What's JLPT?

For most of the job descriptions of Japanese companies, these 4 letters appear. J L P T.

What is this?

These stand for "Japanese-Language Proficiency Test".

Most of the companies standard this test to see your Japanese language skill.

In this blog, I would tell you about JLPT level and also other Japanese language certifications.

* Please check the official website below to see the way of registration and way of study etc...

https://www.jlpt.jp/e/index.html

<Topics >

1. What's JLPT?
2. What level of JLPT enough for work?

What's JLPT?

According to their official website...

The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) has been offered by the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (formerly Association of International Education, Japan) since 1984 as a reliable means of evaluating and certifying the Japanese proficiency of non-native speakers. At the beginning, there were approximately 7,000 examinees worldwide. In 2011, there were as many as 610,000

https://www.jlpt.jp/e/about/purpose.html

So this test has pretty much long history and is being popular and official test today.

The level of JLPT

There are 5 levels in JLPT. And it is written as N5, N4, N3, N2, N1.

N1 is closer to the native level and N5 is the beginner level.

N1 level

If you have N1 certificate, it is very plus for job hunting. The company would be no concern about your Japanese language ability. You can apply to anywhere from anywhere.

The ability to understand Japanese used in a variety of circumstances.

?One is able to read writings with logical complexity and/or abstract writings on a variety of topics, such as newspaper editorials and critiques, and comprehend both their structures and contents.

?One is also able to read written materials with profound contents on various topics and follow their narratives as well as understand the intent of the writers comprehensively.

?One is able to comprehend orally presented materials such as coherent conversations, news reports, and lectures, spoken at natural speed in a broad variety of settings, and is able to follow their ideas and comprehend their contents comprehensively. One is also able to understand the details of the presented materials such as the relationships among the people involved, the logical structures, and the essential points.

N2

If your role is communicative like sales, customer support etc... N2 is not very sufficient but for technical roles, N2 is enough. Most of the companies require N2 and call this "business level Japanese". Even if you are in abroad, the company can consider to hire you.

The ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations, and in a variety of circumstances to a certain degree.

?One is able to read materials written clearly on a variety of topics, such as articles and commentaries in newspapers and magazines as well as simple critiques, and comprehend their contents.

?One is also able to read written materials on general topics and follow their narratives as well as understand the intent of the writers.

?One is able to comprehend orally presented materials such as coherent conversations and news reports, spoken at nearly natural speed in everyday situations as well as in a variety of settings, and is able to follow their ideas and comprehend their contents. One is also able to understand the relationships among the people involved and the essential points of the presented materials.

N3

This is kind of minimum language skill to work in a Japanese team and a Japanese company. When the other team members can speak English, this requirement happens. Unless your skill is very good, most of the companies don't hire from abroad because they can find other human resources in Japan. The situation was easier last year and many outsourcing companies recruited with N3 level from abroad and brought them in Japan, but under COVID 19, they stopped recruiting with this level. Because with N3 level, it's difficult for the company to find projects.

The ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations to a certain degree.

?One is able to read and understand written materials with specific contents concerning everyday topics.

?One is also able to grasp summary information such as newspaper headlines.

?In addition, one is also able to read slightly difficult writings encountered in everyday situations and understand the main points of the content if some alternative phrases are available to aid one’s understanding.

?One is able to listen and comprehend coherent conversations in everyday situations, spoken at near-natural speed, and is generally able to follow their contents as well as grasp the relationships among the people involved.

N4

Beginner level. You can work in an international group in Japan. But you won't communicate in Japanese. These days, with BJET program, many Bangladeshis come to Japan with N4 level. It's a great opportunity which the government supports. But if they don't improve their Japanese language ability while they work in the first company in Japan, they will get trouble when they want to change their job.

The ability to understand basic Japanese.

?One is able to read and understand passages on familiar daily topics written in basic vocabulary and kanji.

?One is able to listen and comprehend conversations encountered in daily life and generally follow their contents, provided that they are spoken slowly.

N5

Beginner level. Unless the company's common language is English, it is difficult for the company to hire you. The companies which use English as common language, since they can get candidates easily, their recruitment hurdle is very high.

So if you are very skilled than others, it's possible to work with N5. But if you are junior or skilled in some areas, it would be difficult.

The ability to understand some basic Japanese.

?One is able to read and understand typical expressions and sentences written in hiragana, katakana, and basic kanji.

?One is able to listen and comprehend conversations about topics regularly encountered in daily life and classroom situations, and is able to pick up necessary information from short conversations spoken slowly.

What would you do next?

As I have told to many people, many of Japanese people really really don't speak English and they even think it's important.

So if you want to get a job in Japan at least within 5 years, consider for studying Japanese or improve your skill as world-level.

But before trying, please ask yourself.

"Why Japan?" "What do you want to do in Japan?"

If your answer is not strong, I suggest you to change the destination. There are more countries where technology level is high and English speaking countries.

If your answer is strong, contact me.

I would like to be your help.