Application Guidelines

[Application Details]

• Entries for the Japan Aqua Awards (hereinafter referred to as JAA) are open to bottled waters distributed both domestically and internationally.
• Applications may be submitted by water sources, producers (bottling companies), importers, exporters, wholesalers, retailers, and municipalities.
• Multiple products can be submitted in a single application.
• From 2023, new categories for Functional Water and Water Dispensers have been established.
• “Functional Water” is defined as water that has added value (e.g., mineralized or enhanced) rather than natural water alone.
• In the Functional Water category, only taste and water quality are evaluated. Manufacturing processes, health functions, or effects are not assessed. Please take note.

[Application Requirements]

• For each product submitted, an entry form, required documents, and samples must be provided.
• Fill out the entry form (Excel file) and submit it via email.
• Attach the required documents to your email along with the entry form, or send them by postal mail.
• Additional materials (printed documents, videos under 3 minutes, etc.) are also accepted.
• If submitting additional materials, please send them via email at a later date.

[Required Documents]

For Domestic Products:

• Raw water test results (26 water quality items as per the Food Sanitation Act for domestic products)
• Manufacturing flowchart
• Product specification sheet
  • 15 items if no sterilization/disinfection
  • 44 items if sterilization/disinfection is applied
• Nutritional analysis report (including TDS, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and other minerals)
• Documentation showing dissolved oxygen levels
• Documentation showing PFAS and PFOA content
• Photos of the water source and factory surroundings

For Overseas Products:

• Raw water test results
• Manufacturing flowchart
• Product test results
• Nutritional analysis report
• Photos of the water source and factory surroundings
• Documentation showing dissolved oxygen levels
• Documentation showing PFAS and PFOA content

[Number of Samples Required]

• 24 samples per product
  (Required to accommodate evaluations by over 20 preliminary judges)
• 24 samples are needed regardless of bottle size.
• For the Water Dispenser Category: 2 packs or 2 bottles (each over 10 liters).
• Shipping costs for samples must be borne by the sender.
• Please ship all samples to the Japan Aqua Sommelier Association.

[Application Period]

• April 14, 2025 (Monday) – May 29, 2025 (Thursday)
• Sample Submission Deadline: May 30, 2025 (Friday)

[Examination Fees]

• Preliminary Examination Fee: 70,000 yen (tax included)
• Main Examination Fee: 180,000 yen (tax included)
• Document review will begin upon receipt of the application form.
  Please complete payment within 5 business days after application.
• Fees are non-refundable even if you cancel after payment.
• After the final evaluation, the award label may be used free of charge for three years until the next Japan Aqua Awards.
  If you wish to continue using it beyond three years, a renewal license fee of 100,000 yen (tax included) per case will apply.

Scope of Award Label Usage:

• Products, packaging materials, websites, catalogs, and POP materials
  (Please consult for any other uses.)

[Payment Information]

• Bank: Mitsubishi UFJ Bank (0005) Hiroo Branch (047)
• Account Type: Ordinary (futsu)
• Account Number: 0046743
• Account Name: Japan Aqua Sommelier Association

[Method of Preliminary Examination]

The preliminary screening will be conducted as follows:

1. Document Review
2. Sensory Evaluation by Certified Aqua Sommeliers
3. Review by the Examination Committee within the Japan Aqua Sommelier Association

[Preliminary Examination]

• Notification of preliminary results: June 13, 2025 (Friday)
• No objections to the examination results will be accepted.
• Applicants are prohibited from publicly announcing preliminary results.
  (Only the final examination results may be made public.)

[Method of Final Examination]

The final screening will be conducted as follows:

1. Document Review
2. Sensory Evaluation by Certified Aqua Sommeliers
3. Review by the Final Examination Committee within the Japan Aqua Sommelier Association

[Final Examination]

• Announcement of results: July 2, 2025 (Wednesday)
• After receiving awards, winning products will be officially announced via press release.
• Awarded products will be promoted free of charge on the Japan Aqua Sommelier Association’s official website and in its email newsletter.
• No objections to the examination results will be accepted.

[Awards]

Each award includes a certificate and official digital data of the award label.

• Platinum (Best Award)
• Gold (Gold Award)
• Silver (Silver Award)

Optional:
If desired, an official recognition plaque can be created for a fee:

• Award Plaque Production: 12,000 yen (tax included)
  Shipping cost is charged separately.

[Use of the Award]

• The official award label data can be used for three years from the award date until the next Japan Aqua Awards ceremony.
• By signing a licensing agreement, the Japan Aqua Sommelier Association grants the applicant the right to use the trademark related to the award.
• All awarded products will be granted the official digital data of the award label (showing year and award rank: Platinum, Gold, Silver).
• The award label may only be used for advertising and promotion of the awarded product.
• The awarded label must not be modified in any way by the awardee.
• The Japan Aqua Sommelier Association accepts no responsibility for any product liability claims.
• The association is not responsible for any direct or indirect damages or lost profits arising from the award.
• For the Functional Water Category, please ensure that promotions do not mistakenly imply evaluation of the manufacturing process or health benefits.

[Confidentiality]

• The Japan Aqua Sommelier Association will maintain the confidentiality of all submitted products until the award is granted.
• Information about non-awarded products or applicants will not be disclosed under any circumstances.

[Other Matters]

• If any of the following apply to an applicant, their representative, person responsible, or any person who substantially controls the management of the applicant, the Japan Aqua Sommelier Association may cancel the examination or revoke the award:
  1. Violation of laws or these guidelines
  2. Fraudulent acts
  3. Submission of false information deemed by the Association
  4. Connection to antisocial forces such as organized crime groups, members, affiliated companies, corporate racketeers, political racketeers, or groups or individuals engaging in criminal or violent activities
  5. Acts that interfere with, or may interfere with, the operations of the Association
• If a product is significantly altered after the award (e.g., name, ingredients, manufacturing method), it will no longer be considered an award-winning product.
• In the event of any such changes, the applicant must immediately notify the Japan Aqua Sommelier Association in writing.
• If a container is changed within three years of the award, the awarded medal cannot be used as is.
  Re-entry is required, but the preliminary screening fee will be waived if re-entered within three years.
• The Japan Aqua Sommelier Association reserves the right to revise or supplement these guidelines at any time without prior notice.
  Such changes will take effect when published on the Association’s website.
• Any disputes arising in relation to the Japan Aqua Awards shall fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Yokohama District Court.