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Home> Announcements> Photo Gallery> Photo Gallery February 2024> Commissioner Hamano of the Japan Patent Office (JPO) and Director General Tang of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) signed the "Cooperation Statement in the field of support for SMEs, Start-ups and Entrepreneurs"

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Commissioner Hamano of the Japan Patent Office (JPO) and Director General Tang of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) signed the "Cooperation Statement in the field of support for SMEs, Start-ups and Entrepreneurs"

February 22, 2024

On Wednesday, February 21, Commissioner Hamano signed the "Cooperation Statement in the field of support for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), Start-ups, and Entrepreneurs" through the Funds-in-Trust Japan Industrial Property Global (FIT Japan IP Global) together with Daren Tang, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), who was visiting Japan.

Photo - (From left, Director General Tang and Commissioner Hamano)
(From left, Director General Tang and Commissioner Hamano)

In the cooperation statement, WIPO and JPO agreed to strengthen cooperation in supporting SMEs, start-ups, and entrepreneurs in developing countries by sharing and utilizing the JPO's experience in IP start-up support programs in the field of intellectual property through the FIT Japan IP Global, through which Japan makes voluntary contributions to WIPO.

This is the first time that WIPO has signed a statement of cooperation with its member countries to provide support for SMEs and startups on a global scale through voluntary contributions. By June 27, 2026, which is "Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day" designated by the United Nations, the program aims to support 627 SMEs, start-ups, and entrepreneurs, and ultimately aims to support a total of 1,000 companies.

Through these support programs, the JPO will work to promote innovation and the development of intellectual property systems in developing countries, and also to promote business development in developing countries among Japanese companies.

News Release: Commissioner Hamano of the Japan Patent Office (JPO) and Director General Tang of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) signed the "Cooperation Statement in the field of support for SMEs, Start-ups and Entrepreneurs" (See METI website)

Photo - (From left, Director General Tang and Commissioner Hamano)

Commissioner Hamano of the Japan Patent Office (JPO) and Director General Tang of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) signed the "Cooperation Statement in the field of support for SMEs, Start-ups and Entrepreneurs"

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