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Is the July JLPT easier than the December examination? In Part 2 of our investigation, we compare twelve years of Japanese-Language Proficiency Test results and uncover surprising differences in certification rates. From N1 and N3 to the infamous “Weeaboo Killer” N5, the statistics challenge assumptions about examination difficulty, student preparation, and Japanese-language proficiency.

Haven't studied Japanese in months or even years? Before you dust off your old textbooks, discover how to assess your current skills, identify what you've forgotten, and decide whether to restart or pick up where you left off. Simple Gaijin also provides a practical four-week plan to help returning students rebuild their confidence and study habits.

Ever wondered what Japanese gangsters are talking about in movies and video games? In Lesson 3 of Simple Gaijin's Yakuza Japanese series, explore the colorful vocabulary of Japan's underworld, from organizational ranks and criminal slang to police jargon, territory, and loyalty. Discover the meanings behind expressions heard in Japanese crime films and Sega's Like a Dragon series.

Ever wondered why Japanese gangsters sound so intimidating in movies and video games? In Lesson 2 of Simple Gaijin's Yakuza Japanese series, explore rolled R sounds (巻き舌), shortened expressions, and Kansai dialect. Discover how pronunciation, contractions, and regional speech create the distinctive sound of fictional gangster Japanese.

Why does Japanese gangster dialogue sound so different from textbook Japanese? In Lesson 1 of Simple Gaijin's Yakuza Japanese series, discover how dropped particles, shortened speech, rough pronouns, aggressive sentence endings, and colorful insults create the intimidating language heard in Japanese crime films and Sega's Like a Dragon games.

Ever wondered why Japanese gangsters sound so different from the Japanese taught in textbooks? Explore the world of Yakuza Japanese, from rough grammar and gangster slang to Kansai dialect and the colorful dialogue of Japanese crime films and Sega's Like a Dragon series. Discover what makes this distinctive speaking style so fascinating.

Struggling to organize your Japanese studies? The Simple Gaijin Weekly Japanese Study Plan helps you improve vocabulary, grammar, listening, speaking, reading, and writing in just 75 minutes a day. Discover a practical seven-day schedule, beginner-friendly JLPT N5 activities, and flexible study routines that fit your lifestyle.

Is the JLPT getting harder, or are test takers simply not preparing well enough? Using 13 years of official Japanese-Language Proficiency Test statistics from 2013 to 2025, we investigate declining certification rates, surprising differences between Japan and overseas examinees, and the extraordinary results recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic. The numbers reveal a much more complicated story than you might expect.

Got your JLPT results but aren't sure what the numbers mean? Learn how passing scores, sectional minimums, percentile ranks, and CEFR reference levels work, with real examples.

Is the JLPT or ACTFL better for proving your Japanese ability? Discover how these two proficiency systems compare, what they actually measure, and which qualification fits your career or education goals.