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Retail & Consumer Goods

Apparel & Fashion — Trademark Registration Guide for Japan

Trademark guide for clothing brands, fashion labels, and apparel businesses in Japan. Essential classes for protecting your fashion brand name and logo.

Essential Classes

1 class

Recommended Classes

3 classes

Min. Filing Cost

¥12,000~

Gov. fees only / 1 class

Essential Classes

These classes are the minimum requirement for Apparel & Fashion businesses in Japan.

Recommended Classes

Consider these classes as your business grows and expands.

Optional Classes

Consider these for future business expansion.

Trademark Filing Tips for Apparel & Fashion

  • Class 25 (clothing, footwear, headwear) is the absolute minimum for any fashion brand.
  • If your brand extends to bags and leather goods, Class 18 is critical. For jewelry and accessories, register Class 14.
  • Class 35 protects retail services and online store operations under your brand name.

Common Mistakes

  • Not registering Class 18 for bags and accessories, which competitors can exploit.
  • Overlooking Class 9 for smartwatches or tech-enabled wearables.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I register my brand logo separately from the brand name?

It depends on your usage. A word mark (text only) gives broader protection. If your logo is distinctive and central to your brand identity, consider registering it separately as well.

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This tool provides preliminary trademark search results and general information only. It does not constitute legal advice. The accuracy of search results cannot be guaranteed. For trademark registration, please consult a licensed patent attorney (弁理士/benrishi). Shohyo Navi is a trademark information service operated by Mycat Inc.