Patent Prosecution Highway with Japan to Begin in 2026

The Japan Patent Office and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of the Kingdom of Bahrain have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to establish a bilateral Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH), which will take effect on January 1, 2026.

The PPH will allow applicants to request accelerated examination in one office based on a favorable outcome in the other. This framework is expected to improve efficiency, minimize duplication of examination processes, and provide more timely protection for patent rights.

Bahrain has been steadily expanding its PPH network, having launched programs with the United States (November 2024), China (May 2024), Korea (January 2025), and the European Patent Office (March 2025). The new agreement with Japan further underscores Bahrain’s commitment to strengthening its IP infrastructure and facilitating international cooperation.