Many foreigners such as students, Japanese language teachers, anime lovers, and corporate employees are seeking the JLPT certificate. The benefits it offers are certainly diverse and very valuable. From the privilege of not having to take certain qualification exams at school, to salary increases, job opportunities, promotions and various other benefits.
However, finding the latest information updates regarding the current JLPT exam is not easy to do. You need to check the official website of Japan Foundation or JEES and local institutions that have been trusted to administer the JLPT exam. Even so, not a few JLPT candidates are still confused about the technical information regarding the latest JLPT exam.
Especially those of you who live in Lyon, France, don’t worry. This article will help you understand the technicalities of the JLPT exam. What do you need to know about the JLPT, how to register for the exam, which website to refer to for information, how much it will cost you to prepare, and various other supporting information to strengthen your JLPT exam preparation?
Alright, let’s start the discussion about the next JLPT exam in Lyon, France.
Contents
1. About JLPT
The JLPT has been around since 1984.[1] In its first year, there were approximately 7,000 test takers from 15 countries.[1] Since then, the number of JLPT test takers has continued to grow. In 2011, the number of JLPT test takers increased significantly to 610,000 people from 62 countries around the world.[2] This was a historic year for the JLPT as it became the largest Japanese language proficiency test in the world.
In addition, the purpose of the JLPT is to evaluate and validate the Japanese proficiency of foreign speakers.[3] The background goals of each candidate who chooses to take this exam are becoming increasingly diverse. Not only to measure the ability of speakers but this JLPT certificate is needed to apply for a job, get a raise, promotion in the company, and various exemptions in certain qualification exams.
Did you know that before 2009, the JLPT was only given once a year, in December? Since 2009, the JLPT exam has undergone several changes and developments. The JLPT exam is given 2 times a year, in July and December.[4] The content of the JLPT exam has also been revised to make it more relevant and accurate in evaluating the Japanese proficiency of foreign speakers.
There are 2 organizations that you should always follow for information updates regarding the administration of the JLPT exam: The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES).[5] They work together to implement the JLPT exam in Japan and around the world.
The Advantages of JLPT
Having a JLPT certificate provides various benefits to its holders. Such as preferential treatment, promotions and salary increases in companies, opportunities to get excellent scholarships in universities, exemption from various exams or diplomas in schools, and various other benefits.
Specifically, according to the official JLPT website, the following is an example of the benefits you will receive if you have a JLPT certificate:
| List of Benefits | Details |
| 1. Receive preferential immigration treatment | Holders of JLPT N1 certificates receive 15 points, while those with N2 certificates receive 10 points. This is governed by the government’s “Points-Based Preferential Immigration Treatment System for Highly Capable Foreign Professionals”. If an individual has 70 points or more, they will receive this. |
| 2. Meeting the Requirements for Taking the National Medical Examination | Overseas licensed physicians need a JLPT N1 certificate to take the Japanese National Medical Examination. In addition, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, and others also need this certificate to take other national examinations. |
| 3. Japanese Prefectural Exam Requirements for Nursing Assistants | To take the Nursing Assistant examination in Japan, graduates of overseas nursing schools must attach a JLPT N1 certificate. For more information, refer to the regulations of each prefecture. |
| 4. Entrance Examination Exemption for Foreign Junior High School Students in Japan | The Japanese language test is waived for foreign nationals who hold a JLPT N1 or N2 certificate. |
| 5. Fulfillment of requirements for prospective nurses under the EPA | Nurses from Indonesia (level N5 or above), the Philippines (level N5 or above), and Vietnam (level N3 or above) require a JLPT certificate to work in Japan. |
In addition, a certain level of JLPT exam certificate is also required for foreigners studying Japanese majors at foreign universities. This certificate also provides many other benefits. Please share your experiences and opinions below about the benefits of having a certain level of JLPT certificate.
JLPT Levels
The JLPT exam has 5 levels: N1, N2, N3, N4, and N5. N1 is the hardest level while N5 is the easiest level. Each level has specific criteria that are measured. Broadly speaking, the N1 and N2 levels measure the understanding of the Japanese language required in various scenes in actual daily life.
Meanwhile, N4 and N5 measure understanding of basic Japanese commonly used in class. Then N3 is the intermediate level between these two groups.
2. About JLPT in Lyon, France
JLPT exams in France are held in 4 cities: Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, and Strasbourg. Each city has a local institution that administers the JLPT exam on behalf of the Japan Foundation. For 2023, only in the city of Paris, the JLPT exam will be held 2 times: July and December. In other cities, the JLPT exam will be held only once. In particular, in the city of Lyon, the JLPT exam will only be held in December.
In addition, the local institution responsible for administering the JLPT exam in the city of Lyon is the Association Lyon-Japon Nihonjinkai. For the latest information on the JLPT exam in Lyon, please visit the Association Lyon-Japon Nihonjinkai website below:
There you will find announcements about the results of the previous JLPT exam, the upcoming JLPT exam, when registration opens for the next JLPT exam, and other supporting information.
List of JLPT Host Institutions in France
As additional information for you, here is a list of local institutions that host JLPT exams in other cities, in France. If you would like to find out the latest information about the JLPT exam, please visit the website of the local institution or contact the person in charge.
| List of the City | Host Institution |
| 1. Paris | Service Commun de la Formation Continue de I’INALCO |
| 2. Bordeaux | Université Bordeaux Montaigne |
| 3. Strasbourg | Cellule de certifications en langues, Université de Strasbourg |
Please note that you are expected to make no mistakes in selecting the local institution and city where you will take the JLPT exam. When you register, you will not be able to change the location of the test if the registration is completed in the final step.
About Association Lyon-Japon Nihonjinkai
This association is a special association that organizes various Japanese and French cultural and economic exchange activities in the city of Lyon and its surroundings. This association plays an active role in introducing Japanese culture to the French.
In addition, various interesting Japanese cultural exchange events are frequently organized by this association. These include the major JLPT exam event in the city of Lyon. In addition, this association also provides rooms that can be rented for meetings, conferences and various other professional events.
This association is very large. It has more than 140 families and 280 members. If you want to know more about Lyon Nihonjinkai, please click on the link below:
Association Lyon-Japon Nihonjinkai
Address: 34 rue Victor Hugo – 69002 Lyon
E-mail: jlpt@lyon-nihonjinkai.org
3. General Info about JLPT in Lyon
For 2023, the JLPT exam will be administered on Sunday, December 3, 2023. In December only. For information on registering for the JLPT exam in Lyon, please visit the Lyon Nihonjinkai website below:
As a reference, the following are general steps you can take when preparing to register for the JLPT exam.
- You must regularly check the Lyon Nihonjinkai website for the latest information.
- Instructions for the JLPT exam will be available on the Lyon Nihonjinkai website.
- Pay attention to when the registration period opens as there will be a quota. You need to register as soon as possible.
- Follow all instructions and fill in all required information clearly and correctly.
- Select a payment method according to the instructions provided.
If you have any questions, please contact Lyon Nihonjinkai. If your registration is successful, you will receive a confirmation email and your test voucher will be sent approximately 1 month before the JLPt exam.
Test Guide and Fee
Test guides, fee information, and payment instructions are usually available when registration for the JLPT exam opens. For the next JLPT exam in particular, registration information will be released at the end of August. You will need to keep checking the Lyon Nihonjinkai website for updated information on the JLPT exam.
Or, if you need references related to test guides, fees, and other instructions, please contact the listed contact person and ask for a test guide or JLPT 2022 exam information.
4. How to Register for the JLPT Test in Lyon?
For those of you who want to take the JLPT exam, you need to know how to register. Here’s how to register for the JLPT exam in Lyon, France?
- You must check with the local institutions that administer the JLPT on behalf of the Japan Foundation.
- In this case, you must confirm the registration method with the local host institution, Lyon Nihonjinkai. Please check the Lyon Nihonjinkai website regularly.
- You will need to request a test guide with an attached application form. Test guides are usually available on the Lyon Nihonjinkai website. If the Test Guide is not available, you can contact the Lyon Nihonjinkai contact person to request a Test Guide or last year’s Test Guide for reference.
- After that, please read the available Test Guide carefully and follow the instructions. Test guides are usually available around August-September for the December exams.
- You must make sure you meet the specified registration deadline. The registration period for the JLPT exam is usually not long, only about 2 weeks. There is also a fixed quota limit. Register as early as possible to secure your seat.
Upon successful registration, you will receive a test voucher, usually sent by email. If you don’t receive a confirmation e-mail that your registration was successful, or if you don’t receive a trial voucher, please contact Lyon Nihonjinkai. After that, all you have to do is prepare for the exam, which will be held in December. Especially in 2023, the JLPT exam will be held on Sunday, December 3, 2023 for the city of Lyon.
5. Best Way to Boost Your JLPT Score and Effective Learning for JLPT
In addition to knowing well how the technical method of registering for the JLPT exam works, you also need to know how good your current JLPT exam preparation process is. Of course, you really want your JLPT exam results to be good, even perfect, right? Not just pass.
Here are some tips to help you strengthen your JLPT exam preparation program:
First, you need to take a special JLPT exam preparation program with a certified Japanese teacher (professional) at a Japanese language institution that is official or recognized by local authorities. This will help you to prepare effectively and purposefully for the exam. Professional teachers can also help you evaluate what material you haven’t mastered, for example.
Second, practice questions are the key to getting a high JLPT score. You need to do a lot of practice questions to get a high and perfect JLPT exam score. Practice questions help you answer exam questions quickly. As a result, your time will not be wasted on exams.
If you are currently preparing for the JLPT N3 exam, please read the recommended JLPT N3 books, kanji, as well as special vocabulary for the JLPT N3 exam below!
Read Also:
JLPT N3 Vocabulary | The Most Complete Lists
Get Ready for JLPT N3: 100 Kanji List
Third, immerse yourself in all things Japanese. For example, you can get used to reading the news in Japanese to increase your sensitivity and familiarity with Japanese. And you can expand your Japanese vocabulary at the same time.
Anything else to add? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below!
Conclusions
This is the last part of the discussion about the JLPT exam in Lyon. We really hope that this information is useful for you. Please don’t hesitate to share your comments, suggestions, and criticisms with us in the comments section below.
We are very happy and proud to be a part of your journey to fight for the JLPT exam. We wish you success in passing the JLPT exam, getting a high score and successfully building the career of your dreams.
Thank you for reading to the end. See you in the next article!
References
1 “Message from Organizers“. The Official JLPT Website. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
2 “Introduction“. The Official JLPT Website. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
3 “Objectives“. The Official JLPT Website. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
4 “Statistics“. The Official JLPT Website. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
5 “Organizers“. The Official JLPT Website. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
