Japan has opened a nationwide public consultation to help shape its next major intellectual property (IP) roadmap, inviting comments on what should be included in the Intellectual Property Promotion Plan 2026. The announcement, published by the Cabinet Office’s Intellectual Property Strategy Headquarters, signals the beginning of a broad review of existing policy and an effort to align Japan’s IP ecosystem with rapid advances in artificial intelligence, data use, and global competition.
The consultation, which runs from December 1, 2025 to January 7, 2026, requests opinions on revisions to the current Intellectual Property Promotion Plan 2025 and proposals for new initiatives to incorporate into next year’s blueprint. Officials said feedback from citizens, companies, and organizations will be used to guide deliberations already underway in the government’s Concept Committee, which is drafting the 2026 plan.
The government is encouraging input across a wide range of policy areas, including AI and intellectual property rights, startup support, national and regional IP protection, anti-piracy measures, international standard-setting strategies, and improvements to data-sharing and utilization environments. Submissions may address any component of the 2025 plan that requires updating, as well as ideas for emerging policy priorities such as AI-driven innovation and protection against unauthorized use of data.
Comments can be submitted through an online form, by mail, or—only when other options are not possible—via email. All opinions will be published in summary form, excluding personal information, and organizational submissions will be listed under the name of the group unless confidentiality concerns are noted.
The government emphasized that while personal responses will not receive individual replies, public participation is essential to ensuring the new 2026 plan reflects national needs and strengthens Japan’s competitiveness in a rapidly evolving global IP landscape.
The Intellectual Property Promotion Plan series serves as Japan’s central strategy document for cultivating innovation, protecting IP assets, and guiding collaboration among industry, academia, and government. The 2026 update is expected to place particular focus on AI governance, global standards, and the country’s long-term digital transformation efforts.
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