Home> Announcements> International topics> World Intellectual Property Day> Celebrating World IP Day 2023
Main content starts here.
Source: WIPO website
Every year we celebrate World Intellectual Property (IP) Day on April 26, the date on which the convention establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) entered into force in 1970. WIPO established this commemorative day in 2000, so this year marks the 23rd time that we are observing it.
Since 2001, World IP Day has been observed by holding a variety of events and activities worldwide to increase people's awareness and understanding of the important role that IP rights play in promoting innovations. This year is no exception, with public awareness-raising activities scheduled to be held in many parts of the world based on this year's theme of "Women and IP: Accelerating innovation and creativity."
In celebrating World IP Day 2023, the Japan Patent Office (JPO) is highlighting the contributions it has made to WIPO, emphasizing the cooperative relationship between itself and WIPO, and the joint statement on International Women’s Day 2023.
The JPO has enhanced its cooperative relationship with WIPO over the years through a wide variety of initiatives. Japan has made voluntary contributions to WIPO each year since 1987, based upon which it has operated a trust fund called "Funds-in-Trust Japan Industrial Property Global (FIT Japan IP Global)." During the 36 years since the fund was set up, Japan has contributed a total of CHF 90 million, and has provided support to more than 100 countries. The JPO has implemented a variety of assistance activities for developing countries in Asia, Africa and other regions, for which it has welcomed more than 1,800 trainees from 61 countries and 4 regional organizations since 1987. These initiatives have included holding various workshops and seminars, sending more than 400 JPO experts to 39 countries, and supporting the digitalization and upgrading of the IT infrastructure at IP offices in developing countries.
The WIPO Japan Office (WJO) (External link) was established in 2006 as an external office of WIPO. WJO's functions include providing information on the significance and role of the intellectual property system in Japan; liaising between WIPO and concerned ministries, agencies, and courts in Japan; and disseminating international applications and registration systems for patents, trademarks, and designs under WIPO's jurisdiction. In addition, WJO contributes to various SDG initiatives initiated by WIPO to address global issues, including WIPO GREEN (External link). Furthermore, WJO implements capacity building for developing countries through IP Advantage (External link) and other funding programs via FIT Japan IP Global, and also conducts research-based studies to promote utilization of the IP system.
Finally, in disseminating information on the IP system and international applications/registration systems under WIPO's jurisdiction, WJO conducts seminars and makes individual visits to users, as well as provides various types of information and support to users in Japanese.
Through these public awareness campaigns, responses to global issues, and assistance-related initiatives using the FIT Japan IP Global, the JPO has been advancing its cooperative relationship with WJO.
The JPO has launched a web page that provides the details of its cooperation with WJO. We hope you will visit in order to take a look.
International Symposium through the FIT Japan IP Global
(Photo courtesy of the WIPO Japan Office)
Every year on March 8, International Women's Day is observed by the United Nations. The theme for International Women's Day 2023 is “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality.” At the international meeting held in the United States in March 2023, 36 IP Offices and related agencies and organizations, including the JPO and WIPO, adopted a joint statement to promote the activities of women. The message welcomes the 2023 World IP Day Theme of "Women and IP: Accelerating innovation and creativity," and celebrates the positive and ambitious attitudes and groundbreaking work of women inventors, creators and entrepreneurs around the world.
Under the 2023 World IP Day Theme of "Women and IP: Accelerating innovation and creativity," the WIPO Japan Office will hold a commemorative event on April 25, 2023. This will consist of lectures and panel discussions by distinguished guests from various fields. JPO Commissioner HAMANO will also deliver a speech at the event.
[Last updated 19 February 2024]
Contact Information |
For inquiries on WIPO Japan Funds-in-Trust and related projects: For any other inquiries: Policy Planning and Coordination Department |