The Japan Trademark Association (JTA) will celebrate their 35th anniversary this November (2023).
I understand that the JTA was inspired by the annual meeting of USTA (Currently known as: INTA) that was held in Japan in 1987 (the year before it was founded) and, thus, founded the JTA with the intention of creating a similar international trademark organization in Japan.
　Since then, the JTA’s activities and the organization overall have developed steadily, and as of May this year, the JTA has more than 860 members, including companies, firms, lawyers, patent/trademark attorneys, academics, and researchers.
　The JTA also currently has 12 study groups and 7 committees that continue to conduct vigorous forms of advanced research and studies, exchange information, engage in international exchanges, make proposals for legal revisions, and still continue to grow despite the difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic.
　We believe that the JTA has contributed to the enrichment and development of the trademark system in Japan and the world by publishing the results of such research in the association’s journals as well as by presenting them at our annual meeting.
　However, trademark practice continues to change rapidly, with astonishing advances in digital technology, the remarkable internationalization of communication and transaction, as well as the emergence of new types of business and trademarks. These changes can make it difficult for even international cooperation and frequent legislative changes to keep up with the industry as it evolves.
　Despite the challenges, the JTA is committed to responding appropriately to these advances and to achieve its founding objective of leading the trademark system and practice in Japan and around the world.
We look forward to your continued cooperation, support, and guidance. (May 2023)

Eiji Tomioka
President of Japan Trademark Association