Strengthening Cooperation with the WIPO

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN), which deals with international intellectual property issues (Number of member states: 188 [as of February 1, 2015], Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland). The Japan Patent Office (JPO) has continually contributed to WIPO activities through the years. Now, with the appointment of a new head at the WIPO Japan Office, the JPO is committed to further strengthening its cooperative relationship with the WIPO, developing an even closer working relationship.

To date, the JPO has been deepening its cooperative relationship with the WIPO by contributing to discussions towards improving WIPO systems and services, cooperating with the WIPO in organizing seminars, supporting developing countries through the “WIPO Japan Funds-in-Trust”^*, and implementing other initiatives.

Since the WIPO Japan Office was established in 2006 as one of the WIPO external offices^**, it has been disseminating, as well as promoting the utilization of, WIPO services such as international filing systems, including the Patent Corporation Treaty and the Madrid Protocol. From the perspective of intellectual property, it has been supporting R&D activities and capacity building at companies and providing information in Japanese language on the WIPO. In this context, the JPO has been collaborating with the WIPO Japan Office to support users in Japan by conducting seminars organized by the WIPO.

Over the years, the position of the Head of the WIPO Japan Office has come to be regarded as a position specialized in WIPO activities. In view of this significant role, however, the position has been upgraded to that of a higher level of management. The new Head, Mr. Yuji Okuma^***, was appointed in February 2015. Under the leadership of Mr. Okuma, cooperation among the Japanese government, the WIPO, and corporations will grow stronger and corporate business strategies will be better supported in terms of IP aspects based on various promotional activities conducted by the WIPO Japan Office not only in Japan but also in the neighboring ASEAN region.

Taking this opportunity, the JPO will further strengthen its cooperative relationship, further collaborating with the WIPO Japan Office.

^*The Government of Japan has made voluntary contributions to the WIPO since 1987. Based on the amount of these contributions, Japan has established the “WIPO Japan Funds-in-Trust” in order to implement various projects such as holding workshops, accepting trainees/long-term trainees, sending out experts, digitizing relevant information at IP offices for WIPO-member developing countries in the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) region. In addition, in order to support IP-related HRD projects in Africa, the Government of Japan established the Japan Funds-in-Trust for Africa (and Least Developed Countries (LDCs)) in 2008 by improving the intent of the WIPO Japan Funds-in-Trust. This fund project promotes HRD of IP experts through workshop and training sessions and relevant computerization, in order to promote self-supporting economic development by utilizing IP in Africa.

^**WIPO external offices have been established in Brazil, China, Russia, Singapore, the U.S., and Japan. Various activities of the WIPO Japan Office are explained on the WIPO website below. Researches, symposia, and promotional activities, which have been conducted so far, are put on the website. And the relevant information is updated as needed.
（In Japanese） http://www.wipo.int/about-wipo/ja/offices/japan/ (External link)
（In English） http://www.wipo.int/about-wipo/en/offices/japan/ (External link)

^***Joined the Japan Patent Office in 1983, holding positions such as WIPO/PCT Operation Department Adviser, Director of Regional Policy Office of International Affairs Division, Director of Information Technology Planning Office of Information Systems Division, HRD Managing Supervisor of National Center for Industrial Property Information and Training Office (INPIT), Director of the 11^th Board of Appeals

[Last updated 13 February 2015]

Contact Information when inquiring at the JPO:

International Organization Section of International Policy Division & Developing Country Cooperation Section of International Cooperation Division, General Affairs Department, Japan Patent Office Tel. +81 3 3581 1101 Extensions: 2567 and 2574 E-mail:PA0800@jpo.go.jp