Part2 The Current Status of Science and Technologyin Japan and Other Nations
2.3 Trends Related to Research Performance
2.3.2 Patents
2.3.2.3 Trends in Patent Applications and Patents Granted in Japan
The number of patent applications in Japan peaked in1992,but
then fell when a new system was introduced allowing multiple inventions to be
filed under a single patent application.The number of patent applications resumed
their increase in1995.Patent applications in Japan by foreign applicants have
been relatively flat in recent years.
Meanwhile,the number of patents granted in Japan has been rising
even as the share of patents granted to non-Japanese has decreased (Figure2-3-12) .Note
that the sharp increase seen between1995and1996was mainly due to the patent post-grant
objection system,which speeded up the grant process.
Figure2-3-12 Trends in number of patent applications and
granted patents in Japan
