PCT National Phase Entry into Japan
PCT National Phase Entry into Japan
Practice tips for international clients when filing a Japanese national phase application based on a PCT international application.
We receive inquiries on a daily basis regarding Japanese patent filing costs and practices. At our firm, patent attorneys review all inquiries and respond to them promptly. In this section, we offer guidance on navigating the process for international clients contemplating filing a PCT national phase entry into Japan.
01. Filing Cost
The estimated costs for filing a Japanese national phase application based on a PCT application are as follows (in Japanese yen).
- Basic Filing Fee: JPY 75,000
- Official Fee: JPY 14,000
- Translation Fee: JPY 25 (per English word)
If you are considering filing a PCT national phase entry into Japan and would like to work with our firm, please provide us with your PCT application number (PCT/US2026/…) and/or PCT publication number (WO 2025/…).
Firstly, we conduct a conflict check to confirm that we have no conflict with representing the case.
Following the conflict clearance, we will review the relevant materials in the WIPO database and provide you with an estimate of the costs, including the attorney's fee and the government fee.
Upon receipt of your approval, we will initiate the requisite procedures.
- Basic Filing Fee: JPY 75,000
- Official Fee: JPY 14,000
- Translation Fee: JPY 25 (per English word)
If you are considering filing a PCT national phase entry into Japan and would like to work with our firm, please provide us with your PCT application number (PCT/US2026/…) and/or PCT publication number (WO 2025/…).
Firstly, we conduct a conflict check to confirm that we have no conflict with representing the case.
Following the conflict clearance, we will review the relevant materials in the WIPO database and provide you with an estimate of the costs, including the attorney's fee and the government fee.
Upon receipt of your approval, we will initiate the requisite procedures.
02. Deadline
Petition for Entry:
To enter the Japanese national phase of a PCT application, a Petition for Entry must be filed within 30 months.
- In the event of claiming priority, the 30-month period begins on the priority date;
- In the absence of priority, the 30-month period begins on the international filing date.
It is, of course, possible to file a full Japanese translation along with the petition. However, at our firm, we maintain the highest standards of quality for Japanese applications. As such, we typically prepare and file a full Japanese translation within a two-month grace period.
Japanese Translation:
To complete the procedures for the national phase entry into Japan, it is required to file a full Japanese translation within 2 months* of filing the petition.
*Please note that a two-month grace period is permitted if a petition is filed closer to the 30-month deadline (i.e., within 28-30 months from the priority date or the international filing date). If the petition is filed well in advance of the 30-month deadline, the Japanese translation must be filed before the deadline (i.e., there is no grace period).
To enter the Japanese national phase of a PCT application, a Petition for Entry must be filed within 30 months.
- In the event of claiming priority, the 30-month period begins on the priority date;
- In the absence of priority, the 30-month period begins on the international filing date.
It is, of course, possible to file a full Japanese translation along with the petition. However, at our firm, we maintain the highest standards of quality for Japanese applications. As such, we typically prepare and file a full Japanese translation within a two-month grace period.
Japanese Translation:
To complete the procedures for the national phase entry into Japan, it is required to file a full Japanese translation within 2 months* of filing the petition.
*Please note that a two-month grace period is permitted if a petition is filed closer to the 30-month deadline (i.e., within 28-30 months from the priority date or the international filing date). If the petition is filed well in advance of the 30-month deadline, the Japanese translation must be filed before the deadline (i.e., there is no grace period).
03. Required Documents
Upon receipt of formal filing instructions, we obtain the necessary materials from the WIPO database. If there are any documents that are not available at our end, we kindly ask you to provide us with such documents, including priority document, assignment, sequence listing, etc.
We also provide you with a general Power of Attorney or a case-specific Power of Attorney form, depending on your preference. However, the PoA document may be filed at a later date.
We also provide you with a general Power of Attorney or a case-specific Power of Attorney form, depending on your preference. However, the PoA document may be filed at a later date.
04. Claim Amendments
Some applicants from overseas request that we prepare the Japanese translation based on the claim amendments made in the other jurisdiction or in the international stage. However, it is essential to note that we adhere to a standard procedure of submitting a Japanese translation of the original claims of a PCT application during the national phase entry in Japan. This practice ensures the preservation of rights for filing future divisional applications, prevents the inclusion of reasons for rejection or invalidation in the application, and maintains the integrity of the claims.
We will consider amending the Japanese claims at a later date, typically at the time of filing a request for examination.
We will consider amending the Japanese claims at a later date, typically at the time of filing a request for examination.