WIPO Director General Welcomes Increase in Japan's Voluntary Contributions to WIPO

Geneva/Tokyo, January 30, 2013
PR/2013/728

WIPO Director General Francis Gurry today welcomed a pledge by the Japanese Government to significantly increase its voluntary funding of technical assistance and capacity building resources for developing countries.

Japan's Economy Minister Akira Amari and WIPO
Director General (Credit: WIPO/Kenichiro Natsume)

Mr. Gurry said this reflects Japan’s commitment to reinforcing its contribution to the activities of WIPO since the establishment of a funds-in-trust (FIT) program in 1987 to cover IP-related activities in developing countries. "I am grateful to the Japanese Government for its generous contribution to WIPO’s activities. A larger number of stakeholders in emerging economies will be able to benefit from Japan’s experience in using IP-based strategies to promote innovation and growth.” 

Japan will increase its voluntary contribution to WIPO from the present 3 million Swiss Francs (ChF) to 5 million ChF for 2013. The funds will be dedicated to enhancing IP systems as well as developing human resources. 

The Director General also praised Japanese industry for its increased used of the international IP system, as reflected by a significant increase in the number of Japanese applications to WIPO’s global services, such as the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and the Madrid System for the International Registration of Trademarks. 

During his official visit to Tokyo on January 30, Mr. Gurry met with Economy Minister Akira Amari and Trade Minister Toshimitsu Motegi to exchange views on the strategic importance of innovation for global economic recovery. Discussions focused on Japan’s strategic use and promotion of intellectual property as a means to achieve this. 

The Japanese Government agreed to work closely with WIPO to help reduce the knowledge gap so that developing countries can better participate in the innovation-based knowledge economy.