Japan restricts foreigners from taking the JLPT exam

Tourists visiting Japan have been banned from taking the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). This was reported on February 18 by The Japan Times.

"Starting in 2026, applicants without a residence permit will be denied access to the exam, even if they are in the country at that time," the report says.

Persons who have obtained Japanese citizenship or temporary residence permit in Japan, who have the status of a diplomat or official, as well as who are subject to agreements between the United States and Japan or the UN Status of Forces agreement, will also be admitted to the exams.

It is noted that the admission rules were tightened due to administrative problems caused by foreign applicants using Japanese addresses without the permission of the hosts or providing invalid phone numbers.

The JLPT is an international exam to determine the level of proficiency in Japanese among people for whom it is not their native language. The exam is held in all prefectures of Japan, as well as in foreign countries, usually twice a year.

Since October 2025, the State Duma has submitted a draft on the exemption of Russian-speaking migrant children from the exam. It was clarified that the specific procedure for exempting children of foreign citizens from Russian language testing would be established by the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.