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Celebrating World IP Day 2025

(image) Celebrating World IP Day 2025 - main visual

Source: WIPO website

About World IP Day

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 25th time observing it.

Since 2001, World IP Day has been observed worldwide by holding a variety of events and activities 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 "IP and music: Feel the beat of IP"

In celebrating World IP Day 2025, the Japan Patent Office (JPO) is highlighting the contributions it has made to WIPO, while emphasizing the cooperative relationship between itself and WIPO.

Contributions to WIPO Under the Support of Voluntary Contributions

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 the "Funds-in-Trust Japan Industrial Property Global (FIT Japan IP Global)." The JPO has implemented a variety of assistance-related activities for developing and least-developed countries. These initiatives have included holding various workshops and seminars, sending JPO experts, and supporting the digitalization and upgrading of the IT infrastructure at IP offices in those countries.

Cooperation with the WIPO Japan Office

The WIPO Japan Office (WJO) (External link) was established in 2006 as an external office of WIPO. The WJO's functions include providing information on the significance and role of the IP system in Japan; liaising between WIPO and concerned ministries, agencies, courts, universities, and industry in Japan; and disseminating international application and registration systems for patents, trademarks, and designs under WIPO's jurisdiction. In addition, the WJO contributes to various SDG initiatives initiated by WIPO to address global issues, including WIPO GREEN (External link).

Furthermore, the WJO implements capacity-building for developing countries through IP Advantage (External link) and other funding programs via the 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 application/registration systems under WIPO's jurisdiction, the WJO conducts seminars and makes individual visits to users, and also 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 the WJO.

Events

Under the 2025 World IP Day theme of "IP and music: Feel the beat of IP" and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Japan's accession to WIPO and the 10th anniversary of its accession to the Hague Agreement, the WIPO Japan Office will hold a commemorative event on April 23, 2025. This will consist of lectures by distinguished guests from various fields. JPO Commissioner Ono will also deliver a speech at the event.

[Last updated 22 April 2025]

Contact Information

For inquiries on Funds-in-Trust Japan Industrial Property Global (FIT Japan IP Global) and related projects:
Developing Country Cooperation Section
International Cooperation Division
E-mail: PA0870@jpo.go.jp


For any other inquiries:
International Organization Section
International Policy Division
E-mail: PA0800@jpo.go.jp


Policy Planning and Coordination Department
Japan Patent Office

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