The first big decision after deciding to study in Japan is which school. Bangladeshi students have ~600 accredited Japanese language schools to choose from, and the right one depends on your goals, budget, and timeline. Here is the framework BSSAJ uses with students.
1. Accreditation
Make sure the school is on the Nisshinkyo list and accepts foreign students for COE. An unaccredited school cannot get you a student visa.
2. JLPT pass rate
Ask for the school's N3 / N2 pass rate over the last two years. Top schools publish this; if a school refuses to share, that's a red flag.
3. Location
Tokyo / Yokohama / Osaka have more part-time job opportunities but cost ~30% more in housing. Regional cities (Fukuoka, Nagoya, Sapporo, Sendai) are great if you're budget-conscious — many quality schools exist there.
4. Tuition and total cost
Tuition alone ranges JPY 600,000 – 900,000 per year. Add housing (JPY 30,000–80,000/month) + living costs (JPY 30,000–50,000/month). Plan for JPY 1.5–2 million for the first year all-in.
5. Class size and Bengali / English speakers
If a school has too many Bangladeshi students you may stop practising Japanese with classmates. A healthy mix of nationalities pushes you to use Japanese day one.
6. Pathway support
Some schools have dedicated 進学指導 (graduate-school / college pathway support) while others focus on 就職指導 (job placement). Pick based on your post-school plan.
7. Agency vs direct apply
Applying through a BSSAJ-verified agency in Bangladesh adds a small fee but adds support — interview practice, document QA, and after-arrival help. Check the agency on bssaj.org/verify before paying.
8. Visit the open campus (online if needed)
Every reputable school runs online info sessions for international students. Ask: "What's a typical day?", "What's your N3 pass rate?", "Where do graduates go?". The answers tell you everything.