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The number of foreigners who want to work in Japan is increasing every year.
Many people come to Japan not only for tourism but also for study abroad and employment, and statistics show that the number of foreign workers continues to reach new records.
However, the first thing that many people worry about is, ” How much Japanese do I need? “
Even if you are good at English or your native language, you will often need to communicate in Japanese in the workplace, so language ability is a major key to finding employment.
So, this time we will explain in an easy-to-understand manner the approximate level of Japanese required for people working in Japan for the first time , by job type.
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The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is the standard
The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is the most widely used benchmark for measuring a foreigner’s Japanese language ability
.
The JLPT is divided into five levels, N1 to N5, and the levels are as follows:
N5 : Able to understand basic Japanese
N4 : Able to understand a little bit of everyday Japanese
N3 : Able to understand everyday conversation to a certain extent
N2 : Able to handle business conversations
N1 : Able to use advanced Japanese
When looking at job postings, you will often see statements such as
“N2 or above required” or
“daily conversation level or above ,” making Japanese language proficiency one of the hiring criteria.
Required Japanese language level for each job type
N3 level (simple daily conversation)
Many workplaces are practical, such as factories, logistics, food service, and nursing care, and require you to be able to listen to and understand work instructions
. While you will need to memorize technical terms and manuals, there are few opportunities to have complex conversations with superiors or colleagues.
For those who want to “first work in Japan,” aiming for N3 is a realistic starting point.
N2 level (business conversation)
White-collar jobs such as administration, sales support, and IT engineering.
Ability to smoothly report, contact, and consult with superiors (Ho-Ren-Sai).
Ability to understand and write internal documents and emails.
Many companies require N2 or above, so if you want to broaden your employment options, obtaining N2 is a good target.
N1 level (high level of Japanese language proficiency)
Sales, planning, consulting, management positions, etc.
Level of internal and external negotiation, preparation of presentation materials, participation in professional meetings.
Because they can work almost the same as Japanese people, they are likely to be entrusted with responsible positions.
If you are aiming for career advancement and a high income, N1 will be a great advantage.
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What is important besides Japanese language ability?
Passing the JLPT does not mean you can work in Japan, but if you have other skills in addition to your Japanese language ability, your chances of getting a job will increase.
If you have the skills I will introduce below, your market value will increase, your chances of finding a new job will improve, and you may even receive an offer for a higher annual salary than you expect.
① Specialized skills
Even if your Japanese is not perfect, you may be hired if you have specialized skills.
For example, IT engineers and programmers are often evaluated based on their English and technical skills.
② Business etiquette
In the Japanese workplace, cultural values such as honorific language, punctuality, and reporting, communicating, and consulting are emphasized.
In addition to accuracy in language, understanding the rules of the Japanese work style also leads to trust.
③ Multilingual skills
In the tourism and trade industries, English or your native language can be an advantage.
The combination of Japanese and other language skills can be an advantage when hiring.
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summary
The level of Japanese required for foreigners working in Japan for the first time varies depending on the job.
N3 level : Allows for practical work in factories, restaurants, etc.
N2 level : Allows for a wide range of jobs, including clerical and IT work
N1 level : Allows for responsible work in sales, planning, management, etc.
In other words, we recommend aiming for at least N3 to N2 level.
If you are thinking about career advancement, obtaining N1 will be a valuable asset.
Language skills are of course important, but if you also have specialized skills, business etiquette, and multilingual ability, your career in Japan will be greatly expanded.
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