#Japan #Tokyo #National Exam #Hiche #Dietitian

Overview

On March 1, 2026, the 40th National Exam for Dietitians and Nutritionists will take place, and Hiche, a community for nutrition professionals operated by SMS Co., Ltd., will publish the answer key immediately following the exam. This initiative is designed to alleviate the concerns of candidates through trustworthy and prompt response delivery. In 2025, Hiche achieved a remarkable accuracy rate of over 99%, setting a high standard within the industry.

Context

Diet-related diseases have become significant health challenges for many people today. Issues such as cancer, strokes, heart disease, and diabetes emphasize the urgent need to improve lifestyles and dietary habits. Among senior citizens, a staggering 12.7% of men and 25.2% of women over 65 are reported to be undernourished, which poses a serious threat to their health, leading to conditions such as frailty, often requiring care assistance. The government's increasing focus on nutrition has necessitated the crucial role of dietitians, whose expertise is needed to provide tailored dietary management and advice.

National Examination for Dietitians

In Japan, becoming a dietitian or nutritionist requires passing a national exam, and only those who successfully complete this exam can practice as registered dietitians. Holding this qualification not only enhances a graduate's job prospects but also allows them to meet medical and caregiving reimbursement standards. To qualify for the exam, candidates must complete a designated curriculum at universities or vocational schools, with results typically announced by the end of March. Many students seek employment while still enrolled, leading employers to often hire candidates based on their expected qualifications, consequently increasing the demand for quick results to facilitate staffing decisions.

According to the statistics from last year's exam, the overall pass rate was 48.1%. The rates varied significantly among different educational backgrounds, with new graduates from dietitian training courses achieving an 80.1% pass rate, while graduates from nutrition courses had lower passage rates around 11%.

SMS Co., Ltd.'s Commitment

Since 2011, SMS Co., Ltd. has spearheaded the Hiche community focused on dietitians and nutritionists by providing a platform for addressing work-related questions and sharing resources. As of January 2026, membership surpassed 150,000. Designed to support the career development of prospective dietitians, Hiche launched timely answer key delivery on exam day in 2021. The high accuracy of last year's real-time answers has been well received, and in 2022, the program expanded to include 'Chienote', an educational resource offering job transition advice, national exam preparation, and daily practice content authored by seasoned dietitians.

Announcement of the 40th National Exam Answers and Campaign

The answers for this upcoming exam will be accessible through Chienote on Hiche's platform. Candidates can view the answers by registering as members on the platform which offers free registration.

Important Details

• - Exam Date: March 1, 2026
• - Answer Release: The morning section answers will be published on exam day, followed by the afternoon section answers possibly earlier on March 2 depending on preparation status.
• - Release URL: Hiche Exam Page

Campaign Announcement

In tandem with the exam answer release, Hiche will run the 'Support X Campaign' on social media to widen and quicken the dissemination of exam answers:

• - Campaign title: Support X Campaign for the 40th National Dietitian Exam
• - Period:

- First part: March 1, 2026 - March 5, 2026
- Second part: March 2, 2026 - March 5, 2026

• - Details: To enter, follow Hiche's social media handle (@eichie_jp) and repost campaign posts for a chance to win one of 100 gift vouchers.
• - Prize: Winners can choose a 1,000 yen gift card from options like Amazon, PayPay, or Google Play.
• - Announcement of Winners: Winners will be notified via direct message on social media in March 2026.

For further information regarding Hiche or SMS Co., Ltd., please explore their respective websites.