MERSTech, Inc. (Shinagawa-Ku, Tokyo; Masahito Shiga, Representative Director and CEO) has been recognized as a contributor to industry with the fiscal 2012 METI Minister’s Intellectual Property Merit Award. 3 individuals and 4 companies received the Minister of METI Awards, and 4 individuals and 8 companies received the Awards of the Director-General of the Patent Office. The awarding ceremony was held on April 18, ‘Invention Day’ in Tokyo, Japan.

About the Intellectual Property Merit Award:
At the Japan Patent Office on Invention Day (April 18), the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Commissioner of the Japan Patent Office present intellectual property achievement awards to individuals who have contributed to the expansion and development of the industrial property rights system as “giving an award to a contributor related to the industrial property rights system”, and to companies which have most effectively utilized the industrial property rights system and contributed to its smooth operation and development as “giving an award to a good-standing company utilizing the industrial property rights system”.

About the Invention Day:
Invention day was established to promote the expansion and enlightenment of the industrial property rights system commemorating the promulgation of the Patent Monopoly Act on April 18, 1885.