The Vietnamese language proficiency exam held in Japan has reached a new milestone this year, with a record number of candidates and the introduction of the highest-level test, Level 1, for the first time.

The exam, the 8th of its kind, organised by the Association for the Promotion and Exchange of Languages of Southeast Asian Countries in Japan, took place on June 15 at the Japan College of Foreign Languages in Tokyo. It featured six levels, from the introductory Pre-Level 6 up to Level 1.

This year, 917 entries were received from participants aged 8 to 84, representing 40 of Japan’s 46 prefectures. Pre-Level 6 and Level 5 attracted the most candidates, with 229 and 214 respectively. Notably, Level 1 debuted with 41 candidates.

According to the organisers, the exam’s pass rate has steadily improved over the years, rising from 16.7% in its first edition to over 52.6% in 2024.

Candidates included students, interpreters, and professionals working with the Vietnamese language, as well as individuals with personal ties with or interest in Vietnam. Some flew from as far as Hokkaido and Okinawa, while others returned from Vietnam to take part in the exam.

The association plans to continue organising the annual test to help standardise and promote Vietnamese language education in Japan. The only interruption occurred in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic./.VNA