Masanori Kotani, President

Since its establishment in January 2016, Japan Food Safety Management Association (JFSM) has been committed to enhancing food safety and improving the reliability of the food industry through JFS Standards--food safety management standards developed in Japan and aligned with international benchmarks.

In 2026, we are honored to mark the 10th anniversary of JFSM. This significant milestone would not have been possible without the continued support and cooperation of food business operators, related organizations, and all those involved in certification, auditing, and training activities. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to each and every one of you.

JFSM develops and operates food safety management standards and their associated certification and conformity assessment programs that are aligned with international standards. In particular, we have placed strong emphasis on ensuring that JFS Standards are easy to understand and practical to implement, even for small and medium-sized enterprises, which account for the vast majority of food businesses in Japan. Our aim has been to build a common foundation for food safety that supports the industry.

Through initiatives such as GFSI recognition of JFS-C Standard, JFSM has established international credibility as a Japan-origin certification scheme, while steadily expanding the adoption of JFS Standards both domestically and internationally.

The environment surrounding the food industry has undergone significant changes since the early 2000s, driven by responses to food safety incidents and scandals, the expansion of international trade, and increased regulatory requirements. In Japan, hygiene management based on HACCP is now al legal requirement, and all food business operators are required to implement HACCP-based practices.

Under these circumstances, third-party certification of food safety management system is no longer a merely formal requirement. It has become an essential "passport for food safety" that supports business continuity, trust, and sustainable growth.

All JFS Standards are originally developed in Japanese, and their guidelines--prepared in collaboration with Japanese food safety experts--clearly explain the background and interpretation of requirements, along with practical, on-site examples. As a result, many food businesses have evaluated the standards as "practical for everyday operations" and "feasible to implement without excessive burden."

By avoiding uniform requirements that mandate extensive capital investment and instead allowing flexible conformity assessment based on scientific evidence, JFS Standards help reduce the financial burden on small and medium-sized enterprises while supporting the effective implementation and maintenance of robust food safety management systems.

Over the past decade, JFSM has expanded its activities beyond standards development to include human resource development through training programs and qualification schemes, strengthening international collaboration--particularly across Asia--and launching new CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiatives - Sustainable Supply Chains Assessment Platform (SSCAP).

These initiatives collectively embody our vision of "Improve Food Integrity" --strengthening the reliability of food businesses through both food safety and social responsibility.

Looking ahead to the next decade, JFSM will continue to work side by side with food business operators, placing even greater emphasis on continuous improvement in ease of implementation and clarity, while contributing to the sound development of the food industry in Japan and abroad, and to the peace of mind of consumers.

We sincerely appreciate your continued understanding and support.