This article explores whether or not it is necessary to learn all three Japanese writing systems: hiragana, katakana, and kanji. While it is possible to get by with just a basic knowledge of hiragana and katakana, there are several advantages to learning all three writing systems. Kanji makes up a significant portion of written Japanese, so being able to read and write them will greatly expand your reading comprehension. However, the amount of time it takes to learn all three Japanese writing systems varies depending on your study habits and previous language experience.