[Japan] NEW Examination guideline of similar Goods/Services [13-2026]
Silbet-IP-FirmA new edition of the examination guidelines of similar goods/services has been published by the Japan Patent Office, on December 12, 2025. The Japan Patent Office will apply the new edition of the examination guidelines to all trademark applications filed after January 1, 2026.
After the new examination guidelines take effect, the following goods/services will be reclassified as shown below:
| Former | NEW | |||
| Class | Goods/Service | Class | Goods/Service | |
| 09 | High frequency apparatus for welding plastic | → | 07 | High frequency apparatus for welding plastic |
| 12 | Door engines for vehicles | → | 07 | Door engines for vehicles |
| 09 | Spectacles / Eyeglasses | → | 10 | Spectacles / Eyeglasses |
| 09 | Contact lenses | → | 10 | Contact lenses |
| 09 | Sunglasses | → | 10 | Sunglasses |
| 09 | Pince-nez | → | 10 | Pince-nez |
| 09 | Ordinary spectacles | → | 10 | Ordinary spectacles |
| 09 | Parts and accessories for spectacles / Parts and accessories for eyeglasses | → | 10 | Parts and accessories for spectacles / Parts and accessories for eyeglasses |
| 09 | Containers for contact lenses | → | 10 | Containers for contact lenses |
| 09 | Pince-nez mountings | → | 10 | Pince-nez mountings |
| 09 | Pince-nez chains | → | 10 | Pince-nez chains |
| 09 | Pince-nez cords | → | 10 | Pince-nez cords |
| 09 | Spectacle cases / Eyeglass cases | → | 10 | Spectacle cases / Eyeglass cases |
| 09 | Spectacle templates for spectacles | → | 10 | Spectacle templates for spectacles |
| 09 | Spectacle lenses / Eyeglass lenses | → | 10 | Spectacle lenses / Eyeglass lenses |
| 09 | Spectacle frames / Eyeglass frames | → | 10 | Spectacle frames / Eyeglass frames |
| 09 | Fireplugs | → | 11 | Fireplugs |
| 09 | Fire boats | → | 12 | Fire boats |
| 09 | Fire engines | → | 12 | Fire engines |
| 01 | Priming putty | → | 17 | Priming putty |
| 09 | Spectacle cloths / Eyeglass cloths | → | 21 | Spectacle cloths / Eyeglass cloths |
| 28 | Insect killing tubes | → | 21 | Insect killing tubes |
| 28 | Insect killing jars | → | 21 | Insect killing jars |
| 18 | Beach parasols | → | 22 | Beach parasols |
| 26 | Knitted raschel lace fabrics | → | 24 | Knitted raschel lace fabrics |
| 26 | Embroidery lace fabrics | → | 24 | Embroidery lace fabrics |
| 41 | Duplication of sound and video recordings | → | 40 | Duplication of sound and video recordings |
In the new examination guidelines, the following goods/services may encounter refusal by JPO, due to ambiguity of the content:
| Class | Goods/Service |
| 03 | Natural perfumery prepared from vegetables |
| 03 | Jasmine oil |
| 03 | Clove oil |
| 03 | Peppermint oils |
| 03 | Vanilla oil |
| 03 | Rose oil |
| 03 | Bergamot oi |
| 03 | Lavender oil |
| 03 | Natural perfumery prepared from animals |
| 03 | Musk [natural] / Musk [perfumery] |
| 03 | Ambergris [natural] |
| 03 | Synthetic perfumery |
| 03 | Geraniol [synthetic] / Geraniol |
| 03 | Synthetic musk |
| 03 | Vanillin being synthetic perfumery compounds |
| 03 | Heliotropine [synthetic] / Heliotropine |
| 03 | Blended perfumery |
| 03 | Food flavorings prepared from essential oils |
| 21 | Cosmetic utensil sets |
| 26 | Artificial flowers of paper |
| 26 | Artificial flowers of textile |
| 26 | Artificial flowers of plastics |
Also, the following descriptions will be officially approved as a description of the designated goods/services:
| Class | Goods/Service |
| 01 | Essential oils for use in manufacture |
| 03 | Perfumery for fragrancing |
| 05 | Aromatherapy oils |
| 07 | Door engines for vehicles |
| 20 | Plastic fiid replicas |
| 24 | Lace fabrics |
| 28 | Printed lottery tickets |
| 30 | Aromatic preparations for food |
| 32 | Soft drinks |
| 32 | Soft drink mixes |
| 34 | Flavourings for tobacco / Flavorings for tobacco |
| 40 | Duplication of sound and video recordings |
| 41 | Sado instruction [tea ceremony instruction] |
Feel free to contact us if you seek further information or advice.
