Brewing Connections in Tokyo: JKCC at the World Specialty Coffee Conference & Exhibition

When passion, quality, and opportunity collide, great stories are born. For JKCC, the chance to attend the World Specialty Coffee Conference & Exhibition in Tokyo isn’t just another event—it’s a pivotal moment in our journey to bring Ugandan specialty coffee to the world stage.

Setting the Stage: About the Event

The World Specialty Coffee Conference & Exhibition, organized by the Specialty Coffee Association of Japan (SCAJ), has become one of Asia’s premier gatherings for coffee professionals. In 2025, it’s slated for September 24–27 at Tokyo Big Sight, spanning South Halls 1–4. SCAJ Conference+3SCAJ Conference+3scaj-product.com+3

This annual expo is a melting pot of coffee culture: roasters, baristas, equipment makers, traders, café owners, and producers all come together. Over 450 entities from 30+ countries are expected to exhibit, with some 650 booths and tens of thousands of visitors. SCAJ Conference+2SCAJ Conference+2

Under the 2025 theme “Belong Together in Coffee”, the event emphasizes unity across the coffee value chain—linking producers to roasters, ideas to execution, and cultures to taste.

JKCC at the Forefront: A Ugandan Coffee Ambassador

JKCC is not new to this international stage. In 2024, the company was among three Ugandan coffee-exporting firms selected by the Uganda Coffee Development Authority to represent the country at the SCAJ exhibition in Tokyo. Uganda Broadcasting Corporation+1
That presence was backed by support from Japanese importers such as Crystal Coffee and Gorilla Highlands Coffee, which helped bridge the Ugandan–Japanese coffee market. Uganda Broadcasting Corporation+1

Thus, JKCC’s return to Tokyo is not just symbolic—it’s strategic. It’s an opportunity to:

  • Reaffirm our brand in the Japanese and broader Asian market
  • Engage with global buyers, roasters, and café owners
  • Showcase our varietals, processing techniques, and flavor profiles
  • Learn from the latest trends in coffee equipment, roasting tech, and brewing innovations
  • Strengthen partnerships, network, and explore collaborations

By being present, we don’t just show our coffee—we tell its story: the farms, the farmers, the terroir, the care in processing, and the passion behind every cup.

The Bigger Picture: Uganda’s Place on the Coffee Map

JKCC’s presence in Tokyo contributes to a broader narrative: the evolving identity of Uganda as a specialty coffee origin.

  • Global exposure helps uplift smaller producers and bring greater value back to farmers.
  • It strengthens Uganda’s reputation for high-quality, diverse coffees in premium markets.
  • It fosters bilateral trade—Japanese buyers gain access to new coffees, and Ugandan exporters gain stable partners.
  • It encourages innovation at home: as buyers raise expectations, producers refine practices and experiment with processing.

In fact, the initial 2024 participation already bore fruit: from establishing buyer interest to forging new connections and increasing visibility of Ugandan beans in Japan. Uganda Broadcasting Corporation+1

Looking Ahead: From Tokyo to the World

The World Specialty Coffee Conference & Exhibition in Tokyo is more than just a show—it’s a crossroads of coffee’s future. For JKCC, attending is about more than showcasing beans. It’s about:

  • Deepening relationships across the value chain
  • Elevating Uganda’s voice in specialty coffee
  • Gaining new insights and pushing boundaries
  • Accelerating our growth trajectory in export markets

We’re excited not only for what this Tokyo trip will bring, but for how it will influence how we operate back home—improving quality, storytelling, and sustainability for our farmers and for everyone who cares about where their cup of coffee comes from.