PCT NATIONAL PHASE · JAPAN
Tsubame IP Law Firm assists overseas applicants and their representatives with PCT national phase entry into Japan, Japanese translation, and subsequent patent examination and Office Action responses.
Our experienced patent attorneys and engineers review the application and advise on appropriate amendments and prosecution strategy in Japan. Japanese translation is prepared and reviewed in-house. Our fee schedule clearly separates professional fees, translation fees, and JPO fees. We also accept client-supplied Japanese translations.
These are our standard fees for Japan entry. The translation scope, figures, and other work are confirmed in a formal quote. Examination and prosecution are quoted separately.
Established in 2003, Tsubame IP Law Firm applies its patent experience to the needs of overseas clients and their representatives. We review the application at entry and advise on the decisions that follow during examination.
We check the translation, claim wording, and the consistency of the claims with the description. Where appropriate, we propose voluntary amendments before examination and explain their effect on the protection sought.
Amendments are reviewed against the original disclosure and submitted with your approval.
Our in-house patent professionals prepare and review AI-assisted translations for use in Japanese patent applications. We check terminology, claim meaning, and support in the description. Client-supplied Japanese translations are also welcome.
If a clear mistranslation is confirmed in a translation prepared by our firm, its correction carries no additional translation fee. Other amendments and Office Action work are discussed and quoted separately. If filing a correction involves JPO official fees or related professional fees, we confirm those costs with you in advance.
We analyze the objections and cited documents, assess the prospects of overcoming the objections, and prepare arguments and appropriate amendments. We explain the proposed claim scope and costs before proceeding.
Where clarification is needed, we contact the examiner mainly by email or telephone.
In-house translation and systematized workflows help keep fees competitive.
SMEs, individuals, and universities that meet the applicable requirements may qualify for a reduction or exemption of JPO examination fees. We are familiar with the eligibility rules and application procedures and check the available options to help avoid unnecessary official fee costs. Please contact us for an individual eligibility review and reduced-fee estimate. Fee reductions and further cost-saving options →
Additional work is explained and agreed in advance. The fee schedule and an example are shown below.
Our patent attorneys, engineers, and multilingual staff work as one team for Japanese filing and prosecution.
Rokubancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
We have built long-term relationships with clients across a wide range of industries and technical fields.
Our patent engineers include professionals with over 20 years of experience and others with over 30 years. They combine technical expertise in their respective fields with extensive experience in patent application preparation and prosecution, from understanding the invention to preparing application documents and responding to Office Actions.
We have handled patent matters for manufacturers of machinery, transportation equipment, and consumer goods, as well as national IT research institutes and universities. Our work includes biotechnology, our managing partner’s specialty, and an increasing number of matters involving AI and information systems.
Our team includes native or native-level speakers of English, German, French, Chinese, and Korean. Patent attorneys, engineers, and administrative staff work together to clarify your technical requirements and instructions, and to explain our advice in detail.
10,000 chargeable words · 20 claims · 10 figures
Plus JPY 14,000 JPO national phase entry fee. Examination is separate.
Ten figures and up to 20 formulas requiring image preparation are included in this example. For 20 claims with a non-JPO international search report, the separate examination-request official fee is JPY 196,000.
Japanese patent translation is charged at USD 0.08 per chargeable source word. The final quote depends on the confirmed source language, documents, and scope.
| Item | Fee / basis |
|---|---|
| National phase entry — professional fee | USD 1,000 |
| Japanese translation | Chargeable source words × USD 0.08 |
| JPO national phase entry fee | JPY 14,000 |
| Figures | First 15 included; each excess figure USD 8 without translation / USD 15 with translation |
| Formulas requiring image preparation | First 20 included; each excess item USD 5 |
Identifiable nucleotide and amino-acid sequence strings are excluded from word-based translation charges. Explanatory text remains chargeable. Translatable table text is included in the translation fee, without a separate table surcharge. Figure text covered by figure handling is not charged again by word count.
Where the number of images is uncertain, we do not quote it as a fixed charge. Where substantial image preparation appears necessary, we provide a detailed quote after reviewing the original documents.
JPO official fees are shown in Japanese yen. Where a case-specific quote includes an indicative USD equivalent, the reference date and exchange rate are stated. Examination fees are separate from national phase entry costs.
The main steps, responsibilities, and timing are shown below. We coordinate translation, filing, and the examination request with your instructions and the applicable deadlines.
Send the WO or PCT number, your contact details and requirements, and whether a Japanese translation is available.
We review the application, deadlines, and documents, then explain the proposed scope of work and fees.
Card payments accepted
Approve the quote and scope and instruct us to proceed. For first-time engagements, advance payment is generally required.
Typical translation time: 1–2 weeks
We prepare and review the Japanese translation, or use a translation you supply. We confirm the schedule based on length and deadlines.
Normally within 30 months of the earliest priority date
We file the national phase entry form with the JPO based on the details you have approved.
We report the filing date, Japanese application number, and documents filed.
Where deadlines require, the national phase entry form may be filed before the translation is complete.
Within two months of filing the national phase entry form
We file the translation with the national phase entry form or within two months of that filing, and report any separate translation filing.
Within three years of the international filing date
We consider appropriate voluntary amendments and request examination on your instructions, either at entry once requirements are met or later.
The JPO examines the application. If an Office Action issues, we explain the objections and proposed response, then submit approved arguments and amendments.
Tell us the WO number and your objectives. We will review the information and explain the next steps.
Request a quote →General information, reviewed October 15, 2026. Procedures and fees depend on the application and may change. We confirm the current position before accepting filing instructions.
JPO: national phase · JPO: fees · WIPO
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