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 the other hand, the government notified that it would take a flexible approach to the handling of the procedure period.

JPO
https://www.jpo.go.jp/e/news/koho/saigai/covid19_procedures.html
https://www.jpo.go.jp/news/koho/info/covid19_shutsugan.html