International Cooperation in Association with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

The Japan Patent Office (JPO), in association with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), works to actively support human resource development, provide technical cooperation, and strengthen the protection of IP rights in developing countries in order to support the advancement of Japanese companies. Our cooperation in developing countries through collaboration with various organizations is outlined below.

Cooperation Initiatives with WIPO

About the Funds-in-Trust Japan Industrial Property Global (FIT Japan IP Global)

Japan has made voluntary contributions to WIPO since 1987, based upon which it has established the Funds-in-Trust Japan Industrial Property Global (hereafter, “FIT Japan IP Global”). While support was initially limited to the Asia-Pacific region, the fund was expanded in 2008 to Africa, and subsequently renewed in 2019 as a global fund with no regional restrictions (remaining as such today). Over the past 38 years since its inception, the fund has contributed approximately 12 billion yen. Herein, it has supported more than 120 countries, contributed to the development of intellectual property systems, and focused on cultivating the personnel responsible for these systems in developing countries.

The Four Objectives of FIT Japan IP Global

Building autonomous intellectual property ecosystems: Realizing a world where innovations originating in developing countries are appropriately protected and commercialized as intellectual property
Forming a global intellectual property network: Connecting systems, personnel, and information related to intellectual property worldwide
Expanding the role and understanding of intellectual property: Deepening the understanding of intellectual property among non-experts, and contributing toward economic development
Contributing toward the achievement of the SDGs: Promoting the dissemination of innovative technologies through intellectual property, while addressing global challenges

Video on the Introduction of FIT Japan IP Global (link to WIPO website)

Specific Initiatives by FIT Japan IP Global

A wide range of support has been provided to various countries and regions through FIT Japan IP Global over many years, from five different perspectives: support for Intellectual Property utilization, dispatch of experts, human resource development, digital innovation support (for information technology), and other support initiatives.

1. Support for IP Utilization

(1) Support for SMEs, Startups and Entrepreneurs

Based on the Joint Statement on Cooperation in Support for SMEs, Startups, and Entrepreneurs, which was signed in February 2024 by then JPO Commissioner Hamano and WIPO Director General Daren Tang, JPO and WIPO are working to strengthen cooperation in supporting SMEs, startups, and entrepreneurs in developing countries through FIT Japan IP Global.

To date, support has been provided through initiatives such as the IP Management Clinic, which offers hands-on assistance in formulating IP management strategies, as well as the "Scale Up Your IP Program," which provides training to promote the commercialization of intellectual property. In addition, regional meetings have been held on specific themes, and follow-up coaching and mentoring has been provided to selected participants. As a result, cases have emerged including that of Ms. Peserverance Muzeya, a female entrepreneur from Zimbabwe—thereby demonstrating the potential for intellectual property to drive business growth.

Our goal is to support 627 SMEs, startups, and entrepreneurs through measures including the provision of these support activities by June 27, 2026, which is the United Nations-designated Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day, and to ultimately reach a total of 1,000 supported entities. Efforts are being made to promote innovation and the development of intellectual property systems in developing countries, thereby facilitating business expansion for Japanese companies in these regions.

(2) Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC)

The Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC) is an organization established to support innovation and technology transfer in developing countries by promoting the use of technical information, scientific and technical literature, search tools and databases. It has been established at approximately 1,500 locations (IP offices, universities, research centers and technology parks, etc.) in 93 countries, providing users with services such as access to and support for patent and non-patent databases, guidance for prior art searches, and assistance with commercialization and technology transfer.

FIT Japan IP Global supports initiatives to build TISC networks in various regions, and to improve the skills of TISC staff. Representatives from each TISC have shared best practices and knowledge, and enhanced collaborative relationships in order to improve TISC services.

2. Dispatch of Experts

As part of the FIT Japan IP Global project, workshops and seminars are held to promote accession to the Patent Cooperation Treaty, Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs, and Madrid Protocol (international trademark registration treaty), while also improving the operations thereof.

The JPO dispatches its staff as lecturers to these workshops and seminars. As a signatory to the treaties, the JPO is also committed to knowledge-sharing regarding the procedures and operational improvements that are required in order to access the treaties. The dispatch of experts to the Asia Pacific region began in 1987, and to Africa in 2009. By 2024, the JPO had dispatched a total of around 400 experts to developing countries.

In addition to treaty-related themes, FIT Japan IP Global supports the organization of training and workshops tailored to the needs of each country, which cover topics such as digital services, digital transformation (DX), and the use of AI in examinations, while also sharing JPO's expertise and experience.

3. Human Resource Development（for Developing Countries, Women, and Youth）

With the aim of developing human resources in developing countries, WIPO Academy implements the Master’s degree in Intellectual Property (MIP) program to cultivate future leaders responsible for national economic and science and technology policies from the perspective of intellectual property. FIT Japan IP Global provides scholarship programs for certain components of the MIP program.

Furthermore, human resource development is also emphasized from the perspectives of youth and women, including through the organization of regional meetings and presentation contests. In addition, support is provided for intellectual property-related projects by local companies that aim to improve the status and promote the economic independence of women within indigenous and local communities, where they tend to be placed in vulnerable positions.

4. Digital Innovation Support

FIT Japan IP Global also supports the development of IT infrastructure in developing countries with the aim of improving the efficiency and quality of examinations in those countries.

Specifically, this involves the following: (1) support for the digitalization of application documents, etc.; (2) support for the development and data collection of IT systems such as WIPO-IPAS, the administrative processing system of the intellectual property offices, and ASEAN PATENT SCOPE, an ASEAN intellectual property information portal that offers a one-stop reference service for users on the published gazette data of each ASEAN IP office; (3) support for the development and dissemination of WIPO-CASE, a system for sharing information (dossiers) related to patent applications and examinations; and (4) support for the organization of IT training programs and workshops for the purpose of developing IT human resources in developing countries.

Support for the development of WIPO-CASE began in 2013, and for ASEAN PATENTESCOPE in 2015. With the support of FIT Japan IP Global, ASEAN PATENTSCOPE was transitioned to the ASEAN IP Register in 2023.

5. Other Support Initiatives

FIT Japan IP Global is implementing a variety of initiatives with the aim of supporting the business activities of Japanese companies in developing countries from the perspective of intellectual property.

Cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

JPO dispatches staff as intellectual property system experts to developing countries in cooperation with JICA, thereby directly supporting the development of IP laws and human resource development.

1. Support for Indonesia

Since FY 1993, JPO staff have been dispatched to the Directorate General of Intellectual Property in Indonesia as long-term experts to provide in-house support on the development of the local intellectual property system, human resources development, and awareness-raising activities. One patent examiner is currently dispatched to Indonesia, and is working to improve the operation of patent examination practices; enhance the capabilities of patent, design and trademark examiners; establish a quality management system for patent examination; and hold seminars and workshops to promote awareness of intellectual property among local universities and SMEs. The examiner also works to prepare translated materials, etc., thereby contributing to the development and improvement of the local business and investment environment.

Guide for Making Applications and Drawings for Design Registration (Indonesian translation) (link to external site)

Photo - JICA’s Long-term Experts in Indonesia
JICA’s Long-term Experts in Indonesia

2. Support for Vietnam

An initiative titled “Strengthening Capacity in Patent and Trademark Examination of the National Intellectual Property Office of Viet Nam Project” was launched in April 2024, wherein one patent examiner from the JPO was dispatched as a long-term expert to the National Intellectual Property Office of Viet Nam to provide in-house support. The main activities of the project include reviews and trials on the improvement of management methods for patent examination practice, preparation of patent examination guidelines for cutting-edge technologies (e.g., biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, etc.), and holding seminars and workshops aimed at improving the skills and capabilities of patent examiners for cutting-edge technologies—thereby contributing toward the improvement and development of the local business and investment environment.

JICA’s Long-term Experts in Vietnam

[Last updated 18 September 2025]

Developing Country Cooperation Section, International Cooperation Division,
Policy Planning and Coordination Department, Japan Patent Office

Phone：03-6810-7501 Ext.2562

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