A Japan language school is the route many Indian students consider before a Japanese university, and the rules for it changed in 2026. We set out what a Japan language school can and cannot do for you, using only the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA), MEXT and the Study in Japan portal, all checked on 7 October 2026.
If your goal is an English-taught Master’s, read this as a comparison. If your goal is a Japanese-taught programme, this is the route you will most likely take.
Table of contents
- What a Japan language school is for
- Rule 1: the A1 Japanese requirement
- Rule 2: the two-year limit
- Rule 3: intake months
- Rule 4: accreditation from 2029
- Rule 5: part-time work limits
- The costly myth about funds
- Is a Japan language school right for you?
What a Japan language school is for
The Study in Japan portal says Japanese language schools provide university preparation courses. A Japan language school teaches Japanese full time so that a student can later sit university entrance or move into a Japanese-taught degree.
It suits three kinds of applicant:
- Students aiming for a Japanese-taught Master’s or undergraduate programme
- Students who want strong Japanese before applying to a Japanese university
- Graduates who plan to build Japanese ability first and choose a programme later
For an English-taught Master’s, the language requirement is set by each programme. Many of our readers go straight to that application. Our post on study in Japan covers both routes side by side.
Rule 1: the A1 Japanese requirement
This is the biggest change for anyone applying from India.
Following a ministerial decision on 23 January 2026, the ISA now requires proof of Japanese ability at CEFR A1 level through a test certificate or an interview. Study hours alone are no longer enough.
When the rule applies
The ISA notice sets two dates:
- Certificate of Eligibility applications: for students due to enter from October 2026 onwards
- Change and extension applications: for applications filed from 1 July 2026
The ISA lists a narrow exemption for degree holders from certain countries. Every other applicant should plan to show A1 before the school files for the Certificate of Eligibility.
Which tests count
The ISA lists JLPT N5 or above and JFT-Basic at A1 or above, alongside several other Japanese tests. A school interview can also confirm the level. Our guide to the JLPT N5 syllabus shows what that first level covers, and our post on JLPT levels explains how the higher levels map to degree study.
Rule 2: the two-year limit
The ISA states that the period a student can stay enrolled at a Japan language school is normally a maximum of two years.
That sets the clock. If your target is a Master’s, the two years must cover language study, entrance preparation and the university application itself. We plan backwards from the university’s application window, never forwards from the school’s start date.
Rule 3: intake months
According to the ISA, a Japan language school usually admits students:
- Twice a year, in April and October, or
- Four times a year, in January, April, July and October
Each school sets its own pattern. Check the school’s own page before you plan, because the Certificate of Eligibility is filed months ahead of the start date. Our post on the certificate of eligibility Japan process explains that stage.
Rule 4: accreditation from 2029
Japan now has a formal accreditation system for Japanese language education institutions, run under MEXT. The Minister of Education accredits each school.
What it means for you
- Schools approved under the older Ministry of Justice system have until 31 March 2029 to gain accreditation for their study-abroad course, according to MEXT.
- Today the ISA accepts students at either type of school.
- In the round dated 30 April 2026, MEXT accredited 32 institutions with a study-abroad course.
Our advice is simple. If you will still be enrolled after March 2029, ask the school directly about its accreditation status, and ask for it in writing.
Rule 5: part-time work limits
A student may work part time only with permission to engage in activity outside their status. The ISA sets the limits:
- Up to 28 hours a week
- Up to 8 hours a day during the school’s long holidays
Plan on the permission. Never plan on the income.
The costly myth about funds
The myth runs like this: a Japan language school is cheap because part-time work covers the bills.
The ISA’s own page for students entering Japanese language institutions says, in Japanese, that covering the full cost of tuition and living expenses through part-time work is not accepted. Read the ISA page for language school students in full before you commit.
The second half of the myth is a fixed bank balance. The ISA’s Student status page asks for a statement showing who will pay your expenses, and it names no minimum amount. No Japanese government body publishes one. Our post on Japan student visa proof of funds explains what the documents need to show.
Is a Japan language school right for you?
Questions we ask every applicant
- Is your target programme taught in Japanese or in English?
- Can you reach A1 before the Certificate of Eligibility is filed?
- Does the two-year limit leave room for your university application?
- Can your family fund the full period without counting on part-time earnings?
When it fits
A Japan language school fits a student who wants Japanese-taught study and has the time and funding for up to two years of preparation. For a final-year B.Tech student aiming at an English-taught Master’s, the direct application is usually the faster route. If you are building Japanese alongside it, a Japanese language course in India can get you to N5 before you leave.
Japan language school FAQs
Do I need Japanese before I join a Japan language school? For entry from October 2026 onwards, plan to show A1 through a test or an interview, unless the ISA exemption applies to you.
How long can I stay at a Japan language school? Normally up to two years, according to the ISA.
Can a Japan language school student work? Yes, with permission, up to 28 hours a week in term time.
Talk to us before you choose
Sachin Gupta runs our Japan desk himself and takes every student conversation personally. Through WebMob he works inside Japan’s technology sector, and he has been to Japan nine times since 2023. Fifteen years leading counselling at Top Uni Admit. Around 175 students placed a year.
As Sachin puts it: “Worth asking any consultant who runs their Japan desk, and whether that person has ever worked in Japan.”
Book a call to check whether a Japan language school or a direct Master’s application fits your timeline.
Sachin Gupta founded Top Uni Admit and runs its Japan desk. He handles every student conversation and every institutional contact for Japan personally. Top Uni Admit has advised Indian students on overseas study for fifteen years across Australia, Canada, the UK, the USA, Germany and France.