Japanese patent attorneys should try to enhance their "international competitiveness" as filings for patents and other types of intellectual property rights on foreign soil continue to climb, a top executive of a patent attorneys' association said Tuesday.

"By nature, patent attorneys' business is of an international character. Given the continued expansion of business operations abroad, we are required to get familiar with the international system of intellectual property," said Yamato Tsutsui, new president of the Japan Patent Attorneys Association.

Tsutsui, said the 8,000-member association will redouble its efforts to provide on-the-job training programs to foster patent attorneys well-versed in international business.

In this context, the new JPAA chief said he will step up the group's exchanges with South Korea, China, India and other Asian countries.