The JAPAN Micro-credentials Organization and its International Collaboration Committee (Chair: Shingo Ashizawa, Professor, Center for Educational Innovation Research, Kanda University of International Studies) held a hybrid international collaborative symposium/workshop, “Global Advances in Skills Codification and Microcredentials,” in Tokyo from January 22 (Thu) to 23 (Fri), 2026.
Dates (2 days)
January 22 (Thu), 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
An overview of skills-focused policies and the implementation of microcredentials around the world (seminar format).
January 23 (Fri), 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
This workshop will introduce the Skills-First Readiness and Adoption Index, developed by the OECD and other organizations, and discuss the outlook for a skills-focused society and its implications for Japan.
Location: Hybrid (Onsite/Online)
Program
| January 22 (Thu) | Kansai University Tokyo Center Conference Room (9th Floor, Sapia Tower, 1-7-12 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) Zoom |
| Opening Remarks | Katsuhiko Shirai (President, Japan Micro-Credentials Organization) |
| Purpose Statement | Shingo Ashizawa (Professor, Educational Innovation Research Center, Kanda University of International Studies; Chairman, International Collaboration Committee, Japan Micro-Credentials Organization) |
| Invited Lecture | Micro-Credentials Adoption in Japan and International Trends Masahiro Inoue (Professor, Faculty of Information Science, Taisho University) |
| Keynote Speech 1 | Skills Codification and its Impact on Employment Michele Tuccio Senior Economist, Skills and Future Readiness Division, Directorate for Employment, Labour and Social Affairs, OECD |
| Keynote Speech 2 | Skills Codification Strategy in Australia Christopher Ziguras Professor, Director of Centre for the Study of Higher Education, Faculty of Education, Melbourne University |
| Keynote Speech 3 | Challenges of Skills Codification and Micro-Credential Implementation in Thailand Jintavee Khlaisang Professor, Department of Educational Technology and Communications, Faculty of Education, Chulalongkorn University／Director, Thailand Cyber University Project, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Thapanee Thammetar Faculty of Education, Silpakorn University / Senior Director, Thailand Cyber University Project (MHESI) |
| Breakout Session | University Session: “Using MC in Universities” |
| Alfonso Diaz (CEU Cardenal Herrera University) Jos Beelen (The Hague University of Applied Sciences) Reinout Klamer (The Hague University of Applied Sciences) | |
| Corporate Session: “The Significance of MC in a Skills Society” | |
| Toshiaki Yoshida (Executive Director and Secretary General, Open Badge Network Foundation) | |
| General Discussion/ Networking Session | Toru Iiyoshi (Professor, Academic Computing and Media Studies Center/Graduate School of Education, Kyoto University) |
| January 23 (Fri) | Chiba University Sumida Satellite Campus (1-19-1 Bunka, Sumida-ku, Tokyo) |
| Opening Remarks/ Purpose Statement | Explanation of the Workshop’s Purpose and Background on Skill Systematization Shingo Ashizawa (Professor, Center for Research on Educational Innovation, Kanda University of International Studies; Chairman, International Collaboration Committee, Japan Micro-Credential Organization) |
| Input Session | Introduction of the Latest Overseas Trends and Data Michele Tuccio, Professor Christopher Ziguras |
| Workshop Session | Consideration of Practical Approaches |
| Wrap-Up/Closing Session | Discussion Sharing and Summary of Each Group’s Discussion Shingo Ashizawa |
Organizers
- JAPAN Micro-Credential Organization
- Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B) “Empirical Study of Micro-Credential Management in University Networks in the Asia-Pacific Region”
- JIGE (Japan Hub for Innovative Global Education)/Kansai University
- Japan Open Online Education Promotion Council
Sponsors and Co-organizers
- Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- Recruitment for International Educational Research (RECSIE)
- Open Badge Network Foundation
- Watanabe Memorial Foundation for the Promotion of New Technology
