Business Manager Visa: Japanese Language Proficiency Requirement | How to Demonstrate B2 Level

Following the amendment to the landing criteria that came into effect on October 16, 2025, applicants for Japan's "Business Manager" residence status must ensure that either the applicant or at least one full-time employee possesses Japanese language proficiency equivalent to B2 or above on the Japanese Language Education Reference Framework.

Who Must Meet the Requirement

The Japanese language proficiency requirement can be satisfied by either the applicant or a full-time employee. In this context, "full-time employee" includes foreign nationals holding Table 1 residence statuses (work-based visas).

Note that this differs from the employment obligation, where only workers with Table 2 residence statuses or higher qualify as full-time employees.

Japanese nationals and special permanent residents are not required to submit proof of Japanese language proficiency.

How to Demonstrate B2 Level Proficiency

For those other than Japanese nationals and special permanent residents, at least one of the following must apply:

For JLPT: the person must hold N2 or above certification from the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), administered by the Japan Educational Exchanges and Services and the Japan Foundation.

For BJT: the person must have scored 400 points or above on the BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test, administered by the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation.

For length of residence: the person must have resided in Japan as a medium- to long-term resident for 20 years or more.

For academic background: the person must have graduated from a Japanese university or other higher education institution. Graduates of technical colleges (koto senmon gakko) or vocational schools (senmon gakko) are also included, unless the course was conducted primarily in a foreign language or through correspondence education.

For compulsory education and high school graduation: the person must have completed compulsory education in Japan (both elementary and junior high school) and graduated from a Japanese high school. Those who transferred into junior high school partway through do not meet this requirement.

Entries on the Application Form

Section 3(11) of the application form (completed by the affiliated organization) must state whether there is a person with Japanese language proficiency and provide details. The content field should include specific information, such as "employs a Japanese national" or "the applicant holds JLPT N2 certification."

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. If the applicant does not have B2-level Japanese proficiency, can the requirement be met by employing a full-time employee who does?

Yes. Even if the applicant does not meet the requirement, it is satisfied as long as at least one full-time employee possesses Japanese language proficiency at B2 level or above.

Q. Does JLPT N3 satisfy the requirement?

No. N2 or above is required. N3 does not satisfy the requirement.

Q. I graduated from a Japanese vocational school, but classes were mainly conducted in a foreign language. Does this satisfy the Japanese language requirement?

No. If the course was conducted primarily in a foreign language, graduation from a Japanese vocational school is not accepted as proof of Japanese language proficiency for this requirement.

Q. I transferred into junior high school and completed junior high and high school in Japan. Does this satisfy the compulsory education and high school graduation requirement?

No. The requirement presupposes completion of both elementary and junior high school compulsory education in Japan. Transferring into junior high school does not satisfy this requirement.

Q. What documents are needed to prove Japanese language proficiency?

If proving by examination, submit the JLPT or BJT certificate or score report. If proving by other means (length of residence, academic background, etc.), submit documents such as a residence certificate or graduation certificate that verify the person's identity and background.

Arch Immigration Law Office specializes in Business Manager visa applications and renewals. We support clients in meeting the Japanese language proficiency requirement, preparing necessary documents, and filing applications. Please feel free to contact us for a consultation.