JPO Status Report 2026

On March 23, 2026, the Japan Patent Office (JPO) officially released the JPO Status Report 2026, published simultaneously in both Japanese and English. The report comprehensively outlines the trends in intellectual property (IP) in Japan and worldwide, as well as the policy achievements over the past year. It is divided into two main parts. Part I, titled “Facts and Figures of IP Trends,” consists of Chapter 1, which details domestic statistics on patent, design, and trademark filings and registrations in Japan, and Chapter 2, which summarizes filing and registration trends across the five major IP offices (IP5), providing authoritative data for the industry.

Part II focuses on the policy outcomes of 2025, covering three key areas: examination efficiency, international cooperation, and support for diverse stakeholders. In the field of examination and trial/appeal, the JPO has continued to implement measures to accelerate examination and trial/appeal processes and enhance quality control. At the international level, the JPO has strengthened collaboration with other IP offices to harmonise systems and practices, while actively participating in policy discussions and cross‑border cooperation on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation (DX).

The report highlights the JPO’s participation in the 2025 Osaka‑Kansai Expo, illustrating the role of IP in supporting innovation displays. In addition, it details special support measures for start‑ups, small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs), and universities, including regulatory revisions and resource coordination to foster a vibrant innovation ecosystem. Notably, the report publishes for the first time the results of a user satisfaction survey on examination speed and quality, reflecting the JPO’s commitment to user‑oriented service improvements. This report not only serves as a review of the past year’s work but also provides data and policy references for shaping future IP strategies.

Attachment: English version of the JPO Status Report 2026