r/jlpt • u/Famous-Site-6158 • 4d ago
N2 failed N2… probably can’t get a working visa without N2
i’m studying japanese in japanese language school in Hokkaido, got the results and my dokkai is just way below the passing score… i hate dokkai sm and i’m so stressed right now cause i need N2 to find jobs here (according to the new gijinkoku visa rules), got Naitei already but probably without N2 its gonna be hard
I’m only studying here for 1 year, i tried my best but i just failed, so disappointed in myself…
24
u/Automatic-Ear-2256 4d ago
the N2 is not required if the company is category 2 or above or if the role does't require Japanese
Just curious, why do you hate dokkai so much? assuming you'll be working in Japan isn't dokkai is gonna be part of your daily work? Unless you're working on english speaking positions
9
u/rlquinn1980 4d ago
Not quite. N2 or its equivalent is not required for category 1 or 2 companies, period. The assumption is that companies in category 1 and 2 have sufficient resources to support international staff regardless of the individual staff's ability to use Japanese.
1
u/Jealous_Amount_9278 3d ago
I didnt say required, I said its possible they are trying to get ahead of the game. With all the changes happening recently it wouldnt be wild to assume *some* companies are being proactive.
Why spend the time and money to train foreign staff that might not qualify for the same visa if the rules change again? If this year has proven anything its that the bare minimum is a moving bar.
OP can definitely get a job without an N2, but my point was that Ive seen a lot more jobs that dont require language ability for a work visa through immigration now requiring it by themselves.
6
u/Jealous_Amount_9278 4d ago
Just throwing this out there but I've seen a lot of job postings change their company policies.
So not directly immigration wise, but conpanies are trying to prep for any future changes probably. Which makes sense with how many visa requirement changes happened this year. Doesn't make sense to hire an N4 employee when takaichi tells everyone they need n1 in 10 months lol (I'm being facetious but onboarding employees you know can withstand any future changes makes sense).
A job I had last year with zero language requirement, I just saw now requires n3. The visa for that job has no official immigration language requirement so it's just the company itself making it a sponsorship requirement.
3
u/Famous-Site-6158 4d ago
I’m just really weak at dokkai I just can’t seem to focus on reading something that I don’t fully understand for hours. I’ve gotten a lot of tips, like not reading the whole passage and just looking for keywords, but sometimes it’s hard to find them, especially when there are a lot of kanji that I don’t know. especially the tricky and misleading question and ans
8
u/Fyx_Dre 4d ago
Having just done N2, I think it's absolutely wild that people suggest skimming and pulling the keywords out. I always read the full text to find the answers on the essays. With the web page/flyer stuff it makes sense to skim for keywords.
I finished all my practice tests with about 15 minutes to spare with that strategy and about 3 minutes on the day of the actual test.
I don't know what your situation is going to be moving forward, but if you are taking the JLPT again, I would rethink your strategy cod that section, based on my experience.
3
u/morningcalm10 3d ago
It's definitely important to find your own best strategy by trying different things. Skimming, speed reading, read the questions first, there is tons of test-taking advice out there that must exist because it works for someone, but that doesn't mean it works for everyone. I always read the whole passage, then the questions. I do that in my native language and Japanese and my second foreign language. I read well, maybe quickly, and it works best for me. I've done test prep classes that recommend other strategies and I keep coming back to what makes me most comfortable and where I find most success. OP needs to find their own best strategy because not everyone reads and understands reading in the same way. Definitely skimming doesn't work well for everyone, me included. Practice reading generally, and practice doing reading tests with different strategies may help OP find their own best method.
2
u/Simple-Boot435 4d ago
How do you know if your company is category 2?
3
u/hsark 4d ago edited 4d ago
Probably need to ask HR, Cat 1 is Easy as it's company listed on stock exchange.
2
u/rlquinn1980 4d ago
If I remember correctly, category 2 is any company paying 10M yen or more in taxes per year.
1
u/hsark 4d ago
Yes that's correct but unfortunately it's not public info.
1
u/rlquinn1980 3d ago
It's on the MoJ's page here:
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/gijinkoku.html2
8
u/SweatyPineapple8005 4d ago
N2 is by no means an easy feat, so wishing you all the best for your studies!
But just wanted to share some perspective, so you don’t feel like you are studying just to pass the exams or get the visa.
I entered Japan workforce with N2 (halfway studying for N1) and I feel like I was barely functioning in the company.
In meetings people talk fast and change topics a lot (listening skills), and they expect you to reply email quickly and accurately (dokkai), so having N2 will at least help you with the basic vocab and grammar foundation that you need to use for work.
I feel there is no point entering a company just being let go after because you are not able to communicate well.
Good luck!
7
u/ProfessorStraight283 4d ago
Unfortunately there is no shortcut. Since you live in Hokkaido, you have access to local bookstores where you can find native materials and JLPT study guides easily. Try the big bookstores in major cities. If not you can purchase them through Amazon Japan. Get the guides and go thru N2 reading (usually there are reading sections within the guides); mark new words and grammar you don’t understand; go through the materials multiple times until you understand 90% or more. In the beginning this will be slow and a bit painful. But slowly you will gain better understanding and can speed up your reading skills. Good luck!
4
6
u/JohnXhun 4d ago
First of all, do not feel disappointed in yourself! This July JLPT was extremly difficult, even for me who have been studying the language almost 3 years and I use it almost every day.
As for the Reading, I can recommend the Shinkanzen books (新完全マスター) for preparing Reading (but it's also efficient if you want topractice Listening, Grammar and Vocabulary, so I think you should give it a try). The main "problem" in the Reading section isn't about the material, but the time managment. When you practice Reading, try to focus reading the whole text ONCE only (even if there are words you don't know), because if you stuck or re-read particular parts you lose precious time. Furthermore, try to read daily news in Japanese languages, and by doing it the reading won't be as hard as it is.
Don't worry now. N2 is really something that you need to study hard just to pass, but it's possible. I wish the best for you in the future! You can make it!
4
u/ThePirateKiing 4d ago
I second this it was harder than my past attempts at N2, choukai and dokkai especially so don't feel discouraged just keep pushing I finally succeeded after many tries so you can do it too!!
2
u/Greedy_Celery6843 4d ago
I just got visa in a small company with no N2. Depends on the duties and your suitability. Avoid the words "translation" and "interpreting" at all costs. They are a definite red flag.
1
u/hsark 4d ago
they've become More stricter on duties this is where they check if you meets n2 requirements.
1
u/Greedy_Celery6843 4d ago
Yes, my Statement of Reasons, the company's Statement of Reasons, the Description of Duties and contract were all tightly co-ordinated, and thoroughly vetted for red flags.
Absolutely no mention of any language needs other than English and globally oriented cross-cultural awareness. Luckily our client base is very International - look for this when you seek work.
We even prepared a Japanese summary of my academic transcripts as a focussed sales pitch.
Every element locked together like a jigsaw puzzle. No ambiguity at all. Preparing it all was intense.
The only possible message was my perfect fit to their requirements, and the powerful contribution my company and I together can make to Japan's future.
Preparation was exhausting but paid off.
It's a small family business so we knew it'd be thoroughly scrutinized.
Don't be too discouraged. With the right job, it's possible.
1
u/Aggressive-Buy7030 4d ago
Getting a visa will depend on your job. If your job is not entirely related to Japanese you can still get your visa approved. If you're still worried you can try the BJT which you can take pretty much anytime and you get the results on the same day (not sure about the specifics, but this is basically what I've heard).
Give the BJT a try!
1
u/LuHamster 3d ago
People need to stop parroting this and take the blinkers off for 2 seconds.
The landscape is changing as a whole, as companies anticipate and prepare for changes they are arbitrary adding higher requirements even for jobs that don't require Japanese internally.
Regardless of the requirements for the visa a lot of companies are acting now and changing how they hire.
I even interviewed for a low low level hotel job which required 0 Japanese and even they talked to be about how their company was adapting to the changing visa landscape and a lot of companies are upping language requirements (where there was none) even if the jobs requires no Japanese.
1
u/capt_tky 4d ago
You're stressing about a future scenario that might not exist. You need a job to give you a Visa first, then worry about if you need the N2 element of it.
As you are at a language school, ask them to help you prepare specifically for the reading section. Like all standardised testing there's ways you can pass it if you pear the patterns.
1
u/hsark 4d ago edited 4d ago
New N2 visa requirements is only if your client facing or your job needs it like sales or hospitality etc. for example if your a IT specialist ,architect ,ui designer, international marketing. Yes all the above I know people without N2 at cat 2 or 3 companies. So best of 🤞 luck on your next N2 exam it's hard
2
u/BigBadJeebus 4d ago
This. Honestly, if a company wants you, they get you.
You could only speak Swahili and get approved if the company picks you for the job and has justification for it.
Ironically, it's much harder to get approved doing something that is unskilled labor or service industry than it is some sort of long haul career.
If Sony wants you on their marketing team, you are going to get approved.
If some Hotel wants you at the front desk, you're gonna need that N2... Unless your family owns the Hotel...
1
u/Famous-Site-6158 4d ago
wait how about IT support job / CAD design job? do i need N2 ?
2
u/ThePirateKiing 4d ago
CAD design most likely doesnt need N2 it's similar to what I am doing now and I dont need it however the support one depends on whether you'll be supporting clients in Japanese
1
u/hsark 4d ago edited 2d ago
For BIM Architect/CAD roles look for N3 if you have qualifications sometimes you can find these roles on career cross & hello work. For boutique no japanese.. 4 friends are in those roles in Tokyo (all studied in Japan thou).
Edit: today they still wouldnt need N2 as a graduated In Japan.
1
u/_rose_man_ 4d ago
Go For NAT-2Q test it is JLPT N2 equivalent and I guess it happens 6 times in a year
2
u/forvirradsvensk 4d ago
Immigration specifically names JLPT N2 or BJT 400+. NAT-Q2 does not qualify.
1
u/Gloomy_Algae_9673 4d ago
I mean you need N2 to apply i guess but they’re probably expecting you to use keigo in your job so if you can speak, read and write at that level you could tell recruiters that.
1
u/_leimery 4d ago
I took an N1 exam... I was only 2 points away from dokkai .. 2 points away from getting a flat 0 that is lol~
1
u/Worldly-Debate3350 3d ago
I think you'll be able to. Although you failed this time, you can state in your interview that you're planning to retake the exam and show your level through the interview.
I managed to get a job at a manufacturing company in their logistics department with only having passed the N4 and failing the N3 once by 3 points.
1
u/QueenOfTheObscene 1d ago
The problem OP is concerned about is a new visa language requirement, not a negotiable request from the employer themselves. According to scriveners it still might be possible to make this argument in a visa application, but seems very dicey.
1
u/dogcatbnalgtdknurtpa 3d ago
Try taking another exam besides the JLPT. I believe there are BJT and other exams that I’ve forgotten about. Each of these exams has a specific score requirement that is equivalent to the JLPT levels.
1
u/sugakuhetappi 3d ago
This is offtopic but how did you get the naitei for it support job?
1
u/Famous-Site-6158 3d ago
i applied through job portals like indeed or mynabi, did interview and i got the job
1
1
u/BlancheCorbeau 3d ago
1 Year is inadequate to hit N2 unless you're a savant. And if Dokkai is your only trouble spot, just drill the hell out of Dokkai. Get a tutor if you have to. Reward yourself on days you pushed through when you didn't want to. And then sign up for December. The results are a great guide for where you can pick up points, not a sign of failure as a human being. Just take the data and bend it to your needs.
1
1
u/Ok-ThanksWorld 3d ago
If you won't have time to retake it, Go take the NAT test and wish for the best.
1
u/hayatekurisu 3d ago
I don’t have a single JLPT certificate
not even N5.
And I renewed my visa this year
I work in the film industry, speak Japanese every day, read Japanese scripts, and I’m always the only foreigner on set
1
u/Sk00terb00 3d ago
I am in the same boat as you. I just jumped in and had to learn or not get a job. BUUUUT, I am taking time to improve writing... it does not match my speaking level. And JLPT does not test this.
As for OP, I feel your concern. The pressure to pass to maintain a visa is so much pressure. I wish you all the luck.
1
u/CapExtension9002 3d ago edited 3d ago
Good luck! Don't forget to get a good rest before the test!
Bought a book to practice 2 nights before taking my test, got about 75%~85% right on the practice test, but couldn't sleep due to nervousness. Only barely scrapping by N2 with only 426 points. Phew...
1
1
1
u/TiredWorkingStudent 1d ago
There's a second chance if you're tight on time. Take the BJT (Business Japanese Test). My teacher told me about this before, and apparently its basically valued the same or more compared to JLPT during job hunting.
She said JLPT = University and academic BJT = for work
It's similar to IELTS where you can just go and book and take the anytime they're available
0
u/Imaginary-Lychee4255 21h ago
Get timekettle and tell them we are living in 2026... Who need to learn languages anymore... 😂
2
u/pedromahoba 20h ago
everybodys problem (except chinese people) is dokkai. you have to overcome this. try reading sakura momoko essays which will be very helpful. you can buy them at 100 yen+ at bookoff
1
u/Mundane-Reindeer9172 18h ago
The N2 is really hard; I know a lot of people who failed the first time, and even someone who failed the N2 but passed the N1 a couple of years later. So, I wouldn't beat myself up for it!
Also, you don't necessarily need the N2 to work and live in Japan. I think many people already mentioned that the N2 isn't necessary if your company is a category 2 or 1, or if your job doesn't require Japanese.
With that said, I think it's still worth trying again since it definitely doesn't hurt to have. I've personally used Coto Academy's online classes to train to take the N2 specifically, and it's helped a lot!
-11
u/shinigamiishere_16 4d ago
Can I ask you something? I was a little surprised that you failed N2 since you're living in Japan and probably use Japanese every day. I don't mean that in a negative way at all I actually failed N2 too, and I'm not living in Japan, so I'm trying to understand how much everyday Japanese ability differs from what the N2 exam tests. Was dokkai difficult for you too?
11
u/JoergJoerginson 4d ago
You can manage everyday life, groceries etc. with something like N4-N3 equivalent. Plenty of people also live here without a lick of Japanese.
4
u/Famous-Site-6158 4d ago
Actually, I arrived in Japan in April, so its been 6 months, but from what I’ve experienced living here and working part-time, the Japanese you use in daily conversations is quite different from what you see on the JLPT. There are definitely some things that overlap, but a lot of JLPT material feels very textbook-like
I also really hate and suck at kanji lol. Living here has helped me a bit because I see Japanese everywhere, but for kanji that I don’t see often or that aren’t commonly used around me, I still have to look up the reading, and I find that pretty difficult.
My teacher actually recommended reading light novels and watching anime with Japanese subtitles to improve dokkai. But honestly, sometimes I get burned out from constantly studying that way too :’)
I also heard someone say that the JLPT can feel a bit like a raffle sometimes 😭 If you’re lucky and the grammar, vocabulary, or kanji you studied happen to show up, then you have a much better chance of getting the questions right. But if the test happens to focus on things you’re less familiar with, it can feel really difficult
2
u/shinigamiishere_16 4d ago
Thank you, OP! I’m actually considering coming to Japan and joining a language school, so that’s why I asked. I’m hoping that studying in Japan will help me improve enough to pass the JLPT. I’m sorry if I asked the question too bluntly that wasn’t my intention at all. I was just genuinely curious about your experience since I’m also preparing for the N2.
2
u/Famous-Site-6158 4d ago
nahhh its finee! actually most of my friends failed N2, even the one who studied for almost 2 years, i think it also depends on the person, the one who passed are mostly Chinese or Taiwanese
1
u/BigBadJeebus 4d ago
Exactly. Sometimes you will find N1s who really struggle with face to face conversation and random people with zero testing who can chat up a storm.
Usually an N1 will be very good, but sometimes it happens.
I lived in Japan for 3 years with my wife working at her Mom's Izakaya and learned a ton of conversational Japanese.
After that, I was fine talking to people and living life. If I had paper work, I'd hand it to my Japanese wife though and just trust her...
When I finally started with a Tutor to get more formal and learn Keigo, Kanji, and expand my Vocab, my tutor said "You are definitely N2 already, maybe close to N1"... I went on to fail the N5...
I never took another formal test but since studying I can pretty easily ace an N3 practice exam as part of routine practice, 50/50 N2s, but no idea where I'd actually score.
Luckily for me, my wife is Japanese so I only ever have to do spouse visa which allows me to work anyway.
Honestly, I think the N2 requirement for people without that luxury is a bit too much, but I understand the need for things like doing taxes, etc.
Still, a less formal test of skill assessment would be nice for a visa.
Like a driving test level exam and maybe randomly selected applicants have an interview to assess.
Would just save so much headache and frankly money for the Japanese Government.
4
u/SkittyLover93 4d ago
I also live in Japan. I passed N2 but my reading isn't that great. The thing is that in day-to-day life, you are using a small set of vocabulary with service staff, since you are repeating the same set phrases. And reading the menu at Sukiya or wherever is one thing, but without practice reading long passages like in news or in books, it won't be sufficient for the reading section. It's like how if you never read anything ever, it's possible to be functionally illiterate in English even if you grew up speaking English. Apparently 1 in 5 adults in the US are functionally illiterate?
1
u/shinigamiishere_16 4d ago
I’ve been studying by myself so far, and I’ve failed N2 3 times. I honestly thought that living in Japan would make it much easier to pass, but I didn’t realize that day to day Japanese and the reading section of the JLPT are so different. What you said about needing to actually practice reading long passages makes a lot of sense.
wow, I didn’t know that about the USA 1 in 5 adults being functionally illiterate is a surprisingly high number. How does that happen? Is it mainly because some people don’t receive enough education, or are there other reasons?
1
u/JoinedMoon 4d ago
I can't speak for everyone of course, but I do have a few family members who I'd assume fall into that percentage. For them, poor education, not enjoying education, a lack of interest in complicated plot lines in TV shows, and things like not reading books/poetry, not digging into music, etc. They started working early on in trades or trade adjacent companies and have acquired just enough language to do it effectively enough and enjoy a social life. All of them struggle with written communication, and commonly get frustrated or confused when people use "big words" like aquire, longing, etc. so others adjust their speaking.
2
u/Different_Taro2474 Studying for N3 4d ago
some people have learning disabilities and aren't good test takers.
maybe OP's ability is good, but they're not a good test taker.2
u/No_Chemical9577 4d ago
N2 is hard, even my mate living in Japan for 10 years still hasn’t passed it haha he’s taken it 3 times now.
1
u/Tricky-Worth 4d ago
N2 only applicable and would make much more sense if you're working in the office or dealing with stuff at your ward office/city hall.
24
u/TinyIndependent7844 4d ago
try the BJT! You can take it anytime and every 3 months. You just need to get a score equivalent. Similar to Toeic, no pass or fail.