Articles about proxy test-taking
Two Vietnamese arrested in Osaka on suspicion of taking the Japanese Language Proficiency Test in place of others (Mainichi Shimbun, January 17, 2025) is summarized below.
In December 2024, the Osaka Prefectural Police arrested two Vietnamese women on suspicion of illegally creating and sharing private electronic records for impersonating others to take the Japanese Language Proficiency Test “Basic Japanese Test.” Suspect Nguyen Thi Dieu (30) is alleged to have impersonated Luong Thi Hue (30) and taken the test in Osaka. Nguyen has confessed to taking the test on behalf of others multiple times, receiving tens of thousands of yen each time. The prefectural police are continuing their investigation, as they believe there may be someone who is acting as an intermediary for arranging proxy tests. As this test is used by foreigners to obtain “Specified Skilled Worker No. 1” residence status, it is believed that the fraud was committed with the aim of obtaining the qualification.
As mentioned above, the Japanese Language Basic Test can be used to apply for the “Specified Skilled Worker No. 1” residence status, which qualifies you as an immediately productive worker in the industrial field.
To obtain Specified Skilled Worker No. 1
There are two routes available to obtain the residence status “Specified Skilled Worker No. 1”: the Technical Intern Training Route, in which you successfully complete Technical Intern Training No. 2 and move on to Specified Skills No. 1, and the Examination Route, in which you pass both a skills evaluation test equivalent to the level of the Trade Skills Test Level 3 and a Japanese language test. Here we will explain the latter examination route.
To pass the Specified Skilled Worker No. 1 exam
We will explain in detail how much study time is required to pass the Specified Skilled Worker No. 1 exam and how many times the exam is held.
1.Estimated study time required
The amount of study time required to pass the exam is divided into two parts: Japanese language proficiency and field-specific skills.
-Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT N4 equivalent or JFT-Basic)
- Japanese beginner: 300-600 hours (learning hiragana, katakana, basic kanji, and daily conversation)
- Japanese intermediate (N5 level): 100-300 hours (strengthening grammar and vocabulary, practicing reading and listening)
-Field-specific Skills Assessment Test
The amount of study time required varies depending on the field.
| Field | Estimated study time |
| Nursing care | 300-500 hours (Understanding technical terms and nursing procedures) |
| Restaurant industry | 100-300 hours (food hygiene, customer service etiquette) |
| Hotel industry | 200-400 hours (customer service and tourism knowledge) |
| Building cleaning | 100-200 hours (cleaning procedures and hygiene management) |
| Agriculture/Fisheries | 100 to 300 hours (work procedures and safety management) |
| Construction industry | 300-600 hours (specialized knowledge/work process) |
-Estimated total study time
- Beginners: 500-1,000 hours (Japanese + field-specific preparation)
- Experienced/Intermediate: 300-700 hours
2.Number of tests conducted (per year)
The frequency of tests varies between Japanese language tests and subject-specific tests.
-Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT N4)
- Twice a year (July and December)
- Held both domestically and overseas (advance registration required)
-Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese (JFT-Basic)
- More than six times a year (monthly in some areas)
- More flexibility in taking the test, so you can take the Japanese language test more often
-Field-specific Skills Assessment Test
- The number of times varies by field.
- About 2-6 times a year (varies by field and region)
- For example, nursing care is conducted relatively frequently (4-6 times a year)
- Food service and building cleaning are conducted 2-3 times a year
-How to check the latest exam dates
- Check the latest information on the official website of the Specified Skilled Worker Examination or the website of an association in your field.
3.Tips for efficient study
- Japanese language learning: N4 level materials (Minna no Nihongo, TRY! series), apps (Duolingo, Anki)
- Subject-specific preparation: official textbooks, past exam collections, mock exams
- Practical skills and work experience: practical experience through part-time work and volunteering
Summary
- Required study time: 500-1,000 hours for beginners, 300-700 hours for experienced people
- Number of exams:
- Japanese Language Test (JLPT): 2 times a year
- JFT-Basic: 6 or more times a year
- Field-specific exams: 2-6 times a year (depending on the field)
If you plan your study and exam schedule carefully, you will be on your way to passing the exam.