT case (without Search Report):	118,000 yen + (number of claims x 4,000 yen)

– Request for examination for applications filed on or after April 1, 2019 (international filing date is on or after April 1, 2019 for PCT case):

Paris Convention case:	138,000 yen + (number of claims x 4,000 yen)
PCT case:	124,000 yen + (number of claims x 3,600 yen)
PCT case (without Search Report):	138,000 yen + (number of claims x 4,000 yen)

FAQs