New 150-hours study requirement for those planning to study Japanese in Japan

Those planning to study Japanese in Japan, may have encountered the 150-hour Japanese study requirement to prove basic proficiency in the language.

This new guideline takes effect from April 2025.

Language school applicants (including those attending language schools or centres at university in Japan) must demonstrate knowledge of Japanese.

This can be proven through 150 hours of documented study or passing an equivalent certification exam like the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, Level N5.

More information in this Go! Go! Nihon article:

Explaining the 150-hour Japanese Study Requirement for Language School