On April 7, 2025, Japan’s Patent Office granted the first trademark registration under the recently adopted Letter of Consent System. This system allows for registration of trademarks similar or identical to existing registered marks with the owner’s consent, provided there is no risk of consumer confusion. Applicable to applications filed after April 1, 2024, the system requires evidence proving the absence of confusion between trademarks. Despite initial uncertainty regarding documentation, this case has shown that simple submissions sufficed. This system is expected to become an effective option for overcoming citation objections with prior trademarks. However, we need to continue monitoring the standards for “confusion criteria” since the decision to allow registration is ultimately made by the Patent Office, regardless of the consent by the prior trademark owner.

*The fonts are different but the Chinese characters are the same.