B. magister nipponensis was described by Okutani and Kubodera (1987) based on a single male holotype (182 mm ML) collected by a fixed net along Sanriku northeastern Honshu and a paratype (120 mm ML) collected in Toyama Bay, in the Sea of Japan.

Diagnosis

A Berryteuthis with ...

• slender muscular mantle, MW=22% ML.
• relatively small fins, FL=55% ML, FW=76% ML.
• slender tentacular club with numerous small suckers whichi extending about 45% of tentaclar stalk from distally.
• size differences between suckers of the median portion of club and those of marginal portion of club are less distinct than B. magister (holotype).