On September 27, 2023, the JPO announced that the procedures for applying the exception to loss of novelty for designs will be expanded.

In accordance with the Law for Partial Amendment of the Unfair Competition Prevention Law, etc., with respect to applications filed on or after the effective date specified by a Cabinet Order within nine months from the date of promulgation (June 14, 2023), designs published as a result of an act of a person entitled to obtain a design registration, by proving any act of publication on the date of the most recent publication, the The exception to lack of novelty will also apply to identical or similar designs published on or after that date.

Japan Patent Office：
https://www.jpo.go.jp/system/design/shutugan/tetuzuki/ishou-reigai-tetsuduki/index.html