JPO Status Report 2026... Japan Patent Applications Rise for 3rd Straight Year to 358,000

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) has released its "JPO Status Report 2026." Patent applications in 2025 reached 358,317, rising for a third consecutive year, with domestic filings (excluding PCT national-phase entries) increasing by approximately 52,000 year-on-year.

Key Statistics

• 358,317 patent applications in 2025 — third consecutive annual increase
• Domestic filings (excluding PCT national-phase entries) rose sharply by about 52,000
• The report covers the current state of the IP system and JPO measures in both Japanese and English

Implications

Even amid the upward trend in filings, the JPO aims to maintain examination quality and speed while expanding examination measures such as the use of AI. For companies entering the Japanese market, a rights-securing strategy that anticipates intensifying filing competition has become increasingly important.

[Source] Japan Patent Office — JPO Status Report 2026