In 2011, the test was sponsored by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT).

[citation needed] The Nihongo Kentei was created to assess overall ability in the Japanese language.

The questions focus on more obscure and difficult areas of the Japanese language, such as proficiency in Kanji, the use of honorifics, and extended vocabulary.

Although intended for native speakers, the exam is open to all applicants.

There are two types of certifications for each level, depending on the percentage scored.