If I were an employer in Japan, I would prefer applicants who had gone to the trouble to learn something about Japan. The easiest way of 'proving' this would be some progress in learning Japanese, as evidenced by the N5 or even N4 certificates. They may not represent a high level of ability but they do represent a higher than average level of commitment.

I also think it is nice to have a goal for people who are studying the language. Big goals are difficult if they can't be broken down into smaller goals to be achieved on the way. The JLPT system supports this idea by breaking down its test of proficiency into manageable steps.

Expats intending to return to their native countries might find success on one of the exams useful in looking for work back home: it would allow them to demonstrate that they hadn't spent x-years in Japan and left with nothing to show for the experience.

If I were a ranking member of the U.S. armed forces in Japan, I would make passage of the N4 exam a requirement for advancement beyond E5 for enlisted personnel. It might lead soldiers to treat their host country with more respect.

It is also a fact, as someone has already mentioned, that any ability in a language is better than none. Learning enough Japanese to pass even the N5 exam will leave a person better able to enjoy life in Japan.

PParisi Wrote:If I were a ranking member of the U.S. armed forces in Japan, I would make passage of the N4 exam a requirement for advancement beyond E5 for enlisted personnel. It might lead soldiers to treat their host country with more respect.

Sort of off-topic but that falls under "Good intentions, bad judgement". First, about 25,000 members of 5 million DoD are located in Japan (numbers may be off) which also is on par with Germany and Korea. Even if you included those other two languages, that's just not enough people to warrant a change the promotion system, which even then won't impact civilians and dependents in those numbers.

In addition from the US are in Japan for likely 1, 2 or at most 3 years on original orders. People are not there long enough, and are in an English bubble where there's no forcing need to know Japanese for one's job.

All that said, most that choose stay/extend in Japan try to learn a little Japanese (greetings and what not). In addition, the DoD offers extra pay to those that show good fluency and literacy in foreign languages so there is a monetary incentive. Yes, the military brass is aware that if their guys knew the local language they'd be more effective. However, the cost and logistics involved to make that a reality will not mesh with the necessity and overall benefit.

A possible half-ass solution is have a few required "Army Knowledge Online" (AKO), Navy (NKO) or DoD (DKO) courses that introduce culture and basic phrases prior to deployment/orders to new areas. Still, that's gonna be like herding 1000 cats based on prior experience (people blow it off, and when they get in country it's too late).

mpacheco Wrote:I understand that JLPT1 gives you some cred for jobs and is required for many school admissions over here.. But what's the point of JLPT2, 3, or 4?

To keep the Japan Society budget afloat, of course.