EJU Japanese Test: Complete Guide for International Students Applying to Japanese Universities

Dreaming of a Japanese degree but not sure how strong your Japanese really is? If you plan to enter a regular undergraduate or graduate program, the first acronym you will meet is the อีเจยู—the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students. Unlike popular language‑only tests, the EJU tells universities whether you are ready to study academic content in Japanese. This post walks you through the Japanese section of the EJU, how it differs from the JLPT, where and when it is held, and which universities care the most about your score.

1 – What Exactly Is the EJU Japanese Test?

Scope & Purpose

The EJU is administered by the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO). It measures whether non‑native speakers can follow lectures, read scholarly texts, and write logical answers—all in Japanese. The Japanese section has three parts:

• Reading Comprehension & Vocabulary (200 pts)
• Listening & Listening‑Reading (200 pts)
• Writing (50 pts) — an essay of up to 200 characters

Scores run 0–400 (plus 0–50 for writing). Most competitive schools expect 270 + /400, but top national universities often look for 300 +.

2 – When & Where Is the Test Held?

Frequency & Global Venues

The EJU takes place twice a year, usually on the second Sunday in June และ second Sunday in November. You can sit for it in Japan or at 18‑plus overseas locations, including:

• East Asia: Seoul, Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, Hong Kong
• Southeast Asia: Bangkok, Jakarta, Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur
• South Asia: New Delhi, Colombo
• Other regions: Paris, London, Moscow, New York, São Paulo, Sydney

Registration opens four months in advance and closes roughly six weeks before test day. Fees range from ¥11,000 (in Japan) to ¥18,000 (overseas).

Test center lists and exact dates are updated every January on the JASSO page above, so bookmark it early.

3 – EJU vs JLPT: What’s the Difference?

Test Goals & Content

Many applicants already know the Japanese‑Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). Here’s how they differ:

Feature	EJU (Japanese)	JLPT (N1–N5)
Main Goal	Assess readiness for academic study	Certify general language ability
Skill Weighting	Reading + Listening + Writing	Reading + Listening (no essay)
Score Format	0–450 points	Scaled pass/fail by level
Frequency	Twice yearly	Twice yearly worldwide
Accepted For	University admission & scholarships	Jobs & visas

In short, a high JLPT N1 shows you know Japanese; a high EJU score shows you can study in Japanese. Most universities will prioritize EJU results for academic programs, sometimes using JLPT merely as an eligibility filter.

4 – Who Requires the EJU? (Top 20 Universities)

Below is a snapshot of nationally known institutions that publicly list EJU Japanese scores as part of their standard admissions pathway for degree‑seeking international students. Always verify the latest policy on each school’s site.

University (Link)	Representative Degree / Program
University of Tokyo	Undergraduate Programs (PEAK, General)
Kyoto University	Undergraduate Faculties
Osaka University	School of Letters & Science
Nagoya University	G30 Japanese‑taught Tracks
Tohoku University	All Faculties (Intl. Students)
Hokkaido University	Integrated Science Program
Kyushu University	Undergraduate & Master’s
Tokyo Institute of Technology	Engineering Graduate Majors
Waseda University	School of Creative Science & Eng.
Keio University	Faculty of Economics
Sophia University	Faculty of Liberal Arts (J‑Track)
Ritsumeikan University	College of International Relations
Hosei University	Global Business Program
Meiji University	School of Global Japanese Studies
International Christian University	Undergraduate Liberal Arts
Yokohama National University	College of Urban Sciences
Kobe University	Global Law Program
Okayama University	Faculty of Environmental Science
University of Tsukuba	Bachelor’s Program in Global Issues
Chiba University	Faculty of Horticulture

Pro tip: scholarship bodies such as MEXT often use your EJU Japanese score when short‑listing candidates, so a high mark can double as scholarship leverage.