SCA and Specialty Coffee Association of Japan Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Advance CVA Education in Japan
We’re excited to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Specialty Coffee Association of Japan (SCAJ). The agreement was signed today at the SCAJ Conference in Tokyo Big Sight, marking a milestone in global collaboration for specialty coffee education.
The agreement establishes a shared commitment to promote education and professional development around the Coffee Value Assessment (CVA) in Japan, supporting a stronger, more transparent, and globally connected specialty coffee sector. This is aligned with previous partnerships with Specialty Coffee Association of Indonesia, Brazil Specialty Coffee Association, and the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation.
Through this partnership, SCAJ will expand access to CVA and Q Program education for Japanese coffee professionals while aligning national practices with international standards. The collaboration will focus on building a base of instructors for CVA programs, improving accessibility and comprehension for Japanese stakeholders, and jointly promoting training opportunities for coffee professionals across the value chain.
“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. We sincerely hope this agreement will enrich the global coffee community and strengthen our shared journey together,” said Yoshihito Kato, President of the Specialty Coffee Association of Japan.
The Coffee Value Assessment, developed by the SCA, is a comprehensive tool designed to evaluate coffee quality across four dimensions: physical, descriptive, affective, and extrinsic. Already embraced in leading producing countries, the CVA provides a shared language for producers, buyers, and educators to communicate quality and value in new ways.
“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 and helping to make coffee better, together.”
The agreement underscores a mutual commitment to advancing specialty coffee through education, innovation, and collaboration, ensuring that Japan’s coffee professionals continue to lead in quality and expertise while contributing to the global coffee community.