When Japanese companies hire Vietnamese talent, they often refer to JLPT levels to gauge Japanese ability. How much can JLPT levels really tell you about a Vietnamese person's Japanese skills? This article explains the basics of JLPT levels and how to assess Japanese ability that the test alone does not reveal.

What Is the JLPT in the First Place?

The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is a language proficiency exam organized by the Japan Educational Exchanges and Services and the Japan Foundation.

The JLPT Measures the Japanese Ability of Non-Native Speakers

Only non-native speakers of Japanese can take the JLPT. There are five levels from N5 to N1, and the test assesses language knowledge (characters and vocabulary), language knowledge (grammar), reading comprehension, and listening comprehension. It is held twice a year, in July and December. In addition to venues in Japan, candidates can take the test in Europe, the Americas, Asia, and other regions around the world.

Details are available on the JLPT website.

[Reference] https://www.jlpt.jp/index.html

How Many Years Do People Typically Study for the JLPT?

Study periods for the JLPT vary by individual. Some people pass N1 within three years, while others cannot reach N3 even after five years. Some Vietnamese candidates stop studying once they pass N5, considering it enough to handle immigration authority interviews, while others study in Japan aiming to pass N1.

What Motivates Vietnamese People to Start Taking the JLPT

Vietnamese people begin taking the exam for many reasons, including employment with Japanese companies, study at Japanese universities, and the desire for better-paying jobs. Even at local companies in Vietnam, a JLPT qualification can lead to higher pay and career advancement. A distinctive feature is the wide range of ages at which people start—from elementary and junior high school students to working adults.

Difficulty of Each JLPT Level

JLPT levels are described on the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test website, but here we explain guidelines useful when considering hiring.

N5: Enough to Enjoy Simple Conversation

Vietnamese candidates who have passed N5 understand hiragana, katakana, and simple kanji, and can follow slow, short conversations. Their kanji level is roughly that of a first-grade elementary school student. However, because the test uses multiple-choice answer sheets, passing does not necessarily mean they can write the characters. For roles that require any meaningful communication, it is advisable to pass on hiring Vietnamese candidates at the N5 level.

N4: Able to Sustain a Basic Conversational Exchange

At the N5 level, Vietnamese speakers are limited to conversations using set phrases. At N4, however, they become able to engage in a certain amount of back-and-forth. They can also understand kanji at roughly the lower elementary school level. Gifted Vietnamese speakers may even manage humorous exchanges. If simple communication is enough for the job without disruption, N4 level is often sufficient.

Office Work Requires N3 or Higher as a Rule

The N3 exam includes reading comprehension of newspapers and advertisements, so passers can read logical texts to some extent. More Vietnamese candidates become capable of office work at this level, but conversational ability still varies by individual. Some pass N3 with high scores only in language knowledge and reading comprehension yet cannot hold accurate conversations, so caution is needed.

For Advanced Japanese Ability, Aim for N2 or Higher

Passing N2 brings a sharp jump in Japanese ability: candidates can understand the content of magazines, explanations, and commentary, and follow natural-speed conversation with a certain degree of cohesion. In Vietnam, Japanese teacher positions are often advertised with an N2 or higher requirement, and a fair number of candidates have teaching experience. Those strong in conversation can interact at a natural pace without awkwardness.

N1: Advanced Japanese Proficiency

N1 passers can understand highly abstract content in magazines, explanations, and commentary, and follow natural-speed conversation and news broadcasts. They can also handle business-level interpreting and translation. As with other levels, however, conversational ability varies by individual. When hiring for an important position, do not assume that N1 is automatically enough—always arrange an opportunity to speak with the candidate in person.

How to Gauge the True Ability of JLPT Passers

Even among those who have passed JLPT levels from N5 to N1, actual Japanese ability varies widely. Here is how to assess the true ability of JLPT passers.

Check the Score Breakdown

JLPT levels are determined by a composite score across vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension, listening comprehension, and other skills. When considering a hire, we recommend checking the individual scores for language knowledge, reading comprehension, and listening comprehension. A candidate who passed N3 but scored only barely above the listening threshold is likely to struggle with conversation. Conversely, even if the overall JLPT level is lower, a high listening score can signal strong growth potential.

Some Candidates Do Not Actively Take the Exam

In Vietnam, there are many opportunities to work with Japanese people, making it possible to improve Japanese ability through practical use. As a result, some candidates have only N5 or N4 on paper but conversational ability equivalent to N2 or N1. Rather than judging by JLPT level alone, factoring in work experience and study-abroad experience increases the likelihood of finding capable talent.

Conclusion

The JLPT is important information when considering a hire, but many abilities cannot be seen from the numbers alone. We recommend making a comprehensive judgment that also includes non-score factors—such as conversational flair and a likable personality—after actually interviewing the candidate.