Digital Credentials
Currently , academic institutions issue a wide variety of credentials; however, amid challenges in standardizing technologies and governance, there is a growing need to digitize items such as degrees, academic records, and student ID cards.
We are conducting research and development in collaboration with ITOCHU Techno-Solutions Corporation, which has been exploring the digitization of credentials using Verifiable Credentials*. In this project, building on NII’s experience operating GakuNin, we aim to explore standardization for the digitization of credentials—such as degrees, academic records, and student ID cards—both in Japan and abroad.
We will endeavor to develop the specifications and demonstrate credentials to enable interoperability not only among domestic but also international academic institutions, while also considering practical applications—including use by private-sector services.
*What are Verifiable Credentials?
Verifiable Credentials are a specification for digital identity attribute information in a data format that can be verified by third parties. They are a standard recommended by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), a standards organization for web technologies
Related Links:
- News Release: CTC and NII Promote Joint Research Toward Standardizing Digital Credentials at Academic Institutions — Establishing Governance and Technical Standards for Digitizing Degrees, Academic Records, and Student ID Cards
- Demonstration of Student Services Utilizing Verifiable Credentials
Digital Student ID
The digital student ID enables users to securely present selected information via their smartphones, regardless of whether they are on or off campus and whether the interaction is in-person or remote.
We are developing this system with the aim of making it the domestic standard for digital student identification cards employing mdoc*. The Center is considering a common domestic profile for data items on student ID cards.
*What is mdoc?
It appeared as a technical method for storing driver’s licenses in smartphones and has been internationally standardized as ISO/IEC18013-5.
Related link:
Organizing SP Community・GakuNin SP Research Group
We are working to expand the GakuNin SP(Service Provider) community to make GakuNin widely used, it is necessary to expand the number of GakuNin SPsthat institutions can find meaning in participating in accreditation. To achieve this, the key points are the improvement, development, cultivation, and discovery of GakuNin SPs and the enhancement of the GakuNin SP community.
Specific activities include organizing SP research meetings and supporting the catalog site.
If you are interested in participating, please use the contact form to get in touch with us.
Our Main Activities
Conduct GakuNin SP study group
Spread university SP
Disseminate information on GakuNin SP
Build SP CM site
Past Activities
March 19, 2025 GakuNin SP Workshop Location: University of Tokyo
December 9, 2024 GakuNin SP Workshop Location: Nara Convention Center
Shortening TLS Certificate Lifespans and Automating Issuance and Renewal
TLS server certificates are a critical component in ensuring secure internet communication and establishing trust in websites. However, the operational policies surrounding these certificates are undergoing a significant transformation. As a result of agreements between Certificate Authorities (CAs) and browser vendors, the validity period of certificates—which has traditionally been relatively long—is being gradually shortened. This shift is intended to prevent the misuse of certificates and to enhance the overall security of the internet.
However, more frequent certificate renewals place a greater operational burden on website administrators and infrastructure managers. This is especially true for environments where certificate management is handled manually, increasing the risk of service outages and rising management costs.
This article outlines the background and timeline of these policy changes, as well as their practical implications. It also provides an in-depth explanation of automated certificate management using the ACME protocol—a solution gaining attention as a way to address these challenges—including its benefits, implementation considerations, and future outlook.
Adapting to Shorter Certificate Lifespans and Automation of Certificate Issuance and Renewal