Japanese Language Support for International Students
NAIST offers Japanese language learning opportunities for international students, researchers, and their families — from complete beginner to advanced, covering daily conversation, academic skills, and job-hunting preparation.
Find the Right Option
| Your situation / goal | Recommended options |
|---|---|
| Completely new to Japanese | Minato e-learning / Tsukuba introductory courses |
| Can read Hiragana and Katakana | NAIST Intensive Japanese / Tsukuba beginner courses |
| Daily conversation practice | Volunteer classes / Ikoma City classes / Tsukuba |
| Academic writing or presentations | Tsukuba academic courses / Tokyo Univ. of Foreign Studies |
| Job hunting in Japan | Tsukuba job-hunting courses / NAIST career support |
| Flexible self-paced learning | Minato / Online courses / Community classes |
Credit-Bearing Courses
NAIST Intensive Japanese I & II
- Level: Beginner – lower-intermediate
- Credit: Yes
- Eligibility: Can read Hiragana and Katakana
- Registration: Regular course registration system
- Note: Placement test before Course I (October)
University of Tsukuba Online Courses
- Level: Beginner – advanced (J1–J8)
- Credit: Yes
- Fee: Free
- Application: Required in advance through the university office
- Note: TTBJ placement test required before applying
Tsukuba Course List
Courses offered may vary by term. TTBJ levels (J1–J8) are used for placement.
| Level | Course | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Complete Beginner (J1) | Japanese for Beginners | Hiragana, Katakana, greetings, self-introductions |
| Beginner (J2–4) | Elementary Japanese for Daily Life | Vocabulary, grammar, daily conversation |
| Intermediate (J3–4) | First Steps in Japanese for Job Hunting | Entry sheets, basic interview preparation |
| Intermediate (J4–6) | Keigo and Situational Communication | Polite expressions in different situations |
| Intermediate (J4–7) | Academic Japanese Presentation | Expressions for academic presentations |
| Upper-Intermediate (J5–7) | Academic Japanese Writing | Writing for reports and research papers |
| Upper-Int.–Advanced (J5–8) | Advanced Seminar on Japanese Society | Discussion on society, culture, and advanced skills |
| Upper-Int.–Advanced (J5–8) | Exploring Japanese Language | Everyday expressions and language in context |
| Advanced (J6–8) | Basics of Job Hunting in Japan | Self-promotion, interviews, BJT preparation |
Non-Credit Options
Volunteer Japanese Classes (On-Campus)
- Organizer: Network Ikoma
- Level: All levels
- Schedule: Twice a week
- Fee: Free
- For: Students, researchers, and families
- Contact: ryugaku@ad.naist.jp
Ikoma City Japanese Classes
- Organizer: Local volunteer groups
- Level: All levels
- Fee: Free (waiting list possible)
- Habataki Class: Kita Community Center, every Thursday
- Library Hall Class: Ikoma City Library Hall, every Saturday
Tokyo University of Foreign Studies Online
- Level: Beginner – intermediate (daily conversation)
- Fee: Free
- Format: Live + on-demand lessons
- Period: Spring (Feb–Mar) / Summer (Aug–Sep)
- Note: Selection by lottery if oversubscribed
- Contact: ryugaku@ad.naist.jp
NAIST Career-Oriented Japanese Support
- For: MA and PhD students seeking employment in Japan
- Private lessons: Once a week, partial fee required (apply Apr–May)
- BJT voucher: Free, first-come basis (apply Jan–Feb)
- Organizer: Career Services Office
JF Japanese e-Learning Minato
- Level: All levels
- Fee: Free (some paid courses available)
- Format: Online, available anytime
- Provider: Japan Foundation
- URL: minato-jf.jp
Before You Start: Self-Study Resources
To prepare for NAIST Intensive Japanese courses, we recommend completing introductory-level Japanese before enrolling. The free “Katsudoo & Rikai” courses on Minato (A1-1 and A1-2) are a good starting point.
- JF Japanese e-Learning Minato — free self-study platform by the Japan Foundation
- HIRAGANA/KATAKANA Memory Hint — learn Hiragana and Katakana
- KANJI Memory Hint — learn kanji used in Japan
- Quizlet vocabulary (for NAIST courses): L1–L8 / L9–L10
- Dekiru Nihongo word list
- Nihongo e-na — information site for studying Japanese
How to Apply
- NAIST courses: Register through the regular course registration system.
- University of Tsukuba: Apply in advance through the university office.
- Tokyo Univ. of Foreign Studies: Follow the instructions provided for each course.
- Network Ikoma and local classes: Contact the International Affairs Division (ryugaku@ad.naist.jp).