Editorial Policy
This page explains who makes the content on Nihongo to Japan, what it's based on, how it's produced and maintained, and how we handle errors and updates.
Who is responsible for the content
Content planning, writing, and editing: NTJ Kuma (the site's founder, a graduate of the Department of Applied Japanese at National Kaohsiung First University of Science and Technology, a long-time Japanese learner and Japan-travel writer — see About the Author). Data and site maintenance: the Nihongo to Japan editorial team. Japanese proofreading (native-speaker / teacher review of examples, connection rules, and nuance): in progress — we are inviting a named Japanese teacher or native speaker to join, and will mark the reviewer and date on the relevant articles once done. Until then, we do not claim that articles are independently proofread by a professional teacher or native speaker.
What the content is based on
Our grammar articles draw mainly on authoritative Japanese dictionaries (including open data such as JMdict/JMnedict), widely-used textbooks, and the JLPT's officially published scope and public sample questions. Some vocabulary glosses come from JMdict/JMnedict (© EDRDG, used under CC BY-SA 4.0).
AI-use disclosure
Some content is drafted with the help of AI tools at the draft stage, but everything published is planned, reviewed, and edited by NTJ Kuma before going live; AI output is never published without human review. The planning, judgment, and final responsibility rest with a person, not a tool.
Accuracy and updates
For information that changes over time (JLPT fees, test cities, dates, study-abroad rules, fares, opening hours), we show a 'last verified' date, defer to the official announcement, and recheck periodically. Study hours and pass rates are approximate references, not guarantees.
Corrections and independence
Spotted an error? Tell us via Instagram @nihongotojapan or email; significant corrections are logged on the Corrections page. The site's tools and content are free forever with no paywall, run on minimal ads and some affiliate links, and this does not affect our editorial neutrality.