[3] Since its founding, the JPAA has played an important role in improving Japan's industrial property rights system.
That is, up to 20 council members will be added to the board of directors and the term of the president will be extended to two years starting from April 2007.
The training program for new members is divided into two parts, one in spring and the other in autumn, each part consisting of about 20 courses of intensive study covering many topics ranging from patent application procedures and studies of judicial cases to international application procedures.
It also includes litigation, copyright, unfair competition laws, and a number of other areas in which the role of patent attorneys is expected to expand.
JPAA has recently introduced an e-learning system, offering its educational programs to its members via the Internet.
The JPAA hosts regular meetings with the KPAA, the ACPAA, and the AIPLA in order to promote better mutual understanding among respective groups about various IP systems.
The JPAA regularly sends its delegates to WIPO sessions to participate in discussions concerning international IP systems.
JPAA regularly makes available in English such information as revisions of the Japanese IP laws and changes in practice before the Japan Patent Office.
Information such as revisions of intellectual property laws and practice, treaties, and Patent Office and court decision in foreign countries is provided in Japanese to JPAA members.
The Patent Attorneys who volunteer their time and resources help give lectures at schools and organize meetings where people can consult about IP issues.
JPAA organizes and operates the Arbitration Center for IP rights under joint control with the Japan Federation of Bar Associations.
The Arbitration Center is an extrajudicial organization that can resolve disputes very quickly (basically within three months) and privately (in closed sessions, out of court).
In addition to these periodical publications, JPAA makes available a guidebook and/or a brochure for people who are not familiar with the IP system and the roles of Patent Attorneys.