[Japan] NEW Examination guideline of similar Goods/Services [12-2025]

    A new edition of the examination guidelines of similar goods/services has been published by the Japan Patent Office, on December 13, 2024. The Japan Patent Office will apply the new edition of the examination guidelines to all trademark applications filed after January 1, 2025.

   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
20	Susa [vegetable fibers used as binding and strengthening agents in construction namely for plaster walls]	→	19	Susa [vegetable fibers used as binding and strengthening agents in construction namely for plaster walls]
44	Providing non-medical care services for elderly persons or persons with disabilities	→	45	Providing non-medical care services for elderly persons or persons with disabilities
44	Providing non-medical care services for elderly persons or persons with disabilities at facilities	→	45	Providing non-medical care services for elderly persons or persons with disabilities at facilities
44	Home-visit providing non-medical care services for elderly persons or persons with disabilities	→	45	Home-visit providing non-medical care services for elderly persons or persons with disabilities

    In the new examination guidelines, the following goods/services may encounter refusal by JPO, due to ambiguity of the content: 

Class	Goods/Service
03	Perfume and flavour materials
06	Security locks
06	Padlocks
17	Rock wool
17	Soundproofing materials of rock wool, not for building purposes
19	Building materials made of linoleum for fixing to existing walls or floors
19	Linoleum wallboards
19	Linoleum tiles
19	Linoleum floorboards
20	Window shades
20	Ritual equipment
21	Bathroom pails
21	Candlesticks
27	Floor coverings
29	Meat-based, fish-based, fruit-based, vegetable-based, bean-based or nutbased snacks
30	Sweets, confectionery and snacks other than meat-based, fish-based, fruit-based, vegetable-based, bean based or nut-based
43	Rental of floor coverings
45	Providing facilities for wedding ceremonies, including planning and arranging of wedding ceremonies
45	Providing non-medical in-home care services for individuals

    Also, the following descriptions will be officially approved as a description of the designated goods/services: 

Class	Goods/Service
03	Cotton swabs for cosmetic purposes
06	Security locks of metal, other than electric
06	Padlocks of metal, other than electronic
06	Outdoor window shades of metal
06	Cutting tools for metalworking machinery
07	Earth moving machines
07	Electric food blenders
07	Shafts, axles or spindles, machine elements other than for land vehicles
07	Shaft couplings, machine elements not for land vehicles
12	Aerial ropeways for handling loads
12	Shaft couplings, machine elements for land vehicles
17	Rock fiber
19	Outdoor window shades, not of metal or textile
20	Indoor window shades
22	Outdoor window shades of textile
27	Linoleum wall sheets
27	Linoleum wall tiles
27	Linoleum floor sheets
27	Linoleum floor tiles
29	Snacks based on foodstuffs of animal origin, as well as vegetables and other horticultural comestible products which are prepared or preserved for consumption
30	Sweets, confectionery and snacks [other than snacks based on foodstuffs of animal origin, as well as vegetables and other horticultural comestible products which are prepared or preserved for consumption]
36	Financial management of cryptocurrency
36	Purchase and sale of a cryptocurrency or exchange with another cryptocurrency
36	Intermediary, brokerage or agency services for purchase and sale of a cryptocurrency or exchange with another cryptocurrency
37	Rental of earth moving machines
44	Dental practice
45	Legal representation in procedures related to registration or deposits

    Feel free to contact us if you seek further information or advice.