Blog

Illustration of a student preparing for the JFT-Basic Japanese language test on a laptop, featuring the 2026 proficiency levels A1, A2.1, and A2.2, their corresponding score ranges, and the four examination sections: vocabulary, conversation, listening, and reading.

What Is the JFT-Basic Test? A Complete Guide to Japanese Language Requirements

Planning to work or study in Japan? Discover how the JFT-Basic works, what changed in August 2026, how the new A1–A2 scores are calculated, and whether it's the right Japanese test for your goals.

Mike Viscusi

4 hours ago10 min read

Anime-style illustration comparing July and December JLPT examinations, featuring students studying in summer and winter, Mount Fuji, and a chart of worldwide JLPT certification rates from 2013 to 2025.

Is the JLPT Getting Harder, or Are Test Takers Just Not Trying Hard Enough? — Part 2: The July JLPT Mystery

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.

Mike Viscusi

2 days ago14 min read

Simple Gaijin featured image examining whether the JLPT is getting harder, featuring N1–N5 Japanese study books, a maneki-neko, Mount Fuji, and a graph comparing Japan and overseas certification rates from 2013 to 2025.

Is the JLPT Getting Harder, or Are Test Takers Just Not Trying Hard Enough? — Part 1

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.

Mike Viscusi

Jul 21, 202016 min read

Comparison of the JLPT and ACTFL Japanese proficiency assessments, featuring a JLPT multiple-choice exam with N1–N5 levels and an ACTFL Japanese speaking interview, highlighting the differences between language comprehension and communication.

JLPT vs. ACTFL: Which Japanese Proficiency Test Should You Take?

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.

Mike Viscusi

Dec 23, 201714 min read