In an effort to curb excessive work hours and to boost weak consumer spending, the Japan government and business lobby groups launched the Premium Friday campaign on Feb. 24, 2017.
The government-backed “Premium Friday” campaign calls on workers to leave the office at around 3 p.m. on the last Friday of each month so that they can go out and have fun.
However, only a small number of companies have managed to establish the practice of departing early in fact, while operators of department stores and amusement facilities are running out of ideas to attract visitors on the designated Fridays.
By the way, who on earth takes it for granted that “Premium Friday” is a registered mark?
The Japan Patent Office on-line database revealed the following “Premium Friday” marks used on the campaign have been registered without a doubt.
TM Registration no. 5942825
TM Registration no. 5954624
You would feel like questioning “Who is a registrant?”, wouldn’t you?
When I found the name of the registrant, I was shocked!
Registrant of “Premium Friday” marks is Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, not an individual person assuming the position of Minister.
I didn’t know that Minister is eligible to own trademark registration in the name of ministerial capacity. Does such thing happen only in Japan?