Which is the competent authority for Japanese invention patent applications?

yes

5-7 months

25 years

Inventors have a novelty grace period of 12 months after disclosure (including sale).

20 years, and the validity period of patents for pharmaceutical inventions and pesticide inventions can be extended to 25 years upon application.

yes

The design does not lose its novelty if it is disclosed by the designer in Japan within 12 months from the filing date/priority date.

Inventors have a novelty grace period of 12 months after disclosure (including sale).

• via Paris Convention : 12 months from earliest priority date.
• via Nationalization of PCT : 30 months from the earliest priority date.

yes.

• Within 3 years from the filing date, the patent type can be changed from utility model to invention upon request of the applicant
• Utility model patents can be converted to design patents at any time

A conversion fee shall be paid for patent type conversion. Once the original patent application is converted, it will be deemed withdrawn.