Japanese language tests
Hiring Japanese-speaking talent? You need proof they can communicate effectively. TestGorilla's Japanese language proficiency assessment tools evaluate candidates at B1 (Intermediate) and C1 (Advanced) levels. We help verify candidates' skills, ensuring your next hire meets the communication standards your business demands.
Why test Japanese proficiency?
Using a Japanese language assessment helps build a stronger, more capable team. When communication flows in Japanese, misunderstandings decrease and productivity improves. Standardized tests give you reliable, objective data for every candidate, ensuring fairness.
Testing Japanese skills makes sense, enabling you to:
Build effective teams: Ensure clear communication with Japanese-speaking colleagues, clients, and partners, reducing errors and boosting collaboration.
Improve productivity: Hire people who understand Japanese instructions and contribute effectively from day one.
Make fair comparisons: Use objective data from standardized Japanese language proficiency tests to compare candidates' skills, removing bias from your hiring process.
Hire reliably: Get consistent results you can trust, making objective decisions easier across different roles and locations.
When to use Japanese proficiency tests
Wondering when a Japanese language proficiency test fits into your hiring? Think about these situations:
You're hiring for roles needing direct interaction with Japanese clients or partners, such as a support agent requiring B1 proficiency or an account manager needing C1.
Your company is expanding into Japan, and new team members must collaborate effectively with local colleagues using intermediate or advanced Japanese.
You're recruiting remote workers who need to communicate with a Japanese-speaking team based elsewhere.
You want your HR team to filter candidates efficiently before interviews, focusing only on those who meet the language requirements for the job.
Measuring Japanese proficiency across levels
How do you accurately gauge someone's Japanese skills? We use the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). It's a global standard that provides a clear benchmark for evaluating language skill levels across our language proficiency tests. Here's what these levels mean:
A1 (Beginner)
Understands basic Japanese expressions and phrases. Can introduce themselves and answer simple questions if spoken to slowly and clearly.
A2 (Elementary)
Handles simple tasks using basic phrases. Understands common Japanese expressions related to immediate needs. Learn more about A2 level language proficiency
B1 (Intermediate)
Understands the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters. Produces simple connected Japanese text and describes experiences. Learn more about B1 level language proficiency
B2 (Upper Intermediate)
Understands the main ideas of complex Japanese text on concrete and abstract topics. Interacts with fluency and spontaneity. Learn more about B2 language proficiency
C1 (Advanced)
Understands a wide range of demanding Japanese texts and recognizes implicit meaning. Expresses ideas fluently for social, academic, and professional purposes. Learn more about C1 language proficiency
C2 (Proficient)
Understands virtually everything heard or read in Japanese. Expresses self spontaneously, fluently, and precisely. Learn more about C2 language level proficiency
Key skills assessed in Japanese proficiency tests
Our Japanese B1 and C1 tests assess the core communication skills needed for professional success:
Grammar and vocabulary: Understanding and applying Japanese language structures and word usage accurately at the relevant level (B1 or C1).
Sentence composition: Constructing correct, coherent sentences suitable for professional contexts.
Reading comprehension: Understanding written Japanese texts, from work communications (B1) to more complex articles and reports (C1).
Listening comprehension: Understanding spoken Japanese in various scenarios, from daily work conversations (B1) to professional discussions (C1).
You can also add custom video questions to your assessment to gauge fluency.
What roles require Japanese proficiency?
Japanese skills are vital in many roles. Here are a few examples requiring the B1 or C1 levels we test:
Localization specialist
Needs C1 language proficiency to accurately translate and adapt content (software, websites, marketing materials) for Japanese markets, ensuring cultural nuances are respected
International sales manager (Japan market)
Requires C1 language proficiency for effective client communication, presentations, and contract negotiation with Japanese partners.
Bilingual customer support agent
Needs B1 language proficiency to handle customer inquiries, provide support, and troubleshoot issues politely in Japanese.
Supply chain coordinator (Japan liaison)
Requires B1 language proficiency to communicate with Japanese suppliers, manage logistics, and resolve shipping issues.
Japanese language tests for every skill level
Japanese B1 (Intermediate)
Japanese C1 (Advanced)
Designed and reviewed by Japanese experts
You need tests you can trust. TestGorilla's Japanese assessments are created and reviewed by certified language experts with experience in professional language evaluation. Our scientific approach ensures reliability.
With more than seven years teaching Japanese in France and Mexico, Yukari is passionate about language and culture. Holding certificates in English, French, and Spanish, she believes language learning connects people globally.
Azusa H. Azusa holds a Master's in Educational Management and teaches Japanese, English, and Spanish. She brings diverse experience, especially in teaching, to her expert review process.
Japanese language tests FAQs
Get started with Japanese testing
Ready to find candidates with the right Japanese skills? Explore our Japanese B1 (Intermediate) and Japanese C1 (Advanced) tests. Add them to an assessment with other relevant skills tests from our library of "400+" tests for a complete picture of all your candidates.