A. The Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese (JFT-Basic)  is a standardized test to measure the level of Japanese language proficiency needed by foreign nationals about to reside in Japan mainly for work, to communicate in everyday life situations. It is used to assess whether they have the Japanese language proficiency to be able to engage in everyday conversation to a certain extent and handle daily life without difficulties. The JFT-Basic is also used as a test to measure the level of Japanese language proficiency needed to obtain the residency status of “Specified Skilled Worker (i), Tokutei Ginou ” which began in April 1, 2019.

B. The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is a standardized criterion-referenced test to evaluate and certify Japanese language proficiency for non-native speakers, covering language knowledge, reading ability, and listening ability. The test is held twice a year in Japan and selected countries (on the first Sunday of July and December), and once a year in other regions (on the first Sunday of December).

The JLPT is offered in five levels (N1, N2, N3, N4, N5). In order to measure Japanese-language proficiency for the requirements of“Specified Skilled Worker (i), Tokutei Ginou, we need the level of JLPT N4. This level is equivalent to JFT Basic. And both can be used as alternative to each other for the application to this visa status in Japan.