What is required to enroll in a Japanese language school, including 150 hours of study history and many other prerequisites?

2023/11/18

In this article, we will answer some of the questions that people who are considering enrolling in a Japanese language school in Japan may have.

Can someone who has never studied Japanese before enroll in a Japanese language school?

At the very least, you will need to have mastered basic everyday greetings, self-introductions, and simple Japanese language skills such as reading and writing hiragana and katakana. This is because at least 150 hours of study history is required as a criterion for those who obtain a student visa. A certificate of 150 hours of study may be required when applying to a Japanese language school. For your information, we can issue a certificate by taking 150 hours of online Japanese language lessons.

Can I enroll in a Japanese language school even if I did not graduate from high school in my home country?

In most cases, if you are staying in Japan for the sole purpose of studying Japanese, you can enroll in a Japanese language school. However, if you wish to enter a university or vocational school in Japan, you must have graduated from high school (completed 12 years of education) to apply.

However, if you enroll in (or transfer to) a high school in Japan and graduate from that high school, you will of course be eligible for higher education.

Can junior high school and elementary school students enroll?

In principle, most schools require students to be at least 17 years old to enroll in a Japanese language school. However, exceptions may be made if the student is 14 years of age or older, lives with his/her parent or guardian, has no problems with personal security on or off campus, and the Japanese language school conducts an interview in person and determines that there are no problems. However, even in such cases, there are often conditions, such as the applicant must plan to continue his/her studies at a Japanese school after studying Japanese.

What is a Certificate of Eligibility?

If you wish to study in Japan, you must first obtain a Certificate of Eligibility. This certificate is issued by the Ministry of Justice (Tokyo Immigration Bureau). Since the applicant cannot apply directly, a Japanese language school or other institution will apply to the Immigration Bureau on your behalf. With the certificate, you can apply for a student visa at the nearest embassy. The student visa will be issued in about 4 days, depending on your nationality.