Working in Hiroshima
Useful Qualifications and Training for Finding Employment
When seeking employment, it can be to your advantage to acquire certifications, such as the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) and the Business Japanese Proficiency Test (BJT).
Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)
The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test is a test used to evaluate the Japanese language ability of test takers for which Japanese is a second language, and it is conducted by the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services.
In order to work in Japan, acquiring certification that can objectively demonstrate your Japanese language ability will be a critical factor.
| Qualifications to take the examination | Individuals for which Japanese is a second language |
|---|---|
| Examination date | Twice a year (July and December) |
| Details | The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test has 5 levels (N1, N2, N3, N4, and N5). The N4 and N5 levels mainly measure how well the test taker understands basic Japanese in a classroom setting. The N1 and N2 levels measure how well the test taker understands Japanese used in a wide variety of situations in real life. The N3 level acts to bridge the N4 and N5 levels with the N1 and N2 levels. |
| Contact information | The JLPT (in Japan) Application Center (Japan Educational Exchanges and Services) Phone: 03-6686-2974 Operating hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Closed on: Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and the period at the end and beginning of the year Website |
Business Japanese Proficiency Test (BJT)
This test objectively measures and evaluates communication ability using the Japanese language in business situations.
| Qualifications to take the examination | None |
|---|---|
| Examination date | Almost every day |
| Details | Assuming that test takers already possess knowledge on grammar, vocabulary, and kanji, etc., this test is used to objectively measure how the test taker’s communication ability is used to process and respond to information that they have been provided with, while also applying the aforementioned knowledge. Toward this end, the scope of the questions given in this test includes all conceivable types of business situations that involve the Japanese language. The questions for this test are divided into 3 sections, and these include a listening comprehension test, composite test (listening comprehension and reading comprehension), and a reading comprehension test. Test takers will answer the 4-choice multiple-choice questions using a mark sheet (scantron sheet). The test results are not given as a “pass or fail” mark, and a point system from 0 to 800 points (score) is given instead, and based on this score, the test taker is evaluated on a 6-level scale from J1+ to J5. |
| Contact information | The Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation (a public interest incorporated foundation) Phone: 0120-509-315 E-mail: bjt@kanken.or.jp Operating hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on: Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, Bon Festival, and the period at the end and beginning of the year Website |