Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China(8)

Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China and its implication to South Korea

Secondly, I’ve been arranging meetings with officials at Japanese government and governmental agencies to apprehend the background of guideline issuance. 

Interviews with professionals at the international affairs division of the JPO and JETRO(Japan External Trade Organization) will allow me to draw an overall picture of the past, present and future of Japanese government’s stance on this controversial issue. 

In this regard, interviews with experts at reputable private organizations and universities including Japan Intellectual Property Association, Intellectual Property Management Center of Kyushu University and Office of Intellectual Property of Waseda University will broaden my horizon by supplying thoughtful views. 

Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China(7)

Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China and its implication to South Korea

I've been planning schedules to sites where geographical brands are born and to see what has happened in relation to China. Kagoshima Prefecture and its geographical brands including 県シンボルマーク, かごしまの農林水産物認証マーク, かごしまブランドマーク, かごしま黒豚証明書, さつま地鶏 and 薩摩 are one example. 

For this, I've been hosting interviews with involved sections at chambers of commerce and industry of 4 prefectures. Leaders of local communities and officials at the industrial policy section of local governments would be contacted, too.

 

In doing so, I can clearly recognize the beginning and developments of the various disputes. This on-site coverage will also give me better understanding of Japanese government's subsequent actions to protect its geographical brands in China.

Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China(6)

Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China and its implication to South Korea

Such a move means a lot to Korean government as similar conflicts are expected to be wired between Korea and China in the near future. The concept of my project is born in this sense with special emphasis on timely and untouched research. In terms of methodology, on-site visits and expert interviews are two pillars of my research.

First of all, throughout mid September to mid October of 2013, I will pay a visit to 4 Japanese prefectures among 9 prefectures mentioned above. Specifically, I will visit Aomori Prefecture, Wakayama Prefecture, Fukuoka Prefecture and Kagoshima Prefecture where geographical brands of each prefecture have been broadly known even outside Japan. 

Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China(5)

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(4)

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.