JPT Japanese Proficiency Test Adopted as Certification for Japanese Language Ability Required for Admission to Higher Education Institutions by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan
The JPT Japanese Proficiency Test has been newly adopted by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan as a certification for Japanese language ability required for admission to higher education institutions. This allows Japanese language learners to more conveniently prove their Japanese language proficiency necessary for studying and working in Japan.
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- 📰 Published: May 8, 2026 at 19:00
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We are pleased to announce that the JPT Japanese Proficiency Test, administered and operated by the JPT Japanese Proficiency Test Administration Committee (Office: Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto; Representative Director: Shuji Kitada), a member of our group, has been adopted by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan as a test to certify "Japanese language ability for admission to higher education institutions."
JPT is a Japanese language proficiency test developed for non-native Japanese speakers to objectively measure and evaluate the communication skills necessary for studying and working in Japan.
It is already utilized as a test to certify Japanese language ability equivalent to or higher than A1 level in the "Common European Framework of Reference for Languages" for admission to Japanese language educational institutions (※1), and as a test to certify Japanese language ability equivalent to or higher than A2 level in the "Common European Framework of Reference for Languages" for the "Student" residence status (※2). With this new adoption as a test to certify "Japanese language ability for admission to higher education institutions" (※3), it has become even more convenient to use.
JPT scores are adopted by over 600 schools nationwide (※4) for assessing Japanese language proficiency. Our organization will continue to strive to contribute to the spread of the Japanese language and the improvement of Japanese language proficiency among international students through the JPT Japanese Proficiency Test.
※1 A score of 315 points or higher is required.
※2 A score of 370 points or higher is required.
※3 A score of 525 points or higher is required.
※4 As of April 2026
■ About Japanese Language Ability for Admission to Higher Education Institutions (Ministry of Justice website)
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/resources/nyuukokukanri07_00022.html
■ List of JPT Score Adopters
https://www.jptest.jp/use/merit.php
■ What is the JPT Japanese Proficiency Test?
JPT is a Japanese language proficiency test that started in 1985 and has been conducted over 400 times (※) annually, 12 times a year. It is also utilized in the residency screening by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, with a cumulative total of approximately 1.5 million (※) test-takers in various Asian countries including Japan, South Korea, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
※ As of April 2026
≪Differences from the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)≫
JLPT is a test conducted by the Japan Foundation, an external organization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and uses a 5-level evaluation from N1 to N5. In contrast, JPT uses a score display in 5-point increments, not pass/fail. Since it can score up to a high score of 990 points, it can be used for professions requiring advanced Japanese language skills, and it allows for accurate comparison of abilities that cannot be expressed by pass/fail stage evaluations. Furthermore, results are announced quickly, within two weeks.
※ JPT consists of 200 questions in listening and reading comprehension, scored from 10 to 990 points.
■ About the JPT Japanese Proficiency Test Administration Committee
● Name: JPT Japanese Proficiency Test Administration Committee (FREEMIND Group Co., Ltd.)
● Representative: Representative Director Shuji Kitada
● Location: Tamaru Sangyo Bldg., 403 Sakincho, Takeyamachi-agaru, Kurumayamachi-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-0875
● Business Activities:
1. Implementation of the JPT Japanese Proficiency Test
2. Establishment of Japanese language proficiency educational institutions
3. Research on Japanese language proficiency
4. Sale of publications
5. All businesses incidental or related to the preceding items
● URL: https://www.jptest.jp/
【Customer Inquiries Regarding This Matter】
JPT Japanese Proficiency Test Administration Committee
TEL: 075-253-6180 (Reception hours: 10:00-18:00, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays)
e-mail: info@jptest.jp
JPT is a Japanese language proficiency test developed for non-native Japanese speakers to objectively measure and evaluate the communication skills necessary for studying and working in Japan.
It is already utilized as a test to certify Japanese language ability equivalent to or higher than A1 level in the "Common European Framework of Reference for Languages" for admission to Japanese language educational institutions (※1), and as a test to certify Japanese language ability equivalent to or higher than A2 level in the "Common European Framework of Reference for Languages" for the "Student" residence status (※2). With this new adoption as a test to certify "Japanese language ability for admission to higher education institutions" (※3), it has become even more convenient to use.
JPT scores are adopted by over 600 schools nationwide (※4) for assessing Japanese language proficiency. Our organization will continue to strive to contribute to the spread of the Japanese language and the improvement of Japanese language proficiency among international students through the JPT Japanese Proficiency Test.
※1 A score of 315 points or higher is required.
※2 A score of 370 points or higher is required.
※3 A score of 525 points or higher is required.
※4 As of April 2026
■ About Japanese Language Ability for Admission to Higher Education Institutions (Ministry of Justice website)
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/resources/nyuukokukanri07_00022.html
■ List of JPT Score Adopters
https://www.jptest.jp/use/merit.php
■ What is the JPT Japanese Proficiency Test?
JPT is a Japanese language proficiency test that started in 1985 and has been conducted over 400 times (※) annually, 12 times a year. It is also utilized in the residency screening by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, with a cumulative total of approximately 1.5 million (※) test-takers in various Asian countries including Japan, South Korea, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
※ As of April 2026
≪Differences from the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)≫
JLPT is a test conducted by the Japan Foundation, an external organization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and uses a 5-level evaluation from N1 to N5. In contrast, JPT uses a score display in 5-point increments, not pass/fail. Since it can score up to a high score of 990 points, it can be used for professions requiring advanced Japanese language skills, and it allows for accurate comparison of abilities that cannot be expressed by pass/fail stage evaluations. Furthermore, results are announced quickly, within two weeks.
※ JPT consists of 200 questions in listening and reading comprehension, scored from 10 to 990 points.
■ About the JPT Japanese Proficiency Test Administration Committee
● Name: JPT Japanese Proficiency Test Administration Committee (FREEMIND Group Co., Ltd.)
● Representative: Representative Director Shuji Kitada
● Location: Tamaru Sangyo Bldg., 403 Sakincho, Takeyamachi-agaru, Kurumayamachi-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-0875
● Business Activities:
1. Implementation of the JPT Japanese Proficiency Test
2. Establishment of Japanese language proficiency educational institutions
3. Research on Japanese language proficiency
4. Sale of publications
5. All businesses incidental or related to the preceding items
● URL: https://www.jptest.jp/
【Customer Inquiries Regarding This Matter】
JPT Japanese Proficiency Test Administration Committee
TEL: 075-253-6180 (Reception hours: 10:00-18:00, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays)
e-mail: info@jptest.jp