Kondo Kenji (近藤賢二), President of the Japan Patent Information Organization, said the organization intends to lead the world with an IP strategy that combines protection for patents, designs and trademarks with secrecy for core technologies, while promoting the standardization of peripheral technologies. He also discussed the use of AI, the promotion of international standardization and his desire to provide IP information for management decisions, and introduced the exhibition of a new service, the “Trademark Scanner.”
Kondo Kenji (近藤賢二), President of the Japan Patent Information Organization, expressed concern that Japanese companies, despite leading in technology development, have repeatedly seen overseas competitors capture the profits at the mass-production and commercialization stages. He argued that it is important to use protection through patents, designs and trademarks alongside secrecy for core technologies, while promoting the standardization of peripheral technologies. He also stressed the need to lead the world through an IP strategy in the broader sense, integrating intellectual property with international standardization.
He indicated that he had also obtained patents of his own and said one invention was a mechanism for forecasting future prices in the electricity market. Citing an example of a joint application filed with an old friend, he explained that he uses patents as a means of generating income.
He said he felt that the landscape had changed as AI advanced, and that it was important to use AI appropriately and combine it with human inventions to create society. JAPIO is developing next-generation services that use AI and aims to provide services that can be used by private-sector companies.
At the IP and Information Fair & Conference 2026, which opens at Tokyo Big Sight on 16 September, JAPIO will operate a booth exhibiting services for private-sector companies, including the Trademark Scanner. Kondo Kenji (近藤賢二) said he wanted top management to understand the importance of IP and to convey the appeal of IP to younger people as well.