Should Software Developers Take the JLPT?
The JLPT has always been a hot topic among international residents in Japan. Many, including myself, have questioned if it’s a) worth taking and b) actually a decent indication of Japanese proficiency.
In the past few months, the test has gained even more attention thanks to changes to immigration laws, most notably new language requirements for certain visas. There’s been a lot of confusion about those changes, along with the usual speculation and fearmongering.
Even with the new laws passed, it’s a bit too early to tell exactly how they’ll affect us international residents working in Japan—software developers in particular.
I think this is a good time to step back and take a look at the JLPT from a more grounded perspective. What are the proven benefits of taking and passing the JLPT? Who would actually find it helpful, and who would find it to be a waste of time?
I took the N1 in 2017, a few years after starting my career in Japan. Although I didn’t exactly enjoy the process, I’m glad I took the test, because it actually did benefit me in ways I didn’t expect.
At the same time, plenty of my friends and colleagues in Japan have never taken the test and have still built perfectly successful careers without it. So whether it’s worth your time just depends on your priorities. If you’re on the fence, I hope this article can serve as a reference and help you decide.
What is the JLPT?
The JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) was introduced in 1984 and is administered by the government-affiliated Japan Foundation and JEES. It’s by far the oldest and best-known standardized Japanese test and, for better or worse, it’s become the most popular benchmark for measuring Japanese ability.
Of the five different levels ranging from N5 (easiest) to N1 (most difficult), N2 and N1 are considered the most…
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