Announcement of the publication of Minna no Nihongo Elementary Japanese Third Edition


Thank you for using our teaching materials. We are pleased to announce that we will be publishing the Third Edition of the Minna no Nihongo Elementary Japanese series - a series of books that is used by many people in Japan and around the world - from the autumn of 2025.
Even after the publication of the Third Edition, the current Second Edition will continue to be sold for the time being.

Thank you for using our teaching materials. We are pleased to announce that we will be publishing the Third Edition of the Minna no Nihongo Elementary Japanese series - a series of books that is used by many people in Japan and around the world - from the autumn of 2025.
Even after the publication of the Third Edition, the current Second Edition will continue to be sold for the time being.

■Update history

Minna no Nihongo Series List

■ Main Text revision points

1) Review of conversation scenes, vocabulary, and expressions
The conversation scenes, vocabulary, and expressions are being reviewed to match current times. There will be no major changes to the grammar syllabus or the structure of each lesson.

2) The audio content will be distributed via our website and an app
The audio of the Conversation and Practice Questions found in each lesson as well as the Introduction* (Japanese Pronunciation, Classroom Language, Everyday Greetings and Expressions, and Numerals) on the CD included with the Second Edition of the book is now available free of charge on our website (for download and streaming) and an audio app.
*Elementary I only
The Sentence Patterns, Example Sentences, Exercises A, B, and C, and the Vocabulary (new words) in each lesson of Minna no Nihongo Elementary I Third Edition Translation and Grammar Notes can be listened to for a fee on our website (streaming only) and audio app. Please see the "Publication Schedule" for details.

■Specific changes
Conversations

★Changed lesson titles are shown in red, and changed conversation scenes are shown in yellow.

【Elementary I】

第1課 初めまして
第2課 これ、コーヒーです。どうぞ
第3課 これをください
第4課 何時から何時までですか
 → The scene has changed from "Asking for a store's phone number" to "Visiting a university cafeteria".
第5課 この電車は姫路へ行きますか
第6課 いっしょに行きませんか
第7課 いらっしゃい
第8課 そろそろ失礼します
第9課 金曜日はちょっと……
第10課 ナンプラー、ありますか
第11課 これ、お願いします
第12課 祇園祭はどうでしたか
第13課 別々にお願いします
第14課 ヘルメットをかぶってください
 → The scene has changed from "Taking a taxi" to "Doing an evacuation drill".
第15課 ご家族は?
第16課 教えてください
 → The scene has changed from from “Withdrawing money from an ATM” to “Using a swimming pool”.
  (How to use an ATM remains in Lesson 16 of the Translation and Grammar Notes.)

第17課 無理をしないでください
第18課 趣味は何ですか
第19課 ダイエットはあしたからします
第20課 いっしょに行かない?
第21課 わたしもそう思います
第22課 どんな部屋をお探しですか
第23課 どうやって行きますか
第24課 手伝いに行きましょうか
第25課 いろいろお世話になりました

【Elementary II】

第26課 ごみは どこに 出したら いいですか。
第27課 何でも 作れるんですね。
第28課 出張も 多いし、試験も あるし……。
第29課 忘れ物を して しまったんです。
第30課 非常袋を 準備して おかないと。
第31課 ギターを 習おうと 思って います。
第32課 無理を しない ほうが いいですよ。
第33課 これは どういう 意味ですか。
第34課 わたしが した とおりに、して ください。
第35課 どこか いい 所、ありませんか。
第36課 毎日 運動するように して います。
第37課 姫路城は 14世紀に 建てられました。
第38課 片づけるのが 好きなんです。
第39課 遅れて、すみません。
第40課 友達が できたか どうか、心配です。
第41課 ご結婚 おめでとう ございます。
第42課 ボーナスは 何に 使いますか。
第43課 毎日 楽しそうです。
第44課 この 写真みたいに して ください。
第45課 コースを まちがえた 場合は、どう したら いいですか。
第46課 先週 直して もらった ばかりなのに、また……。
第47課 婚約したそうです。
第48課 休ませて いただけませんか。
第49課 よろしく お伝え ください。
  →The scene has changed from "Ms. Schmidt notifies the elementary school about her child's absence" to "Mr. Miller reunites with Mr. Tadashi Matsumoto and asks about his current situation".
第50課 心から 感謝いたします。

Practice Questions 【Elementary I】
The titles of the reading material have changed as follows:
 Lesson 9 「山田さんとダンス」 → 「ワンさんとダンス」
 Lesson 21 「カンガルー」 → 「わたしの夢」
※In Lesson 21, the content of the reading material has changed significantly, and the related tasks have also changed.
 【Elementary II】
 Lesson 43 「鈴木君の日記」 → 「鈴木さんの日記」

・Please visit here for information on the dialogue topics, reading material, and related tasks included in the Practice Questions section of Elementary I Third Edition Main Text.
Vocabulary【Elementary I】
Changes from Elementary I Second Edition (Vocabulary and Expressions)(PDF file: approx. 1255KB)[As of 23 January 2026]
【Elementary II】
Changes from Elementary II Second Edition (Vocabulary and Expressions)(PDF file: approx. 935KB)[As of 4 February 2026]
Kanji notation 【Elementary I】
Only the following three words have been changed.
[漢字→ひらがな] 兄弟 → きょうだい 君 → くん
[ひらがな→漢字] 牛どん → 牛丼
【Elementary II】
The following kanji notation has been changed.
(道が)みます → (道が)みます
Expressions 【Elementary I】
Lesson 5: The pronunciation of 「何」 in 「何で~へ行きますか」has been changed from「なん」 to「なに」. (「何<なに>」in Vocabulary has been moved from Lesson 6 to Lesson 5.)
【Elementary II】
There is no change in the wording.
Conversations

★Changed lesson titles are shown in red, and changed conversation scenes are shown in yellow.

【Elementary I】

第1課 初めまして
第2課 これ、コーヒーです。どうぞ
第3課 これをください
第4課 何時から何時までですか
 → The scene has changed from "Asking for a store's phone number" to "Visiting a university cafeteria".
第5課 この電車は姫路へ行きますか
第6課 いっしょに行きませんか
第7課 いらっしゃい
第8課 そろそろ失礼します
第9課 金曜日はちょっと……
第10課 ナンプラー、ありますか
第11課 これ、お願いします
第12課 祇園祭はどうでしたか
第13課 別々にお願いします
第14課 ヘルメットをかぶってください
 → The scene has changed from "Taking a taxi" to "Doing an evacuation drill".
第15課 ご家族は?
第16課 教えてください
 → The scene has changed from from “Withdrawing money from an ATM” to “Using a swimming pool”.
  (How to use an ATM remains in Lesson 16 of the Translation and Grammar Notes.)

第17課 無理をしないでください
第18課 趣味は何ですか
第19課 ダイエットはあしたからします
第20課 いっしょに行かない?
第21課 わたしもそう思います
第22課 どんな部屋をお探しですか
第23課 どうやって行きますか
第24課 手伝いに行きましょうか
第25課 いろいろお世話になりました

【Elementary II】

第26課 ごみは どこに 出したら いいですか。
第27課 何でも 作れるんですね。
第28課 出張も 多いし、試験も あるし……。
第29課 忘れ物を して しまったんです。
第30課 非常袋を 準備して おかないと。
第31課 ギターを 習おうと 思って います。
第32課 無理を しない ほうが いいですよ。
第33課 これは どういう 意味ですか。
第34課 わたしが した とおりに、して ください。
第35課 どこか いい 所、ありませんか。
第36課 毎日 運動するように して います。
第37課 姫路城は 14世紀に 建てられました。
第38課 片づけるのが 好きなんです。
第39課 遅れて、すみません。
第40課 友達が できたか どうか、心配です。
第41課 ご結婚 おめでとう ございます。
第42課 ボーナスは 何に 使いますか。
第43課 毎日 楽しそうです。
第44課 この 写真みたいに して ください。
第45課 コースを まちがえた 場合は、どう したら いいですか。
第46課 先週 直して もらった ばかりなのに、また……。
第47課 婚約したそうです。
第48課 休ませて いただけませんか。
第49課 よろしく お伝え ください。
  →The scene has changed from "Ms. Schmidt notifies the elementary school about her child's absence" to "Mr. Miller reunites with Mr. Tadashi Matsumoto and asks about his current situation".
第50課 心から 感謝いたします。

Practice Questions
【Elementary I】
The titles of the reading material have changed as follows:
Lesson 9
「山田さんとダンス」 → 「ワンさんとダンス」
Lesson 21
「カンガルー」 → 「わたしの夢」
※In Lesson 21, the content of the reading material has changed significantly, and the related tasks have also changed.
【Elementary II】
Lesson 43
「鈴木君の日記」 → 「鈴木さんの日記」

・Please visit here for information on the dialogue topics, reading material, and related tasks included in the Practice Questions section of Elementary I Third Edition Main Text.
Vocabulary
【Elementary I】
Changes from Elementary I Second Edition (Vocabulary and Expressions)(PDF file: approx. 1255KB)[As of 23 January 2026]
【Elementary II】
Changes from Elementary II Second Edition (Vocabulary and Expressions)(PDF file: approx. 935KB)[As of 4 February 2026]
Kanji notation
【Elementary I】
Only the following three words have been changed.
[漢字→ひらがな]
兄弟 → きょうだい 君 → くん
[ひらがな→漢字]
牛どん → 牛丼
【Elementary II】
The following kanji notation has been changed.
(道が)みます → (道が)みます
Expressions
【Elementary I】
Lesson 5: The pronunciation of 「何」 in 「何で~へ行きますか」has been changed from「なん」 to「なに」. (「何<なに>」in Vocabulary has been moved from Lesson 6 to Lesson 5.)
【Elementary II】
There is no change in the wording.




■ Publication schedule

Elementary I
Minna no Nihongo Elementary I Third Edition Main Text Now on sale
 B5 size, 248 pages, separate volume: 54 pages, two colors, 2,750 yen (including tax)
 [Free Supplementary Study Materials]
 Audio of Japanese Pronunciation, Classroom Language, Everyday Greetings and Expressions, Numerals, Conversation, and Practice Questions: Available via the company's website and audio app.
 
 
Minna no Nihongo Elementary I Third Edition Translation and Grammar Notes - English Now on sale
Minna no Nihongo Elementary I Third Edition Translation and Grammar Notes - Chinese Now on sale
Minna no Nihongo Elementary I Third Edition Translation and Grammar Notes - Vietnamese Scheduled to be published in March 2026
Minna no Nihongo Elementary I Third Edition Translation and Grammar Notes - Nepalese Scheduled to be published in March 2026
Minna no Nihongo Elementary I Third Edition Translation and Grammar Notes - Burmese Scheduled to be published in April 2026
Minna no Nihongo Elementary I Third Edition Translation and Grammar Notes - Sinhalese Scheduled to be published in April 2026
 B5 size, 181 pages (planned), 2,200 yen (including tax) *Other languages ​​will be published over time.  
 
Minna no Nihongo Elementary I Third Edition Basic Workbook Scheduled to be published in March 2026
 B5 size, 1,100 yen (including tax)

Minna no Nihongo Elementary I Third Edition Audio Web.ver *This data is only for sale on the company's website.
 Now on sale
  All 25 lessons: 5,500 yen (tax included); individual lessons: 220 yen (tax included) *This product is equivalent to the Second Edition's "5-CD set".
Minna no Nihongo Elementary I Third Edition Audio *On sale at app stores
 Now available for download
 Free app download, in-app purchases available (All 25 lessons: 5,500 yen (tax included); individual lessons: 220 yen (tax included))  

Elementary II
Minna no Nihongo Elementary II Third Edition Main Text Scheduled to be published in April 2026
 B5 size, 247 pages, separate volume: 57 pages (planned), two colors, 2,750 yen (including tax)

Minna no Nihongo Elementary II Third Edition Translation and Grammar Notes - English Scheduled to be published in April 2026
Minna no Nihongo Elementary II Third Edition Translation and Grammar Notes - Chinese Scheduled to be published in July 2026
Minna no Nihongo Elementary II Third Edition Translation and Grammar Notes - Vietnamese Scheduled to be published in July 2026
Minna no Nihongo Elementary II Third Edition Translation and Grammar Notes - Nepalese Scheduled to be published in July 2026
Minna no Nihongo Elementary II Third Edition Translation and Grammar Notes - Burmese Scheduled to be published in July 2026
Minna no Nihongo Elementary II Third Edition Translation and Grammar Notes - Sinhalese Scheduled to be published in July 2026
 B5 size, 157 pages (planned), 2,200 yen (including tax) *Other languages ​​will be published over time.

Minna no Nihongo Elementary II Third Edition Basic Workbook Scheduled to be published in September 2026
 B5 size, 1,100 yen (including tax)

Minna no Nihongo Elementary II Third Edition Audio Web.ver *This data is only for sale on the company's website.
 Scheduled to be released in April 2026
  All 25 lessons: 5,500 yen (tax included); individual lessons: 220 yen (tax included) *This product is equivalent to the Second Edition's "5-CD set".
Minna no Nihongo Elementary II Third Edition Audio *On sale at app stores
 Scheduled to be released in April 2026
 Free app download, in-app purchases available (All 25 lessons: 5,500 yen (tax included); individual lessons: 220 yen (tax included))

*The above information is current as of 27 February 2026.
Information such as future publication schedules and changes due to revisions will be announced on this page and on our official SNS (X, Facebook) pages. We apologize for the inconvenience, but if you have any questions, please take a look at this page.




■ Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)


Information on the Third Edition is summarized on this page and will be updated from time to time. We apologize for the inconvenience, but we are unable to respond to individual enquiries. Thank you for your understanding.

Q1. I would like to know the languages ​​in which the Translation and Grammar Notes will be published. (Will the languages available in the Second Edition also be available in the Third Edition?)

The languages ​​available in the Second Edition will also be available in the Third Edition.

Q2. I would like to know the publication schedule for the supplementary study/teaching materials and any other materials (including those scheduled to be published, although the publication date has not been determined).

We will keep people informed on this page and official SNS (X, Facebook).

Q3. Can I use the supplementary materials from the Second Edition with the Third Edition Main Text?
(Examples: Translation and Grammar Notes, Listening Comprehension Tasks 25, Reading Comprehension Text 25, Kanji Workbook, Kanji - English Edition, Conversation DVD, Basic Workbook, Sentence Pattern Workbook, and Sentence Pattern Practice Illustrations)

The Third Edition has almost the same grammar syllabus as the Second Edition, but the new vocabulary in each lesson is different from the Second Edition. For the time being, we will continue to sell the Second Edition, so we recommend that people use the Second Edition's supplementary materials with the Second Edition Main Text.

Q4. Is Minna no Nihongo Elementary Japanese Third Edition Main Text produced in accordance with the Reference Framework for Japanese Language Education and CEFR?

The first edition of Minna no Nihongo Elementary Japanese was published in 1998. It provides language functions and situations that aid with communication, while at the same time developing the vocabulary skills required by beginners as they progress step-by-step with grammar learning, all of which are essential for language learning. Even after the first, second, and third editions, this concept has remained the same. Although the series was not created in accordance with the Reference Framework for Japanese Language Education or CEFR, it is possible for teachers to develop the skills in the five language activities (reading, listening, writing, speaking [interaction], and speaking [presentation]) required of language users by creating and teaching lessons that match the needs of the learners.

Q5. Upon completion of Elementary I and Elementary II, at what level of the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) or the Reference Framework for Japanese Language Education is the learner?

As a guide, please note that upon completion of Elementary I, the learner will be at the N5 level of the JLPT, and upon completion of Elementary II, he/she will be at the N4 level of the JLPT. With regards to the level in Japanese education, we hope that Indication of the CEFR Level for Reference | JLPT Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (Japanese Language Proficiency Test official website) will be helpful as it provides comparisons of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test and CEFR levels.

Q6. I would like to know how much the vocabulary in the Main Text will change.

Q7. How can I listen to the audio content of the Third Edition Main Text?

・To listen to the audio of the Conversation and Practice Questions found in each lesson as well as the Introduction* (Japanese Pronunciation, Classroom Language, Everyday Greetings and Expressions, and Numerals) *Elementary I only
You can listen in two ways:
①Supplementary Study Materials on the Third Edition Main Text web page:
Available for download and playback streaming. We will inform everyone here once the page becomes available.
Visit here for details: Elementary I
Third Edition Audio (audio app):
If you download the app, you can listen to the audio of the Conversation and Practice Questions found in each lesson as well as the Introduction* (Japanese Pronunciation, Classroom Language, Everyday Greetings and Expressions, and Numerals) for free. *Elementary I only
Visit here for details: Elementary I

・To listen to the audio of the Sentence Patterns, Example Sentences, and Exercises A, B and C, as well as the Vocabulary (new words) for each lesson in Minna no Nihongo Elementary I Third Edition Translation and Grammar Notes (paid content)
You can listen in two ways:
Third Edition Audio Web.ver:
With this purchase, you will be able to listen to each lesson's Conversation and Practice Questions as well as the Introduction* (Japanese Pronunciation, Classroom Language, Everyday Greetings and Expressions, and Numerals) all on the same page. *Elementary I only
Visit here for details: Elementary I
Third Edition Audio (audio app):
You can listen by making an in-app purchase for each lesson. It is not possible to purchase the audio for all the lessons at once. If you download the app, you can listen to audio without an Internet connection (an Internet connection is necessary to download the app and purchase the content) .
Visit here for details: Elementary I