Handbook of Registration of Geographical Indications in Japan

In the framework of the project "Supporting the registration of Geographical Indications (GIs) of Vietnam in Japan" under the Program on IP Development for the period of 2016-2020, the scientific seminar on “Handbook of Registration of Geographical Indications in Japan and Document of Regulations for Agricultural Products Imported into Japan” was held in Hanoi on October 25, 2019. At the seminar, Japanese and Vietnamese speakers have also introduced the standards of quality, food safety and other regulations for agricultural products imported into Japan. This seminar is one of the contents to be carried out to implement the cooperation commitments between the  NOIP and the Food Industry Affairs Bureau (FIAB) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF) which were achieved through the Memorandum of Cooperation in the field of Geographical Indication (GI) signed in June 2017.

In Japan MAFF has protected Agricultural GIs in accordance with the Act on Protection of the Names of Specific Agricultural, Forestry and Fishery Products and Foodstuffs since June 2015. As of June 2, 2017, 35 GIs have been registered. In Viet Nam, NOIP has protected GIs based on the Intellectual Property Law.

Japan and Viet Nam recognized the importance of cooperation in the field of GI and the necessity of protection of GIs. Both countries agreed to start a cooperation toward protection of GIs. Thereupon, FIAB and NOIP signed a Memorandum of Cooperation in order to work toward protection of GIs. Specifically, the cooperation includes the following:

- The protection of GIs in both countries
- Launch a pilot project to protect GI products reciprocally
- Exchange visits of Japan and Viet Nam’s GI experts
- The exchange of information regarding legislations and policies on GI
- The cooperation of public awareness enhancement of GIs, and
- The establishment of working-level meeting