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Tips for More Effective Studying

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Working as a Software Engineer in Japan: An Authentic Guide to What It’s Really Like

2026/08/26

Working as a software engineer in Japan covers several very different realities, and the one you get depends almost entirely on the kind of company that hires you.  This guide covers what the job looks like week to week, what the pay gaps are, how much overtime to expect, and the steps to get hired, […] […]

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How Does Your JLPT N5 to N1 Level Affect Your Salary in Japan?

2026/08/26

Your Japanese level decides which jobs will consider you, and that is what moves your pay.  This guide breaks down JLPT salary in Japan from N5 to N1 using government wage data: what you can expect to earn at each level, which sectors pay most for Japanese ability, how foreign companies compare with Japanese ones. […] […]

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Best Way to Go from JLPT N3 to N2: Your 6~12 Month Study Plan

2026/08/23

You passed N3, you have decided N2 is next, and now you need to know what that year actually looks like. Going from JLPT N3 to N2 is the widest gap in the exam series, and the part that catches people out is not the volume of new material but the type of Japanese being […] […]

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Software Engineer Japanese Interview Questions and Answers: How to Prepare

2026/08/23

Interviewing for an engineering role in Japan is a different exercise from interviewing in London or San Francisco.  The technical bar is often lower, while the bar on how clearly you explain your own work is considerably higher.  This guide gathers the software engineer Japanese interview questions and answers you are most likely to need, […] […]

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12 High-Demand Software Engineering Jobs in Japan for Foreigners: Which Skills to Develop?

2026/08/22

Japanese companies hire foreign software engineers, but not evenly across roles.  This guide covers the 12 high demand jobs in Japan for foreigners in software, what those roles pay, the skills worth building, and how much Japanese you actually need. Key Takeaways Contents1 Is There Really a Demand for Foreign Engineers in Japan?2 12 High-Demand […] […]

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Japanese for Software Engineers: Essential IT Vocabulary and Workplace Phrases

2026/08/21

Working as an engineer in Japan means dealing with a language that appears everywhere except in your code.  This guide covers the Japanese for software engineer roles at Japanese companies: the vocabulary you will meet in specifications and the phrases your team expects to hear in a standup or a code review.  It also covers […] […]

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How Long Does It Take to Go From JLPT N3 to N2 ? 

2026/08/15

Going from JLPT N3 to N2 takes around 300 to 400 additional study hours. The gap between the two levels is the widest in the JLPT, which is why the jump takes longer than the previous ones. This article covers the realistic timeframe to reach N2, what actually changes between the two levels and a […] […]

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Can I Get a Software Engineering Job in Japan with JLPT N3?

2026/08/13

Getting a software engineering job in Japan with JLPT N3 is possible, but multiple variables come into play, such as the type of company you target, your technical level and your local presence. This article covers what N3 proves to an employer, which roles stay open at that level, and how to run your job […] […]

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Is JLPT N2 Required to Work in Japan as a Software Engineer?

2026/08/13

JLPT N2 appears in most engineering job listings in Japan, and since April 2026 in some visa applications too. Yet plenty of developers work in Tokyo without ever taking the test. Whether JLPT N2 is required to work in Japan depends on your employer, your role and your experience level.  This article covers what the […] […]

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JLPT N5 Study Method: What Beginners Should Learn First

2026/08/03

Learning Japanese for the first time can feel overwhelming. Many beginners are unsure whether they should start with grammar, vocabulary, kanji, or JLPT practice questions. The best JLPT N5 study method is to build a strong foundation before focusing on the test itself. From a teacher’s perspective, learning in the right order helps you remember […] […]

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JLPT N3 Self-Grading Tool: Estimate Your Current Level

2026/07/31

You can study for months and still walk into the JLPT N3 with no idea if you will pass.  This JLPT N3 self-grading tool turns your practice answers into an estimated score, so you can spot weak sections while there is still time to fix them.  Below you also get the N3 scoring system, the […] […]

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Can I Apply to a Japanese Language School Without JLPT?

2026/07/30

Getting into a Japanese language school without JLPT is possible, but it is important to look into the details, especially after the 2026 immigration rule changes. This guide covers in which cases applying without the certificate works, and the JLPT alternatives that can get you admitted. Contents1 Do all Japanese language schools require JLPT for […] […]

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