EPO hosts bilateral meeting with JPAA

Video interview with JPAA Vice President Masakazu Takahashi

The EPO and the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA) reaffirm their commitment to supporting innovators through continued co-operation and dialogue.

On 26 November, the EPO welcomed a delegation from the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA) to its headquarters in Munich. The exchanges built on the organisations’ previous meeting in 2024 and on discussions held earlier this year during a visit by EPO President António Campinos to Japan. The meetings form part of the EPO’s ongoing dialogue with user associations in key innovation markets.

EPO Vice-President Christoph Ernst welcomed the JPAA delegation, underlining the importance of continued co-operation to strengthen the patent system through quality and accessibility, further reinforced by the growing interest of Japanese applicants in the Unitary Patent. He said: “Europe remains an important market for advanced technologies and innovation from Japanese companies. The Unitary Patent offers a practical way to strengthen that presence by making protection across Europe simpler and more efficient.”

EPO Vice-President Christoph Ernst and JPAA Vice President Masakazu Takahashi with their respective delegations.

The JPAA provided an update on recent IP developments in Japan and shared their experiences with the EPO’s services. During the visit, the EPO took the opportunity to record an interview with JPAA Vice President Masakazu Takahashi. Mr Takahashi said: “We appreciate the recognition of Japan’s continued engagement with the European patent system. The high level of patent activity, combined with the growing interest in the Unitary Patent, reflects our shared commitment to innovation and effective IP protection. We believe that continued co-operation and open dialogue between the EPO and the JPAA will further support users in making the most of these opportunities.”

The Unitary Patent uptake rate of Japanese patentees grew from 4.8% in 2023 to 7.9% in 2024, with a further rise to 9.2% observed so far in 2025.

Continuously improving our high-quality products and services

The EPO presented its Quality Action Plan 2025 and outlined recent improvements in search and examination, including those linked to the Active Search Division, harmonised practices, and new tools and training for examiners. The 2025 actions build on the achievements of 2024, when 85.1% of standard search reports were sent to applicants on time, and 81.9% of standard files were processed within the target timeline.

Technology trends and outlook

The EPO also presented the work of its Observatory on Patents and Technology, which provides data-driven insights into innovation trends. Current projects focus on developments in areas such as innovation financing, sustainability, health and quantum technologies.

The meeting concluded with participants expressing a shared interest in continuing dialogue and exploring possibilities for further collaboration in 2026.