SCAJ 2025: At Tokyo Big Sight

The SCAJ World Specialty Coffee Conference and Exhibition 2025, held at the Tokyo Big Sight South Exhibition Hall from Wednesday, September 24 to Saturday, September 27, 2025, is Asia's largest specialty coffee event.

The conference will bring together famous roasters and baristas, and will also host the "Barista Championship 2025," where the world's best barista will be crowned. Additionally, conferences focusing on the "2050 Problem" and global warming will take place, allowing for a deep exploration of a sustainable future for the coffee industry.

Of particular note is the focus on Fair Trade initiatives. Fair Trade coffee ensures equitable trade with producers in developing countries, supporting improvements in their livelihoods and promoting sustainable agriculture. The guarantee of a fair price, combined with the "Fair Trade Premium" that is reinvested into local communities, and the encouragement of organic farming for environmental protection, offers consumers a safe and ethical choice.

At the Fair Trade Japan booth, visitors can learn about these initiatives, view actual Fair Trade products, and meet representatives and producers from various networks in Central and South America, Africa, and Asia. This provides a rare opportunity to hear directly from producers about the realities of their work.

A highlight of this year's event is the exhibition of the "Fair Trade Kamakura Blend," a coffee developed through a collaboration between Kamakura Ethical Lab, Mitsumoto Coffee, Kokubu Shuto-ken, and Kamakura City. This blend is made with 100% carefully selected, Fair Trade Certified coffee beans and has obtained International Fair Trade Certification.

The "Fair Trade Kamakura Blend" received the highest honor, the Grand Award, at the "Social Products Awards 2025," in recognition of its social contribution and quality. It is highly praised as a successful example of sustainable value creation through collaboration between citizens, businesses, and local government. Furthermore, a portion of the sales is donated to the Kamakura City Green Space Conservation Fund, demonstrating its commitment to the local community.

The SCAJ World Specialty Coffee Conference and Exhibition 2025 is a valuable opportunity not only to discover the latest trends in specialty coffee but also to gain a firsthand understanding of the vital importance of social contributions driven by Fair Trade. We encourage you to visit the venue and experience the immense potential held within a single cup of coffee.