Pass On Your Master Skills to the Next Generation. Now Recruiting 'Yokohama Meisters'!

Are there any highly skilled artisans living in Yokohama City who have been active in world or national competitions? Would you like to convey the importance of your excellent skills and craftsmanship to young artisans and society at large? Since FY1996, Yokohama City has been selecting outstanding craftspeople who contribute to the daily lives and culture of its citizens as 'Yokohama Meisters.' To date, 72 Yokohama Meisters have been certified. To promote the trades, Yokohama Meisters engage in training the next generation in their respective fields, as well as conducting activities such as hands-on classes and lectures to broadly convey the importance and wonder of manual work and craftsmanship to society. We are now accepting applications for the FY2026 Yokohama Meister program, so if you are interested, please do not hesitate to apply. ## Target Professions Professions that manufacture products or provide services manually (or using machines controlled manually in part of the process) and require many years of diligent study and experience to master the skills. Recently selected professions include: - FY2025: Wooden musical instrument manufacturing (stringed instruments) - FY2024: Fixture manufacturing - FY2023: Model railway manufacturing, Hairdresser - FY2022: Type casting, Mounting (wall covering) - FY2021: Shoe repair/manufacturing, Western furniture maker (upholstery) - FY2020: Ceramic painter, Landscaping, Architectural carpenter - FY2019: Chef (Japanese cuisine), Dry cleaner ## Application Requirements (Must meet all of the following) (1) Must reside in Yokohama City. (2) Must have 15 or more years of practical experience in the relevant profession. (3) Must maintain a livelihood through the relevant profession. (4) Must possess valuable skills that require succession. (5) Must possess outstanding skills. - For professions with skill tests, must hold Grade 1 or Single Grade. For professions with other official qualifications, must hold a qualification equivalent to Grade 1 or Single Grade. - Must be highly evaluated as a top-level artisan, such as having a record of receiving awards from the national/prefectural government or winning competitions. (6) Must be motivated to train successors and excel in passing down skills. (7) Must have the motivation and ability to contribute to the development of the industry and the promotion/popularization of skills and trades. - Able to publicly demonstrate skills and techniques to the extent that the work process can be understood. (8) Must possess the character and business management capabilities appropriate for acting as a Yokohama Meister. (9) Must cooperate with requests from Yokohama City and be expected to serve actively as a Yokohama Meister for at least 5 years. Briefing sessions will begin on Thursday, April 2, 2026! Advance registration is required, so please check the press release materials for details on how to apply. ■ Press Release Material: Recruiting 'Yokohama Meisters'