PRESS RELEASE · 2026.11.08
Applications for Japan’s 2026 Japanese Language Teacher Examination Reach 20,918; Okinawa Up 21.1%
November 8, 2026 | Shinko Lab
Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology announced on November 2, 2026 that applications for the 2026 Japanese Language Teacher Examination reached 20,918, up 2,605, or approximately 14.2%, from 18,313 in the previous year. Okinawa increased from 166 to 201 applicants, a rise of 35, or approximately 21.1%. The examination was held on November 8 at 16 venues in eight regions.
- Nationwide applications: 20,918, an increase of 2,605 from 18,313 in the previous year.
- Okinawa applications: 201, an increase of 35 from 166 in the previous year.
- The total includes 1,778 applicants exempt from both the basic and applied examinations. The figure 20,918 must not be presented as the number who sat the written examination.
- Results are scheduled to be announced on December 18, 2026. Application data alone cannot establish a pass rate or pass trend.
What does the increase show?
The figures show a larger application pool and a faster year-on-year increase in Okinawa than nationwide. However, MEXT does not describe this change as proof of expanding employment demand, and it has not yet released the number who actually sat the examination or the 2026 pass rate. Prospective registered Japanese language teachers should check the qualification route and examination exemptions that apply to their own background.
The Japanese Language Teacher Examination is a qualification examination required to become a Registered Japanese Language Teacher. Applications, actual examinees, successful candidates and employed teachers are different measures and are not treated as interchangeable here.
Follow the December 18 results and learning updates
Shinko Lab will continue to organize official updates on results, qualification routes and learning information based on MEXT sources.
View learning and examination informationOfficial sources: https://www.mext.go.jp/b_menu/houdou/2026/mext_00012.html
https://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/nihongo_kyoiku/mext_00004.html