JLPT
JLPT N2
日本語能力試験 N2にほんごのうりょくしけんNihongo Nōryoku Shiken N2The working level of Japanese
N2 certifies the ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations and, to a certain degree, in a variety of other circumstances, including newspaper articles and clear commentary. It is the level most often requested by employers and universities in Japan.
N2 is the level at which Japanese becomes a working language. Job adverts in Japan frequently state 'N2 or above', many universities accept N2 for programmes taught in Japanese, and the points system for Highly Skilled Professionals awards points for it.
The gap to N3 is significant. Texts are longer and more abstract, the listening passages are at natural speed, and vocabulary and kanji roughly reach the range of general newspapers.
What N2 certifies
The official summary describes an N2 holder as able to read materials written clearly on a variety of topics, such as newspaper and magazine articles and simple critiques, and to understand the flow of narratives and the intent of the writer. In listening, the holder can follow coherent conversations and news reports spoken at nearly natural speed in everyday and a variety of other settings, grasping the relationships among the people involved and the main points.
Grammar at N2 is dominated by formal and written expressions, fine distinctions between similar patterns and a broad range of keigo.
Test format
From N2 upwards, vocabulary, grammar and reading are taken in one long block. Scoring remains divided into three sections of 60 points each, with a minimum of 19 in every section.
| Part | Content | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Language Knowledge (Vocabulary, Grammar) · Reading | Kanji, word usage, grammar, short to long texts, comparative and information-retrieval reading | 105 min |
| Listening | Tasks, main points, summaries, quick responses, integrated comprehension | 50 min |
The five levels compared
Scaled scores run from 0 to 180 at every level. Vocabulary and kanji figures are commonly cited estimates based on the pre-2010 lists; the JLPT publishes no official lists.
| Level | Test time | Pass mark | CEFR reference (passers) | Kanji / words (common estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N5 | 90 min | 80 / 180 | A1 | ≈ 100 / ≈ 800 |
| N4 | 115 min | 90 / 180 | A2 | ≈ 300 / ≈ 1,500 |
| N3 | 140 min | 95 / 180 | A2 or B1 | ≈ 650 / ≈ 3,750 |
| N2 | 155 min | 90 / 180 | B1 or B2 | ≈ 1,000 / ≈ 6,000 |
| N1 | 165 min | 100 / 180 | B2 or C1 | ≈ 2,000 / ≈ 10,000 |
N2 at work and university
Employers read N2 as a sign that a candidate can follow meetings, read internal documents and write emails with some support. In practice, spoken fluency and business manners matter as much as the certificate, and many employers test Japanese in interviews.
Under the points-based system for Highly Skilled Professionals, JLPT N2 earns 10 points and N1 earns 15, as listed by the Immigration Services Agency; the points table can change, so the official page is the reference.
Since 15 April 2026, the Immigration Services Agency has also asked for proof of Japanese at JLPT N2 level (CEFR B2), or an equivalent such as the BJT Business Japanese Test, in certain applications for the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status: where the work consists mainly of dealing with people in Japanese, such as interpreting or hotel front-desk work, and the employer falls into the smaller company categories. Details are on the agency's page for that status.
Language, contracts and workplace culture.
Residence statuses for employment.
Preparing for N2
Typical preparation combines an N2 grammar and vocabulary book with daily reading of real texts: news sites, essays and non-fiction. Listening to news, podcasts and dramas at natural speed is essential. Timed practice with the official sample tests is important, as the long first block leaves little time for rereading.
Frequently asked questions
Is N2 enough to work in Japan?
Many employers ask for N2 as a minimum for Japanese-speaking roles. Whether it is enough in practice depends on speaking ability and the job, since the JLPT does not test speaking.
How long does it take to reach N2?
Estimates vary widely. Learners who study regularly often need three to four years from zero; those who know Chinese characters or live in Japan may be faster.
What CEFR level does N2 correspond to?
Since December 2025, passers are shown B1 for totals of 90 to 111 and B2 for 112 and above, as a reference for receptive skills.
Does N2 bring advantages for a visa?
It earns points under the Highly Skilled Professional points system. Other work statuses generally depend on qualifications and the job rather than a JLPT level.
Related
Sources
- 1.N1-N5: Summary of Linguistic Competence Required for Each Level (opens in a new tab) — JLPT (The Japan Foundation / JEES)
- 2.Composition of Test Sections and Items (opens in a new tab) — JLPT (The Japan Foundation / JEES)
- 3.Scoring Sections, Pass or Fail, Score Report (opens in a new tab) — JLPT (The Japan Foundation / JEES)
- 4.Indication of the CEFR Level for Reference (opens in a new tab) — JLPT (The Japan Foundation / JEES)
- 5.Points-based Preferential Immigration Treatment for Highly-Skilled Foreign Professionals (opens in a new tab) — Immigration Services Agency of Japan
- 6.Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services (opens in a new tab) — Immigration Services Agency of Japan