Specialty coffee associations sign MoU to boost coffee education, professional standards in Japan
New agreement to expand Coffee Value Assessment training and align Japan’s specialty coffee education with global standards.
JAPAN – The Specialty Coffee Association of Japan (SCAJ) and the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the SCAJ Conference in Tokyo, Japan.
The agreement cements their commitment to strengthening specialty coffee education and professional development in Japan.
Under the MoU, both associations will collaborate to promote the Coffee Value Assessment (CVA) and Q Program education across Japan. This initiative aims to align national practices with international standards and expand training opportunities for Japanese coffee professionals throughout the value chain.
The partnership will focus on building a base of instructors for CVA programs, enhancing accessibility and understanding for Japanese stakeholders, and jointly promoting training to elevate professional expertise across the specialty coffee industry.
“It is my great pleasure that, within the long-standing friendship between SCA and SCAJ, we are able to conclude this MoU today. Through the cooperation of our two associations, we aim to deepen the understanding of specialty coffee, raise awareness of its value and further promote its development,” said Yoshihito Kato, President of the Specialty Coffee Association of Japan.
Developed by the SCA, the Coffee Value Assessment is a comprehensive tool used to evaluate coffee quality across physical, descriptive, affective, and extrinsic dimensions. Widely adopted in leading coffee-producing countries, the CVA creates a shared language for producers, buyers, and educators to communicate quality and value.
“Our collaboration with SCAJ reflects a shared vision for the future of specialty coffee,” said Yannis Apostolopoulos, CEO of the Specialty Coffee Association. “By expanding education and professional opportunities, we are investing in the people who shape coffee’s future.”
The agreement underscores a mutual commitment to advancing specialty coffee through education, innovation, and collaboration, ensuring Japan’s coffee professionals remain at the forefront of quality and expertise worldwide.
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