How to renew your Patent, Utility Model or Design in Japan?
Japanese Patent Annuities
(The fees were last updated on October 27, 2025. The information is based on the local patent office's database.)
| For patent applications filed on or after January 1, 1988 | |||||
| Patent Year | Official Annuity (JPY) | Patent Year | Official Annuity (JPY) | Patent Year | Official Annuity (JPY) |
| 1st year | ¥4,300 + ¥300 per claim | 10th year | ¥59,400 + ¥4,600 per claim | 18th year | ¥59,400 + ¥4,600 per claim |
| 2nd year | ¥4,300 + ¥300 per claim | 11th year | ¥59,400 + ¥4,600 per claim | 19th year | ¥59,400 + ¥4,600 per claim |
| 3rd year | ¥4,300 + ¥300 per claim | 12th year | ¥59,400 + ¥4,600 per claim | 20th year | ¥59,400 + ¥4,600 per claim |
| 4th year | ¥10,300 + ¥800 per claim | 13th year | ¥59,400 + ¥4,600 per claim | 21th year | ¥59,400 + ¥4,600 per claim |
| 5th year | ¥10,300 + ¥800 per claim | 14th year | ¥59,400 + ¥4,600 per claim | 22th year | ¥59,400 + ¥4,600 per claim |
| 6th year | ¥10,300 + ¥800 per claim | 15th year | ¥59,400 + ¥4,600 per claim | 23th year | ¥59,400 + ¥4,600 per claim |
| 7th year | ¥24,800 + ¥1,900 per claim | 16th year | ¥59,400 + ¥4,600 per claim | 24th year | ¥59,400 + ¥4,600 per claim |
| 8th year | ¥24,800 + ¥1,900 per claim | 17th year | ¥59,400 + ¥4,600 per claim | 25th year | ¥59,400 + ¥4,600 per claim |
| 9th year | ¥24,800 + ¥1,900 per claim | ||||
- In Japan, a patent is valid for 20 years from the filing date, and renewal fees (annual maintenance fees) must be paid to keep the patent in force.
- The annuities for Years 1 to 3 must be paid together with the registration fee at the time of grant.
- From Year 4 onward, annuities are due annually before each anniversary of the registration date. Renewal fees increase in stages (Years 4–6, 7–9, and 10–25) and consist of a basic fee plus an additional fee per claim.
- If the annuity is not paid by the due date, a 6-month grace period is available, during which the fee may still be paid with a 100% surcharge; failure to pay within the grace period results in lapse of the patent right.
Japanese Utility Model Annuities
(The fees were last updated on October 27, 2025. The information is based on the local patent office's database.)
| For patent applications filed on or after January 1, 1988 | |||
| Patent Year | Official Annuity (JPY) | Patent Year | Official Annuity (JPY) |
| 1st year | ¥2,100 + ¥100 per claim | 6th year | ¥6,100 + ¥300 per claim |
| 2nd year | ¥2,100 + ¥100 per claim | 7th year | ¥18,100 + ¥900 per claim |
| 3rd year | ¥2,100 + ¥100 per claim | 8th year | ¥18,100 + ¥900 per claim |
| 4th year | ¥6,100 + ¥300 per claim | 9th year | ¥18,100 + ¥900 per claim |
| 5th year | ¥6,100 + ¥300 per claim | 10th year | ¥18,100 + ¥900 per claim |
- In Japan, a utility model right is valid for up to 10 years from the filing date, and maintenance fees (renewal fees) must be paid annually to keep the right in force.
- The 1-3 year annuity becomes due upon registration, and subsequent annuities must be paid each year before the anniversary of the filing date.
- If the fee is not paid by the due date, the right holder may still pay within a 6-month grace period, but must pay the annuity plus a 100% surcharge.
Japanese Design Annuities
(The fees were last updated on October 27, 2025. The information is based on the local patent office's database.)
| For patent applications filed on or after April 1, 2020 | |||||
| Patent Year | Official Annuity (JPY) | Patent Year | Official Annuity (JPY) | Patent Year | Official Annuity (JPY) |
| 1st year | ¥8,500 | 10th year | ¥16,900 | 18th year | ¥16,900 |
| 2nd year | ¥8,500 | 11th year | ¥16,900 | 19th year | ¥16,900 |
| 3rd year | ¥8,500 | 12th year | ¥16,900 | 20th year | ¥16,900 |
| 4th year | ¥16,900 | 13th year | ¥16,900 | 21th year | ¥16,900 |
| 5th year | ¥16,900 | 14th year | ¥16,900 | 22th year | ¥16,900 |
| 6th year | ¥16,900 | 15th year | ¥16,900 | 23th yeear | ¥16,900 |
| 7th year | ¥16,900 | 16th year | ¥16,900 | 24th year | ¥16,900 |
| 8th year | ¥16,900 | 17th year | ¥16,900 | 25th year | ¥16,900 |
| 9th year | ¥16,900 | ||||
- In Japan, registered design rights are maintained by paying renewal fees every year from the date of registration, and the maximum protection term is 25 years from the filing date. Renewal fees for the 1st to 3rd years must be paid together with the registration fee at the time the design is granted. Thereafter, annual renewal fees must be paid each year before the due date, and late payment is allowed only within a six-month grace period with a 100% surcharge. Failure to pay within the grace period results in lapse of the design right.