Japanese Language/Culture Assessment｜J-CLUE
What is J-CLUE?
J-CLUE (Japanese Culture & Language Understanding Evaluation)
J-CLUE is more than just a Japanese language test.
It not only measures Japanese language proficiency, but also visualizes the ability to understand and share Japanese culture.
By evaluating both language skills and cultural understanding, companies can welcome foreign employees not merely as “labor,” but as individuals who can put down roots and build long-term careers in Japanese society.
At the same time, J-CLUE encourages test-takers themselves to go beyond simply “speaking Japanese,” fostering the awareness to understand, respect, and work together within Japan as their stage.
This mutual understanding and attitude form the foundation for a healthy and sustainable strategy for managing a diverse workforce.
For companies, J-CLUE serves as a guide for recruitment and training; for employees, it becomes a compass for self-awareness and growth.
J-CLUE is a gateway that connects companies and people through both language and culture.
Features of the J-CLUE Test
- Comprehensive Evaluation: Language + Culture
Unlike standard Japanese language proficiency tests, J-CLUE evaluates both Japanese language ability and understanding of Japanese culture.
Questions go beyond vocabulary and grammar, covering themes such as Japanese customs, seasonal awareness, color symbolism, etiquette, and social norms.
For example, questions about types of bowing or the use of different greetings assess not just factual knowledge but also whether you understand the cultural context behind the language. - Designed as a Learning Experience
The structure of the test ensures that the process of answering each question itself becomes a learning opportunity.
By engaging with the questions, test-takers naturally gain new insights into Japanese language and culture, making the assessment both diagnostic and educational. - Multilingual Support for Fairness
J-CLUE introduces multilingual question formats tailored to the test-taker’s native language. - This removes disadvantages caused by language barriers and ensures that the test is a fair and culturally inclusive diagnostic tool.
- It provides a learning platform where foreign employees and learners worldwide can deepen their Japanese language skills while also developing cultural literacy.
What J-CLUE Aims to Achieve
Through J-CLUE, our goal is not simply to provide a “language test,” but to foster a deeper, more meaningful form of understanding.
- A society where foreigners living in Japan and Japanese people learn from each other
- Mutual trust built not only through words, but through cultural understanding
- Smooth communication and stronger teamwork across diverse workplaces
These are the core values embedded in J-CLUE.
Being able to “speak Japanese” alone is not enough in a multicultural workplace.
We believe that developing individuals who understand Japanese culture and can live in harmony with others is the true key to building trust among employees of different backgrounds, enhancing overall productivity, and creating a stronger sense of unity within organizations.
As a diagnostic tool, J-CLUE supports this first step by helping companies, educational institutions, and individuals living in Japan open new possibilities for communication and collaboration.
A: Japanese Daily Life Communication Assessment (Free)
This free diagnostic test evaluates how accurately and naturally you can express your thoughts and feelings in Japanese in everyday situations.
It goes beyond basic vocabulary and grammar by measuring practical language use connected to daily life, such as customs, manners, and social interactions. In addition, it assesses your understanding of fundamental cultural and social knowledge—key elements for integrating smoothly into Japanese society.
B: Japanese Fluency Assessment
This assessment evaluates how smoothly and naturally you can communicate in Japanese.
It focuses on speaking and listening skills, while also measuring your ability to choose appropriate expressions and respond effectively in different situations.
The evaluation emphasizes practical communication skills directly applicable to professional and business settings.
(¥3,850 /person)
C: Japanese Script Proficiency Assessment
This assessment measures your ability to read and write hiragana, katakana, and kanji, as well as practical skills for typing Japanese on computers.
It provides an objective evaluation not only of basic literacy but also of the skills necessary for daily work and document creation.
D: Japanese Culture & Knowledge Assessment
In addition to Japanese language skills, this assessment comprehensively evaluates your understanding of “Japan itself”—including society, culture, geography, history, politics, and economy.
It emphasizes a balanced knowledge base and cultural literacy, visualizing the level of comprehensive understanding essential for adapting to life in Japan and contributing over the long term.
A: Japanese Daily Life Communication Assessment (Free Version)
This section measures both your knowledge of Japanese daily customs and culture, and your ability to communicate basic ideas in Japanese.
The test is conducted online in multiple languages, with three types of question formats:
- In the test-taker’s native language
- Using only hiragana and katakana
- In standard Japanese
Format: 100 multiple-choice questions (6 categories, 1 point per question)
Time Required: approx. 40–50 minutes
Categories:
- Language (25 questions)
- Everyday Life (20 questions)
- Culture & Society (20 questions)
- Business & Work (15 questions)
- Geography (10 questions)
- History (10 questions)
| Level | Score | Evaluation |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 90 and above | Able to handle daily conversations with almost no difficulty. Not only has strong Japanese language skills, but also a deep understanding of Japanese culture and customs, enabling natural behavior in Japanese society. Demonstrates an intuitive grasp of the cultural context behind the language. |
| Level 2 | 80–89 | Possesses a solid understanding of basic vocabulary, grammar, and Japanese culture, history, and customs. Can communicate effectively in daily life with few problems. Also demonstrates some awareness of social dynamics and consideration for others. |
| Level 3 | 70–79 | Basic communication is possible, but there are still challenges in understanding cultural background and using flexible expressions. While capable of conveying ideas, further study is needed to achieve a natural sense of unity with others. |
| Level 4 | 60–69 | Able to manage conversations independently to some extent, but may struggle with word choice and demeanor depending on the situation. Lacks sufficient experience to fully interpret others’ reactions. Understanding cultural nuances remains a key area for improvement. |
| Level 5 | 50–59 | Can manage minimal communication in Japanese with the assistance of native speakers. Still weak in both linguistic expression and in sensing the shared cultural “atmosphere,” requiring continuous training. |
| Below Standard | 49 and below | Daily life communication in Japanese is very difficult. Requires comprehensive learning not only in language use but also in cultural understanding and adaptability. |
Free Application Form
(Available for both individuals and organizations)
【Application Overview】
- Assessment Content: J-CLUE A: Japanese Daily Life Communication Assessment
- Method: Online test
- Fee: Free of charge
- Eligible Applicants: Foreign nationals
【How to Apply】
■ For Organizations
- When applying as an organization, please be sure to include your company name, department, and the name of the person in charge.
- After the assessment, an evaluation report will be sent to both the test-taker(s) and the designated contact person.
- Educational institutions or organizations applying on behalf of foreign students should also register as an organization.
■ For Individuals
- This test is for foreign nationals only. Japanese nationals are kindly requested not to apply.
- After the assessment, the evaluation report will be sent to the email address you provide upon registration.
