JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic: which test do you need to work in Japan?

If you plan to work in Japan through the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa, you need to show basic Japanese. Two tests are accepted for this: JFT-Basic and the JLPT at N4 or higher. They measure a similar level, but they work very differently.

What each test is

JFT-Basic (Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese) was designed for people going to Japan to work. It checks whether you can handle everyday situations: shopping, following instructions at work, reading simple notices. You take it on a computer at a test centre, and a passing score shows Japanese at around A2 level.

The JLPT (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test) is the best-known Japanese test in the world. It has five levels, from N5 (beginner) to N1 (advanced). It is paper-based, and in India it is held twice a year, in July and December. Results come out a couple of months after the exam.

The main differences

Which should you choose?

• Choose JFT-Basic if your goal is SSW and you want to apply soon. Because it runs so often, you can sit the test shortly after your course ends.
• Choose JLPT N4 if you also want a certificate that is recognised widely, or you plan to continue to N3 and N2 for better jobs later.
• Many students do both: JFT-Basic for speed, then JLPT N4 or N3 to keep improving.

One more point: if you are aiming for nursing care, you will also need a separate care Japanese test, in addition to JFT-Basic or JLPT N4.

How long does it take?

Starting from zero, most students reach the level for either test in about 6 to 7 months of regular classes: N5 first, then N4 or our JFT Basic course.

Rules change from time to time, so always check the latest requirements with official sources before you apply.