Announced by Immigration Services Agency of Japan (2026-10-05)
Study abroad — Enrol at a Japanese-language institution
To enrol at a Japanese-language institution (a Japanese language school), you must show Japanese ability at roughly A1 or above on the Reference Framework for Japanese Language Education. Any one of the tests published by the Ministry of Justice can serve as proof (see the table below). Proof by "150+ hours of study" alone is no longer accepted; a test certificate or an interview is required (for Certificates of Eligibility applied for from October 2026, and for changes or extensions applied for from July 1, 2026).
Japanese ability equivalent to CEFR A1 (deemed met by any of the following)JLPT N5 or above
Comparison
| Attribute | Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) |
|---|---|
| Purpose | The world's largest test certifying Japanese ability for non-native speakers |
| Required level for this status | N5 以上 |
| Frequency | Twice a year (July & December) |
| Organizer | The Japan Foundation / Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES) |
| Levels / CEFR | N1 · N2 · N3 · N4 · N5 (CEFR A1–C1) |
| Countries | 23 |
| Typical fee | ¥7,500 |
| Role for this purpose | The most recognised. Continuous to N3・N2 in the same system. Twice a year. |
| Official site | Official site ↗ |
Other accepted exams
- JFT-Basic (Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese)A1 or aboveDetails →
- Business Japanese Proficiency Test (BJT)BJT 300 pts or aboveDetails →
- Test of Practical Japanese (J.TEST)F級 or above or FGレベル試験 250 pts or aboveDetails →
- Japanese NAT-TEST5級 or aboveDetails →
- STBJ (Standard Test for Business Japanese)STBJ 350 pts or aboveDetails →
- TOPJ (Test of Practical Japanese)Beginner A (A-5) or aboveDetails →
- J-cert Japanese Test for Daily Life and Work初級 or aboveDetails →
- JLCT (Japanese Language Certification Test)JCT5 or aboveDetails →
- PJC Bridge (Practical Japanese Communication — Bridge)C- or aboveDetails →
- JPT (Japanese Proficiency Test)JPT 315 pts or aboveDetails →
- Japanese Online Test (JOT)JT5 or aboveDetails →
- S-JEP (Sundai Japanese Examination for Proficiency, formerly JPET)S-JEP 300 pts or aboveDetails →
Which should you take?
JLPT is the most widely recognised. Because it is held only twice a year, if you cannot make the application window you can use other listed tests held bimonthly or year-round. Check the type of proof required in the admission guidelines of the school you plan to enter.
FAQ
What Japanese level is needed to enrol at a Japanese language school?
The guide is roughly A1 or above on the Reference Framework for Japanese Language Education. For JLPT that is N5 or above; you can also prove it with NAT-TEST Level 5, J.TEST Level F, JLCT JCT5, and other tests published by the Ministry of Justice.
I can't make the JLPT date.
You can use NAT-TEST and J.TEST, held bimonthly, or listed tests available year-round, as alternatives. Check the school's admission guidelines.
Can I prove my level with "150+ hours of Japanese study"?
No. Proving A1 level by study history alone has been abolished; you now need a test certificate or confirmation in an interview. This applies to Certificate of Eligibility applications from October 2026 (from autumn entrants) and to change or extension applications from July 1, 2026.
Recent changes
All news →- Announced by The Japan Foundation (2026-08-03)
JFT-Basic now reports A1, A2.1 and A2.2 (from August 2026)
- Announced by Immigration Services Agency of Japan (2026-03-02)
13 tests accepted for language school admission (A1 level or above)
Next steps
Basis: 日本語教育機関の告示基準（出入国在留管理庁）／「日本語教育機関への入学をお考えのみなさまへ」