Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China and its implication to South Korea
It is mainly because Japan’s exports of brand farm products could be adversely affected if Japanese geographical product and brand names are registered as Chinese trademarks.
So far a total of 9 Japanese prefectures, Aomori Prefecture(靑森県), Hokkaido Prefecture(北海県), Yamanashi Prefecture(山梨県), Shiga Prefecture(滋賀県), Wakayama Prefecture(和歌山県), Fukuoka Prefecture(福岡県), Saga Prefecture(佐賀県), Nagasaki Prefecture(長崎県) and Kagoshima Prefecture (鹿児島県) have successfully taken actions to register their trademarks in China.
Though failing to react in advance, Japanese central and local governments have responded in a proper way. They did take relevant steps after disputes over misuse of Japanese geographical brands in China were reported.
Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China and its implication to South Korea
Long-lasted disputes and subsequent legal suits over Kagawa Prefecture(香川県)'s Sanuki Udon(讃岐うどん) between Japan's Kabashima Shouji(樺島商事) and Taiwan's Namchow Group are none other than a representative example.
According to the Japan Patent Office(JPO), actual public notices were given or registrations were made on the basis of applications of third parties in China for 6 Japanese prefectures, Toyama Prefecture(富山県), Fukui Prefecture(福井県), Aichi Prefecture(愛知県), Yamaguchi Prefecture(山口県), Kagawa Prefecture(香川県) and Saga Prefecture(佐賀県).
Against this background, Japanese government has accelerated its move in two folds since late 2000's; applying for trademarks in China and coming up with guidelines for related parties in Japan.
