The Japanese National Qualification Examination - Administrative Scrivener

The Administrative Scrivener Examination is one of Japan's important national qualifications, and foreigners can also take it. This qualification is necessary to carry out legal procedures and represent administrative procedures, especially those skills that are useful in visa application and business establishment in Japan. Below is a detailed explanation of the overview of the administrative scrivener examination, the exam subjects, difficulty, pass rate, and career paths after obtaining the qualification, specifically tailored for foreigners.

1. What is an Administrative Scrivener?
An Administrative Scrivener is a legal professional in Japan who specializes in carrying out legal and administrative procedures. Specifically, an administrative scrivener's duties include supporting visa applications, business establishment, drafting contracts, handling inheritance procedures, applying for permits, and many other tasks. Administrative scriveners play a crucial role in helping foreigners live and conduct business smoothly in Japan.

2. Overview of the Administrative Scrivener Examination
The administrative scrivener examination is a national exam held annually in November across Japan. There are no specific restrictions on eligibility to take the exam—anyone, regardless of age, gender, or nationality, can participate. However, the exam is conducted entirely in Japanese, so candidates need to have a certain level of Japanese language proficiency. Even foreigners can take the exam if they are confident in their Japanese reading and writing skills.

The exam is completed in one day, with a total test time of 3 hours. Test locations are available nationwide, and you can choose a site near where you live. The results are announced from late January to early February of the following year.

3. Exam Subjects and Content
The administrative scrivener examination is divided into three main subjects:

3.1. Law and Regulations
This subject tests knowledge of the Japanese legal system. Topics include the Constitution, Civil Law, Administrative Law, Commercial Law, and Basic Legal Concepts. In particular, Administrative Law and Civil Law make up a significant portion of the exam. For foreigners, this is a crucial part to understand Japan's legal system.

3.2. General Knowledge
This subject tests knowledge of politics, economics, society, information and communication, personal information protection, and reading comprehension. This part requires an understanding of Japan's social and economic structure, which may be somewhat challenging for foreigners, but the content directly relates to living and doing business in Japan.

3.3. Essay Writing
This subject includes three questions about law, requiring candidates to answer each question in about 50 words. This part tests the depth of understanding of the law and the ability to express it in writing. Japanese writing skills are necessary, but passing this part will demonstrate the capability needed to perform the duties of an administrative scrivener.

4. Difficulty and Pass Rate of the Examination
The administrative scrivener exam is known for its high difficulty. The pass rate is about 10% annually, and many candidates spend years preparing. For foreigners, understanding Japanese and learning legal terminology are often significant challenges, but with thorough preparation and diligent study, success is achievable.

The number of candidates who took the exam and the pass rate over the 10 years up to 2023

5. Career Paths After Obtaining the Qualification
After obtaining the administrative scrivener qualification, you can pursue the following career paths:

5.1. Independent Practice
You can open an independent administrative scrivener office and provide services such as visa application support and business establishment. Especially if you focus on services for foreigners, you can develop a unique and potential market.

5.2. In-House Administrative Scrivener
You can also work in a company’s legal department as an administrative scrivener. In particular, companies with many foreign employees or those engaged in international activities highly value administrative scriveners who are foreigners.

5.3. Multicultural Support
You can leverage your knowledge as an administrative scrivener to support the foreign community or collaborate with local organizations. This role helps promote cultural integration in Japan and contributes to the community.

6. Important Points for Exam Preparation
For foreigners aiming to take the administrative scrivener exam, consider the following points in your preparation:

6.1. Improving Japanese Language Skills
Since the exam is entirely in Japanese, a high level of Japanese language proficiency is required. It is especially important to study difficult legal terminology. It is recommended to aim for JLPT N1 level in the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT).

6.2. Learning Basic Legal Knowledge
It is crucial to master basic knowledge of the Japanese legal system. The Constitution, Civil Law, and Administrative Law significantly impact the exam results. Utilize basic textbooks and exam preparation materials to study effectively.

6.3. Utilizing Exam Preparation Courses
If self-study is challenging, consider taking exam preparation courses or attending prep schools. Nowadays, there are many courses tailored for foreigners with easy-to-understand explanations in Japanese. There are also online courses available, allowing you to study at your own pace.

One of the questions from previous years' exams

7. Conclusion
The administrative scrivener qualification is a powerful tool for supporting legal procedures in Japan. For foreigners, this qualification is very useful in visa applications, business establishment, and many other aspects of life and business in Japan. Although the exam is challenging, with thorough preparation and effort, success is within reach. After obtaining the qualification, new career and business opportunities will open up in Japan. Consider taking the administrative scrivener examination to enrich your life in Japan.