It is an exam, run by the Japan Sushi Association, that certifies sushi skills. You film yourself cooking and upload the video to take the exam. If you pass, a digital certificate is issued. Grade 2 adds a written exam, and Grade 1 adds a written exam and an in-person practical exam.

There are four: Grade 4, Grade 3, Grade 2 and Grade 1. Grade 1 is open only to those who have passed Grade 2. You can apply for any of the other grades, starting with whichever you like.

• Grade 4: “Horse mackerel — butterflying” and “Mackerel — three-piece filleting”
• Grade 3: “Ten pieces of mackerel nigiri”, “Cucumber roll” and “Tamagoyaki”
• Grade 2: “Filleting and nigiri of sea bream”, “Rotary peeling” and a written exam

For time limits and other details, please see the “About the exam” page.

Grades 4, 3 and 2 can be taken entirely online.

The practical exam is scored on five criteria: speed, accuracy, finish, technique and hygiene. For Grade 2, you must pass both the practical and the written exam.

For a first attempt, the fee is ¥5,000 for Grade 4, ¥7,000 for Grade 3 and ¥10,000 for Grade 2.

From the second attempt on, the fee is reduced: ¥2,000 for Grade 4, ¥3,000 for Grade 3, and ¥4,000 each for the Grade 2 practical and written exams. For Grade 2, you retake only the exam you failed.

By credit card. You can also apply with a credit card that is not in your own name.

If you have a coupon code, you can enter it when you apply.

1. Enter your details on My Page
2. Click the URL in the confirmation email
3. Set your password and log in
4. Click “Take an exam” on My Page
5. Select a grade
6. Pay with a credit card
7. Upload your videos
8. Notice of the pass/fail result

An email address, basic details such as your name and address, a photo of your face and an image of an identity document. Please prepare the face photo as a JPG or PNG of 5 MB or less, and the identity document as a JPG or PNG of 10 MB or less.

They are stored privately, and only you and Association staff can view them.

Upload the videos you recorded to YouTube, then enter their URLs for each task and camera angle to submit them. Once every slot is filled, your exam goes to grading.

Two cameras (smartphones are fine), two tripods (if you have none, placing the camera on a stand or holding it by hand is fine), a timer, a cutting board, a knife, a cloth and so on. The ingredients and tools differ by grade, so please check “What to prepare” on the “Apply” page.

Reshoot as many times as you like, and upload the footage you are happy with.

For each exam you pass, you can download a digital certificate (PDF) with a QR code from My Page. Scanning the QR code lets you check the qualification on this site. You can also print it, so there is no need to worry about losing it.

You need an active general membership.

You can post your practical videos, desired salary and preferred work location on the job board, and companies in Japan and abroad may send you offers. You can also apply yourself to job listings in Japan and abroad. You decide how much is made public. Using the job board requires joining the “Digital Certification Program”.

Messages cannot contain contact details such as phone numbers, email addresses or URLs. When needed, the Association will introduce a placement agency or intermediary. We can also handle communication in English and other languages on your behalf, and help with drawing up contracts.

Japanese, English, Spanish, Chinese and Korean. You can switch with the language menu (🌐) at the top of the screen.

On the login screen, use “Forgot your password?” to receive a reset email, then set a new password.

Please contact us through the contact form, or from Inquiries on My Page after you log in.