Japanese for the tech industry


I've studied japanese for 6 years, equivalent of 3 years in college. I don't
really have a formalized way to measure my Japanese level but I can read
probably around 600-700 kanji and am more or less conversationally fluent. I
haven't taken a JLPT or anything like that but I want to get a job in the tech
industry in Japan. Some of the globalized companies don't require your level
of Japanese to be that high but some do require you to know "Business Level"
or be able to take things like coding tests written entirely in Japanese.

I do want to expand the range of options for myself and I'm willing to
dedicate a fair amount of time. Are there any good ways for someone at my
level to learn business level or employment ready Japanese language? Does
anyone who knows Japanese have experience in the tech industry and knows the
kind of things I would need to know?




> Q1. **Are there any good ways for someone at my level for learning business
> level or employment ready Japanese language?**

**A1.** First, let me suggest what is meant by measurable "business level"
Japanese. When employers list or state that they are looking for someone in ◯◯
industry with measurable business level Japanese they are most likely
referring to a higher level ([N2 or
N1](http://www.jlpt.jp/e/about/levelsummary.html)) on the [Japanese Language
Proficiency Test](http://www.jlpt.jp/e/index.html) (JLPT) or a score of [400
points or higher](http://www.kanken.or.jp/bjt/english/about/) on the [Business
Japanese Proficiency Test](http://www.kanken.or.jp/bjt/) (BJT).

You can review the [JLPT "can do"
statements](http://www.jlpt.jp/e/about/pdf/cdslist_e_all.pdf) to see what
types of things you will need to be able to do to get a score at those levels.
This list will also be helpful for you to evaluate yourself to see at about
what level you are currently at.

Furthermore, when studying for these types of tests, purchasing a study guide
online or at a bookstore (in Japan) and using that to study everyday has been
most helpful for myself. You can find books to help you study such as the
[日本語総まとめ
series](http://www.amazon.co.jp/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?__mk_ja_JP=%E3%82%AB%E3%82%BF%E3%82%AB%E3%83%8A&url=search-
alias%3Daps&field-
keywords=%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E8%AA%9E%E7%B7%8F%E3%81%BE%E3%81%A8%E3%82%81) or
the JLPT [Official Book Trial Examination
Questions](http://www.jlpt.jp/e/samples/sample12.html). The 日本語総まとめ series is
especially helpful because it is set up into daily lessons making it easier to
pace your study schedule. You may also consider the BJT Practice and
Strategies Workbook Textbook ([ビジネス日本語能力テスト
模試と対策](http://www.amazon.co.jp/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?__mk_ja_JP=%E3%82%AB%E3%82%BF%E3%82%AB%E3%83%8A&url=search-
alias%3Daps&field-
keywords=%E3%83%93%E3%82%B8%E3%83%8D%E3%82%B9%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E8%AA%9E%E8%83%BD%E5%8A%9B%E3%83%86%E3%82%B9%E3%83%88%20%E6%A8%A1%E8%A9%A6%E3%81%A8%E5%AF%BE%E7%AD%96)).




> Q1. **Are there any good ways for someone at my level for learning business
> level or employment ready Japanese language?**

**A1.** First, let me suggest what is meant by measurable "business level"
Japanese. When employers list or state that they are looking for someone in ◯◯
industry with measurable business level Japanese they are most likely
referring to a higher level ([N2 or
N1](http://www.jlpt.jp/e/about/levelsummary.html)) on the [Japanese Language
Proficiency Test](http://www.jlpt.jp/e/index.html) (JLPT) or a score of [400
points or higher](http://www.kanken.or.jp/bjt/english/about/) on the [Business
Japanese Proficiency Test](http://www.kanken.or.jp/bjt/) (BJT).

You can review the [JLPT "can do"
statements](http://www.jlpt.jp/e/about/pdf/cdslist_e_all.pdf) to see what
types of things you will need to be able to do to get a score at those levels.
This list will also be helpful for you to evaluate yourself to see at about
what level you are currently at.

Furthermore, when studying for these types of tests, purchasing a study guide
online or at a bookstore (in Japan) and using that to study everyday has been
most helpful for myself. You can find books to help you study such as the
[日本語総まとめ
series](http://www.amazon.co.jp/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?__mk_ja_JP=%E3%82%AB%E3%82%BF%E3%82%AB%E3%83%8A&url=search-
alias%3Daps&field-
keywords=%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E8%AA%9E%E7%B7%8F%E3%81%BE%E3%81%A8%E3%82%81) or
the JLPT [Official Book Trial Examination
Questions](http://www.jlpt.jp/e/samples/sample12.html). The 日本語総まとめ series is
especially helpful because it is set up into daily lessons making it easier to
pace your study schedule. You may also consider the BJT Practice and
Strategies Workbook Textbook ([ビジネス日本語能力テスト
模試と対策](http://www.amazon.co.jp/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?__mk_ja_JP=%E3%82%AB%E3%82%BF%E3%82%AB%E3%83%8A&url=search-
alias%3Daps&field-
keywords=%E3%83%93%E3%82%B8%E3%83%8D%E3%82%B9%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E8%AA%9E%E8%83%BD%E5%8A%9B%E3%83%86%E3%82%B9%E3%83%88%20%E6%A8%A1%E8%A9%A6%E3%81%A8%E5%AF%BE%E7%AD%96)).

