How to advance PCT international applications into the national phase in Japan

(i) How to submit documents to the JPO

For applicants domiciled overseas, documents for entering the national phase without a representative in Japan may be submitted directly to the JPO by postal mail service within the period referred to in (ii)(a) or (ii)(b).

The mailing address is as follows:
JAPAN PATENT OFFICE
Customer Relations Policy Division
Designated Office
3-4-3 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
100-8915, Japan

While there is an online system for entering the Japanese national phase, the system is available only for those applicants or representatives in Japan who have carried out the necessary registration proceedings at the JPO in advance.

The JPO does not accept submissions by e-mail or fax.

Please note that national phase documents must reach the JPO within the prescribed period.

Applicants domiciled overseas are required to appoint a representative (e.g., a patent attorney) in Japan in order to complete national phase entry procedures. Information on patent attorneys who can handle national phase entry procedures in Japan is available through the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA), which may be helpful when considering the appointment of a representative.

Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)
Home: https://www.jpaa.or.jp/en/ (External Link)

Japan Patent Attorney Search: https://www.benrishi-navi.com/english/english1.php?search=2 (External Link)
Tel: +81-3-3581-1211 / E-mail: master@jpaa.or.jp

(ii) Time limit for entering into the national phase in Japan

a. Time limit for submitting national documents

As a general rule, the time limit for entering into the national phase in Japan is 30 months from the priority date. In order to advance a PCT international application into the national phase in Japan, Japanese translations** of the PCT international application must be submitted to the JPO within 30 months from the priority date. A special transmission form (Form No. 53 .pdf (78KB)) is available for such submission. This will hereinafter be referred to as the "time limit for submitting national documents".

**translations ： translations required contents of the translations are description, claims, drawings (any text matter of drawings), and abstract. Translations may be attached to Form No. 53 or "Submission of Translation of the Application.pdf (62KB)" where translations are not submitted with Form No. 53.

Where amendments have been filed under PCT Article 19 or 34, the translations of such amendments must be submitted to the JPO within 30 months from the priority date. (Form No. 52 .pdf (67KB) or Form No. 54 .pdf (65KB) is available.)

b. Special time limit for submitting translations

If you submit a Form No. 53 within two months prior to the expiration of the "time limit for submitting national documents", i.e., during a period from the beginning of the 29th month to the end of the 30th month from the priority date, you may submit the translations within two months from the date of submitting the Form No. 53. This will hereinafter be referred to as the “special time limit for submitting translations.”

Where amendments have been filed under PCT Article 19 or 34, the translations of such amendments shall also be submitted to the JPO within the “special time limit for submitting translations.”

Please note that the PCT international application will be deemed to have been withdrawn in Japan if translations have not been submitted to the JPO within the prescribed period.

c. Time limit for submitting a notification of power of attorney

In principle, most procedures at the national phase in Japan must be made by a domestic (Japan-based) representative because applicants domiciled overseas are not allowed to conduct any procedures directly with the JPO under Article 8 of the Patent Act. However, under Article 184-11 of the Patent Act, there is an exception that allows applicants domiciled overseas to carry out procedures directly within the prescribed period.

A representative in Japan must be appointed, and the notification of power of attorney must be filed with the JPO, within three months after the expiration of the "time limit for submitting national documents" or the "special time limit for submitting translations" (if applicable).

If a request for examination is submitted earlier than the expiration of the "time limit for submitting national documents" or the "special time limit for submitting translations", a representative in Japan must be appointed and the notification of power of attorney must be submitted within three months after the request for examination, which may be accepted after the national phase entry.

Where the applicant filed any documents not through an agent, the Office sends to the applicant an invitation to appoint one. If the applicant fails to do so within two months from the date of mailing of the said invitation from the Office, the applications shall be deemed to have been withdrawn.

(iii) National fee (as of March 2026)

The fee required to enter into the national phase in Japan is 14,000 JPY (national fee). Payment of this fee to the JPO must be made in Japanese yen, by means of patent revenue stamps which can be purchased at major Japan Post Co., Ltd. offices in Japan.

Other payment methods, such as the advance payment system, bank account transfer or online cash transfer, may be available provided that the applicant or representative in Japan has carried out the necessary registration proceedings at the JPO in advance.

The JPO does not accept any payment made directly from overseas residents, such as payment by international bank account transfer, credit card or check. Therefore, payment by an applicant overseas must be made through a representative (e.g., a patent attorney) appointed in Japan.

(iv) Time limit for a request for examination

A request for examination (Form No. 44 (PDF:99KB)) for the PCT international application which entered into the national phase in Japan must be submitted through a representative appointed in Japan within three years of the international filing date of the PCT international application. The fee required to request for examination is as follows (as of March 2026):

- If an international search report has been established by an International Searching Authority (other than the JPO) under the PCT: 124,000 JPY, plus 3,600 JPY per claim
- If the International Searching Authority declares that no search report will be established: 138,000 JPY, plus 4,000 JPY per claim.

Patent fees are the same as those for national patent applications: (Link to FAQ 4-1 ---"How much are the fees?")

(Ⅴ) Reinstatement for Failure to Submit a Japanese Translation of an International Application

Where an application has been filed in a foreign language and the applicant unintentionally failed to submit the translation within the time limit for submitting national documents, the applicant may request reinstatement and submit the required translations within a prescribed reinstatement period.

In this case, the reinstatement fee is as follows:

- for patents: 212,100 JPY
- for utility models: 21,800 JPY

The request for reinstatement must be filed within two months from the date on which applicant becomes able to perform the procedure.

However, where the final day of this two-month period falls later than one year after the expiration of the “time limit for submitting national documents” or the "special time limit for submitting translations" (if applicable), the request must be filed within one year from the expiration of such time limit.

In the case of applicants domiciled overseas, a request for reinstatement must be submitted through a representative in Japan.