The Associated Press

Are the chefs slicing the raw tuna correctly? Is the rice sticky enough? Is that paprika in your sushi roll?

Tokyo is launching a campaign to crack down on restaurants abroad that bill themselves as authentic Japanese but fall short of culinary standards at home.

A panel of food experts was appointed Thursday to discuss a certification system that would presumably certify restaurants that serve dishes in the true Japanese tradition.

Though short on specifics, the system would promote "authentic Japanese culinary culture" abroad, according to the Agriculture Ministry.

"There are many restaurants overseas that call themselves Japanese, yet use culinary techniques and ingredients far removed from those of authentic Japanese food," said a ministry statement.

It's not just Japanese traditionalists who want to weed out the fakes. The system will also promote Japanese agricultural exports and help Japanese food companies sell their products overseas, the ministry said. It wasn't clear when the new system would kick off.