PRESSRELEASE November 25, 2016 No.2016-065 - 480,000 People Worldwide to Challenge JLPT in December

Oct 5, 2026

Japan Foundation conducts the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) on Sunday, December 4, 2016 across 217 cities in 69 countries and regions outside Japan and also in 45 Japanese prefectures. About 480,000 people will take the test (330,000 overseas and 150,000 in Japan), reflecting a 35,000-person increase overseas since December 2015. Growth is especially notable in Southeast Asia and remains strong in East Asia. The release outlines test dates, sites, applicant numbers by region, level structure N1–N5, and highlights leading countries, including China, Korea, and Taiwan.

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Outline of December 2016 JLPT

Date and Sites

Number of Applicants and Levels

Overseas Applicants and Growth by Region

Top Countries/Regions and Notable Increases

PRESSRELEASE November 25, 2016 No.2016-065 480,000 People around the World to Challenge the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test in December The number of overseas applicants increased by 35,000 people The Japan Foundation conducts the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) on Sunday, December 4, 2016 in 217 cities of 69 countries and regions outside Japan. JLPT is the largest Japanese-language test in the world to certify language proficiency of non-native speakers. This year marks the 32nd anniversary of the establishment of the JLPT. In comparison with the test held in December 2015, the number of applicants has increased by 35,000 overseas and 36,000 in Japan. In Southeast Asia, it has increased remarkably (23%), and in East Asia, including China and Korea which have the largest number of applicants in the world, it has increased by 7% compared with the previous year. These increases demonstrate growing interest in JLPT overseas. Outline of December 2016 JLPT Date: Sunday, December 4, 2016 Sites : 217 cities in 69 countries and regions abroad and 45 prefectures in Japan Number of Applicants: Approximately 480,000 people (330,000 overseas and 150,000 in Japan) Levels: N1-N5 (five levels with N1 being the highest) *Please see the website ([http://www.jlpt.jp/e/](http://www.jlpt.jp/e/)) for the summary of linguistic competence required for each level. The number of overseas applicants: -The number of overseas applicants is 331,445. The increase rate is 23% in Southeast Asia, and 12% in the countries and regions outside Japan. -Countries and regions with largest number of applicants (top 3) and with high increase-rates are as follows. | | Countries and regions | | Number of applicants | Year-on-year rate | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Top 3 countries/regions that have a large number of applicants | 1st | China | 106,836 | 7% | | | 2nd | Korea | 41,120 | 11% | | | 3rd | Taiwan | 41,113 | 2% | | Countries/regions that have a noticeable increase | Philippines | | 6,982 | 62% | | | India | | 8,743 | 61% | | | Myanmar | | 10,586 | 47% | (Comparison with the number of applicants forthe JLPT in December 2015) Advantages of acquiring a JLPT certificate include: -To earn points for preferential treatment for immigration to Japan. -To satisfy one of requirements to take Japan's national exams for medical practitioners. -To meet one of requirements for the nurse/caregiver candidates of Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam under the EPA. [General Inquiries] The Japan Foundation Center for Japanese-Language Testing Ando (Ms.) Tel: +81-(0)3-5367-1021 / E-mail: jlptinfo@jpf.go.jp [Press Inquiries] The Japan Foundation Communication Center Ito (Ms.), Mori (Ms.) Tel: +81-(0)3-5369-6089 / Fax: +81-(0)3-5369-6044 / E-mail: press@jpf.go.jp 4-4-1 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku Tokyo 160-0004 Japan [www.jpf.go.jp](www.jpf.go.jp)

FAQs

When and where is the December 2016 JLPT held?

The JLPT is held on Sunday, December 4, 2016. It takes place in 217 cities across 69 countries and regions abroad, and in 45 prefectures in Japan.

How many people are expected to take the JLPT and how many are overseas?

Approximately 480,000 people are expected to take the test: 330,000 overseas and 150,000 in Japan.

What are the JLPT levels and what does N1 represent?

The JLPT uses five levels: N1 to N5, with N1 being the highest level of proficiency.

Oct 5, 2026

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