Why Japanese Language Ability Matters for Japanese Visas: Legal Requirements and Practical Reality

For foreign nationals who wish to live, work, or run a business in Japan,
Japanese language ability is becoming more important than ever.

In the past, many visa categories were commonly understood as having no Japanese language requirement.
However, recent legal reforms and policy changes show a clear shift:
Japanese language ability is increasingly being positioned as an explicit requirement under immigration systems.

Below, we review how Japanese language ability is treated under major visa categories, focusing on both legal requirements and practical considerations.

Business Manager Visa and Japanese Language Ability

(Legal Amendment Effective October 16, 2025)

For the Business Manager Visa (経営・管理), a major legal amendment came into effect on October 16, 2025, introducing a new Japanese language requirement.

Before the Amendment

Under the previous system,
Japanese language ability was not explicitly required for Business Manager visa applicants.

After the Amendment (Important)

Under the revised rules, the following requirement has been added:

Either the applicant or at least one full-time employee must possess a sufficient level of Japanese language ability.

The required level is defined as:

CEFR B2 level or higher, based on the Japanese Language Education Framework.

What Qualifies as “CEFR B2 or Higher”?

The requirement is considered satisfied if any one of the following conditions is met:

• JLPT N2 or higher

• BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test: 400 points or higher

• 20 years or more of residence in Japan as a mid- to long-term resident

• Graduation from a Japanese university or other higher education institution

• Completion of compulsory education and graduation from a Japanese high school in Japan

⚠️ Important Note:
Even if the applicant does not meet the requirement,
it is sufficient for one full-time employee to satisfy the Japanese language condition.

Why Was a Japanese Language Requirement Added?

This amendment is not simply about language ability itself.

It reflects a broader assessment of whether a business can realistically operate in Japan, including:

• Ability to communicate with government offices

• Ability to work with business partners, banks, and employees

• Capacity to continue and expand business operations in Japan

As Business Manager visa holders are legally positioned as business operators,
a minimum level of Japanese proficiency for practical operations is now regarded as an essential indicator of business sustainability.

Specified Skilled Worker and Japanese Language Ability

Specified Skilled Worker (SSW)

Under the Specified Skilled Worker (Type 1) system, Japanese language benchmarks have existed from the outset:

• JLPT N4 level or equivalent

• or passing the Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese

These standards are already integrated into visa screening and operation.

Employment for Skill Development Program 

Under the Employment for Skill Development (育成就労), Japanese language ability is also treated as a structural requirement.

The system assumes:

• Step-by-step improvement of Japanese ability

• Acquisition of Japanese necessary for workplace communication and daily life

In both systems, Japanese ability is not a voluntary goal,
but an embedded component of the visa framework itself.

Japanese Language Ability Is Not Just for Visa Screening

Japanese language ability should not be viewed merely as a tool for passing immigration screening.

It directly affects:

• Daily life in Japan

• Workplace communication

• Business risk management and trust-building

Even when formal requirements are met,
insufficient practical Japanese ability often leads to instability in business or daily life.

Japanese Language and Visa Status Are Now Closely Linked

Recent legal changes clearly indicate that:

• Business Manager

• Specified Skilled Worker

• Employment for Skill Development

all increasingly treat Japanese language ability as inseparable from visa eligibility.

When considering a visa, it is now essential to ask:

How is Japanese language ability evaluated under this status of residence?

About Trust Administrative Scrivener Office

Trust Administrative Scrivener Office provides support primarily for foreign nationals with:

• Residence status (visa) applications and renewals

• Business-related immigration procedures

Visa applications are assessed not only on whether formal requirements are met, but also on the applicant’s personal circumstances, business structure, and future plans.

In this context, Japanese language ability has become an increasingly important factor.

The representative of our office is both:

• A licensed Administrative Scrivener, and

• An active Japanese language teacher, currently engaged in Japanese language instruction.

Drawing on experience in JLPT preparation and Japanese language education, the office is able to provide guidance from both perspectives:

• Immigration law and institutional requirements

• How Japanese language ability is evaluated in practice

• What level of Japanese proficiency is realistically required in each situation

This combined approach allows for practical, well-balanced support tailored to each individual case.

📩 Contact (General Inquiries & Communication)

For updates on an ongoing case, document submission, or other general inquiries, you may contact us through the tools below.

⚠️ Please note that we do not answer visa, residency status, licensing, apostille, or other consultation-related questions through this Contact section.
If you would like to receive advice or guidance, please apply through our paid consultation page.

👉 Click here to book a consultation (Consultation Page)

Contact	E-mail	LINE
WhatsApp	小红书	WeChat

Office Name: Trust Administrative Scrivener Office
Email: info@trust-gyosei.com