If you’re someone who studies Japanese language and culture with interest in moving to Japan, then there’s a high chance that you’ve heard about the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test). You may be in a position where obtaining JLPT certification is necessary to accomplish your goals. These goals vary from individual to individual; JLPT certification may be required for one person, while completely optional for another.
What can you do with a JLPT certificate? The primary use of a JLPT certificate aids individuals with a desire to move to Japan for work or studies. There is an extensive immigration process, and in a lot of cases, JLPT certification will make it smoother. Many employers require JLPT certification for non-natives to even be considered for the job, and most Japanese universities use it to determine who can study with them.
Japan has one of the most unique cultures in the world, and in many ways, it’s directly woven into their language. To work and live among Japanese natives, you’ll need to be fluent with the native tongue and familiar with their way of life to function in their society effectively. While JLPT certification isn’t necessarily required to move to and work in Japan, there are certainly some powerful advantages to obtaining one. The rest of this article will talk about what JLPT certification proves, and exactly what you can do with it.
What Can You Do with a JLPT Certificate?
JLPT is an exam that measures a non-native’s competency and comprehension to speak and use the Japanese language in everyday life. JLPT certification proves that you’ve mastered the basics and are comfortable functioning in day-to-day life.
The test is split into five difficulty levels: N5, N4, N3, N2, and N1. N5-N3 are the easier tests of the bunch and do not offer any type of certification that grants access to employment opportunities. N2-N1, on the other hand, are difficult tests that measure full fluency. Passing one of these tests gives you the certification that can garner special benefits.
Deciding whether to attain JLPT N2 or N1 certification is entirely up to the individual.
- N1 is the hardest level and proves absolute mastery and fluency in the Japanese language.
- N2 is still very hard to attain, but if you’re going up against someone with N1 certification for one of the benefits we’ll describe soon, then you’ll have a clear disadvantage.
Even if you’re more fluent than the N1 certificate holder, the “N1” title alone distinguishes them above the rest. N2 certification is still valuable, but if you have time before going to Japan, it never hurts to reach for N1 certification.
Something that people like to do with their JLPT certificates is using them as wall decorations; this can be compared to framing high school diplomas or college degrees. This is okay because if you’re applying for something that requires JLPT certification, you won’t send the certificate itself. There’s an important document you obtain that contains a “passed notification.” This document includes a unique serial number that JLPT test givers issue, and it uniquely identifies you. When including JLPT certification on your resume, you’ll want to include these serial numbers.
What Does a JLPT Certificate Prove?
Moving forward, we’ll distinguish JLPT N2 certification from JLPT N1 certification as it applies. Overall, JLPT is one big test that measures your language skill, no matter what level you’re at. Beginners often start with JLPT N5-N3 as a benchmark for their personal growth and in preparation for N2-N1. The following table illustrates the basics of what an individual must know to gain JLPT certification at any level:
| Test Difficulty | Study Hours | Kanji | Vocabulary | Grammar |
| N5 | 50 – 100 hours | 103 Kanji Characters | 681 Vocabulary Terms | 40 Grammar Rules |
| N4 | 100 – 150 hours | 300 Kanji Characters | 1500 Vocabulary Terms | 90 Grammar Rules |
| N3 | 500 – 750 hours | 350 Kanji Characters | 3750 Vocabulary Terms | 150 Grammar Rules |
| N2 | 1400 – 2000 hours | 1000 Kanji Characters | 6000 Vocabulary Terms | 250 Grammar Rules |
| N1 | 3100 – 4500 hours | 2136 Kanji Characters | 10,000 Vocabulary Terms | 400 Grammar Rules |
As you can see above, JLPT certification proves that an individual has spent thousands of hours learning thousands of kanji, vocabulary terms, and hundreds of grammar rules. Gaining JLPT certification displays incredible commitment. But what can you use it for?
Immediate Benefits of JLPT Certification
If you have your sights set on immigrating to Japan, then there’s a high chance that you’ve heard of their “Points-based Preferential Immigration Control and Residency Management Treatment for Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals.”Japan introduced this system on May 7th, 2012; this is what they use to promote the entry of highly skilled foreign professionals, as it favors skilled individuals on a ranked “point” system. There are three categories that can classify a highly skilled professional:
- Advanced Academic Research Activities: This category covers activities that engage in research, research guidance, and/or education based on contracts that are entered into with public or private organizations in Japan.
- Advanced Specialized/Technical Activities: This category covers activities of work engagement requiring specialized knowledge or skills in fields of natural sciences or humanities that are based on contracts entered into with public or private organizations in Japan.
- Advanced Business Management Activities: This category covers activities that engage in operations or the management of public or private organizations in Japan.
(Source: Immi-Moj)
An individual attains points set to each item based on academic background, professional career, annual salary, and other things of the like. If an individual’s points reach 70, then they gain priority in preferential immigration control and residency management (Immi-Moj). This is great, but you may be wondering what this all has to do with JLPT certification.
Attaining JLPT certification will garner you points towards this system. JLPT N2 certification earns an individual 10 points, and JLPT N1 certification earns 15 points. Japan looks for individuals who can “bring innovation to Japanese industries and promote the positive development of specialized and technical labor markets via friendly competition with Japanese people while increasing the efficiency of the Japanese labor markets” (LOC). In other words, they want team players who can help flourish alongside Japanese natives.
JLPT certification proves a command in the language and an understanding of the culture, so individuals who hold it are more likely to chart high in the system. The following list shows the benefits of Japan’s “Highly Skilled Professionals”:
- Granted permission for numerous activities
- “5 years” period of stay granted
- Requirements for permanent residence are eased
- Spouse of Highly Skilled Professional granted permission to work in the country
- Under certain conditions, the parents of Highly Skilled Professionals are permitted to accompany them under certain conditions
- Domestic workers granted permission to accompany Highly Skilled Professionals to Japan under certain circumstances
- The entry of the country and residence procedures receive preferential processing
(Source: NLECFI)
Usually, foreigners seeking Japanese citizenship are required to take a Japanese language accreditation exam that shows proficiency in at least a junior high school level in Japan. Holders of JLPT N2 or N1 certification have this entire test waived, as those tests cover more than what you’ll find on the exam.
What JLPT Certification Says About You
There’s a reason that having JLPT certification waives certain accreditation exams. Employers and schools alike don’t want to worry about students who are not fluent in the language. Your JLPT certification acts as proof that you understand Japanese at a level that allows you to work and co-exist with Japanese natives in a constructive way.
What does JLPT certification say about you? The answer to this question depends upon which level of JLPT you are certified in. As stated above, anything below N2 certification will not garner superb results, but it’s still a good thing to have if that is your current level. JLPT certification at any level shows commitment to the learning of the language and promises that you are on your way to learning.
Which JLPT Certification Should You Strive For?
An individual with JLPT N5-N4 certification understands basic Japanese that is mainly learned in the classroom. They’ve committed to the foundations of the language and are on their way to greater heights. Individuals with JLPT N3 certification are in the awkward stage between beginner and master. Employers who see JLPT N3 certification on your resume probably won’t hire you in most cases, but you just might get lucky. JLPT N3 certification proves that you have what it takes to reach for the next levels.
JLPT N2 and N1 certifications are what most people strive for. They are the certifications that most job listings mention as a requirement. In some cases that will be covered later in this article, it’s mandatory to include in your application. JLPT N2 and N1 certification tell the employer that your fluency in the Japanese language is close to that of a native.
Pursuing JLPT N1 & N2
To work professionally in Japan, you must be able to communicate fluently without having to constantly stop to think about how to say what you want to say or working hard to decipher what is being said. Linguistic competence at the level JLPT N1 certification validates means that you can comprehend coherent conversations, news reports, and lectures as they are being spoken at a natural pace.
JLPT N1-N2 Listening Comprehension
You must be able to comprehend everything being spoken at a natural pace in a wide variety of settings while following the ideas being presented and comprehending the contents of each sentence comprehensively. JLPT N1 certification also tells employers that the certificate holder can understand all the details of the presented materials, such as the relationships among all conversing individuals, the logical structures, and all essential points.
JLPT N1-N2 Reading Comprehension
As with most jobs, you need to be able to read effectively. In Japan, employers require that all employees are able to read at a business level. JLPT N2 and N1 certification prove that the holder is more than sufficient in those qualifications.
JLPT N2 or N1 certification verifies that the holder is able to read writings that contain logical complexity and abstract writings on various topics that include critiques and newspaper editorials. Employers will automatically know that the holder can comprehend both the writing structure and all of its contents. They’ll also know that the holder can read written materials with profound content that cover a wide variety of topics and can follow their narratives while understanding the intent of the writers comprehensively.
Is JLPT N5 or N4 Certification Worth It?
Very briefly, we’d like to talk about why you may want to attain JLPT N5 or N4 certification. The very short answer is, you don’t. Certification for JLPT N5 or N4 will not garner you any benefits in the professional Japanese world, as the tests themselves do not cover the full range of linguistic competency needed to thrive in everyday Japanese life. These tests only cover a basic understanding of the language.
If JLPT certification for N5 or N4 doesn’t offer any benefits, then why would you even want to take the test in the first place? The answer lies in the “Results Notification” you get after taking either test. The true value behind JLPT N5 or N4 is their ability to measure a beginner’s progress. Whenever you take the test, your score reflects areas that you are strong in, and areas that you need to work on.
If you’re taking JLPT N5 or N4, then you’re still new to the Japanese language. You mainly use the tests to measure your own competency. If you pass, the resulting certificate can act as an encouraging reminder of the progress you’ve made so far. However, you’ll still have much ground to cover before you earn a JLPT certificate that can have powerful benefits.
Is JLPT N3 Certification Worth It?
JLPT N3 is the middle difficulty test that bridges the difficulty levels together. Certification on this level won’t guarantee you any job offers, but it lets employers know that you have come a very long way in your studies. It also tells them that you’ve moved past the beginner’s phase. It may just be the certification you need to land a job in Japan that doesn’t require JLPT N2 or N1 certification.
JLPT N3 Listening Comprehension
JLPT N3 certification tells an employer that the holding individual can “listen to and comprehend coherent conversations in day-to-day situations that are almost spoken at a natural speed” (Valiant LS). It shows them that the individual is able to follow all spoken contents while being able to grasp the relationships among the people involved.
JLPT N3 Reading Comprehension
What JLPT N3 certification says about an individual’s ability to comprehend written Japanese is the thing that just might land you that job in the end. Because the N3 level puts an individual past the beginner’s phase, their current understanding can easily grow to fluency in constant everyday Japanese life. We will go more into this later, but even without JLPT N2 or N1 certification, it is possible to be hired for jobs that claim to require it, as long as you are well versed in what JLPT N3 covers.
JLPT N3 certification proves to an employer that the holder is able to read and understand written materials with specific contents that concern everyday topics. It also proves that the holder can grasp summary information such as newspaper headlines.
In addition to all of this, JLPT N3 certification proves that the holding individual can “read slightly difficult writings encountered in day-to-day situations” while understanding all of their main points (Valiant LS). Alternative phrases may need to be available in order to aid the certificate holder’s understanding.
If you’re aiming to work professionally in Japan and are currently holding a JLPT N3 certificate, then it simply cannot hurt to throw your hat in the ring. The worst that can happen is you get a rejection, and work to strive towards JLPT N2 or N1 certification. No matter what happens, becoming fluent in Japanese is the end goal.
Do You Need JLPT to Work in Japan?
Depending on who you ask, you’ll hear a range of statements from “JLPT certification is useless, and should not be pursued,” to “JLPT certification is paramount for foreigners hoping to land a top-level job in the country.” The vast array of answers comes from a vast array of people with different goals that require different things. We can divide the topic into three categories:
- People who do not need JLPT certification
- People who can benefit from JLPT certification
- People who must attain JLPT certification
Determining where you land in the above categories takes some simple research and self-evaluation; this can be a very tricky topic to discuss because it is not necessarily black and white. The truth of the matter is this: in theory, three individuals, one from each category, could potentially apply and successfully land the same job. It all comes down to the individual and insinuating circumstances. This, of course, excludes positions that require proof of passing JLPT, but we’ll cover situations like that later in the article.
People Who Do Not Need JLPT Certification
If you’re going to Japan to work without JLPT certification, then you most likely already have a strong command of the Japanese language. As I said before, certain jobs do not actually require you to have physical certification. They only want to know that you comprehend and communicate the language at a level that the test covers.
Are there any jobs in Japan that don’t require any kind of Japanese language competency? For this category, you’ll want to look for jobs that teach Japanese natives languages like English. Certain programs, like the Jet Program USA, specialize in hiring United States residents to live in Japan for some time and assist in teaching English.
Positions in this program do not require the applicant to have JLPT certification or any prior knowledge of the Japanese language for that matter. You will need a bachelor’s degree at the time of the program start, though. You simply apply and go through the guided program. Keep in mind that this kind of work is not the same as the kind of work JLPT certificate holders can attain. You get a limited visa and are bound to the strict rules of the program.
Outside of tourism and limited foreign language teaching jobs, there is not much that one can do in Japan without JLPT certification or the knowledge it verifies. In the next section, we’ll talk about people who can benefit from certification, but don’t necessarily need it.
People Who Can Benefit from JLPT Certification
Before tackling this category, we’d like to specify what JLPT certification is not. It is not a golden ticket that guarantees you a job in your desired field. It is simply a measuring tool that many companies use to determine your level of Japanese language competency. Around 58% of jobs listed on Daijob.com state that the applicant is required to speak “fluent” Japanese. 39% of the listings say that their applicants should speak “business level” Japanese. JLPT certification acts as verification of these requirements. It will simply grant you access to the job interview.
As we mentioned above, you need to put in thousands upon thousands of hours of study just to prepare for JLPT N2 or N1 effectively. Certification in either test reflects all of those hard hours, and employers will greatly appreciate that. They look for driven individuals, and certification alone speaks volumes about the one who holds it. Not to mention, it equips you to communicate in Japanese at a business level, and that is a major factor every employer cannot ignore.
There have been cases where a job listing stated that the applicant “must have N2 or N1 certification in order to be considered for the job,” and after applying and successfully being hired for the job, realized that their JLPT certification was never verified. This is because, in a lot of cases, companies don’t care if you’ve actually passed the test or not. They just want to know that you can pass the test.
Remember, JLPT is a language competency test that measures your ability to comprehend and read the language. It does not test your speaking skills, and it does not test your writing skills. Saying that you’ve passed JLPT N2 or N1 on your resume can serve as a key phrase that lets companies know that you’re a committed individual. They may not specifically ask to see your certification, but they will certainly find out if you are, in fact, fluent in the language and familiar with the culture.
Whether your JLPT certification will be verified or not is up to the employer. It’s always a good idea to be ready to prove your certification just in case they ask for it. In every case, though, being able to communicate in the language is more important than the certification itself. That being said, there are certain cases where JLPT certification is absolutely mandatory.
People Who Must Attain JLPT Certification
We’ve talked about cases where JLPT certification is not needed at all, and cases where having it will certainly benefit. But now, we’re going to talk about those special cases where JLPT N1 certification is mandatory. In most cases, those in the medical field need JLPT N1 certification before they can even apply to take Japan’s national exam for medical practitioners. However, other fields require certification as a part of the application. Here is a rundown of jobs with mandatory JLPT certification:
- Dentists
- Nurses
- Pharmacists
- Public Health Nurses
- Midwives
- Radiology Technologists
- Dental Hygienists
- Dental Technicians
- Clinical Laboratory Technicians
- Physical Therapists
- Occupational Therapists
- Orthoptists
- Clinical Engineers
- Prosthetists
- Emergency Medical Technicians
- Speech Therapists
- Veterinarians
(Source: NSC)
Japan has an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Under this agreement, Indonesian and Filipino nurse/caregiver candidates must have a JLPT certificate of N5 or higher. Vietnamese candidates need JLPT N3 certification or higher.
Conclusion
It can be safe to compare JLPT certification to a college degree. You certainly don’t need it to land a successful career in Japan. But having it will never hurt you, as it automatically verifies that you know and understand all of the material covered in JLPT. Japan is very competitive among its natives alone. When you throw a bunch of foreigners into the mix, the competition only gets more intense.
JLPT certification, whether it’s N2 or N1, will never guarantee perfect results. It is not a magic paper that can grant all of your wishes regarding Japanese immigration. But when used correctly, it can be an effective tool to streamline your move.
JLPT certification is not a one-way ticket to accomplishing your goals. In many cases, it’s simply a requirement to be considered for a job. No matter what your hopes are for the future, we hope this article has helped you understand and determine what to use your JLPT certification for.