On January 7, 2021, the Japan Patent Office (JPO), in response to the declaration of an emergency situation based on the Law Concerning Special Measures against COVID-19 being issued in the four prefectures of Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, and Chiba, notified the public that, in order to prevent the spread of the infection and maintain socioeconomic activities, it will not, in principle, stop accepting applications at the counter or conduct face-to-face interviews and examinations.
On December 28, 2020, following the promulgation and enforcement of the "Ministerial Ordinance Partially Amending the Ministerial Ordinance of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry", the Japan Patent Office（JPO) notified the public that, with the exception of certain procedures, a seal will no longer be required for documents submitted to the JPO on and after this date.
The Indian Patent Office (IPO) began accepting applications for the second year from December 7, as the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) program, which is being piloted between Japan and India, enters its second year.
The Japan Patent Office (JPO) and the French Industrial Property Office (INPI) have announced the launch of the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) from January 1, 2021.
Japan will be the first in the world to launch a patent prosecution highway with France.
On December 2, 2020, the revised Plant Variety Protection and Seed Act was passed and enacted by the plenary session of the House of Councillors.
It will go into effect from April 2021.
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