What Is the Unified Supplier Qualification for All Government Ministries in Japan?

A beginner-friendly guide for overseas companies

It is common for companies to first hear the term “Unified Supplier Qualification for All Government Ministries” when a client or supervisor suddenly requests:

• “We need you to obtain this qualification as soon as possible.”

• “Please make sure we can participate in bidding for the Ministry of Defense.”

At first glance it may sound complicated, but in simple terms, this qualification is a unified pre-approval required to participate in national government tenders for goods and services in Japan.
(Official name: Government-wide Supplier Qualification based on the Comprehensive Evaluation for Competitive Bidding.)

This guide explains:

• What the Unified Supplier Qualification is

• Which tenders require this qualification

• What types of business activities it covers

• How long the qualification is valid

• Key concepts foreign companies should understand

🏛️ A Required Qualification to Bid for Japanese Government Contracts

Japan’s ministries and agencies procure goods and services mainly through competitive bidding.
However, bidding is not open to the general public. A company must first obtain a specific Supplier Qualification depending on who the contracting authority is.

Examples:

• Bidding for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government → Tokyo Metropolitan Supplier Qualification

• Bidding for Fukuoka Prefecture → Fukuoka Prefectural Supplier Qualification

Similarly, when participating in tenders issued by national ministries—such as the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of the Environment—companies must obtain:

👉 Unified Supplier Qualification for All Government Ministries

Once your application is approved, you will receive a Qualification Result Notice, allowing your company to participate in national government tenders across Japan.

🧭 Important Concept: It Depends on “Who Issues the Tender,” Not the Location

A common misunderstanding:

“Since Ministry X is located in Tokyo, do we only need Tokyo’s supplier qualification?”

The correct rule is:
The required qualification depends on which institution is issuing the tender, not the physical location.

Example:

• Ministry of the Environment

  • Contracting authority: Ministry of the Environment

  • Required qualification: Unified Supplier Qualification

• Tokyo Metropolitan Government or Tokyo Metropolitan Police

  • Contracting authority: Tokyo Metropolitan Government / Tokyo Public Safety Commission

  • Required qualification: Tokyo Metropolitan Supplier Qualification

Some independent administrative agencies and national research institutes also specify
“Suppliers must hold the Unified Supplier Qualification.”
For example, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) often requires it for procurement of goods.

※ Always check the latest tender notice and participation requirements.

🏢 Government Bodies Covered by the Qualification

The Unified Supplier Qualification applies to procurement by:

• The National Diet (both Houses)

• National Diet Library

• Supreme Court

• Board of Audit

• Cabinet Office and Cabinet Secretariat

• National Police Agency, Financial Services Agency, Consumer Affairs Agency, Digital Agency

• All national ministries (MIC, MOJ, MOFA, MOF, MEXT, MHLW, MAFF, METI, MLIT, MOE, MOD)

• Their regional branches, local bureaus, and affiliated institutions

In short:

👉 This qualification allows participation in procurement of goods and services by Japan’s central government and its regional agencies.

🗂️ Qualification Categories (4 Types) and Business Coverage

The qualification covers procurement related to goods and services.
There are four categories:

These categories include a wide range of industries:

• Machinery

• Office equipment

• IT and software

• Printing

• Advertising

• Cleaning and maintenance

• Logistics

• Medical supplies
  …and many others.

Construction work (public works) is not included; it is handled by a separate qualification system.

👉 Detailed item lists will be available in a separate article:
“List of Eligible Business Items for the Unified Supplier Qualification” (coming soon)

🌏 Select Up to Eight Procurement Regions – Even Without Local Offices

Applicants must choose the regions in which they want to participate in tenders.
Japan is divided into eight blocks:

1. Hokkaido

2. Tohoku

3. Kanto–Koshinetsu

4. Tokai–Hokuriku

5. Kinki

6. Chugoku

7. Shikoku

8. Kyushu–Okinawa

You do not need an office in a region to select it.

Example:

Even if a company has offices only in Fukuoka, it can still select:

• Kinki

• Kanto–Koshinetsu

• Hokkaido

• All other regions

Selecting fewer regions does not make approval easier.
The key factor is whether your company can actually perform the work if awarded the contract.

📅 Validity Period: Up to 3 Years (Fixed Cycle)

The qualification operates on a three-year cycle.
Current cycle (as of Nov 2025):

FY2025–2027
(Valid from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2028)

Important:

• The qualification does not last three years from the date of approval

• Even if approved mid-cycle, it still expires on March 31, 2028

Two types of applications:

• Regular Application (once every three years)

• Continuous Application (accepted after the regular period but validity is shorter)

To participate in desired tenders on time, early application is essential.

📝 Benefits for Foreign Companies

✔ Only one application for nationwide ministry-level tenders

✔ Valid across all selected regions

✔ Open to newly established companies

✔ Foreign corporations can apply even without a Japanese branch (specific requirements apply)

✔ Useful for credibility and expanding into public-sector business in Japan

The qualification also helps build trust, as supplier information becomes publicly accessible through government databases.

✅ Summary

• Required to participate in national-level procurement of goods and services

• Four qualification categories

• Choose from eight procurement regions nationwide

• Valid for three fiscal years

• Suitable for foreign companies entering Japan’s public procurement market

🏢 Support for Foreign Companies – Trust Administrative Scrivener Office

We support:

• Overseas companies

• Startups

• Newly established corporations

• Companies without a Japanese office
  …who wish to obtain the Unified Supplier Qualification.

🌍 English Support Policy (Important)

To avoid miscommunication and ensure accuracy:

• All communication is handled primarily by e-mail or text messages (e.g., WhatsApp).

• At the beginning, we will conduct a short online meeting only for identity verification
  (to confirm the company representative and basic corporate information).

• This meeting is not for discussing the detailed contents of the application,
  as the English-speaking ability of our staff is at a beginner level.

• If detailed verbal consultation is required, a professional interpreter can be arranged (additional fee).

We provide careful guidance tailored to each company’s situation, from document preparation to submission.

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