How to Prepare for the EJU Japanese Section
The EJU (Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students) is the test many Japanese universities use to admit international undergraduates, and its Japanese section is the part most applicants worry about. To prepare, you need strong academic reading, fast listening and the ability to write a short, structured opinion essay in Japanese within a time limit. Most students need around upper-intermediate Japanese, roughly the JLPT N2 range, to score well, and should start preparing six to twelve months before the test. Here’s what the Japanese section covers and how to prepare for it.
What the EJU is
The EJU is run by JASSO (the Japan Student Services Organization) and is usually held twice a year, in June and November, in Japan and in some other countries and regions. It has four subjects: Japanese as a Foreign Language, Science, Japan and the World, and Mathematics. Universities choose which subjects they require. The non-Japanese subjects can usually be taken in Japanese or English, depending on what the university accepts. Always check the current details on JASSO’s website and the admissions page of each university you apply to.
The Japanese section at a glance
| Part | What it tests |
|---|---|
| Writing | A short essay on one of two given topics, usually stating and supporting an opinion |
| Reading comprehension | Academic and explanatory texts, charts and notices; understanding the writer’s argument |
| Listening and listening-reading comprehension | Lectures and conversations, some with slides or handouts to read while you listen |
How it differs from the JLPT
The JLPT tests general Japanese at set levels and is pass or fail. The EJU gives a score and focuses on the Japanese you need to follow university classes: reading arguments, understanding lectures and writing your own view. It also has a writing task, which the JLPT doesn’t. A JLPT N2 or N1 certificate shows a good base, but EJU-style practice is still needed. Our comparison of the JLPT and other Japanese tests explains the differences in more detail.
Preparing for each part
Writing
The essay is where tutoring helps most, because you need feedback to improve. Practise a clear structure: state your opinion, give reasons with an example, consider the other side briefly and conclude. Write in the plain だ・である style, not です・ます. Time yourself, and have every practice essay corrected. See our guide to getting your Japanese writing corrected.
Reading
Read short academic texts every day: newspaper explainers, opinion columns and introductory textbooks in subjects you plan to study. Practise finding the writer’s main point quickly. The time limit is tight, so speed matters as much as accuracy.
Listening
Listen to lectures, talks and news in Japanese. In the listening-reading questions you look at a slide or handout while you listen, so practise taking in both at once. Our JLPT listening tips also help here.
A sample timeline
- 12 to 9 months before: build general Japanese towards upper-intermediate and learn academic vocabulary.
- 9 to 4 months before: work through past-style questions, write one essay a week and get it corrected.
- The last 3 months: timed full practice tests, weak-area review and essay drills on varied topics.
After the EJU: interviews
Many universities also hold an interview, sometimes in Japanese. Practise explaining why you chose the university and the subject, and what you want to do after graduating. Our guide to studying abroad in Japan covers the wider application process.
How Hanabuddies can help
Our native Japanese tutors help students prepare for the EJU online: weekly essay correction, academic reading and listening practice, timed drills and mock university interviews. Tell us your test date, your current level and the universities you’re aiming for, and we’ll plan your preparation.