January 17, 2012 [ IP News – Patents & Utility Models ]
Termination of “Deferral of Examination Fee Payment” System

The system for 1-year deferral of payment of examination fee regarding Japanese patent applications will be terminated on March 31, 2012.
If you would like to defer payment of the examination fee regarding any patent application filed, or to be filed, a request for examination must be filed on or before March 31, 2012.
Please note that examination fee must be paid at the time of filing a request for examination after April 1, 2012.

If you have any questions or inquiries concerning this matter, please feel free to contact us.