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Mar 5,2025
Japan Patent Office’s Information Provision System (Third-Party Observation)
Naoya SUEHIROThe Japan Patent Office (JPO) operates the Information Provision System, which allows third parties to submit information relevant to the patentability such as novelty and inventive step of an invention, both during the patent examination process and after a patent has been granted. Submissions can be made anonymously.
In recent years, approximately 5,000 submissions have been received, and in about 70% of cases, the documents provided are cited in office actions as prior art. This system helps ensure timely and accurate patent examinations and efficient post-grant proceedings based on thoroughly collected patent documents.
If you are aware of prior art that may affect the patentability of a pending application, we encourage you to consider utilizing this system to help prevent the grant of patents.
Please refer to the following link for more details (only in Japanese):
https://www.jpo.go.jp/system/patent/shinsa/johotekyo/index.html
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Feb 7,2025
Status survey of AI-related applications by JPO
Go ARAIThe JPO announced the Status survey of AI-related applications December, 2024 (see https://www.jpo.go.jp/e/system/patent/gaiyo/ai/ai_shutsugan_chosa.html). The summary of the survey is as follows.
1. The number of AI-related applications in Japan has been drastically increasing since 2014. The number thereof in 2022 is about 10,300.
2.The most common fields for AI-related applications are IPC G06N (AI core technology), G06T and G06V (Image processing/recognition). Further, the number of AI-related applications in the other fields has been also increasing. This suggests that the application of AI technology is expanding.
3.Regarding deep learning technologies, the number of AI-related applications for Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), Recurrent Neural Network (RNN), and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) has been drastically increasing since 2014, while that for Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) has been stable in low.
Source: Japan Patent Office. Recent Trends in AI-related Inventions. December 2024.
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Feb 25,2025
Ms. Emiko Maki gave a presentation titled “Japanese Customs Practice Update” at “2025 JPAA IP Practitioners Seminar” held in Manilla, Philippines.
Awards
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Mar 18,2025
Hisashi Ito selected for Insolvency Lawyer of the Year in Japan – 2025
Hisashi Ito has been selected as Insolvency Lawyer of the Year in Japan in “2025 Global Law Experts Annual Awards”. -
Jan 9,2025
We were highly evaluated in The Legal 500 (2025)
In The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2025), our firm was chosen as a top tier firm in the following categories, and the following attorneys and patent attorney were selected as “Leading partners”. Please check the website of Legal 500 for more details.Intellectual Property: Independent Local Firms: Tier 1
Leading partners: Bengoshi: Eiji Katayama Junichi Kitahara Makoto Hattori
Leading partners: Benrishi: Hiroshi Kobayashi Mami HinoRestructuring And Insolvency: Independent Local Firms: Tier 2
Leading partners: Bengoshi: Eiji Katayama
Practice head: Yasuhiko Ikubo Eiji Katayama
Other key lawyers: Hisashi Ito Kazuyuki Taguchi Hideto Sasaki Hirofumi Kato Rikita Karakawa Naotada YokotaDispute Resolution: Independent Local Firms: Tier 3
Practice head: Eiji Katayama Hiroshi Kobayashi
Other key lawyers: Junichi Kitahara Makoto Hattori Nodoka Nakamura Tomohiro Yoneyama Shoichiro Kajinami -
Dec 13,2024
We were highly evaluated in Chambers Asia-Pacific 2025
In Chambers Asia-Pacific 2025（Chambers & Partners）, our firm was highly evaluated in the following category, and the following lawyers and patent attorneys were highly evaluated.
Please check the website of Chambers & Partners for more details.Intellectual Property Domestic：Band 1
Bengoshi：Eiji Katayama（Senior Statespeople） Junichi Kitahara（Band 4） Makoto Hattori（Band 4）
Benrishi：Mami Hino（Band 1） Shimako Kato（Band 2）Life Sciences：Band 3
Mami Hino（Band 2）Restructuring / Insolvency：Band 3
Eiji Katayama（Senior Statespeople） -
Oct 14,2024
Junichi Kitahara has been selected as “Dispute Resolution Lawyer of the Year in Japan” organized by 2025 Corporate INTL Magazine Global Award.
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Sep 13,2024
We were highly evaluated in Asialaw 2024 Rankings
In Asialaw 2024 Rankings, our firm was highly ranked in the following categories, and the following attorneys and patent attorneys were selected as leading lawyers.Practice Area Rankings
Intellectual property：Outstanding
Pharmaceuticals and life sciences：Recommended
Dispute resolution：Highly recommended
Restructuring and insolvency：Highly recommendedIndustry Sector Rankings
Pharmaceuticals and life sciences：RecommendedPractitioners
Elite practitioner：Eiji Katayama
Distinguished practitioner： Makoto Hattori
Notable practitioner：Junichi Kitahara Mami Hino