Which JLPT level do I need in Japan?

B2 or higher · CEFR reference

JLPT N2 (115/180): meets 7 of 14 Japanese-language rules checked, 10 HSP points, B2 on JLPT's CEFR reference.

JLPT's reference display for N2 115/180 is B2 (reading, listening and language knowledge only).

• Highly Skilled Professional points 高度専門職ポイント（日本語能力）

  +10

  10 points (JLPT N2). N1 (or BJT 480+) would give 15.

  JLPT N1, BJT 480+ or a Japanese major at a foreign university: 15 points. JLPT N2 or BJT 400+: 10 points, but not for people who already get the 10 points for a Japanese degree. 70 points qualify for HSP. source

• Designated Activities No. 46 (Japanese-university graduates) 特定活動（告示46号・本邦大学等卒業者）

  Not met

  Needs both: JLPT N1 / BJT 480+ and a Japanese degree.

  A degree from a Japanese university or graduate school (or the listed equivalents) AND JLPT N1 or BJT 480+ (a Japanese major at a foreign university also proves the language). The job must use Japanese. source

• Business Manager visa: B2 Japanese (applicant or a full-time employee) 経営・管理（日本語能力 B2相当：申請者又は常勤職員）

  Met

  You meet it yourself (JLPT N2).

  For applications from 2025-10-16, the applicant OR a full-time employee needs B2-level Japanese: JLPT N2+, BJT 400+, 20+ years as a mid/long-term resident, a Japanese higher-education degree (専門学校 counts), or Japanese compulsory school + high school. A Japanese national employee also counts. Existing holders renewing before 2028-10-16 are judged with leeway. source

• Specified Skilled Worker (i), all fields 特定技能1号（日本語能力）

  Met

  Met (JLPT N2).

  JFT-Basic (A2.2 level) or JLPT N4+. The Japanese test is waived for anyone who completed Technical Intern Training (ii) in good standing, in any job type. The skills test is separate. source

• Specified Skilled Worker (i), nursing care 特定技能1号「介護」（日本語能力）

  Not met

  General test met; still needs the Care Japanese Language Evaluation Test.

  JFT-Basic or JLPT N4+, plus the Care Japanese Language Evaluation Test (介護日本語評価試験). Technical Intern Training (ii) waives the general test; only TITP (ii) in nursing care also waives the care test. source

• Specified Skilled Worker (ii): food service and fishery 特定技能2号 外食業・漁業（日本語能力）

  Check rules

  Your apply date 2026-11-09 is before 2027-04-01: check the current 運用要領. Your JLPT result is already B1 or higher on JLPT's CEFR reference.

  ISA's field pages say B1-level Japanese (日本語教育の参照枠) is required from 2027-04-01 and that how it is proved will be announced separately. Before that date, check the field's operating rules (運用要領); older rules asked for JLPT N3. source

• Employment for Skill Development (replaces Technical Intern Training) 育成就労（2027年4月1日〜）

  From 2027-04-01

  A1 entry level met; your result also reaches A2 (N4 level) for the move to SSW (i).

  Starts 2027-04-01. Before starting work: pass an A1-level Japanese test (for example JLPT N5) or take an equivalent A1 course. By the end of the 3 years: an A2-target course. Moving to SSW (i) needs A2 (JLPT N4 level); changing employer by choice needs A2.1+ in most fields (A2.2 in nursing care). source

• Permanent residence: B1 Japanese is a factor 永住許可（B1相当の日本語能力・考慮要素）

  From 2027-04-01

  Applications before 2027-04-01 (yours: 2026-11-09) use the older guideline without the B1 factor.

  For PR applications from 2027-04-01, ISA considers whether you have B1-level Japanese (日本語教育の参照枠). Not considered for HSP holders and families, people with 6+ years of Japanese primary/secondary schooling, and some children of permanent residents. No specific test is named. source

• Admission to a Japanese language school (Student visa) 日本語教育機関への入学（留学）

  Met

  Met (JLPT N2).

  JLPT N5 or higher satisfies the Japanese requirement for schools that may enrol Student-visa holders (other proofs exist, such as hours of study). source

• Japanese universities and colleges (benchmark) 日本の高等教育機関への入学（目安）

  Met

  Meets the N2 benchmark (JLPT N2).

  JLPT N2 or higher is the usual benchmark for admission to Japanese higher-education institutions; each school sets its own rules (many use the EJU). source

• Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services 技術・人文知識・国際業務

  Met

  N2+ covers jobs that use Japanese.

  No fixed Japanese level in the criteria. If your job uses Japanese and you must prove it, JLPT N2+ meets it. source

• Japanese national exams for overseas-licensed doctors, nurses, pharmacists etc. 医師等の国家試験受験資格（外国の免許・学校）

  Not met

  Needs JLPT N1.

  JLPT N1 is required to take Japan's national exams for medical practitioners licensed overseas, and for dentists, nurses, pharmacists, midwives, physical / occupational therapists, veterinarians and other listed professions. Prefectural assistant-nurse exams also need N1. source

• Junior high school equivalency exam: Japanese subject waived 中学校卒業程度認定試験（国語免除）

  Met

  Japanese subject waived.

  Foreign examinees with JLPT N1 or N2 are excused from the Japanese-language subject. source

• EPA nurse / care-worker candidates (Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam) EPA看護師・介護福祉士候補者

  Met

  Your level meets the line for: Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam.

  Under the EPAs: Philippines about N5+, Indonesia about N4+, Vietnam N3+ (MHLW sets the details). source

What the next level unlocks

• N1: 15 HSP points, Designated Activities 46 (with a Japanese degree), national medical exams.