Outcomes of the First Japan-ASEAN Heads of Intellectual Property Offices Meeting held in Tokyo (February 2012)

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) and the Intellectual Property Offices of the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (hereinafter referred to as the "Partners") held the First Heads of Intellectual Property Offices (IPOs) Meeting on February 8, 2012, in Tokyo.

Under the leadership of Japan, the Partners confirmed that strengthening the protection of intellectual property rights is essential to the continued economic growth of ASEAN and that Japan would cooperate in this endeavor, and adopted the "Tokyo IP Statement."

In accordance with this Statement, the JPO will set specific actions and cooperate with ASEAN countries on facilitation of their accession to treaties, improvement of their examination and administrative capabilities and their awareness-raising activities. To ensure that this cooperation meets the needs of ASEAN, the Heads of IPOs Meeting will be held on a regular basis.

The JPO will effectively use the framework for dialogue with ASEAN IPOs in the hope of facilitating Japanese companies' operations in ASEAN.

1. Background

ASEAN countries have been showing remarkable economic growth in recent years and are expected to accelerate innovation in the course of economic growth. It is also forecast that increased national income as a result of economic growth will enhance the needs for high-quality, high-value-added products and services and expand demand for superior designs and brands. To foster the creation, protection and utilization of innovations, designs and brands, these countries should develop an environment where intellectual property is effectively protected. Meanwhile, ASEAN is seeking to build a community aimed at liberalizing intraregional economic activities in 2015. It is highly likely that the ASEAN region will become an economic area of great importance for Japan. The systems concerning industrial property rights and their implementation need to be improved in ASEAN countries so that Japanese companies can properly protect their R&D results, designs and brands and smoothly conduct business there.

2. Summary of the meeting

Under the proposal of the JPO, the heads of IPOs intensively exchanged views on future cooperative relations in the IP field. The Partners confirmed that strengthening the protection of IP rights is essential to the continued economic growth of ASEAN and that Japan would cooperate in this endeavor, and adopted the "Tokyo IP Statement."
In this Tokyo IP Statement, the Partners affirmed that the following issues would lead to mutual benefit for Japan and ASEAN and agreed on them.

• Japan and ASEAN will strengthen cooperation for their mutual prosperity
• The industrial property system is important in facilitating trade and investment as well as in fostering innovation and technology transfer to achieve sustainable economic development.
• Cooperation between Japan and ASEAN is beneficial for the implementation of the ASEAN Intellectual Property Rights Action Plan 2011-2015.
• The Partners will conduct needs-based cooperative activities based on continuous dialogue, directly or through concerned institutions such as the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), taking into account the diverse needs and varying economic levels of the Partners.
• The Second Heads of IPOs Meeting will be held in July 2012 in Singapore.

Tokyo IP Statement (PDF:80KB)

In accordance with the results of the Meeting, the JPO will take specific action to cooperate with ASEAN countries on facilitation of their accession to treaties, improvement of their examination and administrative capabilities, and their awareness raising activities. To ensure that this cooperation meets the needs of ASEAN, the Heads of IPOs Meeting will be held on a regular basis. The JPO will effectively use the framework for dialogue with ASEAN IPOs in the hope of facilitating Japanese companies' operations in ASEAN.

JPO Commissioner with Heads of the ASEAN IP Offices

[Last updated 16 February 2024]

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