Which is the competent authority for utility model patent applications in Japan?

3-6 months

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.

The JPO conducts formality examination only for utility model patent applications.

Japan Patent Office

English: Japan Patent Office, abbreviation: JPO

Website: Japan Patent Office (jpo.go.jp)

Japanese Invention Patent Search: Japan Platform for Patent Information｜J-PlatPat [JPP] (inpit.go.jp)

yes

Japan Patent Office

English: Japan Patent Office, abbreviation: JPO

Website: Japan Patent Office (jpo.go.jp)

Japanese Utility Model Patent Search: Japan Platform for Patent Information｜J-PlatPat [JPP] (inpit.go.jp)

• Grant fee: The applicant should pay the granted fee and the annual fee for the first year within 30 days after receiving the granted notice.
• Annuity: The annual fee shall be paid year by year from the second year from the date of granted, and the payment of the annual fee may be postponed within 6 months if the annual fee is overdue, but a 200% penalty shall be paid at the same time.

yes

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

Reinstatement of priority is accepted on grounds of "due care."