{"id":213869,"date":"2026-04-22T20:04:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T11:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/?p=213869"},"modified":"2026-04-22T18:20:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T09:20:54","slug":"what-happened-to-the-150-hour-japanese-study-requirement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/blog\/what-happened-to-the-150-hour-japanese-study-requirement\/","title":{"rendered":"What happened to the 150-hour Japanese study requirement?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019re planning to study Japanese in Japan<\/a>, you may have encountered the 150-hour Japanese study requirement to prove basic proficiency in the language.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the past, this was commonly used as a way to demonstrate basic Japanese ability for a student visa. However, immigration guidelines<\/a> have changed, and study hours alone are no longer accepted as proof in many cases.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article explains what the 150-hour requirement was, what has changed, and what you now need to apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What is the 150-hour Japanese study requirement for language school in Japan?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The 150-hour requirement was a guideline used by immigration to represent beginner-level Japanese ability, roughly the equivalent to JLPT N5 or CEFR A1 level. Applicants could previously submit proof of around 150 hours of study, such as a course certificate or transcript, as evidence of their language ability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s changed?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For applicants who have not graduated from university, completing 150 hours of study is no longer accepted on its own as proof of language ability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Applicants are now expected to demonstrate their level through either:<\/p>\n\n\n\n