June [Legal] Newsletter

Japan Patent Office: Updated list of registered regional collective trademarks and the number of applications and registrations by prefecture.

The Japan Patent Office website has been updated with a list of regional collective trademark registration cases and the number of applications and registrations by prefecture.

New registration cases

The following three items are the most recently registered.

• Miyoshi Pione (Trademark Registration No. 7022913)
  Rights holder: National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations
• Tokyo Umbrella (Trademark Registration No. 7027928)
  Rights holder: Tokyo Umbrella Cooperative Association
• Tokyo Hand-Carved Seals (Trademark Registration No. 7029096)
  Rights holder: Tokyo Seal Makers Cooperative Association

This means that brands maintained primarily by local business cooperatives and similar organizations will now be legally protected under trademark law.

Application and registration status by prefecture

In the latest list, Kyoto Prefecture had the highest cumulative number of applications and registrations for regional collective trademarks. Hyogo Prefecture and Hokkaido followed. The top three prefectures are as follows:

1. Kyoto Prefecture

• Number of applications: 154
• Total number of registrations: 70

2. Hyogo Prefecture

• Number of applications: 75
• Total number of registrations: 47

3. Hokkaido

• Number of applications: 69
• Total number of registrations: 45

Main registered trademarks of the top 3 prefectures

Kyoto Prefecture has the highest number of registered products in Japan, with many traditional crafts and agricultural products that have historical backgrounds. Hyogo Prefecture and Hokkaido also have a large number of registered products, mainly those that are well-known throughout Japan.

Kyoto

Based on a culture cultivated over many years, the registered areas include a wide range of fields such as traditional crafts, tea, Kyoto vegetables, and tourism services.

• Traditional crafts and textiles: "Nishijin Omeshi," "Kyo Yuzen," "Kyo Buddhist altar fittings," "Kyo fans," "Kyo ware/Kiyomizu ware," etc.
• Tea and food products: "Uji tea," "Kyoto sweets," "Kyoto pickles," "Kyoto miso," etc.
• Agricultural and marine products: "Manganji sweet peppers," "Tango surf clams," "Taiza crabs," etc.
• Tourist services: Hozugawa River boating, Kamogawa River riverside dining, Yunohana Onsen hot springs, etc.

Hyogo

Reflecting the unique character of the prefecture, a wide variety of products are registered. In particular, the depth of beef brands, led by "Kobe Beef," and nationally recognized local products such as "Nada Sake" stand out.

• Beef brands: "Kobe Beef," "Tajima Beef," "Sanda Beef," "Awaji Beef," etc.
• Agricultural and marine products: "Akashi sea bream," "Sakoshi oysters," "Awaji Island onions," "Tamba Sasayama black beans," etc.
• Local industrial products: "Nada sake," "Tatsuno light soy sauce," "Toyooka bags," "Banshu textiles," "Miki hardware," etc.
• Sightseeing and other attractions: Arima Onsen, Kinosaki Onsen, Izushi soba noodles, etc.

Hokkaido

Leveraging its vast land and abundant fishing grounds, the region's registered trademarks primarily consist of agricultural, marine, and livestock products. This suggests that the development of locally rooted brands is progressing throughout Hokkaido.

• Agricultural products: "Yotei melon," "Imakane Danshaku," "Taisho May Queen," etc.
• Seafood: "Mukawa smelt," "Esashi scallops," "Tomakomai surf clams," etc.
• Livestock products: "Tokachi Wagyu," "Biratori Wagyu," "Ikeda Beef," etc.
• Other registered items include "Tokachigawa Onsen" and "Nibutani Ita" and "Nibutani Attush," which are traditional Ainu crafts.

The regional collective trademark system aims to revitalize regional economies through the protection of regional brands. This renewal demonstrates the ongoing efforts being made across the country to utilize and protect regional brands.

Cabinet approves amendment to copyright law – to distribute background music usage fees to singers and musicians.

On May 15, 2026, the government approved a bill in a cabinet meeting to amend part of the Copyright Act, which would allow singers and record companies to also claim royalties for the use of background music played in commercial facilities such as cafes, restaurants, apparel shops, and hotels.

The so-called "right to perform and transmit recordings" was included in the Rome Convention adopted in 1961 and has been implemented in 142 countries and regions, including Europe and South Korea. However, Japan had previously postponed its implementation, and was particularly behind other developed countries in terms of development. As a result, even when Japanese songs were played in commercial facilities overseas, singers and record companies were not receiving royalties.

This amendment is expected to align Japan with the international community, thereby protecting the rights of Japanese music and artists and supporting their overseas expansion.

Japanese tea to be registered under the Geographical Indication (GI) protection system.

Japanese tea is expected to be registered under the "Geographical Indication (GI) Protection System," a national system that protects regional specialty products as brands.

This system was established in 2015, and until then, only products from specific production areas, such as "Kobe beef" and "Yubari melon," had been registered.

However, this "Japanese tea" is not limited to a specific region, making it the first agricultural product to be registered as being produced "nationwide."

The global matcha boom and the problem of counterfeit products

This trend is driven by a global matcha boom. Fueled by increasing health consciousness, Japanese tea exports last year reached a record high.

On the other hand, overseas, foreign-made teas of varying quality are being sold as "Japanese tea" or "matcha," and the number of counterfeit products entering the market has increased. This has raised concerns that the brand value of genuine "Japanese tea" is being damaged.

The main purpose of this GI registration is to overcome this situation and protect authentic "Japanese tea."

The effects of GI registration and future prospects

The following effects can be expected once GI registration is achieved:

Elimination of counterfeit products

In some parts of the world, it will be possible to call for measures to crack down on counterfeit products that illegally use the name "Japanese tea."

Increased brand value

By affixing the GI mark, which is a national guarantee of quality, it is possible to enhance trust and brand image among consumers both domestically and internationally.

Going forward, the registration will be formally decided after a review by experts from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. GI registration is an effective option for protecting regional brands through an approach different from trademark rights, and its future developments are attracting attention.

Newsletter translated into English

JPO: Updated List of Registered Regional Collective Trademarks and Numbers of Applications and Registrations by Prefecture

The list on the JPO website of registered regional collective trademarks and the numbers of applications and registrations by prefecture have been updated.

New registrations

The three most recently registered cases are as follows: 

• Miyoshi Pione (Trademark Registration No. 7022913)
  Right holder: National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations
• Tokyo Yogasa (Trademark Registration No. 7027928)
  Right holder: Tokyo Umbrella Cooperative Association
• Tokyo Tebori Insho (Trademark Registration No. 7029096)
  Right holder: Tokyo Seal Engravers Cooperative Association

As a result, these brands, which have been maintained mainly by business cooperative associations and the like in their respective regions, will now be legally protected under the Trademark Act.

Application and registration status by prefecture

In the latest list, Kyoto Prefecture had the highest cumulative numbers of applications and registrations for regional collective trademarks. It was followed by Hyogo Prefecture and Hokkaido. The figures for the top three are as follows.

1. Kyoto Prefecture

• Number of applications: 154
• Cumulative number of registrations: 70

2. Hyogo Prefecture

• Number of applications: 75
• Cumulative number of registrations: 47

3. Hokkaido

• Number of applications: 69
• Cumulative number of registrations: 45

Main registered trademarks in the top three prefectures

Kyoto Prefecture has the largest number of registrations in Japan, with many registrations centered on traditional crafts and agricultural products by a historical heritage. In Hyogo Prefecture and Hokkaido as well, numerous registrations have been made, mainly for products with high nationwide recognition.

Kyoto Prefecture

With Kyoto's rich and long-developed culture, registrations span a wide range of fields, including traditional crafts, tea, Kyoto vegetables, and tourism services.

• Traditional crafts and dyed/textile goods: "Nishijin-omeshi," "Kyo-yuzen," "Kyo-butsugu," "Kyo-sensu," "Kyo-yaki / Kiyomizu-yaki," etc.
• Tea and food products: "Uji-cha," "Kyo-gashi," "Kyo-tsukemono," "Kyo-miso," etc.
• Agricultural, forestry, and fishery products: "Manganji Amatou," "Tango Torigai," "Taiza-gani," etc. Tourism services: "Hozugawa Kudari," "Kamogawa Noryo-yuka," "Yunohana Onsen," etc.

Hyogo Prefecture

Reflecting the prefecture's distinctive highly character, a wide variety of products has been registered. Particularly notable are the depth of its beef brands, led by “Kobe Beef,” and nationally recognized local industry products such as “Nada no Sake.”

• Beef brands: “Kobe Beef,” “Tajima Beef,” “Sanda Beef,” “Awaji Beef,” etc.
• Agricultural, forestry, and fishery products: "Akashi-dai," "Sakoshi Kaki," "Awajishima Onion," "Tanba-Sasayama Kuromame," etc.
• Local industry products: "Nada no Sake," "Tatsuno Usukuchi Shoyu," "Toyooka Kaban," "Banshu-ori," "Miki Kanamono," etc.
• Tourism and other activities: "Arima Onsen," "Kinosaki Onsen," "Izushi Sara Soba," etc.

Hokkaido

With vast tracts of land and rich fishing grounds as Hokkaido's strengths, agricultural products, marine products, and livestock products account for the core of its registered trademarks. This suggests that brand development rooted in local communities is progressing across Hokkaido.

• Agricultural products: “Yotei Melon,” “Imakane Danshaku,” “Taisho May Queen,” etc.
• Marine products: “Mukawa Shishamo,” “Esashi Hotate,” “Tomakomai-san Hokki-gai,” etc.
• Livestock products: “Tokachi Wagyu,” “Biratori Wagyu,” “Ikeda Beef,” etc.
• Others: In addition to “Tokachigawa Onsen,” the Ainu traditional craft products “Nibutani Ita” and “Nibutani Attus” are also registered.

The regional collective trademark system is intended to revitalize regional economies through the protection of regional brands. This update shows that efforts to utilize and protect regional brands are continuing steadily throughout Japan.

Cabinet Approves Bill to Amend Copyright Act – BGM Royalties to Be Distributed to Singers and Performers as Well

On May 15, 2026, the government approved at a Cabinet meeting a bill to partially amend the Copyright Act so as to make it possible for singers and record companies as well to claim royalties for background music played in commercial facilities such as cafes, restaurants, apparel shops, and hotels.

The so-called “right of record performance and communication” was incorporated into the Rome Convention adopted in 1961 and has already been introduced in 142 countries and regions, including Europe and South Korea. However, Japan had thus far refrained from introducing it, and development of Japan's system was particularly delayed among developed countries. As a result, even when Japanese songs were played in commercial facilities overseas, singers and record companies were unable to obtain royalties.

It is expected that this amendment, by bringing Japan into step with the international community, will help strengthen the protection of the rights of Japanese music, artists, and others and support their expansion overseas.

“Japanese Tea” to Be Registered under Geographical Indication (GI) Protection System

It is likely that “Japanese tea” will be registered under the Geographical Indication (GI) protection system, under which the government protects regional specialty products as brands.

This system began in 2015, and until now, items limited to specific places of origin, such as “Kobe Beef” and “Yubari Melon,” had been registered.

However, this time, “Japanese tea” will become the first agricultural product to be registered with “the whole country” as its place of origin, rather than being limited to a specific region.

The global matcha boom and the problem of counterfeit products

Behind this move is the global matcha boom. Supported by growing consciousness of health, exports of Japanese tea last year reached a record high.

At the same time, however, overseas, foreign-produced teas of differing quality have been sold as “Japanese tea” or “matcha”, and cases of counterfeit products circulating on the market have increased. This has raised concerns about damage to the brand value originally possessed by genuine “Japanese tea.”

A major purpose of this GI registration is to break through this situation and protect authentic “Japanese tea.”

Effects expected from GI registration and future outlook

If GI registration is realized, the following effects can be expected.

Exclusion of counterfeit products

It will become possible to seek crackdowns on counterfeit products that improperly use the name “Japanese tea” in some overseas markets.

Brand Value Improvement

Products will be able to bear the GI mark, which serves as proof that the government guarantees their quality, making it possible to enhance reliability and brand image among consumers in Japan and overseas.

Going forward, formal registration is expected to be decided after review by experts at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. GI registration is one effective option for protecting regional brands through an approach different from trademark rights, and future developments will be watched closely.