This article compares the historical background, writing systems, grammar and syntax, vocabulary and kanji, Japanese dialects, cultural differences of Chinese and Japanese to explain why Japanese is harder than Chinese. It explores how the complexity of Japanese due to its proximity to China as well as its contact with other cultures makes it more complex than Chinese with different writing systems, grammar structures, vocabularies and dialects. It also looks at how the vocabularies used in both languages differ largely due to their respective writing systems, as well as how their respective grammar structures and syntaxes are different. In addition, it examines the multiple dialects spoken across Japan which all have their own unique pronunciation rules making it difficult for someone who wants to learn standardised modern day spoken Japanese without prior knowledge. Lastly, cultural differences between Japan & China are taken into consideration when trying decide which language is easier or harder.