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/ Japanese Language Institutes
These institutes teach non-Japanese speakers the Japanese language. In most courses of study at higher education institutions in Japan, the classes are conducted in Japanese. To follow along with school classes, Japanese language abilities of around Japanese Language Proficiency Test levels N1 or N2 are required. This is equal to around 600 to 900 or more hours of study. It depends on the environment and individual effort, but even with concentrated study in Japan it requires around one to two years to reach this level.
1. Types and number of schools
1 There are also courses in which you can learn business Japanese and Japanese for daily life.
2 If your home country's normal school education system (elementary school, junior high school and high school) requires less than twelve years, and if the last school you attended (and graduated from) is high school and you have not completed a designated curriculum, you will not be qualified for admission to a Japanese university, etc. However, if you complete a university preparatory course (junbi kyouiku katei) approved by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, you will acquire qualification for admission.
In such preparatory courses you will study English, mathematics, social science, science and other basic subjects for entrance into universities in addition to the Japanese language.
3 In the category of Japanese language institutes, only those officially approved via public notice by the Ministry of Justice are eligible to apply for the "Student" status of residence.
※4 Special courses established by private universities and junior colleges to teach the Japanese language to international students are called preparatory Japanese language programs (ryugakusei bekka or nihongo bekka). Students in these programs may study the Japanese language, Japanese culture, the current state of Japan and basic subjects necessary for entering a Japanese university. Students who wish to enter a Japanese university may use the admission-on-recommendation system to enter universities that offer preparatory Japanese language programs, if such are available, or enter another university of their choice. The advantage of such programs is access to a university's facilities and services.
2. Required application materials and enrollment periods
Although few in number, some schools offer programs starting in July and/or January. Please give yourself sufficient time to make preparations, generally at least six to nine months or more
3. Application materials required
1) Application form
2) Curriculum vitae
3) Transcript from an upper secondary school or a university
4) Certificate of graduation (or anticipated graduation) from an upper secondary school or university
5) Proofs of financial means
6) Others
4. Find a school
Key points to consider
A. Preparatory Japanese language programs offered at private universities and junior colleges
List of preparatory Japanese language programs offered at private university and junior college
B. Japanese language institutes designated by the Ministry of Justice (student visa issued)
List of schools designated by the Ministry of Justice (Ministry of Justice)
Educational situation at schools designated by the Ministry of Justice (MEXT)
Search for Japanese language school (Association for the Promotion of Japanese Language Education)
Japanese Language School Association (JaLSA)
University preparatory courses authorized by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (JASSO)
C. Japanese language institutes not designated by the Ministry of Justice (no student visas issued)
Are they any courses you can take in English?
There are more and more degree programs conducted in English.
University Degree Courses Offered in English