The subject of protection of a patent in Japan is an invention that is the highly advanced creation of technical idea by which a law of nature is utilized.

The subject of protection of a design in Japan is an article that gives rise to a sense of beauty through a visual perception which is connected to the shape, pattern, color, or any combination of product, building and graphic image relating to their external appearance. A simple picture or drawing is not a valid subject.

The subject of protection of a trademark is a mark formed of letters, diagrams, symbols having the effect of identifying the subject of various products or services.