IT Planners Collaborates to Offer Japanese Scrum Product Owner Certification
In a significant move to enhance the professional landscape in Japan, IT Planners Japan, a subsidiary of Aoba-BBT, has announced their collaboration with Scrum.org to provide the 'Professional Scrum Product Owner™ I (PSPO I)' certification exam in Japanese. Starting in April 2026, this initiative aims to cater to the growing demand for skilled Product Owners in the ever-evolving business environment, where maximizing product value is paramount to success.
The initiative not only addresses the need for a certified training pathway but also aligns with the critical role of a Product Owner (PO) in today’s unpredictable business climate. In Japan, there is currently a shortage of individuals equipped with the necessary skills and mindsets essential for effective PO roles. IT Planners is taking a proactive approach to fill this gap by partnering with Scrum Lighthouse, a globally recognized training organization. Their collaboration has already proven successful with the release of the Japanese version of the 'Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)' exam in 2025, setting the stage for further advances in Scrum training in Japan.
1. Japanese Language Availability: The PSPO I exam will now be available in Japanese, allowing native speakers to take the exam without relying on translation tools, enabling a focused exam-taking experience.
2. Free Mock Exam in Japanese: Scrum.org will also offer a free, no-registration-required mock exam in Japanese via their official website. This initiative significantly reduces the barriers to obtaining the certification, making it more accessible.
3. High-Quality Translation: Leveraging the deep industry knowledge and extensive training experience of both IT Planners and Scrum Lighthouse, the Japanese translation of the exam content will ensure its accuracy and relevance to local practitioners.
Dave West, CEO of Scrum.org, emphasized the priority of supporting professional Product Ownership and Scrum practices on a global scale. He mentioned, "By providing PSPO I in Japanese amidst the growing interest in Agile and Product Management in Japan, we are enabling practitioners to validate their knowledge more confidently. This collaboration with IT Planners and Scrum Lighthouse not only enhances the exam content but also imbues it with real-world insights and experience from the field, offering a valuable resource for all candidates."
Munehiro Okamoto, CEO of IT Planners, expressed his enthusiasm for delivering high-quality certification options to the Japanese market. As a holder of the PSPO I certification himself, he pointed out the essential role of the Product Owner’s mindset in the rapidly changing landscape of Japanese business, stating, "I recognize how powerful this mindset can be as a tool towards success. Through our partnership with Scrum.org and Scrum Lighthouse, we aim to empower Japan's leaders to grow effectively using Scrum methodologies."
Founded by Ken Schwaber, one of the co-creators of Scrum, Scrum.org is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals and teams solve complex problems through Scrum. They offer instructor-led training, self-paced courses, and globally recognized certification pathways to foster professional Scrum practice. Similarly, Scrum Lighthouse is committed to delivering professional Scrum expertise, providing high-quality training to practitioners at all levels in both in-person and online formats. This partnership promises a wealth of robust Scrum content, enriching offerings for Scrum Masters and Product Owners alike.
In conclusion, the move to introduce the Japanese PSPO I certification aligns perfectly with the need for a skilled workforce capable of navigating today’s complexities in product management. With enhanced learning resources now being accessible in Japanese, IT Planners and Scrum.org are paving the way for future growth and understanding of Scrum in Japan.
The initiative not only addresses the need for a certified training pathway but also aligns with the critical role of a Product Owner (PO) in today’s unpredictable business climate. In Japan, there is currently a shortage of individuals equipped with the necessary skills and mindsets essential for effective PO roles. IT Planners is taking a proactive approach to fill this gap by partnering with Scrum Lighthouse, a globally recognized training organization. Their collaboration has already proven successful with the release of the Japanese version of the 'Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)' exam in 2025, setting the stage for further advances in Scrum training in Japan.
Key Features of the Japanese PSPO I Certification Exam
1. Japanese Language Availability: The PSPO I exam will now be available in Japanese, allowing native speakers to take the exam without relying on translation tools, enabling a focused exam-taking experience.
2. Free Mock Exam in Japanese: Scrum.org will also offer a free, no-registration-required mock exam in Japanese via their official website. This initiative significantly reduces the barriers to obtaining the certification, making it more accessible.
3. High-Quality Translation: Leveraging the deep industry knowledge and extensive training experience of both IT Planners and Scrum Lighthouse, the Japanese translation of the exam content will ensure its accuracy and relevance to local practitioners.
Insights from Industry Leaders
Dave West, CEO of Scrum.org, emphasized the priority of supporting professional Product Ownership and Scrum practices on a global scale. He mentioned, "By providing PSPO I in Japanese amidst the growing interest in Agile and Product Management in Japan, we are enabling practitioners to validate their knowledge more confidently. This collaboration with IT Planners and Scrum Lighthouse not only enhances the exam content but also imbues it with real-world insights and experience from the field, offering a valuable resource for all candidates."
Munehiro Okamoto, CEO of IT Planners, expressed his enthusiasm for delivering high-quality certification options to the Japanese market. As a holder of the PSPO I certification himself, he pointed out the essential role of the Product Owner’s mindset in the rapidly changing landscape of Japanese business, stating, "I recognize how powerful this mindset can be as a tool towards success. Through our partnership with Scrum.org and Scrum Lighthouse, we aim to empower Japan's leaders to grow effectively using Scrum methodologies."
About Scrum.org and Scrum Lighthouse
Founded by Ken Schwaber, one of the co-creators of Scrum, Scrum.org is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals and teams solve complex problems through Scrum. They offer instructor-led training, self-paced courses, and globally recognized certification pathways to foster professional Scrum practice. Similarly, Scrum Lighthouse is committed to delivering professional Scrum expertise, providing high-quality training to practitioners at all levels in both in-person and online formats. This partnership promises a wealth of robust Scrum content, enriching offerings for Scrum Masters and Product Owners alike.
In conclusion, the move to introduce the Japanese PSPO I certification aligns perfectly with the need for a skilled workforce capable of navigating today’s complexities in product management. With enhanced learning resources now being accessible in Japanese, IT Planners and Scrum.org are paving the way for future growth and understanding of Scrum in Japan.
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