Latest news with #JLPT
Khaleej Times
13 hours ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE to host first JLPT Exam in December, marking growing Japan-UAE educational ties
In a significant step forward in Japan-UAE educational cooperation, the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) will be held in the UAE for the first time this December. Reflecting the growing cultural and educational exchange between the two nations, this initiative highlights the increasing interest in Japanese language learning and academic collaboration across the UAE. On June 18, 2025, the Japan Foundation and the Continuing Education Center (CEC) at UAE University (UAEU) signed an agreement to officially host the JLPT at the CEC in Al Ain. This milestone offers Japanese language learners in the UAE the opportunity to take the globally recognised JLPT exam locally, supporting their academic pursuits and validating their language proficiency on an international scale. The inaugural JLPT session is scheduled for December 7, 2025, at the CEC. Applications will be open from July 15 to August 15, 2025. Further details are available via the official social media channels of the CEC and the Embassy of Japan in the UAE. This initiative underscores the deepening partnership between Japan and the UAE in the fields of education and culture. By bringing Japanese language certification closer to learners in the region, it opens new doors for engagement, understanding, and meaningful exchange between the two nations.
Metropolis Japan
6 days ago
- Business
- Metropolis Japan
How to Live in Japan
Visas, jobs and the real way people make it work By Living in Japan long-term is possible if you really want it. Whether you're an artist, aspiring developer or just drawn to the culture, the key is understanding how visas work, being flexible with your job expectations and knowing how to network and apply for the right roles. Start With the Right Visa To live and work legally in Japan, you need a visa that permits employment. The most common entry points include: Working Holiday Visa If you're from a country like Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Canada or select EU nations, you may be eligible for a Working Holiday Visa. This visa allows you to stay for up to a year (or 18 months for certain nationalities, such as Australians), and work to support your stay. You don't need a job lined up when you apply—you can come with a vague plan, then figure it out. People often take ski resort positions, part-time jobs and English teaching roles. But the real advantage is flexibility. You can try living in Japan without long-term visa stress, plus you're free to pivot your career plans once you're on the ground. The biggest plus is that it gives you time to build an organic network of people and companies for when you're ready to apply for a full-time role in a long-term career you are passionate about. As LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman puts it, 'Your network is the most important asset you have.' Many internationals in Japan get jobs through word of mouth. Working Visa (Standard Route) The usual route for staying long-term is through a Working Visa sponsored by a full-time company in Japan. These include categories like Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services and Instructor. This requires a bachelor's degree, a job offer from a Japanese company (usually before you arrive in Japan) and employer sponsorship for your visa. This option is great for those who want to work in a Japanese office. Be aware that many jobs require you to speak advanced Japanese and have passed the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) N2 or above. Some jobs with low language or English-language requirements include: English Teaching (ALT, eikaiwa, private tutoring, kindergarten) Software Engineering / Web Dev (many startups and large international companies use English for their Japan branch) Hospitality in Tourist Hubs (hostels, capsule hotels, ski resorts—especially seasonal) Modeling and Entertainment (especially for those with unique looks or language skills) Freelance Writing, Photography, Content Creation (requires visa eligibility, but can be lucrative) Startup Jobs in Tech (early-stage companies often care more about your portfolio than your JLPT level) Business Manager Visa (Start Your Own Business in Japan) If you want to run your own business in Japan, you'll need the Business Manager Visa and a lot of cash to throw at it up front. It's specifically for entrepreneurs and company founders. To qualify, you must: Establish a legal business entity (e.g., a GK or KK) Rent a physical office space (coworking spaces and online offices are not always accepted) Show a minimum investment of ¥5 million (~USD $32,000) Submit a detailed business plan, financial projections and hiring plans This visa is usually issued for 1 year initially and is renewable as long as your business remains active and legitimate. Some city governments, like those in Tokyo or Fukuoka, offer startup support programs that can help you apply for this visa even before incorporation. It's recommended to work with a lawyer familiar with starting a business. Creative or Freelance? Consider the Artist Visa For those pursuing careers in illustration, music, fashion, performance or other artistic fields, Japan offers a dedicated Artist Visa —but it's notoriously competitive. Only a few hundred are approved each year, and you'll need strong documentation of your work and income. Long-Term Goal: Permanent Residency If you're serious about staying in Japan forever, your long-term goal should be Permanent Residency (PR). Most people qualify after 10 years, but with high income, Japanese language skills or certain visa types, you can apply in as little as two. Here's how one creator got permanent residency in just two years Setting Your Expectations Your actual job in Japan might not be your dream job right away—and that's okay. Many newcomers find that Japan's job market is still very who you know and how good your Japanese language skills are, not what you apply for. That's why the real key is to prioritize networking over applications. Sign up for job boards, but don't rely solely on them. Make real connections. Attend meetups, seminars and expos. Go to co-working spaces and international events. Here are a few newsletter resources to start getting career opportunities delivered to your inbox: A Note on English Teaching One of the most common first jobs for newcomers in Japan is English teaching, for obvious reasons. It's accessible, doesn't usually require Japanese and often comes with visa sponsorship. But be cautious if it's not your long-term goal. If you're planning a career shift later (especially into tech, design or business roles), English teaching can be a double-edged sword. On a resume, it may appear irrelevant or misaligned—for example, applying for an engineering job with four years of English teaching as your most recent experience. It creates a disconnect in your career narrative. Consider leaving English teaching off your resume entirely if you're applying for unrelated roles. Manifest who you want to be in your bio at the top of your resume. 'I'm a Tokyo-based software engineer' rather than 'I'm an English Teacher' matches what you're applying for. Maintain a part-time or freelance role in your intended field while teaching, even if it's unpaid at first. There are many internships available in Japan. Even though they're not usually paid, they offer you that experience to get your foot in the door towards the career you're actually aiming for. Build a portfolio and stay current and focused in your target industry—it proves commitment and prevents gaps. How to live in Japan? In conclusion, it's smart to come with a plan, but the reality is, most people pivot once they're here. A job you take to pay rent might lead to a surprising opportunity. And the person you meet at a random event could connect you to a long-term path. In Japan, living here is often about patience, persistence and playing the long game.
The Hindu
03-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Online fast-track beginner's Japanese course to start soon
The Indo-Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry will start an online fast-track beginners' course in spoken and written Japanese on Saturdays and Sundays. The course will begin in the middle of July, a press release said. Students enrolling in this course will be able to sit for the N4-level Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) by the Japan Foundation in July 2026. The Chamber has also introduced a six-month, online distinct conversation course in Japanese for beginners on Saturdays and Sundays. This will include day-to-day conversation, customer handling, business conversation, and Japanese etiquette aimed at the service/manufacturing industry, corporate houses. and businessmen. For more details, contact 9884394717 and 9884200505, mail indo-japan@ or visit
Khaleej Times
24-06-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Japanese language proficiency test now available in the UAE
The Japan Foundation and UAE University's Continuing Education Centre (CEC) signed an agreement on June 18, 2025, to conduct the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) at the centre. The first JLPT is expected by end of 2025. The signing ceremony was attended by Ken Okaniwa, Ambassador of Japan to the UAE; Shihab Al Faheem, Ambassador of the UAE to Japan; Professor Ahmed Al Raeesi, Vice-Chancellor of UAE University; and Dr Eissa Al Remeithi, Director of the CEC. In his remarks, Ambassador Okaniwa said: 'This will provide more convenient opportunities for learners to take the exam, encouraging more people in the UAE to study Japanese.' This partnership represents major step in fostering Japanese language learning and cultural exchange in UAE and the region.
Metropolis Japan
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metropolis Japan
How to get permanent residency in Japan in 1-2 years
Want to get permanent residency in Japan in two years? Creator Tokuyuu teaches you how. A fateful first trip to Japan at the age of 18 changed Tokuyuu's life. After falling in love with the country and eventually returning, he would go on to achieve the highest level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), land a job with a Japanese company, and start a YouTube channel focused on life in Japan and learning the language. Receiving permanent residency in Japan (which he got in record time) allowed him to leave his job to pursue content creation full-time with the goal of sharing Japan with the world, so that others may have their life-changing connection with Japan as he did. Tokuyuu: After graduating from high school, I traveled to Japan for the first time with one of my close friends, Michael, who is half-Japanese. It was a month of pure adventure—two teenagers free-roaming Japan. I instantly fell in love: there were anime characters on the streets, the trains were always on time, and the architecture and nature were beautiful. But what moved me most was the kindness of the people. There was just one problem—I couldn't communicate. Michael had to translate everything: casual chats, my feelings of gratitude, and even my jokes (which, of course, fell flat in translation). On the Shinkansen ride back to the airport, I stared out the window with tears welling in my eyes—moved by the experience, but frustrated by the language barrier. At that moment, I made a promise to myself: I would become fluent in Japanese and one day return to Japan. Tokuyuu: As a motivated but broke 18-year-old, I mostly self-studied Japanese, scavenging the internet for any free resources I could find—YouTube videos, grammar guides, vocab lists, anything. I took a couple Japanese courses at university, but they only got me to about an N4 level, so once they ended I was back to self-study. That's when I became more regimented. I used an app called 'Kanji Study' to learn all the kanji from N3 to N1, studying 5 to 10 new characters and their related vocabulary every day. For grammar, I relied on YouTube playlists. For listening, I immersed myself in Japanese podcasts. And for speaking, I spent time with Japanese exchange students to practice conversation. It took about five and a half years after my first trip to Japan, but I eventually passed the JLPT N1. It remains one of my proudest achievements—not just because of the result, but because of the resourcefulness and discipline I developed to get there. Tokuyuu: Life in Japan feels completely different depending on whether you can speak Japanese or not. While many Japanese people will kindly try to speak English, their proficiency is often limited, so the depth of your relationships stays limited too, shaped by your own ability to speak Japanese. In my early stages of learning, I'd often resort to saying the closest word I knew and think, 'This isn't quite what I want to say,' or if I didn't fully understand someone, I'd just laugh and move on, but both situations always created a subtle sense of disconnect. As I've become more fluent, I can now express and understand more complex thoughts, emotions, and nuance. That ability has completely changed how I connect with others: I can share insecurities with friends, communicate feelings in a relationship, and even banter with the staff at my gym. It's opened the door to deeper, more meaningful relationships that just weren't possible before. You might also be interested in reading How to Buy A Property in Japan. Tokuyuu: I used to think there were only two ways to get permanent residence in Japan: marry a Japanese citizen or live in Japan for ten years. But a friend told me about a third option — the Highly Skilled Professional fast track. Under this system, you're assigned points based on factors like age, education, salary, work experience and Japanese proficiency. If you score 70 points, you can apply for permanent residence after three years of living in Japan. With 80 points, that wait is reduced to just one year. I hit exactly 80 points thanks to being in my twenties, holding a Master's degree, having a well-paying job and passing the JLPT N1. After submitting my application, I waited six long months. When I finally got the approval after two years in Japan, I was literally jumping on the couch in joy. Tokuyuu: The greatest benefit has been the freedom from being tied to a work visa. I worked for a great company, but it was unsettling knowing that if I lost my job, my life in Japan would be upturned—I'd have to leave and return to Canada. Permanent residence removed that pressure. After completing my work contract, I was able to leave my company and pursue content creation full-time. This was something that wouldn't have been possible without PR. Another benefit is how flexible Japan's permanent residence is. You're not required to live in Japan to keep it, which gives me the freedom to temporarily move abroad if I choose, without having to start over from zero when I come back. Tokuyuu: Naturalization in Japan requires giving up your current citizenship, as Japan doesn't allow dual nationality. Since permanent residence already gives me the freedom and stability I need, I didn't see the need to sever ties with Canada. That's something I'd be very reluctant to do. Tokuyuu: My biggest piece of advice is to stay patient and consistent with your Japanese studies. Learning the language is tough and takes time. I remember thinking, 'I've studied for years, but I still can't speak confidently,' which can be mentally challenging. It often feels like there's an infinite amount of Japanese to learn—because honestly, there is. But the good news is there's a finite amount you need to know to communicate confidently in daily life. If you keep showing up, keep pushing and stay curious, you will reach that point. And fluency will follow. Speaking Japanese will open doors. It strengthens your job prospects, deepens your relationships, and gives you points toward permanent residence. If you're serious about moving to Japan, learning the language is by far the most valuable investment you can make. Based in Japan: Would You Renovate an Akiya in Tokyo?
