Japanese is the single biggest thing standing between most people and a job in Japan โ€” and it's the one part that's completely in your control, starting today. The good news: for most work routes you don't need to be fluent. You need a clear target and a steady plan. Here's the whole picture.

Why Japanese is your #1 lever

Every work route to Japan rewards Japanese. For the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa it's a hard requirement; for professional roles it widens your options and raises your pay. It's also the one qualification you can start building right now, for free โ€” before you've chosen a field or found an employer.

What level do you actually need?

For SSW, the practical target is JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic at the A2 level โ€” roughly, "can handle everyday situations and basic workplace communication." That's an achievable goal for a motivated beginner, not years of study. (Nursing care adds a care-specific Japanese component on top.)

More Japanese always helps โ€” N3 and above unlock better roles โ€” but N4 / A2 is the gateway. Aim there first.

Two tests, one goal: JFT-Basic vs JLPT

You can prove your Japanese with either test, and both are held in India:

  • JFT-Basic โ€” computer-based, offered several times a year, results come quickly, and it's purpose-built for the SSW program. Most SSW candidates choose it for the flexibility.
  • JLPT โ€” the globally recognised standard, held twice a year (July and December) across eight Indian cities, from N5 (easiest) to N1.

For SSW, JFT-Basic's frequent scheduling is often the deciding factor. See our full breakdown: JFT-Basic vs JLPT N4.

Your study path, step by step

Step 1 โ€” Learn the two scripts

Start with hiragana and katakana โ€” the two basic Japanese alphabets. They're learnable in a couple of weeks and everything else builds on them. (Hiragana ยท Katakana.)

Step 2 โ€” Build core vocabulary and grammar (N5)

Next, work through N5-level vocabulary, kanji, and grammar โ€” the foundation. This is where Komichi's free N5 decks and N5 vocabulary list do the heavy lifting. (See how to pass JLPT N5.)

Step 3 โ€” Reach N4 / JFT-Basic A2

Then push to N4 / A2 level โ€” more grammar, more vocabulary, and lots of listening and reading practice, since the tests check real comprehension. Book your test once you're consistently scoring at level in practice.

How long will it take?

Honestly, it varies with how much time you can put in. From a standing start, reaching N4 / A2 typically takes several months to about a year of steady, near-daily study. Consistency beats intensity โ€” 30โ€“60 focused minutes a day will get you there faster than occasional cramming.

How to study โ€” free and effective

You do not need an expensive course to start (or, often, at all):

  • Learn the scripts first, then build vocab and grammar in small daily doses.
  • Use spaced repetition (Komichi's decks are built on it) so words actually stick.
  • Read and listen daily at your level โ€” graded reading and listening matter as much as flashcards.
  • Practice for the test format before you book, so there are no surprises.

Start now with Komichi's free study decks and reading library. The best day to begin is today โ€” everything else on your path to Japan gets easier once the language is moving.