JAPAN USED PIANO ASSOCIATION

Mission of the JUPA

The Japan Used Piano Association (JUPA) is dedicated to maintaining the quality and trustworthiness of Japan-made used pianos. Our mission includes issuing the JUPA Certificate sticker to prevent the distribution of counterfeit pianos, providing serial number information, and offering education and examinations to train certified technicians who can inspect pianos according to JUPA standards.

Outline of JUPA

■ Organization Name: Japan Used Piano Association (JUPA)
■ Mission: The mission of JUPA is to ensure the sustained quality of Japan-made used pianos. We provide education and examinations to train certified technicians qualified to inspect used pianos according to JUPA standards.
■ Foundation: 22 April, 2010
■ Services: Inspection of used pianos, development of inspection procedures and standards, education and examination of certified inspectors, accreditation of certified inspectors.
■ Fiscal Year: April 1 to March 31 each year.

Objective

■ Standardize the inspection process for certified inspectors to ensure reliable quality standards for used pianos.
■ Establish a systematic process from inspection to certification of used pianos.
■ Support sales personnel by providing valuable knowledge to enhance their sales activities.
■ Provide credibility to customers by affixing the JUPA-exclusive inspection sticker to certified used pianos.

Activity

■ Constitution of inspection procedure for used pianos
■ Evaluation of used pianos
■ Disclosure of database for inspected used pianos
■ Education and training of certified inspectors
■ Examination for certifying inspectors
■ Issuance of certificates for certified inspectors
■ Accreditation of certified used piano dealers
■ Registration of certified inspectors
■ Ongoing training to improve inspection quality
■ Research and instruction on piano inspection
■ Formulation of inspection standards
■ Organization of inspection competitions and seminars

Approach

JUPA conducts research to support the global distribution and use of Japan-made used pianos. Our research findings are shared periodically.

27th August, 2013

■ JUPA’s Mission and Approach
JUPA is involved in various activities, such as issuing JUPA Certificate stickers to prevent the distribution of fake Japan-made pianos and providing serial number information for transparency.

1. Reliable Sourcing of Japan-made Pre-owned Pianos
Some pre-owned pianos are sold as "directly from the manufacturer," even though their origins are unclear. To address this, JUPA ensures buyers can confidently purchase Japan-made pre-owned pianos. All JUPA Certified pianos undergo inspection by certified inspectors to verify their authenticity. If confirmed as Japan-made, a JUPA Certified sticker is applied. Additionally, buyers can verify the piano’s source via our "Serial Number Search" on our website: “serial number search.” (https://www.jupa.or.jp/english/form.html)
For example, Yamaha’s website allows users to check whether a Yamaha piano was originally sold in the U.S. or another market. By entering the serial number, you can confirm whether a pre-owned piano was made for the U.S. market or elsewhere.

2. Japan-made Pianos: Durable and High-Quality
Japan-made pianos, especially those by Yamaha, are exported worldwide. They are built to endure various climates. Yamaha, for instance, uses "computer-controlled drying kilns" and other methods to ensure their pianos are suitable for dry environments.
JUPA’s research shows that Japan-made pianos have no significant climate-related issues, even after over 20 years of experience exporting to North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania. These pianos are highly durable and reliable under diverse conditions.
Yamaha Piano Service, a subsidiary of Yamaha, collects pre-owned Japan-made pianos from households in Japan and exports them globally. Yamaha’s commitment to quality is evident, as these pianos continue their journey to destinations such as the U.K., Italy, and Greece.

3. Manufacturer's Warranty on Pianos
New pianos come with a manufacturer’s warranty, just like electronics. While there are questions about whether JUPA can warrant pre-owned pianos, we believe that the seller should be responsible for the warranty. JUPA emphasizes the long-lasting value of Japan-made pianos, which are built to endure with proper maintenance.

Please feel confident when purchasing a Japan-made pre-owned piano, as they are of high quality and crafted with great care.

■ Sources:
- Yamaha Piano Serial Number Search
https://www.yamaha.com/ussub/pianos /SerialNumberlookup.aspx
- Yamaha Piano Service
https://www.yamahapianoservice.co.jp/
We will continue to support the global distribution of Japan-made pianos through regular updates.

9th February, 2011

JUPA's commitment to ensuring the global distribution of authentic Japan-made pianos has led to significant changes among Japanese musical instrument manufacturers. In February, the Asahi Shinbun Morning Edition reported that the Shizuoka Prefecture Musical Instrument Manufacturer Association revised the criteria for what constitutes a "Made-in-Japan" piano. The new standard allows pianos assembled in Japan from parts produced elsewhere to be considered "Made-in-Japan." As a result, only about 40,000 pianos out of 118,000 produced in 2010 were considered true Japan-made pianos.
We will continue to support the distribution of authentic Japan-made pianos with ongoing updates.

20th July, 2010

Research on the export of over 100,000 Japan-made used pianos since 1998 has found no reports of serious climate-related issues in the importing countries.

Certified Inspector Accredited by Japan Used Piano Association

■ Personnel who is eligible for certificate
Personnel who had graduated from Piano Technical Academy, majoring in Piano Technical major, or who had business experience on piano sales over one year and finished training courses offered by JUPA.

■ Skill Examination
Examination Contents: Examinee inspects 4 (four) units of pianos within time limit. Time Limit: 60 (sixty) minutes. Evaluation: Examiner re-inspects the same pianos if examinee’s inspections are appropriate. Examiner rates score, with maximum score of 20 (twenty) points for 4 (four) pianos, 5 (five) points on each piano.

■ Knowledge Examination
Examination Contents: Examinee answers to 5 (five) categories of questions within time limit. Question No. 1 and 2 are fundamental and required to be fully answered correctly. Question No. 3, 4, 5 are with maximum score of total 30 (thirty) points. Time Limit: 60 (sixty) minutes.

■ Acceptance Line
Examiner passes examination with over 45 (forty-five) points out of maximum score of 50 (fifty) points, and Question No. 1 and 2 on Knowledge Examination are to be answered correctly.

■ Training Courses
Training courses for personnel cover the following contents
1. Fundamental knowledge on pianos and how to grade used pianos.
2. How to grade BDY condition and practice.
3. How to grade KEY/PIN/ACT/SDB conditions and practice.
4. Knowledge and Operations of installed machines (auto-play/silent functions)
5. Overview
Lecture Time: 2 (two) hours on each content / total 10 (ten) hours.

Inspection Certificate Sticker

As a JUPA-certified inspector determines that certain piano is made in Japan, he/she attaches Inspection Certificate Sticker on the piano.
Even certain piano is sold with YAMAHA, KAWAI, or other Japanese brands, this does not prove if the piano is made in Japan. JUPA strickly inspects each piano, and we place the sticker only on certified pianos.

Contact

E-mail address: info@jupa.or.jp

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