Taking JFT-Basic in Japan (2026)
If you are already living in Japan, as a student, a technical intern or on another visa, you can take JFT-Basic at centres around the country instead of flying home. Centres are in Hokkaido, Miyagi, Tokyo, Ishikawa, Aichi, Osaka, Hiroshima, Kagawa, Saga and Okinawa, and the fee is JPY 10,000.
The rules are a little different from overseas centres: you need a residence status and you bring two documents. Here is what that means in practice.
JFT-Basic in Japan right now
Booking is open
- Booking
- 29 September 2026 – 11 November 2026
- Test days
- 2 October 2026 – 15 November 2026
- Test fee
- JPY 10,000
- Test cities
- Hokkaido, Miyagi, Tokyo, Ishikawa, Aichi, Osaka, Hiroshima, Kagawa, Saga, Okinawa
- Next test day
- 27 October 2026
- ID to bring
- Passport + Residence Card
Checked 24 October 2026 against the official schedule. Official schedule
Residence status and ID
To sit JFT-Basic in Japan you must hold a Japanese residence status. A short-term stay also counts. People with Japanese nationality cannot take the test.
Accepted ID on the day: Passport + Residence Card. If you do not have a residence card, your passport must show your residence status.
Switching to SSW from inside Japan
JFT-Basic (a score of 200 or more) or JLPT N4 covers the Japanese part of a change to Specified Skilled Worker status. You also need the skills test for your field. Several skills tests are held only in Japan, mainly the Type 2 tests and the fishery tests, so living in Japan widens your options.
Passing a test does not guarantee a change of status. Immigration still reviews each application separately.
SSW skills tests you can take in Japan
For the Specified Skilled Worker visa you need JFT-Basic (or JLPT N4) and a skills test for your job field. These skills tests are listed for Japan:
Nursing Care Type 1
JPY 2,000 · Booking open until 5 March 2027
Food Service Type 2
JPY 14,000 · No current window
Agriculture Type 1
JPY 8,000 · Booking open until 5 March 2027
Agriculture Type 2
JPY 15,000 · Booking open until 5 March 2027
Food and Beverage Manufacturing Type 1
JPY 8,000 · Booking open until 25 November 2026
Food and Beverage Manufacturing Type 2
JPY 15,000 · No current window
Automobile Repair and Maintenance Type 1
JPY 4,300 · Booking open until 5 March 2027
Automobile Repair and Maintenance Type 2
JPY 4,800 · Booking open until 5 March 2027
Fishery (Aquaculture) Type 1
JPY 8,000 · Booking open until 23 February 2027
Fishery (Aquaculture) Type 2
JPY 15,000 · Booking open until 23 February 2027
Fishery (Fishing) Type 1
JPY 8,000 · Booking open until 25 November 2026
Fishery (Fishing) Type 2
JPY 15,000 · Booking open until 23 February 2027
Construction Type 1
JPY 1,000 · Booking open until 5 March 2027
Construction Type 2
JPY 1,000 · Booking open until 5 March 2027
Accommodation Type 1
JPY 7,700 · Booking open until 5 March 2027
Accommodation Type 2
JPY 15,000 · Booking open until 5 March 2027
Industrial Product Manufacturing Type 1
JPY 8,000 · Booking open until 4 November 2026
Industrial Product Manufacturing Type 2
JPY 15,000 · Booking open until 19 November 2026
Timber Industry Type 1
JPY 4,400 · Booking open until 3 February 2027
Business Career Kentei Type 2
JPY13,200 · No current window
Practise before you book
JFT Guru has full-length JFT-Basic mock tests that follow the real 4-section CBT format, with a timer and instant scores. You can see sample questions from set 1 straight away, and take the full free sets with a free account.
Frequently asked questions
How much does JFT-Basic cost in Japan?
JPY 10,000.
Where can I take JFT-Basic in Japan?
At centres in Hokkaido, Miyagi, Tokyo, Ishikawa, Aichi, Osaka, Hiroshima, Kagawa, Saga and Okinawa. The exam dates page lists each centre's test days.
Can I take JFT-Basic in Japan on a short-term visa?
Yes. Any residence status, including a short-term stay, is accepted for sitting the test in Japan.
What do I need to bring?
Passport + Residence Card.
Can I practise JFT-Basic for free?
Yes. JFT Guru's free mock test sets need only a free account, and you can see sample questions from set 1 without one. They follow the real 4-section format: script and vocabulary, conversation and expression, listening, and reading.
JFT-Basic in other countries
JFT Guru is an independent study platform. We are not the test organiser and we do not take bookings: always book and pay on the official site.