Ⅳ ． CUSTOMS CONTROLS AGAINST GOODSINFRINGING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
Goods infringing intellectual property rights are specified as articles prohibited from import orexport under Article 69-2 and Article 69-11 of the Customs Act and are regulated by Customs at theborder. When the goods are verified as infringing intellectual property rights, they are confiscated byCustoms and in some cases, the relevant person may be punished under Article 109 or other provisionsof the Customs Act.

1. Import Suspensions Regarding Goods Infringing IntellectualProperty Rights(1) Transition in import suspensions (2021*)
The number of import suspensions by Customs regarding goods infringing intellectual property
rights was 28,270 cases (down by 6.7% from the previous year). Although the number decreased
from the previous year, it remains at a high level. The number of articles suspended from import
was 819,411 (up by 39.1% (id.)).
Transition in import suspensions regarding goods infringing intellectual property rights(Note)

The "number of cases" refers to the number of import declarations or postal items that included goods infringing
intellectual property rights whose import was prohibited by Customs. The "number of goods" means the number ofgoods infringing intellectual property rights whose import was prohibited by Customs.

* Japan Customs' Website: https://www.customs.go.jp/mizugiwa/chiteki/pages/g_001.htm

(2) Import suspensions by source
The number of import suspensions remains at a high level, with imports from China being thelargest (21,885 cases; composition ratio: 77.4%; down by 15.3% from the previous year). The
number of goods suspended from import was also the largest for those from China (615,539 pieces;composition ratio: 75.1%; up by 50.0% (id.)). China's composition ratios remain to be high bothin terms of the number of cases and the number of articles.
Composition ratio of import suspensions by source (2021)(Based on the number of cases)
Singapore Others
South Korea
1.3%
4.6%
2.1%
Philippines
3.9%
Vietnam
10.7％(Based on the number of articles)
Philippines
3.6%
Hong Kong
4.7%

South Korea Others
2.8%
2.6%

Vietnam
11.1%

China
77.4%

China
75.1％

(Note) The total of composition ratios may not be 100% due to rounding.

(3) Import suspensions by item
The number of import suspensions was the largest for bags, such as wallets and handbags, at 9,570cases (composition ratio: 28.8%; down by 3.6% from the previous year), and the number of articles
suspended from import was the largest for clothes at 108,684 pieces (composition ratio: 13.3%; up by60.8% (id.)).
Composition ratio of import suspensions by item (2021)(Based on the number of cases)
Hats
4.1%

(Based on the number of articles)

Miscellaneous
goods
2.8%
Others15.0%

Mobile phones
and accessories5.0%
Shoes
11.9%
Watches5.0%

Clothes
13.3%

Bags
28.8%

Others42.9%

Electric appliances
12.8%

Bags
5.5%

Clothes
27.4%
Miscellaneousgoods
2.1%
Pharmaceuticals
2.6%
Mobile phones
and accessories
2.8%(Note) The total of composition ratios may not be 100% due to rounding.

Computerproducts
5.4%

Shoes
3.0%

Fabricproducts
4.3%

Householdsundries
5.3%

(4) Major import suspensions regarding goods infringing intellectual property rights◆ Goods often subject to import suspensions
Smartphone cases (Trademark right)

Earphones (Design right)◆ Goods for which import suspensions increased in 2021
Chopsticks (Trademark right)

Training equipment (Design right)◆ Goods posing a risk to people's health and safety
Masks (Trademark right)

Aerosol generator cartridges (Patent right)

2. Accusation Case Related to Goods Infringing Intellectual Property
RightsDuring the one-year period from January to December of 2021, Customs made accusations in a totalof 11 smuggling cases.
[Case 1] Smuggling of goods infringing copyrights
Customs accused three Japanese nationals who attempted
to smuggle a total of 175 sets (525 pieces) of DVDs
infringing copyrights by the use of express small-lot air cargofrom Malaysia of violating the Customs Act.
(Feb. and Mar. 2021; Tokyo Customs)[Case 2] Smuggling of goods infringing copyrights
Customs accused a Japanese national who attempted tosmuggle 252 metal charms infringing copyrights by the useof international express mail from Singapore of violating theCustoms Act.
(Jan. 2021; Kobe Customs)[Case 3] Smuggling of goods infringing trademark rights
Customs accused a Filipino and a corporation that attempted to smuggle 29 pairs of pants and one
hoodie infringing trademark rights by the use of international home delivery services from thePhilippines of violating the Customs .
(Feb. 2021; Nagoya Customs)