JLPT Cheating Ring Suspected: 'Guaranteed Pass' Services Sold on Xiaohongshu
A suspected cheating ring for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) has been uncovered, with services advertised on the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu (RED). The services, priced between 80,000 and 120,000 NTD (approx. 400,000 to 600,000 JPY), claim to use smartwatches or hidden earpieces to transmit answers. The organizing body, the Japan Foundation, has stated it will strengthen anti-cheating measures.
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- 📰 Published: June 11, 2026 at 13:31
- 🔍 Collected: June 11, 2026 at 13:46 (15 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 11, 2026 at 14:47 (1h 0m after Collected)
(Central News Agency, Tokyo, by Dai Yazhen, June 11) The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is a crucial language proficiency certificate for foreigners working in Japan or applying for residency status. Recently, however, reports have emerged of illegal vendors on the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu (RED) selling 'guaranteed pass' services. The services are priced according to different cheating devices, ranging from 80,000 to 120,000 NTD (approximately 400,000 to 600,000 JPY), raising concerns about test fairness. The organizing body has stated it will strengthen anti-cheating measures.
According to a report by the Sankei Shimbun, the JLPT is administered in approximately 80 countries and 250 cities worldwide. Recently, multiple advertisements claiming to help test-takers pass the JLPT, even boasting a 'guaranteed pass,' have appeared on the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu.
A person who uncovered this issue stated that her relative came to Japan last autumn and plans to take the JLPT in July this year. While searching for related information on Xiaohongshu on their behalf, she discovered advertisements claiming a 'guaranteed pass.' The vendor refused in-person meetings or phone calls, insisting on communication via WeChat.
According to their conversation, when asked 'how do you guarantee a pass,' the vendor replied, 'by using equipment.'
The 'cheating vendor' offered two plans. Plan A involved wearing a smartwatch with communication capabilities, costing 400,000 JPY (approximately 80,000 NTD). Plan B involved using a hidden micro-earpiece to receive answers, costing 600,000 JPY (approximately 120,000 NTD). The equipment was to be delivered 'non-face-to-face' via methods such as station lockers.
The vendor claimed to have a 'team of national university professors' who obtained the exam questions in advance, stating that 'about 15 minutes after the exam starts, we will send the answers to you via the smartwatch.'
In fact, the JLPT has been plagued by cheating scandals in recent years. After the December 2024 exam, the Japan Foundation, which oversees overseas test administration, discovered that some test-takers had 'statistically highly unnatural large numbers of identical answers.'
It is speculated that because the exam time in China is earlier than in some other countries, some individuals may have used the time difference to post answers on social media after the exam ended, allowing test-takers in later time zones to cheat.
Facing the increasing risk of cheating, the Japan Foundation stated that since July last year, it has strengthened test site management measures, including strictly prohibiting test-takers from using mobile phones and other electronic devices during the exam, and is continuously developing countermeasures to prevent cheating using time differences.
Furthermore, according to sources from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in addition to this case, other advertisements and posts suspected of offering cheating services have been found on Chinese social media platforms. (Editor: Tian Ruihua) 1150611
According to a report by the Sankei Shimbun, the JLPT is administered in approximately 80 countries and 250 cities worldwide. Recently, multiple advertisements claiming to help test-takers pass the JLPT, even boasting a 'guaranteed pass,' have appeared on the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu.
A person who uncovered this issue stated that her relative came to Japan last autumn and plans to take the JLPT in July this year. While searching for related information on Xiaohongshu on their behalf, she discovered advertisements claiming a 'guaranteed pass.' The vendor refused in-person meetings or phone calls, insisting on communication via WeChat.
According to their conversation, when asked 'how do you guarantee a pass,' the vendor replied, 'by using equipment.'
The 'cheating vendor' offered two plans. Plan A involved wearing a smartwatch with communication capabilities, costing 400,000 JPY (approximately 80,000 NTD). Plan B involved using a hidden micro-earpiece to receive answers, costing 600,000 JPY (approximately 120,000 NTD). The equipment was to be delivered 'non-face-to-face' via methods such as station lockers.
The vendor claimed to have a 'team of national university professors' who obtained the exam questions in advance, stating that 'about 15 minutes after the exam starts, we will send the answers to you via the smartwatch.'
In fact, the JLPT has been plagued by cheating scandals in recent years. After the December 2024 exam, the Japan Foundation, which oversees overseas test administration, discovered that some test-takers had 'statistically highly unnatural large numbers of identical answers.'
It is speculated that because the exam time in China is earlier than in some other countries, some individuals may have used the time difference to post answers on social media after the exam ended, allowing test-takers in later time zones to cheat.
Facing the increasing risk of cheating, the Japan Foundation stated that since July last year, it has strengthened test site management measures, including strictly prohibiting test-takers from using mobile phones and other electronic devices during the exam, and is continuously developing countermeasures to prevent cheating using time differences.
Furthermore, according to sources from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in addition to this case, other advertisements and posts suspected of offering cheating services have been found on Chinese social media platforms. (Editor: Tian Ruihua) 1150611