JLPT in Malaysia

Who runs it

The organisers of the JLPT are the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services. That is stated on the JLPT 'What is the JLPT?' page. Outside Japan, a city may hold the test only in July, only in December, or both.

In Malaysia, The Japan Foundation, Kuala Lumpur publishes the announcement and sends candidates to the local host. The JLPT overseas list, as of 11 September 2026, names these hosts:

• Kuala Lumpur: The Japanese Language Society of Malaysia.
• Penang: Penang Japanese Language Society.
• Ipoh: Perak Malaysian-Japanese Friendship Society.
• Kota Kinabalu: Pusat Pentaran Ilmu dan Bahasa, Universiti Malaysia Sabah. That is the name printed on the official list.
• Johor Bahru: UTM, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.

NihonNest does not run the test, sell seats, or see your result. NihonNest is not affiliated with or endorsed by the JLPT.

Test months

The JLPT site lists two 2026 dates: the first test on Sunday 5 July, and the second on Sunday 6 December. The Japan Foundation, Kuala Lumpur confirms those same dates for Malaysia. Its 2 March 2026 notice says the July exam is Sunday 5 July 2026. Its 15 August 2026 notice says the December exam is Sunday 6 December 2026.

A 2027 test date is not published on the JLPT dates page or the Japan Foundation, Kuala Lumpur page checked for this guide. Check the official site.

Cities and centres

For the July 2026 paper, The Japan Foundation, Kuala Lumpur names three venues: Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Bahru. The same notice says Johor Bahru was added for that July paper.

The December 2026 notice does not name the cities. It tells you to check the Japanese Language Society of Malaysia for the venue, the quota, and the rules. The building address is on your test voucher, not in the country announcement. Check the official site before you book travel.

How registration works

The local host sets the application window. For July 2026, The Japan Foundation, Kuala Lumpur published a window from Monday 16 March 2026 at noon until Monday 30 March 2026 at 2:00 pm. For December 2026, it published a window from 17 August 2026 at 12:00 noon until 31 August 2026 at 2:00 pm. Those windows are closed. The next window is not published here. Check the official site.

The July 2026 test guide from the Japanese Language Society of Malaysia says the host decides the application steps, the fee, and how you pay. The host sends a test voucher with your registration number. In principle the fee is not refunded, and you cannot change your city or your level after the form is in. Seats are limited.

Fees

A fee for the 2026 sittings is not stated on the Japan Foundation, Kuala Lumpur page, the JLPT overseas list, or the July 2026 test guide checked for this page. A 2027 fee is not published either. Check the official site and use the amount on the current host notice or payment screen. Do not pay from an old screenshot.

Sources

• What is the JLPT?

  Organizers: the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services. Outside Japan, a city may hold the test only in July or only in December.

• 2026 JLPT dates and test sections

  2026 dates printed here: Sunday 5 July, and Sunday 6 December.

• Overseas test cities and local hosts

  Malaysia rows, as of 11 September 2026: hosts for Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Ipoh, Kota Kinabalu, and Johor Bahru.

• JLPT in Malaysia, The Japan Foundation, Kuala Lumpur

  Malaysia dates, the published 2026 registration windows, and the July 2026 venues.

• JLPT Malaysia test guide (July 2026), Japanese Language Society of Malaysia

  How an application is handled for that sitting. The fee amount is not printed in this guide.

• Japanese Language Society of Malaysia, JLPT notices

  The Japan Foundation, Kuala Lumpur points here for venues, quota, and rules. A 2026 or 2027 fee was not available from this page when this guide was written.