Software Association

What Software Association does

Software Association of Japan (SAJ, 一般社団法人ソフトウェア協会) is a non-profit incorporated association headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, that serves as the principal industry body for domestic software companies. Formally established in 2002 (with the predecessor U-20 Programming Contest dating to 1980 under MITI), SAJ provides a portfolio of certification, training, policy advocacy, and community services rather than a single integrated product. Its core service line is the PSQ (Product Service Quality) certification system — a three-tier program (PSQ-Lite, PSQ-Standard, PSQ-Premium) referencing ISO/IEC 25051:2014 — which validates that software product documentation matches actual functionality. Beyond PSQ, SAJ operates as an authorized Privacy Mark review body under JIPDEC, administers third-party data erasure certification through ADEC, and issues Innovation Box Tax certificates on behalf of METI that determine whether AI-related software programs qualify for a 30% income deduction.

SAJ monetizes through a mix of membership fees, one-time certification fees (PSQ-Lite at ¥50,000/product, PSQ-Standard at ¥250,000/product, Innovation Box Tax at ¥50,000/program), event and seminar revenues, government-commissioned training programs (e.g., Medical Information Security Training for MHLW; STEP UP productivity training with JEED), and corporate sponsorships of the annual U-22 Programming Contest (ranging from ¥50,000 Bronze to ¥5,000,000 Diamond tiers). Pricing for Privacy Mark certification is set by JIPDEC from October 2026. The association operates a member-only online portal, publishes the SAJ Mail Magazine newsletter, and runs more than ten active committees spanning policy/legal/IP, HR development, international relations, technical research (including AI/UX Tech and AI Business subcommittees), cybersecurity (Software ISAC), regional AI/digital promotion, and public relations.

Revenue is not publicly disclosed and SAJ has no parent, subsidiaries, or external investors; it is funded entirely through member dues, certification fees, event income, and government-commissioned projects. The customer base consists of Japanese software developers, SaaS providers, and IT service firms, with member companies including Forum8, Updata, and Centerfield referenced in published case studies. Geographic footprint is exclusively Japan (single-country, domestic scope). Leadership comprises Chairman Tanaka Kunihiro (田中邦裕) and Senior Managing Director Uryu Kazuhisa (瓜生和久), who also authors the association's recurring "Policy Watch" column.

Name

Software Association

Legal name

一般 Software Association

Website

https://saj.or.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Software Association of Japan (SAJ) is a Tokyo-based non-profit industry association that provides PSQ software quality certification, Privacy Mark audits, data erasure certification, and Innovation Box Tax certification, plus training, policy advocacy, and the U-22 Programming Contest for Japanese software firms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Software Trade Association Services

NAICS

Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Certification & Licensing Exam Management Platforms (EDAFADAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Legal, Governance, Privacy & Audit Certifications (EDAAANAN), Cloud & SaaS Security Awareness (e.g., M365/Google Workspace) (EDABAGAG)

Keywords

• Software industry association
• Software quality certification
• Privacy compliance certification
• Data erasure certification
• IT workforce training

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

SAJ is a non-profit industry association that delivers certification, training, and advocacy services to Japan's software industry. Core offerings include the PSQ three-tier software quality certification (PSQ-Lite, PSQ-Standard, PSQ-Premium) referencing ISO/IEC 25051:2014, Privacy Mark audits under JIPDEC, ADEC data erasure certification, Innovation Box Tax certification for AI software programs, STEP UP productivity training in partnership with JEED, Ministry of Health-commissioned medical information security training, and the U-22 Programming Contest for talent development.

Product overview

Software Association of Japan (SAJ) is an industry association offering a portfolio of certification and training services rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include the PSQ certification system (comprising PSQ-Lite, PSQ-Standard, and PSQ-Premium tiers) for software quality verification based on ISO/IEC 25051 standards, privacy mark certification services as an authorized JIPDEC body, third-party data erasure certification through ADEC, and innovation box tax certification for AI-related software programs. Additional services include the U-22 Programming Contest for youth talent development and STEP UP training programs for productivity improvement. These services function independently rather than as an integrated platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PSQ-Lite

Quantifiable outcome

• PSQ certification valid for 5 years with version upgrade options

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA): JEITA is a large Japanese industry association covering electronics and IT, with comparable functions in standards promotion, policy proposals, and member certification — broader in scope than SAJ but structurally similar.
• Cloud Security Alliance (CSA): CSA is a non-profit coalition advancing cloud security best practices and certifications — directly comparable to SAJ's Software ISAC and Cloud Security committee activities as a vendor-neutral security community body.
• Japan Information Processing Development Corporation (JIPDEC): JIPDEC is the umbrella body that authorizes SAJ to conduct Privacy Mark reviews and operates closely aligned IT assessment programs, making it both a partner and the most direct peer in the certification ecosystem.
• Japan Information Technology Services Industry Association (JISA): JISA is Japan's primary IT services industry association, directly comparable to SAJ as a domestic trade body representing IT vendors and service firms with overlapping policy advocacy and certification missions.
• Japanese Standards Association (JSA): JSA manages JIS standards adoption and certification in Japan, making it a structural peer to SAJ's PSQ quality certification work under ISO/IEC 25051.

Broad incumbents

• Information-technology Promotion Agency, Japan (IPA): IPA is a government-affiliated body running IT security audits, software engineering standards, and qualification programs. It overlaps with SAJ's certification and security training activities at a larger scale and with deeper state backing.
• BSA | The Software Alliance: BSA is a global software industry association focused on policy advocacy and IP protection, comparable to SAJ's government-facing representation role but operating at international scale.
• ISACA: ISACA is a global association issuing IT governance, audit, and security certifications (CISA, CISM). Comparable to SAJ in mission around IT governance and certification, with international scale.
• CompTIA: CompTIA is a global, vendor-neutral IT certification body. SAJ's PSQ quality certification and STEP UP training programs address the same fundamental need — verifiable IT competency — albeit with a domestic Japanese software-product focus.
• (ISC)²: (ISC)² issues the CISSP and other cybersecurity credentials. Comparable to SAJ's Medical Information Security Training and Software ISAC activities as a globally recognized cybersecurity certification and community organization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/pr_software_
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCf0nZvRWX8g3CEKGuZDdVOg
• Facebookfacebook.com/SAJstaff

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Software Association