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JLPT Global 2026: July Results, December Schedule, and Official Pathways

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This page summarizes the JLPT (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test) for 2026 from the official site jlpt.jp. Fees, quotas, and registration open/close dates by city are not unified here. Those differ by country. Check details with your local host institution. For Indonesia, local December dates are now posted on the JLPT Indonesia 2026 guide.

Recheck Official Sources

Jepang.org is not an official organizer. Use this page as a starting map. Confirm details on jlpt.jp before you register.

2026 Quick Status

As of October 7, 2026:

PeriodOfficial date (jlpt.jp)Status
First testSunday, July 5, 2026Already held
Online results (July)Thursday, August 27, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to Saturday, October 31, 2026, 5:00 p.m. (JST)Open the official results page; timing and content can differ by location
Score reports (July)Japan: early September; overseas: usually mid-October via local institutionsAfter October 31, scores may arrive only through the report or local host
December registration in Japan (JEES)Closing notice September 3, 2026Closed; test vouchers are planned to be mailed by November 20, 2026 (Friday)
December registration (overseas)Official general range: August–SeptemberMany local windows have ended; confirm with your local host
Other Japanese-language testsNotice dated September 28, 2026Some sites in Japan and overseas closed registration earlier than planned. Other tests are recognized for certain residence-status types
Second testSunday, December 6, 2026Still ahead

Test date source: the official schedule on the jlpt.jp homepage.

Notes from the official site to keep in mind:

  • Outside Japan, some cities may only hold the test in July or December (not always both).
  • City schedules are on the list of overseas cities and local institutions. The official site labels that list as JLPT 2026 test cities as of September 11, 2026.
  • Since December 2025, JLPT score reports add a CEFR level for reference (see the announcement on the official site).

Other Japanese-Language Tests for Residence Status

According to the official jlpt.jp notice dated September 28, 2026 (Other Japanese-Language Tests), a rapid increase in applicants forced registration to close earlier than planned at some test sites in Japan and overseas. The notice does not name those cities.

If you need a Japanese-language test to apply for a status of residence in Japan, other tests are also recognized for certain status types:

  1. Specified Skilled Worker (i) and Employment for Skill Development: JFT-Basic (Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese)
  2. Student (Japanese language education institution): several tests are recognized. Details are on the Immigration Services Agency page.
  3. Student (higher education institutions, etc.): several tests are recognized. Details are on the Immigration Services Agency page.
  4. Business Manager, Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Highly Skilled Professional, and Designated Activities (Graduates of Japanese Universities, etc.): BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test

Who Organizes the JLPT?

According to the official site, the JLPT is organized by:

  • The Japan Foundation
  • Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES)

A level overview for N1–N5 is on Summary of Linguistic Competence Required for Each Level.

Registration Paths: Japan vs Overseas

The official site separates registration for tests in Japan and outside Japan.

Taking the Test in Japan

  • Official entry point: MyJLPT / Taking the Test in Japan (JEES)
  • According to the JEES notice dated September 3, 2026, Notice about the closing of the application for the 2nd JLPT in 2026 (December), MyJLPT registration for the December 2026 test in Japan has closed. Test vouchers are planned to be mailed by November 20, 2026 (Friday). Fees and account rules still follow the JEES page.

Taking the Test Outside Japan

According to Taking the Test Overseas:

  1. Find your country/city and local host institution on the official list.
  2. Ask the local institution how to register and get the local Test Guide or application form.
  3. Registration periods differ by city. The official site only gives a general range:
    • July test period: about March–April
    • December test period: about August–September. As of October 7, 2026, many local windows have ended.
  4. Receive a test voucher from the local institution.
  5. Take the test on your city's schedule (2026 global dates: July 5 / December 6; some cities offer only one period).
  6. Receive results through the local institution.

Details can differ by country. Ask your local institution directly if local instructions differ from the summary above.

Test takers in Indonesia: local December dates are now posted on JLPT Indonesia 2026 (organizer jlptonline.or.id).

Electronic devices outside Japan

The official site reminds overseas examinees: phones and all electronic devices must be OFF during the test. Follow your local institution's rules and the proctors at your site.

Test Results and Certificates

According to Test Results Announcement:

  • Results are available online; timing and content can differ by test location. Choose your location on the official results page.
  • For July 2026, the official online announcement is open from 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 27, 2026, until 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 31, 2026 (Japan Standard Time). After that window, you may only see scores later through the score report or your local host.
  • All examinees receive a Score Report / Certificate of Result and Scores. Those who pass receive a Certificate of Proficiency.
  • Japan: July score reports are mailed in early September; December period in early February.
  • Outside Japan: reports via local institutions; usually around mid-October (July period) and mid-March (December period).
  • News dated August 21, 2026: applications for a duplicate Certificate of Result and Scores for JLPT 2026 (July) open on Friday, August 28 (excluding test locations in Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea). See the official certificate page.

Results portals by location (Japan, China, Hong Kong/Macau, Taiwan, Korea, and others) are linked from the official results page.

Since the December 2025 test, the official site adds a CEFR level indication for reference on score reports (official explanation). It is a supplement, not a replacement for JLPT scores.

Special Testing Accommodations (STA)

Organizers provide Special Testing Accommodations (STA) for examinees who have difficulty taking the test due to illness, injury, disability, or similar conditions. How to apply is on Special Testing Accommodations.

What to Check on Official Sources (Not on This Page)

This page does not list:

  • Test fees by country or city
  • Exact registration open/close dates by city beyond the official general ranges
  • A full list of test site addresses (they change and are managed by local institutions)
  • Local payment rules (e-wallets, bank transfer, and so on)

Check all of that on the official site or with your local institution.

Official Sources to Recheck

Study Materials on Jepang.org

After you confirm the schedule on official sources, continue with level materials:

Conclusion

As of October 7, 2026, according to jlpt.jp and JEES: the July 5, 2026 test is done. July online results are open from August 27 at 10:00 a.m. to October 31 at 5:00 p.m. (JST). The December 6, 2026 test is still ahead. December registration in Japan has closed (JEES notice dated September 3, 2026; vouchers planned to be mailed by November 20). The overseas window is generally August–September; many local windows have ended. The September 28, 2026 notice says some sites closed registration earlier than planned; other Japanese-language tests are also recognized for certain residence-status types. Indonesia dates are on the Indonesia page. Some overseas cities may only hold one period. Registration and fees follow your local host institution (overseas) or JEES (in Japan). Confirm details on the official links above.

Frequently Asked Questions

When are the JLPT 2026 test dates according to the official site?
According to the official schedule on jlpt.jp, the first 2026 test was Sunday, July 5, 2026 (already held), and the second is Sunday, December 6, 2026.
When are the July 2026 JLPT results released?
According to jlpt.jp, the online Test Results Announcement for JLPT 2026 (July) is available from 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 27, 2026, until 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 31, 2026 (Japan Standard Time). Timing and content can still differ by location; pick your location on the official results page. After October 31, you may only see scores later through the score report or your local host. In Japan, July score reports are mailed in early September. Outside Japan, reports through local institutions usually arrive around mid-October.
When does December 2026 registration open outside Japan?
The official site still gives a general August–September window for the December period. Exact dates differ by city; confirm with your local host on the official jlpt.jp list. As of October 7, 2026, many local windows have ended. Indonesia dates are on the JLPT Indonesia 2026 page.
Do all overseas cities hold the test twice a year?
Not always. Outside Japan, some cities may only offer the July or December period. Check the city and local institution list on the official site.
Where do I register if I take the test outside Japan?
Overseas registration is handled by local host institutions. Open the official city and institution list on jlpt.jp, then follow the instructions for your city.
Where do I register if I take the test in Japan?
Registration in Japan goes through the official JEES/MyJLPT pathway linked from the JLPT site (info.jees-jlpt.jp). As of October 7, 2026, December registration in Japan has closed according to the JEES notice dated September 3, 2026.
My city closed registration early. Which other Japanese-language tests are recognized for a status of residence in Japan?
According to the official jlpt.jp notice dated September 28, 2026 (Other Japanese-Language Tests), a rapid increase in applicants forced registration to close earlier than planned at some test sites in Japan and overseas. The notice does not name those cities. If you need a Japanese-language test to apply for a status of residence in Japan, other tests are also recognized for certain status types: JFT-Basic for Specified Skilled Worker (i) and Employment for Skill Development; several tests for Student (Japanese language education institution); several tests for Student (higher education institutions, etc.); and the BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test for Business Manager, Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Highly Skilled Professional, and Designated Activities (Graduates of Japanese Universities, etc.). See the official notice on jlpt.jp for the details and links.
Does this page replace the official site?
No. This page summarizes schedules and official pathways already published on jlpt.jp. Recheck dates, cities, and registration rules on the official site before you register.
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