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Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The Linux Foundation and LPI-Japan announced a partnership on December 2, 2020, to make four Linux Foundation certifications available through LPI-Japan in Japan. The announcement also proposed two credentials combining LPI-Japan exams with Linux Foundation Kubernetes exams. Those details are historical: the announcement does not establish whether the proposed credentials or the same purchasing arrangements are available today.
What the partnership announced
The agreement gave LPI-Japan the right to sell four Linux Foundation certifications in the Japanese market. The organizations said Japanese businesses could purchase certifications by contacting LPI-Japan, while individuals could continue to purchase Linux Foundation certifications directly. The announcement did not specify exam delivery arrangements, prices, languages, or renewal terms.
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| Certification | Focus | Issuer | Japanese-market route in the 2020 announcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) | Kubernetes administration | The Linux Foundation | Purchase through LPI-Japan for organizations; individual purchase from The Linux Foundation remained available |
| Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD) | Kubernetes application development | The Linux Foundation | Purchase through LPI-Japan for organizations; individual purchase from The Linux Foundation remained available |
| Linux Foundation Certified Engineer (LFCE) | Linux engineering | The Linux Foundation | Purchase through LPI-Japan for organizations; individual purchase from The Linux Foundation remained available |
| Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS) | Linux system administration | The Linux Foundation | Purchase through LPI-Japan for organizations; individual purchase from The Linux Foundation remained available |
The historical announcement is available from The Linux Foundation and LPI.
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Can you combine LinuC with CKA or CKAD?
The partnership announcement described two proposed stacked credentials. These were combinations of existing LPI-Japan exams and Linux Foundation exams, not standalone exams. The announcement described the combinations as qualifying candidates for the credentials; it does not confirm whether either credential is currently offered.
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| Proposed recognition | Exam combination described in 2020 | Credential character |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud Native Platform Engineer | LinuC Level 1, LinuC Level 2, CKA, and OPCEL | Proposed stacked recognition combining LPI-Japan and Linux Foundation exams |
| Cloud Native Application Engineer | LinuC Level 1, LinuC Level 2, LPI-Japan HTML5 certification, and CKAD | Proposed stacked recognition combining LPI-Japan and Linux Foundation exams |
The stated aim was to give employers a way to verify applicants’ skills through exam results from both organizations. The 2020 announcement does not give current enrollment instructions or explain whether the combinations remain valid.
Why the organizations partnered
The organizations said the partnership was intended to make certification access easier in Japan, support the development of Japanese IT engineers, and expand the open-source community. The Linux Foundation’s 2020 Open Source Jobs Report, produced with edX, reported that 74% of employers were willing to pay employees’ certification-exam costs. That figure reflects the report’s survey, not a guarantee that a particular employer will fund an exam.
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Linux Foundation Executive Director Jim Zemlin described LPI-Japan as an established organization with experience bringing open-source certifications to the Japanese market. LPI-Japan Chairperson Atsuo Suzuki said the partnership would contribute to developing engineers in Japan through the exams.
How to check access now
Because the announcement dates to 2020, it should not be treated as confirmation of current sales, exam delivery, prices, renewal periods, or available languages. Before enrolling, check directly with LPI-Japan or The Linux Foundation whether the certification you want is currently sold through the stated route and what its present exam terms are. Ask separately whether the proposed stacked credential is active; holding the listed certifications should not be assumed to produce that recognition automatically.
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