Japan overwhelmed by surge in language proficiency test applicants
OSAKA (Kyodo) -- The Japanese government has asked Japanese-language schools nationwide to consider using alternatives to the commonly used exam known
Japan faces a surge in applicants for the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) as the government requests schools to consider alternative exams, sources close to the matter revealed. The number of JLPT applicants has surged since the government started mandating language proficiency for a wider range of jobs in October 2022, as the nation increasingly relies on foreign labor.
Despite the existence of other proficiency tests, the JLPT remains the only comprehensive exam covering all levels of Japanese proficiency required for various purposes, leading to overcrowding and testing capacity strain. The JLPT, administered twice yearly by the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services, is widely used by foreign nationals to meet language requirements for residential statuses, including work and study.
After the pandemic, the number of applicants has steadily increased, with 943,671 people applying in July 2023, a record for that session. Earlier applications for December 2023 were closed ahead of schedule. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology informed around 100 state-certified Japanese-language education providers about the growing applicant surge, urging them to use alternatives like the Business Japanese Proficiency Test.
The Immigration Services Agency also reached out to approximately 800 non-state-certified schools. A professor specializing in foreigner policies suggested that the government should administer the test responsibly, ensuring accessibility for all applicants, as lives depend on examination results.
Written by urgent.news from The Mainichi's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
