BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test: Levels, Format and How to Prepare
The BJT (Business Japanese Proficiency Test) measures how well you can use Japanese in real work situations, such as meetings, phone calls, emails and documents. Unlike the JLPT, there is no pass or fail: you get a score from 0 to 800, which places you on a level from J5 to J1+. The test is computer-based, takes about 1 hour 45 minutes, and is run by the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation at test centres in Japan and other countries. It suits people who already work with Japanese, or want to show employers they can, and pairs well with the JLPT rather than replacing it.
BJT levels and scores
| Level | Score | Roughly means |
|---|---|---|
| J1+ | 600–800 | Handles any business situation with full understanding |
| J1 | 530–599 | Communicates appropriately in a wide range of business situations |
| J2 | 420–529 | Communicates appropriately in many business situations |
| J3 | 320–419 | Communicates adequately in limited business situations |
| J4 | 200–319 | Some business communication in familiar situations |
| J5 | 0–199 | Very limited business communication |
Level descriptions are summarised; check the official BJT website for the full wording, current dates and fees.
What the test looks like
- Listening comprehension (about 45 minutes): workplace scenes, conversations and short presentations, often with pictures or charts.
- Listening and reading comprehension (about 30 minutes): you hear audio while reading documents such as schedules, emails or notices, and combine both.
- Reading comprehension (about 30 minutes): vocabulary, grammar, keigo and business documents.
The questions are about doing the job: choosing the right reply to a client, understanding what a manager wants, or picking out key information from a memo. Politeness and context matter as much as grammar.
BJT or JLPT?
The JLPT is the test most employers ask for, and it tests general Japanese. The BJT tests whether you can use that Japanese at work, especially keigo and business conventions. Many people take the JLPT first and add the BJT to show workplace ability, or take the BJT because it is offered more often in some places. Our comparison of the JLPT and other Japanese tests and our guide to the Japanese level you need for jobs in Japan explain how employers see each one. High scores on either test can also count under Japan’s points system for highly skilled professional visas; check the current rules with the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.
How to prepare
- Get your keigo solid. Respectful and humble forms appear everywhere. Start with keigo basics for work.
- Read real business Japanese. Emails, notices and reports, not just learner texts. See how to write a business email in Japanese.
- Practise listening to workplace talk. Phone calls and meetings are fast and indirect; our guide to phone calls at work helps.
- Learn the business conventions. Many questions test what is appropriate, such as who should speak first or how to decline a request politely.
- Do timed practice. Use official sample questions and work on reading speed.
Preparing with a tutor
Hanabuddies offers business Japanese lessons online with native Japanese tutors. For BJT preparation we focus on keigo, business reading and listening, and the judgement calls the test is really about, using role-plays of meetings, calls and emails.