Aiming for the social spread of "C Certification (AI Governance Core Certification)," the AI governance third-party certification system
Elith Inc. (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director & CEO: Koki Inoue; hereinafter "Elith") has provided consulting support to help Kikagaku, Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Masahiro Osaki; hereinafter "Kikagaku") obtain "C Certification," the AI governance third-party certification system.
Elith has been a certified consulting firm for "C Certification," the AI governance third-party certification system operated by JDLA, since August 4, 2026. Kikagaku worked to obtain certification under the program's early certification track, and Elith, as a certified consulting firm, provided hands-on support toward certification, including organizing the necessary preparations and helping prepare documentation aligned with the certification criteria.
As part of efforts toward the social spread of C Certification, we have published a case study article in which we asked about the support process, the background to Kikagaku's decision to pursue C Certification, and the lessons learned through the process.
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■ What is C Certification
C Certification is a new certification system operated by the Japan Deep Learning Association (JDLA), in which JDLA, as a third party, certifies that a company's AI governance initiatives meet its certification criteria. As the use of AI, including generative AI, spreads, companies are being asked to establish rules for using AI safely and appropriately, manage risk, and build an ongoing operational structure. As a new certification that objectively demonstrates these AI governance efforts, C Certification plays an important role in helping companies demonstrate trustworthiness to customers and society in the age of AI.
■ About the published article
As a company that provides AI talent development and AI governance support, Kikagaku felt it was important to demonstrate its own AI governance structure using objective criteria, and so pursued C Certification. During the certification process, the company revisited its existing AI usage rules and management structure, and developed them in a way that connects to actual internal operations.
In the interview, Kinoshita, who led the effort to obtain certification, spoke about what prompted the decision to pursue certification, how the project was carried out, impressions of Elith's support, and how the company hopes to connect its future AI governance efforts to business growth.
■ Article highlights
- The certification process led to a review of internal rules
Kikagaku had already been developing AI usage rules and a management structure. Even so, through this certification process, it became clear that some of the rules set a few years earlier had diverged from actual practice. Cases were found where AI tools not approved for internal use were nevertheless being used. In response, the company has re-communicated to the entire organization the rule that "only tools on the list may be used" and "anything else requires an application and check before use." While more companies are developing AI usage rules, Kikagaku says this served as a renewed opportunity to notice the gap between rules and actual operations.
- Forming a team of only members with decision-making authority
Because C Certification is a new system, many companies feel uncertain about the required standards and what will be examined. Kikagaku formed a team consisting only of members who could make decisions at their own discretion, such as the head of legal and members with authority over internal AI systems, establishing a structure that could make decisions quickly. Additionally, when the company developed its AI rules, it placed importance on not just creating and shelving them: the corporate department communicated them to the entire company on the same day, so that the rules were not developed merely for the sake of certification.
■ About Elith's C Certification acquisition support
Elith provides support for building an AI governance structure and obtaining C Certification. We work alongside each company according to its situation, from organizing the preparations needed for certification and developing documentation aligned with the certification criteria, to building a structure that connects to internal operations. Elith will continue to contribute to creating an environment where companies can use AI safely and proactively.
Contact us here about C Certification acquisition support
Company profile: Kikagaku, Inc.
Company name: Kikagaku, Inc.
Representative: President and Representative Director Masahiro Osaki
Head office location: Shibuya East Place 4F, 2-6-4 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Business description: DX training in advanced technologies, including AI and machine learning
Company profile URL: https://www.kikagaku.co.jp/
Company profile: Elith Inc.
Company name: Elith Inc.
Representative: Representative Director, CEO & CTO Koki Inoue
Head office location: Frontier Hongo I 6-A, 2-27-17 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Business description: Research, development, design, planning, education, sales, maintenance, and consulting services related to AI. Company profile URL: https://elith.ai