Explaining the 150 hour Japanese study requirement for language school

If you’re applying to study Japanese, you might have come across the 150 hour Japanese study requirement for language schools in Japan. Currently, this requirement isn’t enforced across the board and depends on the school and other factors. However, there is a possibility more schools will require it, for some or all cases of students applying for a visa in the future. 

Read more about the 150 hour Japanese study requirement to attend language schools in Japan and how you might be affected, particularly if you are a beginner student.

What is the 150-hour Japanese study requirement for language school in Japan?

This is a requirement brought in by Japanese immigration and enforced on some groups of people who apply to study Japanese in Japan. The 150-hour requirement primarily depends on two factors: the highest level of education a student has completed (type of diploma or certificate submitted) and the study term being applied for.

How to show proof of the 150 hour Japanese study requirement

The requirement refers to 150 hours or more of Japanese language study and applicants will need to show proof by having a certificate, transcript, or other document verifying their studies. Regardless of prior experience, all students should describe their study background in their application for language school in Japan. In most situations, students. So what ways are there to meet and verify the 150 hour Japanese study requirement for language school?

Transcript from school or private tutor

For students who have studied Japanese at a university or college previously, the usual requirement is for the educational institute to provide a transcript or issue a letter stating how many hours the student has spent in class studying the Japanese language. Similarly, if students have taken Japanese lessons with a tutor, a letter should be written by the tutor stating how many hours the student has studied.

The JLPT exam

Many students opt to take the Japanese language proficiency test (JLPT ) as a way to verify their 150 hour study requirement for Japanese language school. This is because students can pass any level of the JLPT exam, and have it count towards their hours. The JLPT can be taken twice a year in July or December in most cities, and costs around ¥7,500. Learn more about taking the JLPT, and how to prepare for it, in our article here.

Take an online course

Another option for prospective students who need to complete the 150 hour Japanese study requirement is our 12-week beginner course and our pre-intermediate online course.

These courses were created in partnership with one of our language school partners, Akamonkai, which is the largest Japanese language school in Tokyo. The online courses are taught by actual teachers from the school and it’s designed to take you from total beginner to JLPT N5 and N4-equivalent. At the end of the course, you will receive a certificate from the school verifying that you have completed it.

Self-study Japanese

Depending on the situation or the school, self-study can sometimes be accepted as long as you specify the period of studies and total hours completed, etc. If your selected school acknowledges self-study as experience, you may be asked to type up a self-declaration letter that outlines your studies.

Some examples of self-study include:

• Hiragana, katakana, kanji writing practice
• Testing yourself on vocabulary
• Watching Japanese anime/shows or listening to Japanese music with a focus on learning vocabulary, listening practice, or speaking repetition
• Japanese language exchange with a friend

Does that mean I can’t study Japanese as a complete beginner?

All the language schools Go! Go! Nihon works with have beginner language courses and are experienced with teaching people without a background in Japanese. 

However, all our schools recommend that students have at least some basic hiragana and katakana knowledge by the time they start class. Some also ask as part of the visa process that students start studying the basics of the language before they arrive. We suggest students self-study the basics of the language before arriving in Japan. Knowing the basic writing systems will help tremendously when you start school, so you don’t have to spend as much time learning the bare basics of the language.

Ready to start studying Japanese with Go! Go! Nihon?

You can find more information about language requirements here – please note it is in Japanese only. In summary, it says JLPT N5 or a certificate of studies that shows the number of hours and method of study are acceptable to prove you have studied the requisite amount. For some basic language articles and tips on learning Japanese, see these articles on our blog. 

As mentioned, some schools do enforce a 150 hour Japanese study requirement in order for applicants to get their Japanese student visas. Apply with Go! Go! Nihon, our team will advise you of your best option to fulfill this requirement. 

This is one of the reasons why it’s crucial to plan ahead when applying for Japanese language school in Japan. Most applications to study start between 12 to 6 months before your chosen study term. But if you’re required to complete the 150 hour Japanese study requirement first, then this might set you back a bit. 

Read our article to get more of an understanding of the school and student visa application timeline.

As always, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any queries.