WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  IP/C/W/536 
12 October 2009 
 
 (09-4962) 
Council for Trade-Related Aspects 
of Intellectual Property Rights Original:   English 
 
 
 
REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ARTICLE 66.2 
OF THE TRIPS AGREEMENT 
 
JAPAN 
  
 The following communication, dated 2 October 2009, from the Delegation of Japan is being 
circulated pursuant to paragraph 1 of the Decisi on on Implementation of Article 66.2 of the TRIPS 
Agreement (IP/C/28). 
 
 Communications from other developed country Me mbers will be circulated as addenda to this 
document.  
_______________ 
  
 The Government of Japan has been conduc ting development cooperation activities in many 
fields.  Of course, one of the most important objectives of the cooperation activities is to promote and encourage the transfer of technology. 
Japan understands that incentive for technology transfer should be interpreted to include 
variety of measures such as financial support a nd support for business environment and that support 
for business environment by strengthening intellectua l property protection is one of the effective 
measures to promote technology transfer by privat e sectors.  Based on this understanding, Japan has 
provided many incentive measures.  
 With regard to the incentives that Japan pr ovides enterprises and ins titutions in Japan, the 
Government of Japan would like to report on the following activities.  The Government of Japan 
believes that the following activities contribute to ra ising the level of technological infrastructure in 
the least developed countries (LDCs), which will bring about further technology transfer. 
I. SPECIAL INITIATIVES 
A. C
OOL EARTH PARTNERSHIP  
1. Japan established Cool Earth Partnership, on th e scale of US$10 billion.  Through this, Japan 
is cooperating actively with developing countries' efforts to reduce emissi ons, such as efforts to 
enhance energy efficiency.  At the same time, Ja pan is extending the hand of assistance to developing 
countries suffering severe adverse impacts as a result of climate change.  Japan uses such instruments 
to strengthen our solidarity with developing countr ies and work towards the reduction of greenhouse 
gases globally.  As of September 2009 about 90 countri es have become "Cool Earth Partners".  Some 
examples of assistance provided for LDC members are listed below:   IP/C/W/536 
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  • Science and technology cooperation on gl obal issues:  Tuvalu, Bangladesh, 
Burkina Faso, 
• Expert dispatch:  Timor-Leste, Mala wi, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Malawi, 
Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, 
• Technical cooperation for development planning:  Tuvalu, Maldives,   
• Cool Earth Partnership Seminar:  Burundi , Comoros, Kiribati, Timor-Leste, Togo, 
Tuvalu, Vanuatu. 
B. A
ID FOR TRADE  
2. In 2005, Japan announced the Development In itiative for Trade, as its unique and proactive 
contribution to Aid for Trade.  Accordingly, Japan has carried out comprehensive and tailored 
assistance by combining various tools including ODA and other measures to improve market access for LDC products in each stage of trade -"to prod uce","to sell", and "to buy".  Over the following 
three years, Japan successfully  achieved all commitments under the Initiative, through various 
assistance, such as doubling ODA for Africa at TICAD IV, and the "One Village, One Product 
Campaign" which aims to support developing countri es' efforts in entering the Japanese market.  In 
July 2009, Japan announced "Development Initiative for Trade 2009" as its new strategy for Aid for 
Trade.  Under this new initiative, Japan will pr ovide US$12 billion through bilateral assistance for 
trade-related projects from 2009-2011 and also provi de technical assistance over the same period for 
40,000 persons in total in the field of trade-related activities.   
II. ACTIVITIES TAKEN BY TECHNICAL COOPERATION ORGANIZATONS 
A. JICA
 ACTIVITIES  
3. JICA provides technical cooperation throug h ODA and techniques and technologies are 
transferred necessarily through such technical coopera tion.  The technical cooperation projects aim to 
provide support for training of personnel required to achieve social and economic progress at 
developing countries and help the development and di ffusion of technology and skills.  Elements such 
as the dispatch of experts, acceptance of technical training participants and the provision of equipment 
are systematically linked and integrated into each and every aspect of technical cooperation projects - 
from the formulation of plans to their execution and evaluation.  Such technical cooperation are varied 
– support for sustainable development of developi ng countries such as support for socio-economic 
infrastructure and information and communication technology(ICT), support for social development 
such as agricultural and rural support, fisheries, health, addressing global issues such as 
environmental issues, resources and energy, infectio us diseases.  The budget for technical cooperation 
through JICA amounts to approxima tely ¥155.8 billion for FY2008.  Some examples of technical 
cooperation for LDC Members are listed below: 
• Uganda:  NERICA rice promotion project (2008-2011); 
• Cambodia:  Capacity and institutional buildeing of electric sector (2004-2007); 
• Senegal:  The project on the popularization of the transformation technique for marine 
products (2007-2009); 
• Bangladesh:  Poultry technology development and dissemination project (2006-2011); 
• Burkina Faso:  The project for dissemination of improved seeds (2008-2011);  IP/C/W/536 
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  • Madagascar:  The project for rice productivity improvement in Central Highland (2009-
2014); 
• Mauritania:  The project for reinforcement of mineral exploitation research (2007-
2008); 
• Mozambique:  The project on implementati on of Mid-Level ICT diploma course in 
Mozambique Information and Communication Institute (MICTI) (2007-2009); 
• Malawi:  Rural electrification promotion project (2006-2009); 
• Zambia:  The project for improvement of  animal health and production delivery 
through extension services (2006-2009); 
• Cambodia:  The project of capacity development on ICT management at Nida (2008 - 
2010); 
• Lao PDR:  Assistance for promotion of La o electric power technical standard (2005 - 
2008). 
B. AOTS 
4. The Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship (AOTS) is a public organization 
established in 1959, and provides training programmes within Japan and overseas. 
5. The main targets are engineers and managers in industrial sectors from developing countries. 
 Training programmes in Japan  
 
• Training conducted for engineers and mana gers invited to Japan from developing 
countries as trainees. 
• Its programmes include practical trainings implemented by private-sector companies, 
which allows trainees to acquire the sk ills or techniques in specific fields. 
 Overseas training programmes  
 
Overseas training carried out by skilful expe rts dispatched from Japan as instructors. 
• Specific techniques can be taught to a number of participants efficiently at once, and 
the level of training can be adju sted to the actual needs there. 
•  Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar:  Training on environmental measures in chemical 
industry (2005-2007). 
• Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar:  Training on recycling of minerals and metals (2007-
2008). 
C. JODC 
6. The Japan Overseas Development Corporation (J ODC) was established in 1970, and has been 
engaged in dispatch of expertswith specific skills  toward developing countries for human resources 
development as its main objective. IP/C/W/536 
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  7. JODC experts provide technical guidance and a dvice to local companies, and contribute for 
improvements in areas such as manufacturing technologies and business management skills. 
• Myanmar:  Technical instruction on development of software (2007-2008) 
• Cambodia:  Support for Cambodia rubber institution (2007-2009)  
D. JETRO 
8. The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) was established by the Japanese 
Government in 1958 as the nation's principal organi zation for the comprehensive implementation of 
trade policy.  
(a) Dispatch of Experts to the Private Sector - Dispatch of Experts to Improve the Business 
Environment of Developing Countries to Promote Trade and Investment. 
9. JETRO is engaged in the dispatching of e xperts to assist developing countries in the 
establishment of various rules and institutions necessary to create a business environment conducive 
to trade and investment.  More specifically, at th e requests of private sector bodies and other entities 
from developing countries, experts in such fields as intellectual property rights, standard and conformity assessment, and logistics are dispatched from Japan to provide advice and assistance to the 
entities making the requests. 
• Myanmar:  Support for human resource development on production management 
technology in sewing industry(2008-2010). 
(b) Dispatch of Experts to the Private Sect or  -  Support For Export Industries 
10. JETRO helps developing countries achieve the expansion of its export to Japan and self-
sustainable economic growth, through the dispatch  of experts to identify and develop promising 
export products. Experts give advice and gui dance on improving products design, production 
techniques and marketing strategies, etc. These activities include some projects as part of its 
assistance for "One Village One Product (OVOP)" campa igns  implemented by  developing countries. 
(c) Development and Import Schemes   
11. The "Development and Import Schemes" is a proj ect to give a support, including a financial 
one, to Japanese companies having the purpose of deve loping industries and contributing to economic 
activities in a developing country, preferably in a le ast developed country, in order to give them an 
incentive to take a risk.  They seek to locate pr omising products in developing countries, develop 
products in accordance with the needs in the Jap anese market, and import them to Japan.  Such 
supports will also be conducive to the nurturing of industries, and eventually to economic growth in 
developing countries.  JETRO is using this sch eme to provide support to motivated Japanese 
companies and to build a business model in developing countries. 
• Malawi:  Production of fermented tea ma terial of high quality Puerh tea(2007) 
• Uganda, Ethiopia, 
Madagascar:   Development of spice and food material (2008) 
• Tanzania:  Development of mix spice (2008) 
  IP/C/W/536 
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  E. NEDO   
12. Research cooperation differs from technical coope ration in that it takes the form of research 
and development that are adapted to the technologi cal development issues (technological needs) being 
addressed at the developing countries.  Assistance is provided indirectly through New Energy and 
Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) to research institutions in developing 
countries and other bodies working jointly with them. 
13. NEDO, established in 1980, is Japan's larg est public management organization promoting 
research and development as well as the dissemina tion of industrial, energy and environmental 
technologies. 
14. The assistance is in the form of the dispatch  of research staff and technicians and the conduct 
of joint research through the accep tance of research personnel from the countries concerned.  In 
addition, joint research is carried out through va rious activities including the production of materials 
and equipment necessary for research cooperation, the installation of such materials and equipment in 
the recipient countries, and integrated operation and conduct of research.  
• Cambodia:  Cooperative Research Project fo r Development of Technology to Generate 
Power Using Blended Non-food Biofuel and Biogas (2009-2010) 
III. ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF PHARMACEUTICAL SECTOR 
15. As the provision of quality medicines form the foundation of healthcare, the establishment of 
a system that can consistently manufacture effec tive, safe and high-quality medicines is a task of 
extreme importance. 
16. Furthermore, the spread of counterfeit medici nes is a great public health problem as it not 
only threatens people's health but also harbours the risk of spawning resistant bacteria.  As such, 
strengthening measures to combat the distribution of counterfeit medicines is also of great 
importance. 
17. From these perspectives, the Government of Jap an, through the JICA and Japan International 
Corporation of Welfare Services (JICWELS), conducts  the following training programmes in order to 
develop and reinforce specialist personnel engaged in pharmaceutical administration: 
Study Programme for Pharmaceutical Affairs Experts  
This study programme is to develop human r esources in the planning and implementation of 
pharmaceutical administration in the respective count ries referring to the system and experiences by 
Japan and information from attending countries.   The programme includes presentations on 
pharmaceutical affairs administration and related service in Japan, study visits to related facilities and 
lectures on building up pharmaceutical affairs administration in developing countries as well as 
information sharing among participants to pr omote mutual understanding in the field of 
pharmaceutical administration.  In FY 2008, Japan welcomed eight participants from eight different 
countries, including Myanmar. 
Study Programme on Manufac turing Control of Essential Drugs - GMP Course  
This study programme is to develop human r esources in the planning and administration of 
quality control in line with the GMP concept a nd the quality assurance of essential drugs in the 
respective countries referring to the system and e xperiences by Japan and information from attending 
countries.  The programme includes lectures on the Japanese pharmaceutical administration, GMP IP/C/W/536 
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  legislation, the Japanese pharmacopoeia, and the phar maceutical inspection in  Japan.  The programme 
also includes study visits to the related facilities to provide more concrete information as well as 
information sharing among participants to prom ote mutual understanding in the field of quality 
control, in line with the GMP concept, and th e quality assurance of essential drugs.  In FY 2008, 
Japan welcomed four participants from f our different countries, including Cambodia. 
IV. ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS 
A. A
CTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY RIGHTS  
18. The Japan Patent Office (JPO) has been holding group training courses on intellectual 
property rights (IPRs) for government officials, in  cooperation with the WIPO and the Asia-Pacific 
Industrial Property Center (APIC) of the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation (JIII).  In 
FY 2008, the following four group training cour ses were held for the ESCAP region and 64 
participants in total received training. These four training courses were organized by the WIPO and 
managed by the JPO, in cooperation with the APIC of JIII: 
• The Training Course on the Enforcement of IPR under WIPO Funds-in-Trust/Japan is a 
two-week course for senior officials engaged in the enforcement of IPR in enforcement-related government agencies. 
• - The Training Course on the Use of Information Technology in IP Administration 
under WIPO Funds-in-Trust/Japan is a two-week course for senior officials of IP offices responsible for information technology matters. 
• The Training Course on the Examination Practices of Industrial Property (Basic 
Programme) under WIPO Funds-in-Trust/Japan is a two-week course for examiners in 
the field of IPRs.  Participants are divided into two groups according to their specialties:  patents and trademarks. 
• The Training Course on Industrial Propert y Administration under WIPO Funds-in-
Trust/Japan is a two-week course for senior o fficials in IP offices in charge of general 
administration and policy planning. 
19. This training course is implemented by the JP O, in cooperation with APIC of JIII and the 
Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship (AOTS). 
• The JPO/IPR Training Course on the Pate nt Examination Practices for ASEAN 
Member Countries is five-day course for o fficials in IP offices of ASEAN member 
countries. 
20. The JPO has also been holding the following group training courses on industrial property 
rights for trainees from the private sector: 
"JPO/IPR Training Course for IP Trainers"
 
 Trainees of this three-week course are empl oyees at universities or research institutions 
involved in education on the IP system and those engaged in the dissemination of IPR at IP assistance 
organizations. 
21. This training course is managed by the JPO in cooperation with the APIC/JIII and the AOTS.  
In FY 2008, 14 participants received training.  IP/C/W/536 
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  22. The dispatch of experts is one of the WI PO Funds-in-Trust programmes and has been 
executed according to the request from developing c ountries in the Asia and Pacific region with the 
purpose of providing foreign IP offices with neces sary instructions and advice.  The dispatched 
experts contribute to increasing the efficiency of fo reign IP offices to grant industrial property rights, 
and streamlining IP administration through ra tionalization of administrative procedures. 
23. Aiming to support intellectual property developmen t in Africa, the JPO dispatched experts to 
the WIPO Seminar on Successful Experiences Linking Intellectual Property and Business  in Pretoria, 
South Africa in May 2009.  The seminar had 60 participants from 35 African countries and was the first event utilizing the WIPO funds-in-trust/ Japan for Africa and the LDCs. Since 2008, the 
Government of Japan has made this voluntary c ontribution to the WIPO for promoting technology 
transfer in Africa. 
B. A
CTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF COPYRIGHTS  
24. The Japan Copyright Office (JCO) has been  planning and carrying out the following 
programmes in order to develop copyright systems in developing countries a nd to strengthen regional 
cooperation among Asia Pacific countries: 
APACE Program  
 
Since its establishment in 1993, "Asia-Paci fic Copyright Systems Enhancement (APACE) 
Program" has contributed to the development of copyright systems in Asia-Pacific countries in cooperation with WIPO.  The APACE program mainly  consists of several activities such as Annual 
Regional Symposium, National Seminar, Training Programme, and Experts Missions. 
 The Asia-Pacific Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Seminar
 
 
This programme has been organized once a year since 1997, in order to provide opportunities 
for exchanging information and views on copyright and neighbouring rights issues with copyright 
officials from Asia-Pacific countries.  The title wi ll be changed to 'Asia Co pyright Conference' in 
2010. 
 JICA Group Training Course  
 
This training course has been organized sinc e 1998, in cooperation with the JICA for the 
development of copyright systems and its  enforcement in developing countries. 
C. ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF  PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION  
25. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fi sheries (MAFF) Japan has been planning and 
implementing the following activities on the purpose of  facilitating establishment and international 
harmonization of PVP systems in developing co untries, especially in East Asian countries. 
 JICA Group Training Course  
 
This JICA training course was started in 2000 in cooperation with the National Center for 
Seed and Seedlings (NCSS) to contribute to the pr otection of plant breeders' rights.  In FY 2008, ten 
trainees were accepted from various countries including Cambodia. IP/C/W/536 
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   Cooperative Activities under the East As ia Plant Variety Protection Forum 
 
 
The East Asia Plant Variety Protection Foru m was set up in 2008 with participation of 
ASEAN countries, China, Republic of Korea and Ja pan.  Various cooperative activities proposed in 
this forum were implemented. Japan provided traini ng courses in Japan, dispatched experts to the In-
Country Training, and held Workshop and Se minar on Plant Variety Protection in FY 2008.   
 
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