On 6 December, the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv will for the first time host the international Japanese language qualification exam, the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), the results of which are recognised worldwide. Until now, JLPT could only be taken in Kyiv in Ukraine.
The new examination centre in Lviv has been set up thanks to cooperation between the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, the Japan Foundation and the Japan Desk Lviv initiative, which operates under the Investment and Projects Department of the Lviv City Council.
“The advent of the JLPT in Lviv is an important event both for the city and for the university. Until now, the only official examination centre was in Kyiv. Now residents of Lviv and the western regions will be able to obtain an internationally recognised certificate without having to travel to the capital. This opens up more opportunities for study, employment and cooperation with Japanese companies” — Nazar Bilyk
The exam in Lviv will be offered at levels N2, N3, N4 and N5. Participants will be tested on their knowledge of vocabulary, kanji, grammar, listening and comprehension of spoken language, as well as reading and analysing texts in Japanese. The examination materials are prepared and marked by the Japan Foundation. The results are expected to be published in January 2027 in the form of official certificates.
According to the organisers, there has long been a need in Lviv for an official JLPT testing centre, as Japanese is studied not only by university students but also by school pupils. Holding the exam has become possible, in particular, thanks to the support of the Embassy of Japan and the Japan Foundation.
Registration for the exam will run from 18 August to 8 September. Candidates must register in person at the Department of Oriental Studies named after Professor Yaroslav Dashkevych at Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, at: 1 Universytetska Street, room 239. Documents will be accepted on weekdays from 10:00 to 13:00.
The participation fee is UAH 3,500 for any exam level. Due to security requirements, the testing will be conducted in a shelter, so the number of places is limited — this year around 80 people will be able to take the JLPT in Lviv.
Japan Desk Lviv was established in July 2025 as a service to develop cooperation between Lviv and Japan. In its first year the team, in particular, helped to bring the first official JLPT testing centre to the city, developed partnerships in education, culture, tourism and business, and also supported contacts between Japanese companies and Lviv-based enterprises. A separate area of work is cooperation in innovation and defence technologies.
The next step in developing Ukrainian-Japanese economic partnership will be the Lviv Japan Business Forum, which is planned to be held in Lviv in the autumn. The forum is intended to bring together representatives of business, public institutions and international organisations from Ukraine and Japan to create new partnerships and investment projects. Details of the programme and the application procedure for participation will be announced separately.