On December 11, 2018, the representatives of the Japan Patent Office (JPO) headed by Mr. Kunihiko Shimano, Deputy Commissioner, attended the 58th session of the Council of Ministers of African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) held in Dakar, Senegal. Deputy Commissioner Shimano made a speech at the opening ceremony, mainly on the Japan’s contribution to Africa through the WIPO Japan Funds-in-Trust for Africa & LDCs (Japan FIT/IP) and the importance of innovation in Africa. Also, at the evening reception on that day, the representatives of the JPO demonstrated Japanese calligraphy to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Japan FIT/IP, hoping that mutual cooperative relationship between Japan and Africa will further enhance. Also during the reception, the JPO announced that it would contribute to the OAPI member states to help them develop further through the Japan FIT/IP. The JPO will promote international cooperation with African states, and continuously strive to improve the situation surrounding IP in Africa so that intellectual property rights of the Japanese companies can be obtained in a smooth and timely manner and properly protected in this region.

Source: JPO