APEF is an organization that has been dedicated to promoting the spread of the French language, culture, and France through the French proficiency test, called "Bukken." In the 21st century, as globalization continues to expand, there is a growing recognition of the importance of languages other than English from a diversity perspective. The activities promoting French language education around the world reflect the idea of "Francophonie" (French-speaking community). French is an official language in 29 countries, including those that have it as a second language. Additionally, French will be one of the official languages during the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris, emphasizing its significance.

The "Bukken" is a unique Japanese proficiency test that objectively measures practical French language skills. Supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, as well as the Cultural Department of the Embassy of France in Japan, this test is the only French language proficiency test available for Japanese learners. It was established in 1981 and has gained solid recognition and a long-standing tradition in the field of foreign language learning in Japan, with over 900,000 examinees. The "Bukken" test is widely used to evaluate the learning outcomes of French language education in schools, as well as for qualification certification in unit acquisition, transfer student entrance examinations, and university internal selection requirements for study abroad programs. As more overseas companies establish a presence in Japan, and Japanese companies and international organizations expand in French-speaking countries, the importance of English plus French proficiency is becoming increasingly evident. The "Bukken" test provides tangible proof of French language skills, assisting in job hunting and career advancement. Since 2013, passing the 1st-level "Bukken" test exempts individuals from taking the foreign language written examination (French) for the national qualification of "Interpreter Guide" conducted by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). © APEF 2023 All Rights Reserved.