Linux Professional Institute and Sakura Internet Sign Mutual Agreement for Digital Talent Development

A New Partnership in Digital Talent Development

On June 16, 2025, the Linux Professional Institute (LPI), headquartered in Ontario, Canada, and Sakura Internet, based in Osaka, Japan, entered into a fundamental agreement aimed at fostering cooperation in the realms of digital technology and the development of digital transformation (DX) talent.

Both organizations acknowledged the growing demand for Linux education among young individuals. Concerns were raised from the educational sector regarding the limited opportunities for students to engage with Linux and the fragmented nature of the educational content concerning Linux OS. In response, LPI and Sakura Internet recognized the urgent need to provide structured education on Linux to the next generation. This collaboration aims to nurture future talent and invigorate the open-source community more effectively through their combined efforts.

Key Areas of Cooperation

The fundamental agreement outlines two primary areas of mutual cooperation:

1. DX Talent Development

LPI will provide learning materials and exam vouchers for LPIC and Essentials at discounted prices to Sakura Internet. This initiative supports Sakura Internet's educational activities, promoting a global approach to talent development. Sakura Internet plans to enhance its “Sakura Cloud Certification” content using LPI resources and to help facilitate outreach classes at technical colleges, thus expanding opportunities for students to engage with Linux and open-source software (OSS).

2. Strengthening the OSS Ecosystem

Both organizations will collaborate on seminars and expos related to OSS, reinforcing their marketing efforts. By focusing on invigorating the OSS community, they aim to strengthen the overall OSS ecosystem, providing more robust support and resources for growth.

Voices from Leadership

G. Matthew Rice, Executive Director, LPI:
“I am thrilled about this agreement with Sakura Internet. The relationship between cloud technologies, Linux, and OSS is increasingly intertwined, necessitating skilled professionals in these areas. Our collaboration harnesses our respective strengths to contribute significantly to talent development.”

Kenji Ito, Communication Director, LPI:
“I eagerly anticipate our future activities with Sakura Internet. I envision diverse initiatives we can develop together. Moreover, I hope to extend our activities beyond Japan in the future, especially targeting the Asian region.”

Takayuki Takahashi, Executive Officer, Sakura Internet:
“We believe that nurturing more DX talent is essential for realizing a digital society. Through this partnership with LPI, we aim to advance the development of professionals with practical skills, making the market brighter and more sustainable in the future.”

About the Organizations

Linux Professional Institute (LPI)

LPI is a global certification and career support organization for open-source professionals. With over 250,000 certified individuals, it stands as the largest vendor-neutral certification body for Linux and open source. Operating in more than 180 countries and conducting exams in multiple languages, LPI aims to promote the use of open-source technologies by supporting those involved. LPI is one of the endorsing organizations of the UN Open Source Principles.

Sakura Internet, Inc.

Founded in 1996, Sakura Internet provides various cloud computing services from its domestically operated data centers. With a corporate philosophy of “turning what you want to do into what you can do,” the company focuses particularly on diverse solutions that cater to digital transformation across various fields.