Is a BJT score of 400 the same as JLPT N2?
Where immigration rules treat BJT 400 like N2 and 480 like N1, where they do not, and why 400 counts even though it sits in level J3.
Short answer
No, they are different tests. But Japanese immigration rules accept BJT 400 as equal to JLPT N2 for several visas and the points system, and BJT 480 as equal to N1. For those purposes, a 400 is as good as an N2 certificate. For jobs that ask for JLPT by name, it may not be.
The official equivalents
| BJT score | Treated like | Where it is accepted |
|---|---|---|
| 480+ | JLPT N1 | 15 points in the Highly Skilled Professional system; Designated Activities visa for graduates of Japanese universities looking for work |
| 400+ | JLPT N2 | 10 points in the Highly Skilled Professional system; Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services visa; Business Manager visa (B2 requirement); university admission on a student visa |
| 300+ | JLPT N5 or above | Proof of Japanese in a Certificate of Eligibility application; admission to a Japanese language school |
Where 400 does not replace N2
- Employers who ask for JLPT by name. Some employers accept a BJT score instead and some do not. Ask first.
- Specified Skilled Worker and Employment for Skill Development visas. These use JFT-Basic or JLPT at N4 or N5 level. BJT is not on the list.
- Any rule that names only JLPT. Read the exact wording of the rule you need.
Why 400 counts as N2 when it sits in J3
On BJT's own scale, 400 is at the top of level J3 (320–419). The immigration rules do not use BJT levels; they name a score. So for a visa, what matters is the number on your certificate, not the level name.
Is 400 easier to get than N2?
It depends on you. BJT has no pass or fail and no section minimum, you can retake it every three months, and it focuses on Japanese used at work. JLPT N2 covers general Japanese more broadly and requires a minimum in each section. If you use Japanese at work, BJT will feel close to your daily language; if you studied mainly from textbooks, JLPT may feel more familiar. Our founder took BJT with an N4 certificate and scored 406 after three weeks; she writes about what was hard in her article on BJT difficulty.
Questions people ask
Is BJT 400 equal to JLPT N2?
For the immigration purposes listed above, yes. As a test, no: it measures business Japanese on a 0–800 scale.
What BJT score equals N1?
480 or more, for the Highly Skilled Professional points and the graduate job-hunting visa.
Does a BJT score expire?
The certificate shows the date you sat. Some rules or employers may ask for a recent result, so check what they require.
Can I use BJT for the Business Manager visa?
Yes. Since 16 October 2025 the owner or a full-time employee needs Japanese at B2 level, and BJT 400 or JLPT N2 both meet it. Details in the Business Manager visa guide.
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