Ok, I guess that is a good reason then. College was quite a while ago for me, so possibilities like that are not the first things to pop into my head nowadays :)

This is not what I've heard, been told by employers, or read. Now I will grant that perhaps you are trying to compete with Japanese people for jobs in Japanese companies that have nothing to do with internationalism, per se. I wouldn't know. I am not interested in doing this, nor is anyone I work with.

What I have been told is:

1) Level 2 is required for translating work, interpretation work, public affairs work, and obtaining teaching certification in Japan (this is not some sort of foriegner teaching cert, it is the same teaching cert as native Japanese teachers). Level 1 is not required (although it certainly doesn't hurt!)

2) Level 2 is required for admission to universities in Japan. Level 1 is not ordinarily required.

3) Level 1 is considered, by the test administrators, to make one as fluent as native speakers. Whether that is reality or not, it is what I was told.

If you have sources stating otherwise, I'd like to see them, because my research and career planning has me eventually taking level two to get my Japanese teaching certification, which in addition to level 2, requires courses at a Japanese university.

Well I am happy you have heard otherwise, but whenever I have done job searches on the net nearly all of the jobs where Japanese is to be used as part of the work requirements (and not just to get by) the employer wants you to be top notch. Most want somebody who is fluent/native/business level. Meaning you need to be at LEAST at level 1.

Take a look at the jobs listings on this site for instance. [CFN]CAREER FORUM.NET-Career Site for Japanese-English Bilinguals

I do not know who would hire somebody who only has level 2 to be a translator or interpreter, because it is really not sufficient. Could you please show me these jobs you have found?

Also, where have you found it written that the test administrators have stated that they equate passing level 1 with being on par with a native speaker? I can tell you from personal experience that passing level one does not make you like a native speaker. So I would like to see your sources for such claims.

The one point I can agree with you on is getting into a university because I have heard level 2 will get you in to some (not all).

I have passed 1. It`s not native level by any stretch. No test could accurately measure that, and regardless - 1 doesn`t require full points to pass.

The universities I attended and those I looked into all required JLPT1 for admittance unless you were entering a Japanese language study course. Only then was 2 an option.

Translation and interpretation relies a lot more on other qualifications than on JLPT. I am sure there are excellent translators and interpreters out there with only 2 - but I (and any company I can think of) would never choose to hire one based on that alone. JLPT1 has the advantage in every way.

I also have NEVER heard that you could get a Japanese teaching certificate with only a 2. You have to take the classes to do so, and you need the 1 to take the classes. It`s kind of like the work visa. Even if your job doesn`t need a degree, you need one to get the visa... You may not need a 1 to get the certification, but you need it to take the classes that are necessary for the certification.

Level 2 is great as something to aim for, a good way of gauging your progress, and good for gaining confidence. But in the work market, it is pretty useless.

I was specifically told by education officials in Kyoto prefecture that only two was required to take those specific classes.

Clearly the information I was provided with was incomplete or incorrect, because pretty much nothing said above by either you or Rick match what I was told by my superiors (Board of Ed).

Perhaps the situation is different if you already have some level of teaching certification outside of Japan... If I recall correctly, weren`t you already a teacher before coming to Japan? That may make a difference, as it may just be a matter of adding a few courses on top of what you already have to make you eligible for Japanese certification.

When I was looking into getting certification to either teach kindergarten or elementary school - the classes I would have needed to take all required "university level Japanese"... Defined as JLPT1.

I was, yes, and the program specifics are directed to those already teaching, so, perhaps you are correct. I'll clarify today.