Micro-credentials in Japan: Case Studies

In Japan, universities, academic societies and professional bodies are steadily designing and issuing micro-credentials. Guided by the Micro-credentials Framework and the Guidelines for Digital Issuance developed by the Joint Working Group on Micro-credentials (the predecessor of JMICRO), implementation is advancing in various forms, including institutional design, the development of operating rules, the issuance of digital badges, and connection to degree programs. Representative cases are introduced here.

These cases show that micro-credentials are used not as mere certificates of completion but as a mechanism that visualizes learning outcomes, participation, proof of competence and awards, and connects them to society. Forms of adoption are also diversifying — operation with institutional design, connection to degree programs, and expansion to specialist human resource development. Use is expected to spread further as a foundation that connects learning outcomes to society as more reliable value, through collaboration among universities, academic societies, companies and professional bodies.

Cyber University

Higher education institution

In April 2024, Cyber University launched an online bachelor’s program built on the accumulation of micro-credentials. Through on-demand classes, it offers learning that leads to a bachelor’s degree in the field of information technology, and is notable as a practice that positions micro-credentials within a degree program. Its micro-credentials are designed in conformity with Micro-credentials Framework 1.0 of the Joint Working Group on Micro-credentials, the predecessor of JMICRO, and certificates are issued using Open Badges. Digital issuance also conforms to the Guidelines for Digital Issuance of Micro-credentials 2.0. Example credentials: Applied Basic Level of AI (certifying completion of the university’s program accredited under MEXT’s Approved Program for Mathematics, Data Science and AI Education, Applied Basic Level; 2024–; university level, ITSS Level 2–3 equivalent) and Management (2024–; ITSS Level 2 equivalent).

• Connecting micro-credentials to a degree program
• Implementing digital certification with Open Badges
• Micro-credentials also respond to demand for reskilling after graduation

JV-Campus

Higher education institution / Other

In cooperation with more than 80 universities and educational institutions in Japan and abroad, JV-Campus provides a wide range of learning content. The JV-Campus Micro-credential Series systematically organizes this content by theme, with quality assured by the JV-Campus Steering Committee and an external accreditation body. It is positioned as a scheme in which learners acquire higher-education-level learning in a reliable form and show the outcomes to society. Example credentials (2026–, early release; bachelor’s level; jointly offered by higher education institutions; equivalent to 1.5 credits; Open Badges 2.0 and 3.0): Literacy in Issues of Contemporary Japanese Society, and Literacy in Traditional Japanese Culture and Thought.

• Providing high-quality learning as systematic programs, backed by cooperation with international universities and institutions
• Visualizing relatively short-term learning outcomes as digital badges and certificates
• Developed as a new proof of learning usable in job hunting, study abroad and career development

Shibaura Institute of Technology

Higher education institution

Since 2021, Shibaura Institute of Technology has issued graduation certificates, transcripts and course completion certificates digitally, building the foundation for digital certification of learning records. It has also established the “Shibaura Institute of Technology Rules for Operating Digital Learning Records Certification,” which gives the issuance of micro-credentials an institutional basis. The rules stipulate that digital learning certificates must conform to the items defined by the Joint Working Group on Micro-credentials. The flow of application, deliberation, issuance and quality assurance of digital badges covering learning, qualifications and assessment, participation and awards has been organized, clarifying internal operation. It is a useful example of institutional implementation at a university.

• Institutionalizing the issuance of micro-credentials on the basis of digitized certificates
• Clarifying issuance requirements and procedures through internal rules
• Designing the operation of a wide range of credentials covering learning, qualifications, participation and awards

Japan Society for Engineering Education (JSEE)

Academic society

Having conformed to Micro-credentials Framework 1.0 and the Guidelines for Digital Issuance 2.0 of the Joint Working Group on Micro-credentials, and having established operating rules for micro-credentials and rules for issuing digital badges, the Japan Society for Engineering Education began issuing micro-credentials in October 2023. Issuance serves as a mechanism that makes learning outcomes and achievements in engineering education visible, and is used for multifaceted certification such as proof of participation, proof of qualification and awards. Example credential: Digital Transformation of Engineering Education — learning the changing models of education brought by digital transformation, online and blended education and their quality assurance, micro-credentials and the digitization of learning records, learner-centered digital technology, and ways of promoting recurrent education (2023–; for Certified Educators [engineering and technology]; 20 continuing education points; Open Badges 2.0). This is positioned as a pioneering case in which both the institutional and practical aspects were put in place.

• Preparing rules first and operating issuance of micro-credentials as a system
• Issuing micro-credentials that conform to the framework
• Expanding to multifaceted certification of qualifications, participation and awards by an academic society

PMI Japan Chapter

Professional body

The PMI Japan Chapter is the Japan chapter of PMI, the world’s largest professional organization for project management, and works to spread and raise awareness of project management. In addition to digital badges for PMI certifications such as PMP®, issued through the Credly platform, the chapter established guidelines in July 2024 to issue its own digital badges. Example credentials (2025–): proof of learning for the SDGs Startup Methodology course and for the PM Basic Training Course for University Faculty and Staff. A professional body uses micro-credentials as a mechanism to demonstrate in an easily understandable way the knowledge and abilities acquired through training and practice.

• Using micro-credentials as proof of practical ability by a professional body
• Systematically certifying training outcomes digitally
• Extending micro-credentials to practical themes such as SDGs and project management education