In 2022, the number of foreign workers in Japan reached 1,822,725[1] (as of October 31). Japan also strongly encourages foreign students to complete their education at Japan’s best universities and encourages them to stay and work in Japan. The Japanese government has set a goal of having 400,000 foreign students studying in Japan by 2033.[2]
Most of the foreign workers and students in Japan are from the Asian region, including the Philippines. Many of them want to experience working and studying in a developed country, Japan. One of the main requirements for this is a good command of the Japanese language.
For this reason, workers and students from the Philippines are required to take the JLPT. The JLPT is the most widely recognized and largest Japanese language proficiency test in the world. The JLPT certificate is essential for those who want to increase their opportunities to work and study in Japan.
Therefore, to help those of you who want to know more details about the JLPT exam updates in the Philippines, we are here for you. We have summarized all the important information that will be very useful for you to conquer the JLPT in the Philippines.
Starting from where you can take the JLPT in the Philippines, how to register, how much you have to pay, and many other useful information. Includes bonus tips on effective ways to improve your JLPT exam score. Now, let’s start the discussion!
Read also: JLPT Manila: All Important Things to Know
Contents
About JLPT (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test)
According to the official information of the Japan Foundation, the JLPT test has been attended by participants from all over the world reaching 1,36 million participants until 2019 before the spread of COVID-19, since the JLPT test was first held in 1984.[3]
Further, the JLPT is a Japanese language proficiency test designed for those who are not native Japanese speakers. The JLPT has become the most prestigious and largest test held in Japan and abroad. For the JLPT abroad, the local institutional hosts are appointed as the official institution to conduct JLPT tests.
Moreover, 2 main organizations organize JLPT in Japan and abroad: Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES) and the Japan Foundation.[4] Especially overseas, the Japan Foundation works with local institutions to organize the JLPT exam.
In addition, the JLPT test has been held twice a year in July and December since 2009.[5] Before 2009, JLPT was held only once, in December. As for the core test, it has five levels, from N5 (lowest), N4, N3, N2, and N1, the highest. All groups can participate in this test.
The Advantages of Taking JLPT
Several advantages can be obtained as a winner of a JLPT certificate at a certain level, especially JLPT N1 and N2. This certificate is very important and even mandatory under certain conditions and for certain professions in Japan and abroad. Below are some of the advantages we can summarize:
| List of Advantages | Details |
| Simplification of Immigration | Holders of JLPT N1 and N2 certificates receive 15 points and 10 points, respectively, in the Japanese government’s “Points-Based Preferential Immigration Treatment System for Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals”. The more points you earn, the more preferential treatment you will receive from the immigration authorities. |
| For the National Exam in Japan | Medical professionals from overseas who wish to work in Japan are required to have a JLPT N1 certificate, and some other professions as well. |
| Japanese University Entrance Exam | Many universities in Japan require Japanese language proficiency. The JLPT certificate is proof of this proficiency. |
| Scholarships | For foreign students, the JLPT is the first gate to getting a scholarship, in addition to expertise in their respective fields, Japanese language ability is an absolute companion. |
| For Outside Japan | JLPT certificates outside of Japan are useful for promotion, graduation credits, job interview screening, and national equivalency qualifications. |
The JLPT has always been a hot topic among foreigners who want to build a career in Japan. Many of them study specifically to win the JLPT N1 to gain advantages in whatever job or profession they are competing for in Japan or their own country.
About JLPT in the Philippines
In the Philippines, the JLPT was held in 4 cities: Manila, Cebu, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro. Each city has its local institution that organizes JLPT. In all cities, JLPT is held 2 times, in July and December.[6]
Those of you who want to take the JLPT exam in Manila can choose in which city you want to take the JLPT exam. You are lucky because the JLPT exam is available 2 times. Because in other countries, the JLPT is only held once. Especially in the current Covid-19 pandemic situation.
For the latest information on the administration of the JLPT exam in all cities in the Philippines, please visit the Japan Foundation Manila website below:
There you will find all the information regarding the JLPT exam administration in all the cities in the Philippines. All technical procedures for JLPT exam registration in all cities in the Philippines are centralized here. Please note that the next JLPT exams are scheduled for Sunday, 2 July 2023 in 4 cities.
Read also: 10 Most Popular Places to Learn Japanese in the Philippines
Host Institutions of JLPT in the Philippines
To keep up with the latest updates regarding the JLPT, you can visit the Japan Foundation Manila website or the websites or offices of local institutions that administer the JLPT exam in the Philippines as follows:
| List of Cities | Host Institution |
| 1. Manila | The Philippines-Japan Friendship Foundation, Inc. (PJFF) 7th Floor, Electra House Building 115-117 Esteban Street, Legaspi Village Makati City, Philippines email: pjff.jlpt.manila@gmail.com |
| 2. Cebu | Japanese Association Cebu, Inc. (JAC) 5th Floor Clotilde Commercial Center, M. L. Quezon Ave, Casuntingan, Mandaue City, 6014 Cebu, Philippines email: jac.jlpt.cebu@gmail.com Tel: (032) 343-8066 |
| 3. Davao | Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku (MKD) Angliongto Ave., Lanang, Davao City, Philippines email: mkd.jlpt.davao@gmail.com Tel: (082) 233 – 0013 / (082) 233 – 0081 / (082) 285 – 6146 |
| 4. Cagayan De Oro | Cagayan De Oro College Max Y. Suniel St, Cagayan de Oro, 9000 Misamis Oriental, Philippines email: coc.jlpt.cdo@gmail.com |
If you have questions about the JLPT exams in any of the above cities, please contact the Japan Foundation Manila or the local institutions listed above.
General Info about JLPT in the Philippines
If you are planning to take the JLPT in the Philippines shortly, you can take the exam in July 2023. For information on general guidelines, fees, registration, and more, please visit the Japan Foundation Manila website directly below.
In addition, you can take any JLPT level exam in any city in the Philippines. In the Philippines, the JLPT is scheduled to be held on Sunday, July 2, 2023, and December 3, 2023.
You will need to contact the local institutions and the Japan Foundation Manila if you have any questions about the upcoming JLPT or if you encounter any problems in registering for the JLPT in the city where you are planning to take it.
Test Guide and Fee
Registration for the JLPT exam for July will be open from April 1 through April 20, 2023. Registration for the JLPT exam can only be done online. Application guidelines and application forms will be announced by The Japan Foundation shortly.
For reference, please refer to the General Guidelines for the 2023 JLPT below:
Then, below is a list of JLPT exam fees for each level. You can choose the exam level according to your abilities and desires in 4 cities in the Philippines where JLPT is held. All are available.
| JLPT Level | Fee |
| JLPT N1 | P 1,500.00 |
| JLPT N2 | P 1,500.00 |
| JLPT N3 | P 1,100.00 |
| JLPT N4 | P 1,100.00 |
| JLPT N5 | P 1,100.00 |
Payment instructions will be provided when you register online. Follow the instructions and upload a copy of the payment receipt to the online application form.
Moreover, the payment slip is an official receipt issued by the host institution. Please contact your host institution for further assistance if you have any difficulties making the payment.
How to Register for the JLPT in the Philippines?
To register for the JLPT exam in any city in the Philippines, you can only do so online. There is no in-person registration or mail-in registration. Please note the schedule for the registration period, which is from April 1 to 20, 2023 for the exam next Sunday, July 2, 2023.
For more details, please refer to the following list to find out how to register for the JLPT exam in the Philippines:
- Visit the Japan Foundation Manila website for the most complete and up-to-date information on the upcoming JLPT.
- You must present a complete vaccination certificate to take the JLPT exam at any local Philippine institution.
- Group registration is not accepted for the JLPT at this time.
- Candidates are required to pay the registration fee according to the established method and conditions. Thereafter, applicants must upload a copy of the payment receipt issued by the host institution to the online application form to complete the registration process.
- Upon successful completion of the application process, you will receive a trial voucher.
Please contact Japan Foundation Manila and local institutions immediately if you encounter any problems during the registration process.
The Important Note
The following is an important note that you should pay attention to for the smooth running of the JLPT registration and implementation.
- You must present a printed copy of the JLPT test voucher, a valid government-issued photo ID, and a vaccination card/vaccination certificate to complete the vaccination on the test day at the designated test site.
- Don’t forget to fill in the application form based on the information provided in the test guide.
- Avoid mistakes in writing your identity, address, and other information. Always check the information you enter carefully.
- If you pass, you will receive a JLPT certificate in October 2023 (for the July 2023 exam).
- Subsequently, all candidates will receive a score report of the JLPT exam taken.
You will need to check your JLPT exam results on the official JLPT worldwide website around September 2023. If you have any problems or questions regarding the registration process, score reports, etc., please contact the Japan Foundation or local institutions immediately.
How to Prepare for the JLPT Test in the Philippines?
For those of you who are currently focused on preparing for the JLPT exam in the Philippines, we want to provide important tips as a reminder and reinforcement of your preparation.
Not only an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the technical implementation of the JLPT exam but how well your current JLPT exam preparation determines whether or not you pass or whether your JLPT exam score will be high or low in the future.
To properly prepare for the JLPT test, we highly recommend that you take JLPT test preparation classes at a special level with professionals and certified teachers at official language institutions or institutes.
Therefore, please don’t worry if you are confused about finding the best place that offers a trustworthy JLPT preparation program. Because we will share the information below just for you. Please read the following recommendations for places to learn Japanese and prepare for the JLPT in the Philippines:
One Best Way to Boost the JLPT Score!
In addition to taking special JLPT test preparation classes with professional teachers at trusted language institutions, we also have other important tips for you.
If you want to get a high score on the JLPT exam, you need to do practice questions, vocabulary exercises, and kanji exercises very intensively and consistently. You can buy various well-known books specifically for JLPT exam preparation or look for many study resources on the Internet.
Currently, YouTube is also a platform that provides a lot of discussion on JLPT exam material. You can add it as a study reference.
Read also: 10 Most Famous & Powerful Textbooks to Pass JLPT N1
Looking for More Information on the JLPT Test?
- Can I give N4 without N5?
You can choose the level at which you want to test your Japanese language skills. You do not need to pass one level before taking another. For example, you do not need to pass JLPT N5 before taking JLPT N4. - Can I pass JLPT N5 in 2 months?
If you have no basic Japanese ability, you need to dedicate 8 hours per day for 2 months to study Japanese to pass the JLPT N5 test. The N5 level is considered the easiest, but its accuracy is still debated. - Can I take JLPT in a different country?
If you want to take the JLPT test, you must go to the test center. It is recommended that you check the schedule of JLPT tests in the country and city you will be visiting. - Can I self-study JLPT?
You can pass the JLPT with dedication, extra study time, and consistent effort. It is recommended to find an experienced teacher who can guide you in simulating the real JLPT test. - Is JLPT really worth it?
The JLPT test certificate is widely recognized as a measure of proficiency for non-native Japanese speakers. If you plan to work in Japan, most companies will require this certificate. Additionally, it is often required when applying for scholarships at Japanese universities. - Is JLPT N3 enough to work?
In Japan, and at some scholarship-granting institutions in Japanese universities, a JLPT N2 level of Japanese language proficiency is required. Therefore, improving your Japanese to at least an N2 level is highly recommended. - How long is JLPT valid for?
The JLPT test certificate does not have an expiry date. However, many Japanese companies require a JLPT test certificate that is less than two years old to indicate that your Japanese language skills have not significantly declined.
Conclusion
Alright, this is the last part of our discussion about the JLPT exam in the Philippines. In this article, we have discussed all the important technical matters related to the JLPT exam, how to register, local institutions, to special notes that need to be considered when registering for the JLPT exam.
Also, not to forget, we have discussed important tips on how to properly prepare for the JLPT exam and effective ways to improve your JLPT exam score.
We hope you find this information useful. We are very proud to be a part of your journey in preparing for the JLPT exam in the Philippines. We wish you good luck and a perfect score! See you in the next article!
References
1 “Record 1.8 Million Foreign Workers in Japan as of 2022“. Nippon.com. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
2 “Japan shoots for 400,000 foreign students by 2033“. Nikkei Asia. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
3 “Statistics“. The Official JLPT Website. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
4 “Organizers“. The Official JLPT Website. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
5 “Message from Organizers“. The Official JLPT Website. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
6 “List of Overseas Test Site Cities and Local Host Institutions“. The Official JLPT Website. Retrieved 6 April 202
