EJU (Examination for Japanese University Admission) Explained

What the EJU is

The EJU — Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students — is a standardized test administered by the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO). Many Japanese universities use EJU scores as part of undergraduate admission for international applicants.

Rather than being a single pass/fail exam, the EJU is a set of subjects; each university decides which subjects and scores it wants for a given programme. It is designed to measure the academic Japanese and subject knowledge needed to study at a Japanese university.

Subjects and language options

The EJU is offered across the following subject areas, and you take only the subjects your target university requires:

- Japanese as a Foreign Language - Science (physics, chemistry and biology — you take the ones required) - Japan and the World (a comprehensive social-studies subject) - Mathematics (offered in different course levels)

Except for the Japanese as a Foreign Language subject, you can generally choose to answer in Japanese or in English, and you specify this at the time of application. Confirm which subjects, and which answer language, each of your target universities accepts.

Who needs to take the EJU

The EJU is mainly relevant to international students applying to Japanese-taught undergraduate programmes that ask for it. If your target universities require EJU scores, you will need to sit the relevant subjects for your field.

If you are applying to English-taught (SGU/G30) programmes, the EJU is usually not required — those routes typically rely on your academic record, an English test and essays instead. Because policies vary, always check each specific programme's requirements before deciding whether you need the EJU.

Where and when it is held

The EJU is held both inside Japan and at selected cities in a number of countries and regions, and it is offered twice a year (typically in June and November). This means many students can take it in their home region before travelling to Japan.

The exact list of overseas test cities and the precise test dates are set by JASSO and can change, so check the current cities, dates and any registration deadlines on the official JASSO EJU pages before you plan your attempt.

How universities use EJU scores

Universities set their own required subjects and how they weigh EJU results, and some combine the EJU with the university's own entrance exam, documents and an interview. There is no universal cut-off — each programme decides.

Because of this, the smartest approach is to identify your target programmes first, note exactly which EJU subjects each one requires and how it uses the scores, and then plan which subjects to sit. Verify these details on each university's official admissions pages.

How to prepare and register

Preparation usually means strengthening academic Japanese (if you plan to answer in Japanese) and revising the required subject content at the level the EJU expects. JASSO publishes official information, syllabi and past-question materials to guide your study.

For registration steps, fees, the score scale and results timing, rely on the official JASSO EJU pages rather than third-party summaries, as these details are set by JASSO and can change. This is general guidance — verify the current specifics on the official website before you register.