Annual Report on Anti-Counterfeiting and Anti-Piracy Consultation Services (2025)

Japan Patent Office (JPO), General Affairs Department

International Cooperation Division, Overseas Business Development Office

 

1. About the Overseas Business Development Office and the Government's General Counterfeit and Piracy Control Desk

 

The Government's General Counterfeit and Piracy Control Desk was established within the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Manufacturing Industries Bureau, Anti-Counterfeiting and Trade Policy Office (at the time), following a decision by the Intellectual Property Strategy Headquarters in May 2004. In April 2020, it was transferred to the Japan Patent Office along with the Anti-Counterfeiting Office. Furthermore, in April 2023, it was transferred to the newly established Overseas Business Development Office, which now encompasses anti-counterfeiting operations.

 

The Overseas Business Development Office aims to maintain and enhance the strength of Japanese brands, which are backed by superior manufacturing and development technologies, and to increase the added value generated by Japan's industries. We achieve this by eradicating counterfeit and pirated Japanese brand products manufactured and distributed worldwide.

 

As the Government's General Counterfeit and Piracy Control Desk, we strive to provide appropriate advice and information to rights holders and others, and to share information with relevant organizations such as the National Police Agency and the Customs and Tariff Bureau of the Ministry of Finance.

 

2. Overview of Consultations and Information Submissions Received

 

In 2024, the total number of inquiries received was 1,007. Submissions via email were the most common, accounting for 86.6% of the total.

 

Of the inquiries received in 2024: 798 were information submissions; 209 were consultation requests.

 

Consultations and information submissions related to internet transactions (totaling e-commerce sites, auctions, flea markets, social media, illegal uploads, and illegal downloads) amounted to 802 cases on an item-by-item basis.

 

A significant number of consultations and information submissions concerned counterfeit product listings in C2C (consumer-to-consumer) transactions on the internet, such as flea market apps.

 

3. Breakdown of Consultations Received (by Country/Region of Origin and Product Field)

 

Among the consultation cases in 2024 where the country/region of manufacture (origin) was identified, Japan and China were equally prevalent on an item-by-item basis.

 

For consultation cases in 2024 where the product type was clear, general machinery/industrial machinery and textiles were the most common categories, in that order, on an item-by-item basis.

 

4. Breakdown of Consultations and Information Submissions (by Intellectual Property Right and Related Law)

 

Among the consultation cases in 2024 where the type of intellectual property right was clear, trademark rights and copyrights were the most common, in that order, on an item-by-item basis.

 

For information submission cases in 2024 where the content of the right was clear, copyrights and trademark rights were the most common, in that order, on an item-by-item basis.

 

5. Typical Contents of Information Submissions and Consultations

 

Information submissions frequently concern counterfeit product sales via flea market apps and fraudulent social media advertisements.

 

Consultations often involve requests for: Confirmation of legal issues related to rights enforcement methods, including cases originating overseas; Information on where to apply for measures such as import suspension petitions; and Referrals to specialized organizations offering free consultations.