WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  IP/C/W/519 
9 October 2008 
 
 (08-4793) 
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 2008, 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 including intellectual property.  Of cour se, one of the most important objectives of the 
cooperation activities is to promote and en courage the transfer of technology. 
 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 w ill bring about further technology transfers. 
 In addition to the activities listed below, the Government of Japan announced the setting up of 
a new voluntary contribution to the WIPO for Africa in the amount of Sw F 1.1 million.  This fund 
will further support activities regarding technology transfer especially in Africa and the LDCs. 
I. ACCEPTANCE OF TRAINEES 
A. A
CCEPTANCE OF TRAINEES IN THE GOVERNMENT SECTOR  
1. JICA Activities 
1. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)  is responsible for implementing government-
based technical cooperation through the use of Ja pan's Official Development Assistance (ODA) 
budget. 
2. The JICA conducts training for government-re lated people in developing countries.  It 
conducts group training in accordance with a pr edetermined programme based on needs that are 
common to developing countries. IP/C/W/519 
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  2. Activities in the field of intellectual property rights 
3. The Japan Patent Office (JPO) has been holding group training courses on intellectual 
property rights (IPRs) for government officials, in  cooperation with the JICA and the Asia-Pacific 
Industrial Property Center (APIC) of the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation (JIII).  In 
FY 2007, the following four group training courses were held and 70 participants in total received 
training: 
 for the ESCAP region: 
 
• 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. 
These three training courses were organized by the WIPO and managed by the JPO, in 
cooperation with the APIC of JIII. 
• The JPO/IPR Training Course on Well-Known Trademarks for ASEAN Member 
Countries is five-day course for officials in IP offices of ASEAN member countries. 
This training course is implemented by the JP O, in cooperation with APIC of JIII and the 
Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship (AOTS). 
3. Activities in the field of plant variety protection 
4. This JICA training course was started in 2000 in cooperation with the National Center for 
Seed and Seedling (NCSS) to contribute to the protection of plant breeders' rights.  In FY 2007, 11 trainees were accepted from various countries. 
4. Activities in the field of copyrights 
5. 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-Pacific Copyright Systems Enhancement (APACE) 
Program" has contributed to the development of  copyright systems in Asia-Pacific countries 
in cooperation with WIPO.  The APACE program ma inly consists of several activities such as 
Annual Regional Symposium, National Semina r, Training Programme, and Experts Missions.  IP/C/W/519 
 Page 3 
 
 
    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 copy right and neighbouring rights issues with 
copyright officials from Asia-Pacific countries.  
  JICA Group Training Course 
This training course has been organized since 1998, in cooperation with the JICA for the 
development of copyright systems and its  enforcement in developing countries. 
5. Activities in the field of pharmaceutical sector 
6. 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. 
7. 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. 
8. 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 countries referring to the system and experiences by Japan and information from a ttending countries.  The programme includes 
presentations on pharmaceutical affairs administration and related service in Japan, study 
visits to related facilities and lectures on build ing up pharmaceutical affairs administration in 
developing countries as well as information shar ing among participants to promote mutual 
understanding in the field of pharmaceutical admi nistration.  In FY 2007, we welcomed seven 
participants from seven different  countries, including Cambodia. 
 Study Programme on Manufacturing Contro l 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 and the quality assurance of essential drugs in 
the respective countries referring to the system  and experiences by Japan and information 
from attending countries.  The programme incl udes lectures on the Japan ese pharmaceutical 
administration, GMP legislation, the Jap anese pharmacopoeia, and the pharmaceutical 
inspection in Japan.  The programme also incl udes study visits to the related facilities to 
provide more concrete information as well as information sharing among participants to 
promote mutual understanding in the field of quality control, in line with the GMP concept, and the quality assurance of essential drugs.  In  FY 2007, we welcomed eight participants 
from seven different countries, including Cambodia and Lao PDR. IP/C/W/519 
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  B. A
CCEPTANCE OF TRAINEES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR  
1. AOTS activities - Training courses to assi st human-resource development in business 
and industrial sectors. 
9. The AOTS is a public organization established in 1959.  Its main purpose is to promote 
technical cooperation for the industrialization and development of developi ng countries and enhance 
mutual understanding and friendly relati ons between these countries and Japan. 
10. These activities include training courses for technical personnel in industrial sectors of 
developing countries.  The objective is to foster the transfer of skills and know-how of Japanese 
industries. 
 Training programmes in Japan  
• Training courses conducted by private sector companies for the purpose of human 
resource development in the industrial sectors of developing countries. 
• Management training conducted on an industry specific basis for the purpose of 
educating workers in charge of manage ment, production, and quality-control of 
companies, as well as those involved in environmental protection and the 
promotion of supporting industries. 
 Overseas training programmes 
• Training in such areas as general skills, management techniques, and principal 
systems implemented with the coopera tion of cooperating overseas institutions. 
2. JPO activity 
11. 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. 
 12. This training course is managed by the JPO in cooperation with the APIC/JIII and the AOTS.  
In FY 2007, 16 participants received training. 
II. DISPATCH OF EXPERTS 
A. D
ISPATCH OF EXPERTS TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR (JICA) 
13. The JICA dispatches to developing countries, experts with the skills and knowledge suited to 
the country's needs.  The dispatched experts cont ribute to the development of the partner country, 
raising its technological level by transmitting tec hnical knowledge and skills to their counterparts in 
the partner countries, mainly in the government sector.  The initiative promotes activities such as 
investment promotion, trade promotion, and indu strial development by developing countries.   IP/C/W/519 
 Page 5 
 
 
  B. DISPATCH OF EXPERTS TO THE GOVERNMENTS (WIPO  FUNDS -IN-TRUST /JAPAN ) 
14. 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. 
C. DISPATCH OF EXPERTS TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR (JODC)  - DISPATCH OF EXPERTS TO ASSIST 
HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT IN THE BUSINESS AND INDUSTRIAL SECTORS  
15. The Japan Overseas Development Corpora tion (JODC) is a non-profit organization 
established in 1970. 
16. These activities involve the dispatch of experts at  the private sector level to assist technical 
personnel within specific industrial sectors of devel oping countries.  At the request of private 
companies from developing countries, experts such as technicians and management experts are dispatched from Japan to provide advice and instru ction to the entities making these requests.  In this 
way, contributions can be made to developing countries in a variety of fields, focusing primarily in 
Asia.  Contributions include the promotion of economic and industrial structural reform, the 
enhancement of technical and mana gement skills within companies, and support for the spread of 
information technology at local industries. 
D. D
ISPATCH OF EXPERTS TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR (JETRO)  - DISPATCH OF EXPERTS TO 
IMPROVE THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES TO PROMOTE TRADE 
AND INVESTMENT . 
17. 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.  
18. 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. 
III. PILOT DEMONSTRATION PROJECT PR OGRAMME TO IMPROVE TRADE AND 
INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENTS (JETRO) 
19. This pilot project has been implemented to demons trate the validity of institutions and rules.  
For this purpose, private sector companies, unive rsities, NPOs amongst others, submit proposals for 
"Pilot Projects" that improve the business environment of developing countries to promote trade and investment. 
IV. RESEARCH COOPERATION 
20. 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. IP/C/W/519 
Page 6  
 
  21. NEDO, established in 1980, is the largest public R&D management organization for 
promoting the development of advanced indust rial, environmental, new energy and energy 
conservation technologies in Japan. 
22. 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.  
V. COOPERATION IN DEVELOPMENT STUDY - FEASIBILITY STUDY (JICA) 
23. Based upon requests from developing countries, the JICA assists policy recommendations 
and/or comprehensive master plans with respect to the sectors essential for nation-building by those 
countries.  For specific development projects, feasi bility studies are conducted from various aspects in 
regard to their actual implementation.  Reports containing the results of those studies are compiled 
and submitted to the recipient government. 
24. The results of the aforementioned feasibility study activities such as policy recommendations, 
master plans, and feasibility studies, would be utilized as important and indispensable advice and 
information when developing countries make po licy decisions, and are also used as supporting 
materials when the countries make requests for fina ncial assistance from Japan, other donor countries, 
and international aid institutions. 
VI. OTHER ACTIVITIES - TECHNICAL COOPERATION PROJECTS (JICA) 
25. The Technical Cooperation Projects aim to provi de support for training of personnel required 
to achieve social and economic progress at deve loping countries and help the development and 
diffusion of technology and skills.  A timetable for c ooperation is set to achieve these aims.  Elements 
such as the dispatch of experts, acceptance of tech nical 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. 
 
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