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In December 2020, The Linux Foundation and LPI-Japan announced a partnership that gave LPI-Japan the right to sell four Linux Foundation certifications in Japan: CKA, CKAD, LFCE, and LFCS. The announcement also described two proposed credentials combining LPI-Japan exams with Linux Foundation exams. Those combined credentials were proposals at the time—not individual exams—and their current availability is not established by the announcement.
What the partnership offered in Japan
The December 2, 2020 announcement said LPI-Japan could sell four Linux Foundation certification exams in the Japanese market. It aimed to make access to the certifications easier, support the development of Japanese IT engineers, and expand the open-source community. Japanese organizations could purchase certifications by contacting LPI-Japan; the announcement said individuals could also continue to purchase Linux Foundation certifications directly.
| Certification | Domain | Organization and route in the announcement | Credential type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) | Kubernetes administration | Linux Foundation certification; LPI-Japan was authorized to sell it in Japan | Individual certification |
| Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD) | Kubernetes application development | Linux Foundation certification; LPI-Japan was authorized to sell it in Japan | Individual certification |
| Linux Foundation Certified Engineer (LFCE) | Linux engineering | Linux Foundation certification; LPI-Japan was authorized to sell it in Japan | Individual certification |
| Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS) | Linux system administration | Linux Foundation certification; LPI-Japan was authorized to sell it in Japan | Individual certification |
The announcement does not establish current prices, exam delivery methods, renewal periods, or language options. Check directly with LPI-Japan or The Linux Foundation before choosing or paying for an exam.
How to get LFCS, LFCE, CKA, or CKAD in Japan
- Choose the certification that matches your goal. LFCS focuses on Linux system administration, LFCE on Linux engineering, CKA on Kubernetes administration, and CKAD on Kubernetes application development.
- Ask LPI-Japan about the Japan sales route. The 2020 announcement directed Japanese organizations to contact LPI-Japan to purchase certifications. Confirm whether that route is currently available and what it includes.
- Check the direct individual route. The announcement said individuals could continue purchasing Linux Foundation certifications directly. Verify current registration, delivery, language, price, and renewal terms on the relevant organization’s official channels.
- Confirm the details before registering. The historical announcement does not specify a physical test location or guarantee that an exam is taken in person in Japan. Ask the provider about current delivery options and requirements.
Can you combine LinuC with CKA or CKAD?
The 2020 partnership announcement proposed two stacked credentials that would recognize combinations of existing LPI-Japan and Linux Foundation exams. These were described as credential pathways, not as new standalone exams:
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| Proposed credential | Exam combination described | What the combination covered | Status in the announcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud Native Platform Engineer | LinuC Level 1, LinuC Level 2, CKA, and OPCEL | Linux and cloud-native platform skills, including Kubernetes administration | Proposed stacked credential |
| Cloud Native Application Engineer | LinuC Level 1, LinuC Level 2, LPI-Japan HTML5 certification, and CKAD | Linux, application, and cloud-native development skills | Proposed stacked credential |
The announcement said these combinations were intended to help employers independently verify applicants’ skills. It does not confirm that either stacked credential was launched or remains available. If you are considering one, ask LPI-Japan whether it currently recognizes the combination, what evidence of passing is required, and whether the credential has separate application or maintenance rules.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why the partnership mattered to employers and engineers
The arrangement connected LPI-Japan’s established certification presence in Japan with four Linux Foundation credentials spanning Linux and Kubernetes. For organizations, the stated benefit was a Japan-based route to purchase exams. For engineers, the proposed combinations offered a way to pair Linux foundations with Kubernetes administration or application-development certification.
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The Linux Foundation and edX’s 2020 Open Source Jobs Report reported that 74% of employers were willing to pay employees’ certification-exam costs. That finding is a survey statistic from the 2020 report, not a guarantee that a particular employer will fund an exam today.
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What to verify before choosing a route
- Availability: The partnership terms documented here date to December 2020; confirm that LPI-Japan still sells the certification you want.
- Exam logistics: Check current delivery method, scheduling, language, and any regional restrictions with the exam provider.
- Total requirements: For a proposed stacked credential, verify every required exam and how results are submitted or matched.
- Ongoing obligations: The announcement did not specify renewal or expiration rules, so confirm these for the individual certification and any combined recognition.
- Funding: If seeking employer reimbursement, ask your employer about its current policy rather than relying on a broad survey result.
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