TOKYO - Commissioner Hamano of the Japan Patent Office (JPO) signed the "Cooperation Statement in the field of support for SMEs, Start-ups, and Entrepreneurs" through the Funds-in-Trust Japan Industrial Property Global (FIT Japan Industrial Property Global) together with Daren Tang, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), who was visiting Japan, according to the official website of JPO.

In the cooperation statement, WIPO and JPO agreed to strengthen cooperation in supporting SMEs, start-ups, and entrepreneurs in developing countries by sharing and utilizing the JPO's experience in IP start-up support programs*3 in the field of intellectual property through the FIT Japan IP Global.

In honor of June 27, "Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day" designated by the United Nations, the immediate goal is to support 627 SMEs, start-ups, and entrepreneurs by June 27, 2026, two years from now, with the ultimate goal of supporting a total of 1,000 companies.

This is the first time that WIPO has signed a statement of cooperation with its member countries to provide support for SMEs and startups on a global scale through voluntary contributions.

In addition to the existing support, it is expected that the initiatives based on the cooperation statement will promote innovation utilizing IP in developing countries, thereby increase user needs indispensable for the development of IP systems within developing countries. The JPO will work to further promote the development of IP systems in developing countries and encourage Japanese companies to develop their businesses in developing countries.