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Thank you very much for your continued use of learningBOX. We will be updating our shared server. Please note that the system will be unavailable during the period listed below. ■ Maintenance Period: Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 12:30 a.m. – 6:30 a.m. *Please note that the end time may vary depending on the progress of the work. We appreciate your understanding. ■ To Customers Using “Customize”: In connection with this update, we would like to inform you of the following three points. 1. Changes to “Menu Management” Due to the Update 2. Changes to the API Specifications Due to the Update 3. Changes to the Kaonavi Integration Guide Due to the Update 1. Changes to “Menu Management” Due to the Update [Applies only to customers using the Site Customizer] As part of our ongoing feature development, the structure of the side menu and header menu in learningBOX may change. Customers using the Site Customizer will need to adjust the menu order and other settings on their end after the update. In Ver. 7.0, there are no changes to the structure of the side menu or header menu. For the history of previous changes to the side menu and header menu, please visit this site. 2. Changes to the API Specifications Due to the Update [Applies only to customers using API integration] In learningBOX, API specifications may change as part of feature enhancements; we have already asked customers using API integration to review these changes in advance. Please share this information with your IT department and development staff. ・ API Specifications 3. Changes to the Kaonavi Integration Guide Due to the Update [Applies only to customers using Kaonavi integration] learningBOX may modify the Kaonavi integration specifications as part of functional enhancements, and we ask customers using Kaonavi integration to review these changes in advance. There are no changes to the Kaonavi Integration Guide in Ver. 7.0. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to our customers and appreciate your understanding.

What Is an LMS for Schools? An LMS for schools is a learning management system that centralizes the distribution of instructional materials, course enrollment management, and grade management, while providing visibility into students’ learning progress. Google Classroom is a popular choice for elementary, middle, and high schools; manaba is widely used at universities; and learningBOX is a leading option for a wide range of school types and cram schools. With the promotion of the GIGA School Initiative, schools have established an environment where every student has their own device, and the focus of ICT utilization is shifting from “infrastructure development” to “improving the quality of use.” In NEXT GIGA (Phase 2 of the GIGA School Initiative), in addition to the planned replacement of devices, accelerating educational digital transformation (DX) to realize “personalized learning” and “collaborative learning” has become a key focus. Amid this trend, there is growing interest in LMS (Learning Management Systems), which enable centralized management of instructional material distribution, assignment tracking, and the visualization of student progress. However, with so many services available in the LMS market, it is not uncommon for administrators to feel uncertain about questions such as “Which LMS best meets our school’s requirements?” and “What is the difference between AI-powered instructional materials and an LMS?” In this article, we compare and explain seven recommended LMS options and three AI-powered learning materials, tailored to each educational level—from elementary, middle, and high schools to correspondence high schools, universities, vocational schools, and cram schools. We clearly outline the key points for selecting the system best suited for your institution, while organizing the features and differences of each option. *This article summarizes the features of each service from a neutral standpoint, based on publicly available information. Check out real-world use cases in educational settings now. Download the Guide for Schools and Tutoring Centers. What Is an LMS for Schools? Differences from Enterprise LMSs LMSs used in schools share common functions with enterprise LMSs, such as content delivery, learning history management, and test administration. However, a key distinguishing feature is the need for functions that address school-specific needs, such as continuously monitoring students’ learning progress, collaborating with parents, and integrating with school administration systems. In this chapter, we’ll examine the basic functions of an LMS, the specific requirements for school-based LMSs, and how they differ from corporate LMSs. Basic Functions of an LMS (Learning Management System) An LMS (Learning Management System) is a system that centralizes the delivery of learning content, course management, and grade management. Main Functions: Educational Materials and Content Management—Registration and distribution of videos, text, PDFs, etc.; Course Management—Real-time tracking of course status, progress, and completion rates; Tests—Administration and automatic grading of quizzes, regular exams, and surveys; Assessment— Visualizing individual learners’ strengths and weaknesses, and optimizing learning paths; Grade Management: Recording and analyzing scores and proficiency levels; Communication: Message boards, private messages, and assignment submissions. By combining these functions, it becomes possible to drive the “Plan → Implement → Evaluate → Improve” cycle. As a result, educators can more easily visualize the learning status of each individual student, making it simpler to provide detailed guidance and follow-up support. An LMS can be considered the foundational system for effectively operating e-learning. Specific Requirements for School-Based LMSs Unlike corporate LMSs, school-based LMSs must include features tailored to the school system and the operational realities of the classroom. Functions such as attendance tracking, grade management, assignment submission, and the accumulation of learning histories are particularly important because they are directly linked not only to daily instruction but also to academic evaluation and credit recognition. In elementary, middle, and high schools, key comparison points include intuitive usability that allows students to navigate the system without confusion, features for sharing information with parents, support for multiple-criteria assessment, and ease of updating accounts as students advance to the next grade or move on to higher education. For correspondence high schools, it is crucial that the system can properly manage attendance during on-campus sessions, handle report submissions and feedback, and effectively manage the workflow leading up to credit certification. Furthermore, it is important to verify that the system works smoothly on devices such as Chromebooks and iPads provided under the GIGA School Initiative, as well as its ability to integrate with external systems like learning e-portals. Since these systems handle student grades and learning histories, it is essential to select an LMS that aligns with your school’s policies and operations, including security measures and compliance with personal information protection regulations. Differences from Enterprise LMS [Comparison Table] We have organized the differences between school-oriented LMS and enterprise LMS by major categories in the table below. Comparison Criteria School LMS Corporate LMS Purpose Classroom support, tracking learning progress, grading, and promoting independent study Employee training, compliance training, and skill development (certification preparation) Target Audience Children, students, faculty and staff, parents New hires, general employees, managers, HR personnel Required Features (Features beyond common functions) Grading, assignment submission, parent communication, attendance management, accounts organized by class or grade level, academic year renewal management; Batch management of course participation status, training surveys, saving and exporting participation logs (for auditing and compliance purposes) Security Requirements: Compliance with MEXT guidelines (*1); protection of personal information; compliance with internal security policies; measures to prevent leakage of confidential information. Support System: Japanese language support and Support for educational institutions is mandatory; in some cases, support designed for multilingual capabilities and global expansion is required. Pricing Structure: School-wide flat-rate plan, or academic pricing based on student enrollment; pay-as-you-go based on the number of active accounts, or fixed monthly/annual fees. *1 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), “Guidelines on Educational Information Security Policy” Differences Between LMS and “AI-Based and Digital Learning Materials” LMS and AI-based and digital learning materials differ in their purposes and roles. An LMS serves as a “learning management platform” for managing the distribution of learning materials, learning histories, test results, and more. On the other hand, AI-based and digital learning materials constitute the “learning content” that students actually use for their studies. In some cases, an LMS may not come with pre-loaded learning exercises, so teachers create their own materials or import external resources to use with the system. AI-powered learning materials, on the other hand, are characterized by their ability to analyze students’ understanding and areas of difficulty, and to provide exercises tailored to each individual student. In schools, it is becoming increasingly common to use both systems in tandem: the LMS manages the overall learning process, while AI-powered and digital learning materials support daily learning activities. The Difference Between an LMS and a “School Administration System” A system often confused with an LMS is the “school administration system.” While an LMS manages students’ learning activities, a school administration support system is designed to streamline the main administrative tasks of faculty and staff outside of class, such as attendance tracking, report card generation, and the creation of teaching records. However, adoption rates vary by school level. While implementation in elementary and middle schools is often led by local governments, some high schools have not yet adopted such systems, and others use systems customized to fit their specific curricula and operational needs. Therefore, when implementing an LMS, it is important to confirm in advance whether your school has a school administration support system and whether data integration with the LMS is possible. It is necessary to design an appropriate operational framework based on the extent to which learning histories and grade data can be linked and utilized. Return to Table of Contents How to Choose an LMS for Schools | 6 Comparison Points To implement the LMS best suited for your school, it is important to compare options from multiple angles—including not only features but also operational aspects and future scalability. Here, we explain six key points you should pay particular attention to. 1. Suitability for School Type When selecting an LMS, it is important to confirm that it is suitable for your school’s type. The required features and ease of use differ between elementary, middle, and high schools; correspondence high schools; universities; vocational schools; and cram schools or preparatory schools. In particular, under the NEXT GIGA initiative, there is a strong emphasis on establishing an LMS as a digital transformation (DX) platform for education that leverages learning data, in line with the rollout of one device per student. For elementary and middle schools, a key comparison point is whether the LMS runs smoothly on GIGA School devices such as Chromebooks, iPads, and Windows devices already in use. In elementary schools, the system must be intuitive enough for even lower-grade students to use without confusion and must support hiragana and ruby text. On the other hand, for universities and vocational schools, managing thousands of users and integration with course registration systems are critical. When used in tutoring centers or cram schools, LMS platforms equipped with online textbook sales and payment processing capabilities should also be considered. It is important to compare options after considering the usage scenarios for each school type and identifying the necessary features. 2. Ease of Creating Learning Materials To ensure an LMS becomes firmly established in the classroom, it is important not to increase the workload on teachers. In schools without a dedicated IT staff member, the system must be intuitive enough to allow teachers to create and edit learning materials and tests even without specialized knowledge. In addition, it is advisable to check the following points: Support for a variety of question formats, such as essay questions, fill-in-the-blank, and reordering; Easy uploading of PDFs, videos, and audio files; Reuse of existing teaching materials and template functions; AI-powered question-generation support. The key to sustained use lies in whether the system can be used seamlessly as an extension of daily work without causing undue strain. 3. Pricing and Fee Structure Since school budgets are limited, pricing and fee structures are also important factors to compare. Check for free plans or trial periods, and start by testing the system with a small group to see if it works. Also, if the pricing is based on the number of accounts, it’s important to calculate in advance the monthly or annual costs for all students and staff. Comparing not only the initial costs but also the operating costs over several years will help you better understand the financial burden after implementation. 4. Support System Immediately after LMS implementation or during the new school year when classes are being reorganized, questions about how to use the system and technical issues are likely to arise. Therefore, the quality of the support system is also a key comparison point. Make sure there is a Japanese-language support channel—such as phone, email, or chat—that fits your school’s operational needs. It’s also reassuring to check whether the system provides manuals and FAQs that teachers can consult on their own, as well as operational support during the implementation phase. Additionally, you’ll want to verify whether the vendor has a proven track record of successful implementations and support for educational institutions. School-based LMSs face unique challenges distinct from corporate LMSs, such as grade-level updates, class reorganization, parent communication, and operation on GIGA School devices. Choosing a vendor with implementation and usage case studies for the same type of school as yours will help minimize post-implementation issues and operational burdens. 5. Security and Certification Status Since LMSs handle students’ grades, learning histories, and personal information, verifying security measures is essential. Verify that the system has mechanisms in place to ensure secure operation, such as communication encryption (TLS), access rights management, and permission settings tailored to administrators, teachers, and students. Additionally, the service provider’s security management framework is crucial. Checking whether the provider has obtained ISO 27001 (ISO/IEC 27001) certification makes it easier to determine if the organization is implementing appropriate security management. For overseas products, it is also advisable to check for SOC 2 certification. 6. Integration with Core Systems Integration with existing systems is also important. If single sign-on (SSO) supporting SAML or SCIM is available, it can reduce the burden of login and account management. Furthermore, if user information and grade data can be synchronized with school administration and academic management systems via API integration, it becomes easier to prevent manual data entry and duplicate record-keeping. When comparing LMS platforms, it is important to conduct a comprehensive evaluation that goes beyond just features—consider whether the system can be operated in accordance with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s “Guidelines on Educational Information Security Policy,” its status regarding information security certifications, and its interoperability with existing systems. Click here for ideas on how to use it in educational settings. Download the User Guide for Schools and Tutoring Centers. Return to Table of Contents. [Comparison Table] 7 Selected LMS and Learning Platforms for Schools. Below, we will compare seven LMS and learning platforms with a proven track record of implementation in schools, focusing on their features, pricing, and supported school types. Comparison Table List Service Name Provider Pricing Supported School Types Key Features learningBOX learningBOX Co., Ltd. Starting at 5,500 yen/month for 100 users (free plan available) Elementary, middle, and high schools; correspondence high schools; universities; vocational schools; cram schools A Japanese-developed LMS. Proven track record of implementation in educational institutions; supports IBT, CBT, and test preparation for professional certifications. Easy to start on a small scale. Google Classroom Google Free (Education Edition) Elementary, middle, high school, and university Integrates with Google Workspace. A standard tool for the GIGA School initiative. Microsoft Teams for Education Microsoft Free (A1 Plan, etc.) Elementary, middle, high school, university Integrates with Office 365. Standard GIGA School tool for Windows devices. Moodle Moodle HQ, etc. Free (open source) *Setup fees not included High school, university, vocational schools Global standard open-source LMS. Highly customizable. manaba Asahi Net Co., Ltd. Contact for details Universities Among the top in adoption rates at Japanese universities. Strength in report management. Canvas LMS Instructure Contact for details High schools and universities Dominant market share at universities overseas. Sophisticated, modern UI. Blackboard (formerly Anthology) – Contact for details. Universities and vocational colleges: Designed for large-scale higher education institutions. Robust and multifunctional platform. 1. learningBOX learningBOX is a Japanese-developed LMS that balances ease of use with affordable implementation and ongoing costs. A key feature is its intuitive operation, which requires no specialized knowledge, and the ease with which users can create learning materials and tests. It offers a free trial for up to 10 accounts, and even for full-scale implementation, pricing starts at 5,500 yen per month (tax included) for 100 accounts, making it ideal for educational institutions looking to implement an LMS on a limited budget. It is a highly versatile platform capable of supporting a wide range of learning environments, from elementary, junior high, and high schools to correspondence high schools, universities, and vocational schools, as well as private tutoring centers and corporate training programs. Its main features are as follows. Cost: A free trial is available for up to 10 accounts, and full implementation starts at 5,500 yen (tax included) per month for 100 accounts. Extensive course material creation features: In addition to creating quizzes and tests with 14 different question formats, the platform supports videos, PDFs, and SCORM-compliant course materials. Grade and Course Management Features: You can review course progress and grades in detail, and issue certificates of completion to students who meet specific criteria. Integration with Core Systems: Streamline operations by synchronizing grades and user data, and utilizing single sign-on via SAML or SCIM. ■ Recommended for Schools: Schools looking to reduce the burden of course material creation on teachers in the classroom / Schools that want to utilize an LMS while keeping implementation and operational costs as low as possible ■ learningBOX Official Website: Check out learningBOX’s features and use cases in our materials. Download the learningBOX service brochure. 2. Google Classroom (Google Classroom) Google Classroom is a free learning platform included in Google Workspace for Education. It is used as a standard tool in many elementary, middle, and high schools that have adopted Chromebooks as part of the GIGA School Initiative. It integrates seamlessly with familiar tools such as Google Docs and Google Forms, allowing you to distribute and grade assignments. Available for free (Education Fundamentals) Fully integrated with Google Workspace (Drive, Docs, Meet, etc.) Features for smooth communication between students and teachers ■Recommended for schools that: Have deployed Chromebooks school-wide / Routinely use Google tools ■Google Classroom Official Website 3. Microsoft Teams for Education Microsoft Teams for Education is a hub tool that, in addition to chat and video conferencing features, offers assignment management capabilities specifically tailored for education. It integrates seamlessly with Office 365 applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. It is used in various types of schools, particularly those that have adopted Windows devices as part of the GIGA School Initiative. Seamless integration with Office 365 applications High-quality online classes (video conferencing) and chat features Detailed assignment management features utilizing rubric-based assessments ■ Recommended for schools that: Primarily use Windows devices and Office software / Conduct frequent online classes ■ Microsoft Teams for Education Official Website 4. Moodle Moodle is the most widely used open-source LMS at universities and higher education institutions worldwide. The system itself is free to use and is typically deployed on the school’s own servers or in a cloud environment. Its appeal lies in its high degree of flexibility, allowing for countless functional extensions through plugins; however, specialized IT knowledge and technical skills are required for setup, maintenance, and operation. Open-source software with no license fees; a wealth of plugins and extensibility provided by a global developer community; multilingual support and a proven track record of large-scale operations ■Recommended for schools that: Have a dedicated IT department or technical staff on campus / Wish to fully customize the system to meet their institution’s unique requirements ■Moodle Official Website 5. manaba manaba is a Japanese LMS provided by Asahi Net Co., Ltd., with one of the highest adoption rates among universities in Japan. It is designed specifically for managing university courses, allowing for the collection of report assignments, attendance tracking, quizzes, and surveys—all within a single system. It has a proven track record of integration with academic management systems and is designed to align closely with the operational workflows of Japanese universities. Overwhelming adoption rate at Japanese universities and junior colleges; Portfolio feature that promotes two-way communication between faculty and students; Extensive expertise in integrating with Japanese academic management systems ■Recommended for: Universities and junior colleges seeking to transition to paperless lectures and reduce the workload on faculty ■manaba Official Website 6. Canvas LMS Canvas LMS is an LMS provided by the U.S.-based company Instructure, which holds a significant market share among higher education institutions overseas. It features an intuitive and modern user interface and is renowned for being easy to use for both faculty and students. It supports a wide range of APIs and integration with external tools (LTI) and is frequently used at international schools and universities with international programs. High usability thanks to a modern and intuitive UI design; advanced features such as inline video recording and mobile app support; high expandability through open APIs and LTI standard support. ■ Recommended for: Universities and international schools looking to adopt international educational standards ■Canvas LMS Official Website 7. Blackboard Blackboard is a globally recognized LMS with a long history and proven track record, provided by Blackboard, Inc. (formerly Anthology). It is particularly favored by large universities and specialized institutions as a robust platform for advanced learning management and data analysis. It offers a comprehensive set of features that meet strict academic requirements, such as ensuring accessibility and integration with plagiarism detection tools. Robustness and reliability capable of supporting large-scale operations Advanced learning analytics capabilities Ability to meet strict assessment and compliance requirements ■ Recommended for: Large universities and research institutions / Educational institutions seeking advanced learning data analysis ■ Blackboard Official Website Return to Table of Contents 3 Recommended AI-Powered Learning Materials and Adaptive Learning Services to Use with an LMS Alongside LMS implementation, the adoption of AI-powered, personalized learning materials is gaining momentum. Here, we introduce three AI-powered learning materials with a proven track record in educational settings. What Are AI Learning Materials? How Do Their Roles Differ from Those of an LMS? AI learning materials are systems that enable “adaptive learning” (personalized learning), in which AI analyzes data such as learners’ answer histories, study time, and accuracy rates to automatically adjust question content and difficulty based on each individual’s level of understanding and areas of weakness. They support efficient practice through repetition and help students overcome weaknesses. As mentioned earlier, an LMS serves as a “management platform” that oversees all learning activities, while AI-powered learning materials function as “content designed to improve academic performance” within that framework. AI-powered learning materials are delivered through the LMS, and grades and study time are centrally managed within the LMS. By combining and utilizing these two elements in this way, it is possible to effectively support the academic improvement of each student while reducing the administrative burden on teachers. 1. Surara: Surara is a grade-free AI-powered learning program provided by Surara Net Co., Ltd. Since animated characters conduct lessons in an interactive format, the program is designed to be accessible even to students who feel anxious about studying. Another key feature is that it uses AI to analyze students’ learning progress and identify areas where they are struggling, allowing them to review material from previous grades as needed. Since students can progress at a pace tailored to their individual level of understanding, the program is designed to help solidify foundational academic skills. It supports a wide range of grade levels from elementary school through high school and is used not only by schools aiming to improve foundational academic skills but also for providing learning support to students who are not attending school and in correspondence high schools. ■ Surara Official Website 2. Qubena Qubena is an AI-powered learning tool provided by COMPASS Co., Ltd. As the use of one device per student advances under the GIGA School Initiative, it is one of the services seeing widespread adoption in public education settings. It covers the five core subjects for elementary and junior high schools. Based on students’ answer data, the AI generates questions tailored to each individual’s level of understanding. A key feature is its ability to facilitate personalized learning by allowing students to progress at a pace that matches their specific challenges and proficiency levels. It also supports handwritten input, making it well-suited for use on tablet devices. There are case studies of its implementation in public elementary and junior high schools, as well as examples aimed at reducing the workload on teachers and providing learning support tailored to each individual student. ■Qubena Official Website 3. atama+ (Atama Plus) atama+ is an AI-powered educational tool for middle and high school students provided by atama plus Inc. Its key feature is that AI analyzes students’ comprehension levels and the root causes of their difficulties, automatically creating personalized learning curricula for each student. Rather than simply having students repeat problems they struggle with, it allows them to trace back to the root cause—"why they don’t understand"—making it an effective tool for deepening understanding efficiently. Originally, the service gained traction primarily through use in cram schools and has since been adopted by over several thousand classrooms nationwide. In recent years, it has also been utilized for pre-university education and to reinforce foundational academic skills for students accepted through recommendation-based admissions, and its use is expanding among educational institutions such as schools and universities. ■ atama+ Official Website Return to Table of Contents Summary of Recommendations by School Type The key points to prioritize and the services that best fit each setting vary by school type. Here, we have organized recommended LMSs and AI-based learning materials by school type in tabular format. Recommended LMSs by School Type An LMS serves as the operational foundation that supports the school’s overall learning activities, including the distribution of learning materials, grade management, and the accumulation of learning histories. We have compiled a list of LMSs that are well-suited to each school type based on its scale and operational style. School Type Recommended LMS Selection Criteria Elementary School Google Classroom / learningBOX Compatibility with GIGA devices, ease of use Middle School Google Classroom / Microsoft Teams for Education / learningBOX Flexibility in assignment management and support for regular exams High School (Full-time) Google Classroom / Microsoft Teams for Education / learningBOX Assignment management and quizzes for college entrance exam preparation Correspondence High Schools learningBOX Report management, on-campus session management, and evaluation by criteria; AI-assisted lesson material creation and report grading assistance Universities manaba / Moodle / Canvas LMS / Blackboard / learningBOX Large-scale course enrollment management, plus preparation for certification exams and CBT administration Vocational Schools learningBOX / Moodle / Blackboard: CBT exams, certificate issuance, and course management. Tutoring Centers and Prep Schools: learningBOX: Learning material distribution, grade management, and sales functionality. Get a free consultation to find the plan that best fits your school. Implementation Inquiry Form. Recommended AI Learning Materials by School Type: AI learning materials are educational content that automatically adjusts question content and difficulty levels based on each student’s level of understanding. Here, we’ve compiled a list of easy-to-use AI learning materials tailored to the learning objectives and student circumstances of each school type. School Type Recommended AI Learning Materials Purpose Elementary School Qubena Reinforcing foundational academic skills Middle School Qubena / Surara Solidifying foundational knowledge High School (Full-time) atama+ / Surara Entrance exam preparation Correspondence High School Surara / atama+ Individualized optimization University atama+ (For remedial purposes) Pre-enrollment education and foundational reinforcement Vocational Schools atama+ (Reinforcement of foundational academic skills) Supplementary lessons for qualification preparation Cram Schools atama+ Specialized in individualized instruction Return to Table of Contents Key Points to Avoid Failure When Implementing an LMS for Schools Implementing an LMS isn’t the end of the process; it only demonstrates its value when it’s actually used in the classroom. Here, we explain common pitfalls during implementation and how to avoid them. Pitfall 1: Teachers on the ground cannot master the system. Even after implementing an LMS, if teachers feel that “the operation is too complicated” or “it adds to the burden of lesson preparation,” the system may gradually fall into disuse. It is important not to focus solely on a wide range of features, but to verify during the selection process whether the system has a user interface (UI) that is intuitive to use. Additionally, it is essential to conduct training sessions for faculty and staff during implementation and to clearly define user manuals and support channels. A thorough follow-up system for the classroom is crucial to the success of the system’s adoption. Failure Pattern 2: Incompatibility with Existing Systems (School Administration and Core Systems) Operations that require manually entering student information into the LMS or transferring grade data to Excel may actually increase the workload for faculty and staff. To avoid this situation, it is important to confirm in advance how the system integrates with existing school administration support systems and authentication infrastructure. Support for single sign-on (SSO) via SAML or SCIM, as well as API integration, makes it easier to streamline user management and grade management. On the other hand, automatic integration between systems may be restricted depending on educational information security policies or local government operational rules. Therefore, it is also important to verify whether the system supports the bulk import and export of user information and grade data via CSV. By verifying these details in advance based on your school’s security requirements and operational policies, you can more easily minimize the operational burden after implementation. Common Mistake #3: Choosing Based Solely on Price If you choose a system simply because “it’s free” or “it’s the cheapest,” you may later find yourself in situations such as “the necessary features were expensive add-ons” or “the data storage capacity was insufficient, resulting in additional costs.” If a free plan is available, be sure to check in advance what features are included and whether there are any limits on the number of users or file storage capacity. It is important to assess cost-effectiveness by calculating the TCO (Total Cost of Ownership), which includes not only the initial costs but also the running costs over several years. 3 Steps to a Successful Implementation To ensure a successful LMS implementation, we recommend following these three steps. Step 1 (Requirements Definition) Identify your school’s challenges and clarify “who will use which features and for what purpose.” Step 2 (Trial) Use the free plans or trial versions of candidate LMSs to conduct test operations with a few teachers and evaluate usability, including ease of operation. Step 3 (Phased Implementation) Rather than rolling out the system to the entire school at once, start small with specific grade levels or subjects. Build success stories and share best practices as you gradually expand the implementation. The key to successfully implementing an LMS lies not only in “selecting the system” but also in considering “how to ensure it takes root in the classroom.” By focusing on advance preparation and a phased rollout, you can minimize the risk of failure and ensure effective utilization. Learn about common pitfalls and countermeasures during a free consultation. Consult online. Return to Table of Contents. Summary | learningBOX offers flexible implementation regardless of school type. In this article, we’ve compared and explained how to choose an LMS for schools, the differences between LMSs and AI-powered learning materials, and recommended services best suited for various school types. To recap the key points for selecting an LMS, the following four factors are essential: Compatibility with School Type: Does the system offer features suited to your school’s “type” (elementary, middle, high school, university, vocational school, cram school, etc.), size, and operational style? Cost: Compare total costs—including not only initial and monthly fees but also pricing structures for adding user accounts and optional features. Operational Burden: Is the system designed so that teachers on the ground can continue using it without strain—featuring integration with school administration and core systems, intuitive operation, a user-friendly UI, and ease of setting up and processing annual updates and class changes? Support System: Does the service offer comprehensive support tailored to educational institutions, including setup assistance during implementation, operational training, Japanese-language customer support, and security consultations? Among the many LMS options available, learningBOX is a platform that can meet a wide range of educational institutions’ needs. It offers a free trial for up to 10 accounts, and implementation starts at just 5,500 yen (tax included) per month for 100 accounts, making it ideal for schools looking to utilize an LMS while keeping costs low. It also features robust tools for creating teaching materials, including 14 types of quizzes and tests. Even teachers who are not tech-savvy can use it intuitively, reducing the burden of creating teaching materials and tests. Support for SAML and SCIM, along with API integration, streamlines user management and the synchronization of grade data, enabling smooth and hassle-free operations. Another key benefit is its ability to streamline daily tasks such as question creation, grading, information sharing, and learning material management. AI assists with question generation, report grading, and rubric evaluations. Sharing information with students and parents, as well as compiling survey results, is seamless. Learning materials and meeting documents are centrally managed. The system also supports learning designs tailored to previewing, reviewing, homework, and learning plans tailored to proficiency levels. By streamlining administrative tasks, teachers can more easily secure the “time to engage with students”—the very focus of their role. learningBOX is an LMS designed to achieve both a reduction in administrative burden and an improvement in the quality of instruction. If you’re a school administrator looking to take your school’s use of ICT to the next level, we invite you to experience its ease of use for yourself. Case Studies & Demos | User Guide for Schools and Tutoring Centers | Consult with Our Specialists (Free) | Click Here for a Free Consultation | Back to Table of Contents | FAQ | Q1. What is an LMS for schools? An LMS for schools is a learning management system that centralizes the distribution of teaching materials, course management, and grade tracking, while providing visibility into students’ learning progress. Q2. What is the difference between an LMS for schools and an LMS for businesses? The key difference is that an LMS for schools supports functions specific to educational settings—such as grading, parent communication, and attendance tracking—while an LMS for businesses specializes in training management and compliance education. Q3. What is the difference between an LMS and AI-powered learning materials? An LMS serves as the foundation for learning management, handling the delivery of learning materials and grade management, while AI-powered learning materials are educational content that automatically adjusts questions based on students’ level of understanding. Q4. How should I choose an LMS for schools? It is important to compare options based on six criteria: suitability for the school type, ease of creating learning materials, price, support system, security and certification status, and compatibility with core systems. Q5. What LMS is recommended for vocational schools? LMS platforms such as learningBOX, Moodle, and Blackboard—which support CBT exams and certificate issuance—are well-suited for vocational schools. Q6. Which LMS is recommended for schools? Recommendations vary by school type: Google Classroom for elementary, middle, and high schools; manaba for universities; and learningBOX for a wide range of school types and cram schools. ▼Also Recommended! Related Articles Return to Table of Contents

Thank you very much for using learningBOX. Today, learningBOX has been updated to Version 6.2. We would like to introduce the various features that have been added or improved in this update. Enhanced Feature: Bulk CSV Operations for Content Assignment Previously, assigning or removing learning materials for hundreds to thousands of groups or users—a task that had to be performed one by one on the screen—can now be completed all at once simply by uploading an edited CSV file. With the addition of this new feature, the CSV export specifications have been partially updated, and a new “Action” column has been added. By entering “add” (to add) or “delete” (to remove) in this column, you can specify the action for each row. Rows left blank will remain unchanged, so you can edit only the rows you wish to modify in the exported CSV file before uploading it. *For details, please refer to “Content Assignment Management.” View Illustrated Guide (PDF) List of New Features/Functionality Improvements For detailed information on the new features and functionality improvements added in this release, including the features mentioned above, please review the release notes below. ● Release Notes Other For detailed instructions or if you have any questions, please contact us using the information below. ● Contact Form We will continue to do our utmost to provide products and services that satisfy our customers. We look forward to your continued support.

[Updated August 19, 2026] Regarding the Discontinuation Date of “Content Management (Legacy)” We have updated part of the content in this article. The discontinuation date for “Content Management (Legacy),” which was originally announced as “September 16, 2026 (Ver. 7.0),” is now undecided. We plan to discontinue this screen in the future. We will announce the discontinuation date at a later time. Please continue to make the necessary changes to the URL settings in the dashboard and side menu. We are officially relaunching “Course Management (β)” as “Content Management,” a new feature with improved performance and usability. Accordingly, we will switch to the new interface on March 18, 2026 (Ver. 5.0). At the same time, the previous “Content Management” will be designated as “Content Management (Legacy)” and will be available via a dedicated URL for a limited time before being discontinued. We will announce the discontinuation date at a later time. ■ Affected Feature: Course Management (β) *There is a page explaining this feature. Please refer to it here. ■ Changes (Overview): “Course Management (β)” will be renamed to “Content Management” and will henceforth be provided as the new “Content Management.” Please note that for a limited time, if you access the URL for the previous “Content Management” (old URL), you will be automatically redirected to the URL for the new “Content Management.” *The previous “Content Management” will be renamed to “Content Management (Legacy)” and will be available via a dedicated URL for a limited time only. (For compatibility and temporary verification purposes) ■Schedule 1. Switch to the new interface: Starting March 18, 2026 (Ver. 5.0) 2. Name change Before change After change Course Management (β) Content Management Content Management Content Management (Legacy) 3. Redirect (Automatic Redirection) Period Period: March 18, 2026 (Ver. 5.0) – Until “Content Management (Legacy)” is discontinued Details: If you access the URL for the legacy “Content Management” (old URL), you will be automatically redirected to the new “Content Management.” 4. Discontinuation of the Old Interface “Content Management (Legacy)” is scheduled to be discontinued in the future. We will announce the discontinuation date at a later time. Upon discontinuation, the redirect will be stopped and “Content Management (Legacy)” will be discontinued. ■ Actions Required by Customers (Important) Due to the transition to the new interface, we ask that some customers take the following actions regarding their settings. ① Changing the Dashboard URL Affected Users: All customers Action Period: March 18, 2026 (Ver. 5.0) and later; please take action as soon as possible After the discontinuation of “Content Management (Legacy),” access (redirects) via the previous “Content Management” URL (legacy URL) will be removed, so you will no longer be able to access the service using that URL. We apologize for the inconvenience, but customers who have registered the legacy “Content Management” URL (old URL) in their dashboard are requested to update the setting to the new “Content Management” URL starting with Version 5.0. ・ URL after changing “Content Management” settings: /courses/course-management Please refer to this page for detailed instructions. *As of the Ver. 5.0 release, attempting to access the previous “Content Management” URL (legacy URL) will automatically redirect you to the new “Content Management.” ② Side Menu Configuration Change Target: Customers using the Site Customizer Action Period: Starting March 18, 2026 (Ver. 5.0); please take action as soon as possible After “Content Management (Legacy)” is discontinued, the redirection process for the legacy “Content Management” URL will be removed, so you will no longer be able to access the service via that URL. We apologize for the inconvenience, but please make the following configuration changes starting with Version 5.0: ・Moving (Hiding) the “Course Management (β)” Menu *As of Version 5.0, the URL for the “Content Management” menu will automatically be updated to the new URL. Please refer to this page for detailed instructions. ③ Resetting the System Language Set in “Content Management (Legacy)” Who this applies to: Customers using the Site Customizer Even if you changed the system language in “Content Management (Legacy),” that setting may not be reflected when switching to “Content Management.” If the system language displayed after the switch is not the one you intended, please take the time to reconfigure the language settings. Note: System Language Settings Some users may need to review and update the content of their current user manuals and training materials. To ensure a smooth transition after the switch, please try out the new interface (currently displayed as “Course Management (β)”) in advance to familiarize yourself with its operation. * Please see below for an overview of the main changes and additions to the new screen (currently labeled “Course Management (β)”). ・ Course Management (β) Summary of Changes (PDF) ・ Course Management (β) Explanation (Video) If you have any questions, please contact us via the inquiry form.

Imagine if an important business message or a newsletter you put your heart into creating ended up in the recipient’s “Junk” folder. In fact, this problem is almost always caused not by the content of the email, but by the sender domain authentication configured in the DNS (Domain Name System). The DNS is a system that links domains to servers on the Internet, and it also serves as the foundation for determining the reliability of emails. In February 2024, Google significantly strengthened its sender guidelines. Businesses sending more than 5,000 emails per day are now required to implement all three of the following: SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. Furthermore, starting in January 2025, NTT Docomo will begin gradually displaying “spoofed email warnings” on emails that do not have sender domain authentication enabled. We are now entering an era where emails with incorrectly configured DNS settings simply won’t be delivered. However, there are likely quite a few people who are thinking, “SPF? DKIM? DMARC? What are those? I don’t really understand.” In this article, we’ll provide a thorough explanation of how these three technologies work, how they differ, and how to configure DNS—all presented in a way that’s easy to understand even for those with zero technical knowledge. Why is “sender domain authentication” necessary right now? Damage caused by phishing emails is increasing year by year, leading to financial losses for companies, data breaches, and even damage to their brand reputation. The sender domain authentication technologies known as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are designed to counter these threats. SPF is a mechanism that verifies whether the sending server is legitimate. DKIM applies a digital signature to emails to verify “whether the email is a spoof” and whether the content has been tampered with. DMARC is a policy that determines how to handle emails that fail SPF or DKIM authentication based on the results of those checks. By configuring these technologies properly, you can significantly reduce the risk of spoofed emails. Let’s take a closer look at their importance. The Current State of Phishing Emails In recent years, damage caused by “phishing emails”—which impersonate real companies or individuals—has surged. There are cases where emails posing as business partners infect recipients with malware (a general term for software created for malicious purposes), leading to the leakage of personal information, or where emails instructing recipients to transfer funds to fake bank accounts result in financial fraud. What makes spoofed emails so sophisticated is that, from a technical standpoint, the “From” address can be freely altered. Attackers impersonate legitimate company domains to send emails that appear completely legitimate at first glance. It is extremely difficult for humans to distinguish these from genuine emails, which is precisely why incidents continue to occur. Furthermore, phishing emails pose a direct risk of brand damage. If your company’s domain is misused to send large volumes of phishing emails, it could significantly erode recipients’ trust. Furthermore, this could cause legitimate emails to be filtered into the spam folder, potentially disrupting important communications with customers. Impact of Gmail Sender Guidelines In February 2024, Google strengthened its “Sender Guidelines.” The guidelines are summarized as follows: Mandatory for all senders: Compliance with either SPF or DKIM. High-volume senders (5,000 or more emails per day): Compliance with all three—SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. Failure to comply may result in emails failing to reach Gmail users. Furthermore, in practice, DKIM is becoming virtually mandatory even for non-high-volume senders, as emails without DKIM are highly likely to be flagged by Gmail’s spam filter. [Reference] Gmail, “Guidelines for Email Senders”; NTT Docomo’s “Phishing Email Warning” Starting in January 2025, NTT Docomo began gradually displaying “phishing email warnings” for emails that do not comply with sender domain authentication. For businesses that send emails to individual users, compliance has become an urgent priority. [Reference] NTT DOCOMO, “Spoofed Email Warning Display” Return to Table of Contents How Are Emails Sent? (The Basics) To understand sender domain authentication, the first thing you need to know is the difference between the “Envelope From” and the “Header From.” The mechanism of email is easiest to understand by comparing it to the relationship between an envelope and a letter. Envelope From (Sender on the Envelope) This is the sender for delivery purposes. In postal terms, it’s the name written on the envelope. It is not displayed on the recipient’s screen. Header From (Sender in the Header) This is the sender displayed on the screen. The “sender information” we see on our email inbox screen refers to this one. Spammers exploit this. The Basic Structure of Email (Envelope From and Header From) Even if the sender on the envelope and the sender of the letter are different, the email will still be delivered. It’s also possible to change only the name that is displayed. For example, an email can be sent from one location while appearing to come from “info@大手銀行.co.jp.” This is the technique used in spoofed emails. SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are mechanisms designed to prevent this problem. For now, just remember that “there are two senders.” Back to Table of Contents What is SPF? (A Mechanism for Verifying the Sender’s IP) The first step in preventing spoofing is SPF. This is a mechanism where you register the servers authorized to send emails from your domain with DNS. When Gmail receives an email, it verifies whether the sender is legitimate. Let’s start by understanding this “sender verification” mechanism. Basic Concepts of SPF SPF (Sender Policy Framework) is a system that allows you to pre-register in DNS which servers are authorized to send emails from a given domain. For example, you would pre-register information in the DNS such as, “Emails from example.com are sent only from the server with IP address 203.0.113.1 (*for illustrative purposes only).” The recipient checks whether the IP address of the server that actually sent the email is included in that registered list. If the email is sent from an IP address not on the list, it can be judged as “potentially spoofed.” How SPF Works The SPF verification process follows these steps: The sender sends the email. The receiving server records the IP address of the server from which the email arrived. It queries DNS using the domain in the envelope “From” field (e.g., example.com). It compares the SPF record in the DNS TXT record with the actual sending IP address. If they match, the result is “SPF authentication successful (Pass)”; if there is a mismatch, it is judged as “Fail/SoftFail.” How SPF Works: The receiving server references DNS to verify the IP address. How to Read SPF Records (Reference) The actual SPF record is written in a DNS TXT record as follows: v=spf1 include:spf.google.com ip4:203.0.113.1 ~all Meaning of each element v=spf1: Declaration of SPF version 1 include:spf.google.com: Allow messages sent from Google’s mail servers (when using external services such as Gmail) ip4:203.0.113.1: Permits sending from this IP address ~all: Treats anything other than the above as a “SoftFail” (warning) (-all results in a complete rejection) The difference between ~all and -all lies in the severity of the response to an SPF failure. While -all (HardFail) recommends complete rejection, it is often recommended to start with ~all and monitor the situation, as legitimate emails may be falsely flagged when forwarding messages. Limitations of SPF Reading this far, you might think, “If I configure SPF, I can prevent spoofing.” However, SPF alone is not sufficient. In fact, SPF has structural weaknesses that are simply unavoidable. Does not verify the “From” header: SPF verifies the envelope “From” (the sender on the envelope). It does not verify the “From” header displayed in email clients (the sender of the message). In other words, SPF alone cannot prevent spoofing where the “Envelope From” is set to the legitimate domain, but the “From” header is forged. Cannot Handle Forwarding When an email is forwarded, the IP address of the forwarding server becomes the new “sender IP.” However, since the forwarding server’s IP is not registered in the SPF record, SPF authentication fails even though the email is legitimate. DKIM, which we’ll explain next, was introduced to address these weaknesses. Back to Table of Contents What is DKIM? (Digital Signature for Tamper Prevention) If SPF is a mechanism for verifying the “sending server,” the next step is a mechanism to verify whether “the email itself is authentic.” This is where DKIM comes in. Basic Concept of DKIM If SPF is a “list of authorized sending servers,” then DKIM is a “seal of authenticity.” The concept of DKIM is similar to affixing a company seal to an important document. The sender applies an “electronic signature” to the email, and the recipient verifies that signature to confirm that “this email was created by the genuine sender and has not been tampered with in transit.” How DKIM Works DKIM is a mechanism for applying an “electronic signature” to emails. While SPF verifies the sender’s IP address, DKIM verifies whether “the email was sent from a legitimate source (not a spoof)” and whether “the email’s content has not been tampered with.” DKIM operates using digital signatures based on public-key cryptography. The sender’s process is carried out as follows: Calculate a hash value from the email’s contents (headers + body). Encrypt the hash value with a private key to create a “signature.” Add the signature to the email as a DKIM-Signature header and send it. * A hash value is a fixed-length string generated by applying a special calculation (a hash function) to data; it is produced through a one-way (irreversible) transformation that cannot be reversed. The recipient’s process is carried out as follows: Retrieve the signing domain (d=) and selector (s=) from the DKIM-Signature header. Retrieve the public key from DNS. Decrypt the signature using the public key to extract the hash value. Verify that it matches the hash value of the received email body. *d= (signing domain) refers to the domain name that signed the email. This means “This domain is responsible.” *s= (selector) is the name (identifier) used to locate the public key. It allows a single domain to use multiple keys. How DKIM Works: Detects email tampering using digital signatures based on public-key cryptography. If the values match, “DKIM authentication succeeds,” confirming that the email has not been tampered with and was created by the authentic sender. Contents of the DKIM-Signature (for reference) The DKIM-Signature actually added to the email header has the following structure: DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=example.com; s=google; …omitted… bh=hash value; b=signature data Main parameters d= (domain): The domain that performed the signature. Important values used for DMARC alignment checks: s= (selector): The key used to look up the public key via DNS. a= (algorithm): The signing algorithm (rsa-sha256 is common). What is a selector? A selector is an identifier used to distinguish between multiple DKIM key pairs within a single domain. For example, if d=example.com and s=google, the receiving server will look up the DNS record google._domainkey.example.com to retrieve the public key. This allows you to manage multiple email services using separate selectors. Mechanism for Using Different Keys Across Multiple Services Limitations of DKIM It is often assumed that if SPF and DKIM are configured, “spoofing protection is complete.” However, DKIM also has weaknesses. Replay Attacks: DKIM cannot prevent “replay attacks,” in which a malicious third party intercepts an email with a valid DKIM signature and resends it to a different recipient. No Policy Control on Its Own: While DKIM verifies authenticity, it does not define policies for how to handle emails that fail authentication. DMARC handles the response to authentication failures. DKIM is a mechanism for verifying “authenticity.” However, it cannot determine how to handle emails that fail authentication. That role is fulfilled by DMARC, which we’ll explain next. Back to Table of Contents What Is DMARC? (The Command Center That Makes the Final Decision) SPF and DKIM now allow us to verify the “sender” and “whether the message has been tampered with.” But what happens to an email if either of these checks fails? DMARC is responsible for making that final decision. The Role of DMARC DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) is the command center that receives the “results” from SPF and DKIM and determines how to handle emails that fail authentication. DMARC has the following three roles. Final Determination: It comprehensively assesses the authenticity of an email by combining the SPF and DKIM authentication results with alignment (discussed later). Policy Declaration: Specifies how the receiving server should handle emails when authentication fails. Receiving Reports: Allows you to receive aggregated reports showing who is sending emails from which domains. DMARC Policy: A DMARC record is a “rule for handling email” configured in DNS. It is displayed as follows: v=DMARC1; p=none; The “p” in the DMARC record stands for “policy” and specifies how to handle emails that fail authentication. Three Policy Levels DMARC allows you to set three policy levels. Policy Meaning Recommended Use none Monitoring only. Does not affect email processing. Initial investigation and monitoring phase. quarantine Sorts emails that fail authentication into the spam folder. Intermediate stage. reject Completely rejects emails that fail authentication. Full-scale operation. Reasons for a Phased Implementation You should not set DMARC to “reject” right away. There are two reasons for this. First, if you set the policy to “reject” without fully understanding all legitimate email delivery paths, even legitimate emails sent from newsletter services, internal systems, and external applications will be rejected. Second, if you set the policy to “reject” while SPF and DKIM configurations are incomplete, a large number of legitimate emails may be rejected. Recommended Steps: Start monitoring with `p=none` (use DMARC reports to identify sending paths). Once SPF and DKIM are configured for all paths, transition to `p=quarantine`. If no issues are found, escalate to `p=reject`. An important concept called “alignment” is involved in DMARC decisions. Next, let’s take a closer look at how this works. Return to Table of Contents What Is DMARC “Alignment”? So far, we’ve examined how SPF, DKIM, and DMARC work. However, there are cases where “authentication succeeds but DMARC fails.” The cause of this is alignment mismatch. Why Is Alignment Important? Alignment is a mechanism that verifies whether the domain used for authentication matches the sender (From) displayed on the screen. DMARC performs this check against both SPF and DKIM. SPF Alignment: SPF verifies the domain of the “envelope From” (Envelope From). DMARC checks whether the domain that passed SPF authentication matches the displayed “From” (Header From) domain. DKIM Alignment: DKIM verifies the “d=domain” included in the signature. DMARC checks whether the DKIM signature was successful and whether that “d=domain” matches the displayed “From” (header “From”) domain. The Difference Between “Relaxed” and “Strict” “Relaxed” and “Strict” are settings that determine the strictness of the alignment (domain match) check. They are specified within the DMARC record. “Relaxed” is a lenient check that allows subdomains, while “Strict” is a strict check that permits only exact matches. Unless there is a specific reason, using “Relaxed” is generally sufficient. DMARC is Valid if Either Condition is Met It is important to note that DMARC is considered a “PASS” (successful) if either the SPF alignment or the DKIM alignment passes. This means that even in cases where SPF authentication fails—such as when emails are relayed—DMARC will still pass as long as DKIM alignment passes. That is why it is crucial to “configure both SPF and DKIM.” Illustrated Guide to How DMARC Works Return to Table of Contents Frequently Asked Questions Here, we address some frequently asked questions. Q. Why does it end up in the spam folder? A. If SPF or DKIM is not configured or is configured incorrectly, the recipient’s mail server will deem the sender “untrustworthy” and route the email to the spam folder. Gmail, in particular, strictly handles emails that are not DKIM-signed. Q. Can “display name” spoofing be prevented? A. SPF, DKIM, and DMARC cannot prevent “display name” spoofing. For example, even if the actual sender is evil.com, as in “Taro Yamada attacker@evil.com,” the display name in the email client can be spoofed to appear as “Taro Yamada.” Implementing BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) is an effective countermeasure against display name spoofing. Q. Why does SPF authentication fail when an email is forwarded? A. When an email is forwarded, the forwarding server becomes the new “sender IP address.” However, since the forwarding server’s IP address is not registered in the original sender’s SPF record, SPF authentication fails. To work around this, the “SRS (Sender Rewriting Scheme)” mechanism rewrites the envelope “From” field during forwarding to ensure SPF authentication passes. DKIM is resistant to forwarding because the signature remains valid as long as the email body and headers are not altered during forwarding. Back to Table of Contents Summary In this article, we explained the mechanism of “sender domain authentication,” which is a common cause of emails ending up in the spam folder. SPF (Sender Policy Framework): A mechanism that declares the sender’s IP address via DNS to detect spoofed emails. While configuration is relatively simple, it has the limitation that it does not verify the “From” header, so there are cases where emails fail authentication due to forwarding. DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail): Uses digital signatures to verify the authenticity of an email and ensure it has not been tampered with. It is robust against forwarding and can also verify the “From” header domain. DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance): A mechanism that uses the results of SPF and DKIM to declare how to handle authentication failures (none/quarantine/reject) and receive reports. It is considered valid if either SPF or DKIM alignment passes. These three work together as a set. Each one alone is insufficient; only when combined do they form a robust sender domain authentication system. Start by “configuring SPF and DKIM” and “beginning DMARC monitoring with p=none.” Check out learningBOX’s feature list and pricing table now! Download materials ▼ You might also like! Related articles

Thank you very much for your continued use of learningBOX. We will be updating our shared servers. This update will be performed without any downtime, so there will be no period during which the service will be unavailable. ■ Implementation Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2026 ■ To Customers Using “Customize”: In connection with this update, we would like to inform you of the following three points: 1. Changes to “Menu Management” Due to the Update 2. Changes to the API Specifications Due to the Update 3. Changes to the Kaonavi Integration Guide Due to the Update 1. Changes to “Menu Management” Due to the Update [Applies only to customers using the Site Customizer] As part of our ongoing feature development, the structure of the side menu and header menu in learningBOX may change. Customers using the Site Customizer will need to adjust the menu order and other settings on their end after the update. In Ver. 6.2, there are no changes to the structure of the side menu or header menu. Please visit this site to view the history of previous changes to the side menu and header menu. 2. Changes to the API Specifications Due to the Update [Applies Only to Customers Using API Integration] In learningBOX, API specifications may change as part of feature enhancements. We ask customers using API integration to review these changes in advance. Please share this information with your IT department and development staff. ・ API Specifications: Please stop referencing and storing legacy Excel data. 3. Changes to the Kaonavi Integration Guide Due to the Update [Applies only to customers using Kaonavi integration] learningBOX may modify the Kaonavi integration specifications as part of functional enhancements; we ask customers using Kaonavi integration to review these changes in advance. There are no changes to the Kaonavi Integration Guide in Ver. 6.2. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to our customers and appreciate your understanding.

Thank you very much for using learningBOX. Today, learningBOX has been updated to Version 6.1. We would like to introduce the various features that have been added or improved in this update. Enhanced Features: Smoother Configuration and Verification from the Content Management Screen With this update, you can now see at a glance whether “Content Assignments,” “Course Expiration Dates,” and “Publication Periods” have been set and how many entries exist in the Content Management screen. Additionally, the text color changes when a setting is present, making it visually easier to identify. Furthermore, text links next to the displayed counts now allow you to easily navigate to the Content Assignment management screen. *For details, please refer to “Content Management.” View Illustrated Guide (PDF): UI Improvements for Content Assignment Settings Clarify Scope of Impact With these UI improvements, checking a parent element now makes it visually clear which elements are affected. For content assignments, checking a parent folder automatically applies a “gray checkmark” to all directly subordinate content (immediate subfolders are excluded). On the other hand, for group assignments, selecting a parent group applies a check mark to all its child groups. In this way, affected and unaffected elements are clearly distinguished by color and other visual cues, helping to prevent unexpected configuration errors—such as “I thought I set it up, but it wasn’t assigned”—before they occur. *For details, please refer to “Bulk Settings (Content Assignment Management).” View illustrated guide (PDF) Email notifications for unread messages are now sent once a day! With this update, notifications for unread messages in all rooms have been changed to be sent once a day in a single batch. Even when numerous messages are exchanged across multiple rooms, you will no longer receive multiple notification emails, reducing the burden of checking your email. The new notification email includes the total number of unread messages across all rooms and the opening portion of the most recent message, allowing you to grasp the situation at a glance. *For details, please refer to “Unread Message Notifications.” View illustrated guide (PDF) Subtitle size for video lessons can now be adjusted in 7 levels With this update, you can now freely adjust the subtitle size directly in the video lesson player. You can choose from seven sizes ranging from 50% to a maximum of 400%. The size automatically adjusts relative to your screen width to ensure readability. Additionally, once set, the size is saved in your browser, so you can watch videos without having to reset it each time. *For details, please refer to “Display Settings on the Learning Screen (Video and Slide Settings).” View Illustrated Guide (PDF) Manage training reservations and attendance status all at once on a single overview screen! On the “Training Reservations and Attendance Management” screen, you can now view a list of registration statuses for all currently available training sessions on a single screen. Administrators can manage reservation and attendance statuses collectively via the “List” tab on this screen. Furthermore, a feature has been added that allows you to download reservation and attendance data for all training sessions in CSV format. *For details, please refer to “Training Reservation and Attendance Management.” View illustrated materials (PDF) List of New Features and Enhancements For detailed information on the new features and enhancements added in this update, including those mentioned above, please review the release notes below. ● Release Notes Announcement: Notice Regarding Certain Specification Changes In conjunction with this update, we have made changes to the specifications of certain features. ● Consolidation of Email Notification Frequency in the Messaging Feature Please review the details via the link below and take appropriate action as needed. ● [Advance Notice] Notice of Specification Changes Accompanying the Release of Ver. 6.1 Other For detailed operating instructions or if you have any questions, please contact us using the information below. ● Contact Form We will continue to do our utmost to provide products and services that satisfy our customers. We look forward to your continued support.

Thank you very much for your continued use of our services. In conjunction with the release of Version 6.1, scheduled for July 15, 2026, we will be making changes to the specifications of certain features. Accordingly, we would like to inform you of the main changes as follows. 〈Changes〉 Consolidation of Email Notification Frequency for the Messaging Feature ■ Affected Feature: Message Receipt Notifications ■Details of the Change: This change is intended to address the issue of receiving a large number of notification emails—such as when sending messages to large groups—and to optimize the convenience of email notifications. Comparison Before and After the Change Before the Change: A notification email was sent each time a message was sent. After the change: Notification emails, which were previously sent each time a message was received, will be consolidated into a single email per day. ・ The consolidated email will be sent once a day, around 12:00 p.m. (JST). ・ For each message, a notification will be sent only the first time (and only if there are unread messages).

Thank you very much for your continued use of learningBOX. We will be updating our shared server. Please note that the system will be unavailable during the period listed below. ■ Maintenance Period: Wednesday, July 15, 2026 1:00 a.m. – 5:00 a.m. *Please note that the end time may vary depending on the progress of the work. We appreciate your understanding. ■ To Customers Using “Customize”: In connection with this update, we would like to inform you of the following three points: 1. Changes to “Menu Management” Due to the Update 2. Changes to the API Specifications Due to the Update 3. Changes to the Kaonavi Integration Guide Due to the Update 1. Changes to “Menu Management” Due to the Update [Applies only to customers using the Site Customizer] In learningBOX, the structure of the side menu and header menu may change as a result of new feature development. Customers using the Site Customizer will need to adjust the menu order and other settings on their end after the update. Please refer to the following document for details on changes to the side menu and header menu. In Ver. 6.1, there are no changes to the structure of the side menu or header menu. For the history of previous changes to the side menu and header menu, please visit this site. 2. Changes to the API Specifications Due to the Update [Applies only to customers using API integration] learningBOX may change its API specifications as part of feature enhancements. We ask customers using API integration to review these changes in advance. Please share this information with your IT department and development staff. ・ API Specifications: Please stop referencing and storing legacy Excel data. 3. Changes to the Kaonavi Integration Guide Due to the Update [Applies only to customers using Kaonavi integration] learningBOX may modify the Kaonavi integration specifications as part of functional enhancements; we have already asked customers using Kaonavi integration to review these changes in advance. There are no changes to the Kaonavi Integration Guide in Ver. 6.1. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to our customers and appreciate your understanding.

Thank you very much for using learningBOX. Today, learningBOX has been updated to Version 6.0. We would like to introduce the various features that have been added or improved in this update. Enhanced Features: More Flexible Course Management with Per-Scene Permissions Previously, permissions were primarily granted at the course, folder, or group level. However, with this update, you can now grant “Content Management” “Grade Management,” and “Content Assignment” to specific scenes only. By granting scene-level permissions tailored to each company, administrators can reduce the effort required for course preparation and permission configuration. This minimizes the risk of configuration errors while allowing representatives from each company to quickly create and manage courses on their own. *For details, please refer to “Administrative Permissions.” View illustrated materials (PDF) Streamline Large-Scale Operations with Bulk CSV Configuration of Scene Permissions You can now configure the newly added scene-specific permission assignments in bulk using user CSV or group CSV files. In addition to configuring permissions individually on the screen, using CSV files allows you to easily add, remove, or overwrite existing permissions for multiple users or groups with a single upload. This helps prevent manual configuration oversights and errors, even when handling thousands of scenes or operating within large organizations with a vast number of learners. *For details, please refer to “Granting Permissions via CSV” and “Bulk Registration and Update of Groups.” View Illustrated Guide (PDF) Bulk Scene Configuration for Multiple Courses Now Possible! A new feature has been added that allows you to configure and modify “scenes” for multiple courses at once from the Content Management screen. Previously, you had to open the settings screen for each course individually, but now you can select multiple courses and assign scenes in bulk from a dedicated modal screen. A scene search function is also included, enabling smooth configuration even when multiple scenes are available. *For details, please refer to “Content Management.” View Illustrated Guide (PDF) The Group Record filtering feature has been further enhanced! Previously, it could be time-consuming to download all data and then process it manually, but now you can filter records directly on the screen based on “Account Creation Date,” “First Login Date,” and “Learning Rate” (e.g., 100%). These filter results are automatically reflected in Excel reports and CSV exports for individual courses or folders, as well as in the recipients of notification emails, eliminating the need for manual data processing. This makes it much easier to generate lists of “users who joined during a specific period and have completed their training” or to send bulk emails to those who have not yet completed their training. *For details, please refer to “Medical Records.” View Illustrated Guide (PDF) Batch Operations for Content Assignment, Course Expiration Dates, and Publication Periods Are Now Possible! Previously, you had to open individual screens for each course or folder to make settings. With this new feature, you can assign multiple courses or pieces of content to specific groups or users at once, and set course expiration dates and publication periods in a single operation. Additionally, since you can easily check the set completion deadlines and publication periods on the list screen, this helps prevent missed settings and errors. Furthermore, even if you want to set different periods for each learner, this significantly reduces the number of steps required. *For details, please refer to “Content Assignment Management.” View illustrated guide (PDF) Shortcut Creation Feature Added to Content List A new “Shortcut Creation” feature has been added to the Content List screen. This allows you to easily place existing videos, quizzes, and other content into other courses or folders as “shortcuts.” Since you can place multiple pieces of content together as a single shortcut, this reduces the effort required to manage them individually and allows for smoother management. Additionally, you can now preview content directly from the Content List screen, and the default setting now displays content sorted by registration date in “Newest First” order. *For details, please refer to “Content List (Across Courses and Folders).” View Illustrated Guide (PDF) “Sort by Oldest Due Date” Added to the Course List Panel on the Dashboard In the course list panel on the learner’s dashboard, “Sort by Oldest Due Date” has been added as a new sorting option. This makes it easier for learners to determine at a glance which courses they should prioritize, helping to prevent missed courses. Meanwhile, administrators can flexibly configure the panel to display only courses that meet specific criteria, such as “courses with a remaining number of days until the deadline within a specified range” or “courses that have passed their deadline.” In addition, the labeling of course deadlines has been improved, with phrases such as “○ days remaining” and “Expired” now displayed more clearly. This makes it easier for learners to reliably track their progress. *For details, please refer to “Dashboard.” View illustrated materials (PDF) Ability to filter by “Unfinished Only” on the “Select a Course” screen The usability of the “Select a Course” screen accessed by learners has been improved. A new sorting option, “By Oldest Expiration Date,” has been added to the search results, allowing learners to prioritize courses with upcoming expiration dates. Furthermore, a new toggle switch labeled “Incomplete Only” has been added next to the search bar. Simply turning this on allows learners to quickly filter and display only courses and content for which their completion rate has not reached 100% (e.g., in progress, not started, or failed). This enables learners to intuitively understand what they should study next and which tasks they have yet to complete. *For details, please refer to “Selecting a Course.” View illustrated materials (PDF) Adding enrollment expiration dates and other fields to report merge keys New merge keys will be added to the “Single Course/Folder Learning History” template in the Group Chart report generation feature. The three keys being added are “Login ID,” “Recommended Enrollment Date,” and “Enrollment Expiration Date.” Previously, when compiling annual training plans and performance data, staff had to manually cross-reference multiple data sets in Excel or similar software, which created a significant workload. With this update, you can easily export each participant’s course expiration date, actual learning progress, and login ID all at once to a single Excel file, significantly reducing the data processing required for performance aggregation and report generation. *For details, please refer to “Report Output.” View Illustrated Guide (PDF) Export Learning Histories for Multiple Courses in a Single Report! The report output feature in Group Records has been updated to be even more convenient. A new “Report Output” button has been added to the course list screen that appears after selecting a group, allowing you to export learning histories for multiple courses at once as an Excel report. A new template titled “Learning History for Multiple Courses” is now available, allowing you to extract data such as course expiration dates, start and completion dates, and login IDs all at once. Bulk export is possible as long as the total number of rows—calculated as “number of courses × number of users in the group”—does not exceed 5,000. *For details, please refer to “Report Output.” View Illustrated Guide (PDF) List of New Features/Functionality Improvements For detailed information on the new features and functionality improvements added in this release, including those mentioned above, please refer to the release notes below. ● Release Notes Announcement: Notice Regarding Certain Specification Changes In conjunction with this update, we have modified the specifications of certain features. ● Relaxation of access permissions for the “Content List” (across courses and folders) screen, and addition of a shortcut creation feature ● End of support for Mozilla Firefox Please review the details via the link below and take appropriate action as needed. ● [Advance Notice] Notice of Specification Changes Accompanying the Release of Ver. 6.0 Other For detailed instructions or if you have any questions, please contact us using the information below. ● Contact Form We will continue to do our utmost to provide products and services that satisfy our customers. We look forward to your continued support.