Request for assistance for those affected by the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake

January 10, 2024

Dear IP Offices Colleagues,

As you are aware from news reports, massive earthquakes and tsunami occurred on January 1st around the Noto Peninsula, mainly in Ishikawa, Niigata, Toyama and Fukui prefectures, and these earthquakes are being followed by continuous aftershocks.

It has come to our attention that, due to the earthquakes, it has become difficult for some Japanese applicants, holders and agents to contact or carry out procedures with intellectual property offices.

In order to provide relief to these people, we would like to ask for your kind consideration to apply bail-out measures to the sufferers of the earthquakes, as you kindly did for the previous disaster.

We are sure that your taking lenient measures for the Japanese applicants will encourage the industrial community of Japan, and will be a great source of support for the restoration.

We hope you will give this matter your best consideration.

JAPAN PATENT OFFICE

[Last updated 10 January 2024]

Contact

International Policy Division／International Cooperation Division Policy Planning and Coordination Department Japan Patent Office E-mail: PA0800@jpo.go.jp