There are three recognized Japanese language proficiency tests available for non-native Japanese speakers. You should consider taking them if you are planning on attending a Japanese university, working for a Japanese company, working in Japan, writing it on your resume, or just to know your proficiency level.

Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)
Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)
J Test

Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is most widely recognized test. This test is useful for people interested in entering Japanese universities as well as those interested in acquiring general Japanese language certification. It is held only once a year within Japan and in select cities aboard.

The JLPT is offered by the Association of International Education, Japan (AIEJ) inside of Japan, and the Japan Foundation outside of Japan. As of 2001, the JLPT was offered in 37 countries, including Japan.

The test if offered on the first Sunday of December every year.

Test sites:
In Japan: Hokkaido, Miyagi, Tochigi, Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Toyama, Nagano, Shizuoka, Aichi, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Hiroshima, Kagawa, Fukuoka, Oita and Okinawa
Outside Japan: 92 cities in 40 nations and areas.

Applying:
Applications are available here on the JLPT web site as well as the Maruzen Bookstore.
The price of the test is 5,460 YEN (consumption tax included)

	Japanese Language Proficiency Test Website
	Japan Foundation - The JPLT is offered outside Japan and is administered by the Japan Foundation.
	JLPT Kanji Project - A resource to aid the learning of Japanese Kanji classified into JLPT levels, with a lookup of vocabulary for each JLPT level.
	The Kanji SITE - A very useful site for learning Kanji .

Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) measures and evaluates one's Japanese communication skills in business situations. The test is supported by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Agency for Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

Test sites:
In Japan: Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo, Sendai, Chiba, Yokohama, Niigata, Nagoya, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Oita
Outside Japan: check web site

Applying:
For information on how to register for the test, visit here on the JETRO web site.
Test fee: Japan 7,000 YEN
Overseas : Differs in each country (US $50, UK£32)

JETRO Web site

J.Test of Practical Japanese was introduced in 1991 as a test for conducting objective measurement of the Japanese language proficiency of non-Japanese. Based on the broad-based incorporation of the hearing test, this method effectively gauges practical proficiency in Japanese.

The test is offered each year in February, April, June, September and November.

Test sites:
In Japan: Sapporo, Sendai, Ibaraki, Chiba, Saitama, Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Toyama, Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Okinawa
Outside Japan: China

Applying:
Personal Application Forms may be obtained from the school appearing on this poster, or from the J.Test Office (03)3368-8106.
Test fee: A-D level 2,800 YEN　　E-F level 2,300 YEN

For more information visit: J.TEST Web site
or visit the J.Test Office at:
Tsujisawa Building, 1-57-8 Higashi-Nakano
Nakano-ku, Tokyo 164-0003
Tel:(03)3368-8106　AM10:00〜PM5:00
Fax:(03)3368-8107
Email:info@jtest.org

J.TEST Web site