Amid a sharp surge in applicants for the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) for foreigners, the Japanese government has requested the use of alternative exams due to operational difficulties.
According to Japan's Kyodo News, the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) sent a notice on September 11 to about 100 accredited institutions, including Japanese language schools attended by foreigners, stating that "due to a rapid surge in examinees, it has become difficult to secure testing venues and maintain a strict testing operation system."
The ministry requested that institutions utilize the results of other exams, such as the Business Japanese Proficiency Test (BJT).
Kyodo News reported that the Immigration Services Agency of Japan also sent a similar notice to 800 Japanese language schools outside of the accredited institutions.
The JLPT is a leading Japanese language proficiency test, and the Japanese government uses its results to assess the language proficiency levels of foreigners.
It is used not only for acquiring residency status but also as a requirement for employment and further education, and is administered twice a year.
However, since the COVID-19 pandemic, annual applicants have increased by hundreds of thousands, with a total of 943,671 examinees both inside and outside Japan taking the exam held in July.
This is the highest number ever recorded for a July exam, and the application deadline for the upcoming December exam was also moved up earlier than scheduled due to a surge in applicants.
This increase in examinees is attributed to a rise in foreign residents in Japan, coupled with the Japanese government's decision since October of last year to add Japanese language proficiency requirements to certain residency statuses.
Kyodo News pointed out that while MEXT and other agencies have requested the use of alternative tests, it remains uncertain whether the JLPT can be fully replaced by other exams.
The outlet added that criticism is emerging over the government's delayed response, and concerns are growing that the situation could have a broader impact on foreigners acquiring residency status.
(Photo: Capture from the official JLPT website, Yonhap News)
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