What this test is
This is where capable people quietly lose ground. Reporting late or consulting the wrong person first is hard to notice from the inside, and colleagues rarely say it out loud.
Because this measures your understanding of workplace culture rather than your Japanese, every question has an English version. The content is identical in either language.
Levels and time
Pick the level closest to where you think you are. Each level is a separate test.
| Level | Roughly | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | Basics of hierarchy, ho-ren-so, and workplace communication | 25 min |
| Intermediate | Applied seating/ho-ren-so and handling interpersonal issues | 27 min |
| Advanced | Mentoring, cross-team coordination, and harassment/compliance | 29 min |
Sample questions
Questions are available in both Japanese and English, matching the language you are viewing.
How should you normally address your own direct manager (for example a kachou, a section head) inside the company?
- Surname plus title, such as Tanaka-kachou, or surname plus -san
- Their first name, with no title
- By a nickname
- By calling out oi (hey)
You have finished your own work early and those around you look busy. What should you do?
- Go home, since your own work is done
- Ask whether there is anything you can help with
- Look the other way
- Pass the time on your phone
What you get at the end
- An estimated level based on your score
- A breakdown by section, so you can see which kind of question is holding you back
- A review of every question with the correct answer and a short explanation
- A link you can share with a teacher or keep for your own record
Questions people ask
Can I take it before working in Japan?
Yes. The beginner level covers how to address people and the basics of ho-ren-so, which makes it a good primer before you start.
Does it cover harassment and compliance?
Yes, at the advanced level, alongside mentoring and cross-team coordination, with questions about where the lines are.
Is the test free?
There is a free sample you can take right away with no payment. The full test for each level is paid, and it includes the full question review and the shareable result.
Do I need to know my level before I start?
No. Pick the level closest to where you think you are. If it turns out to be too easy or too hard, the result will tell you, and you can take a different level next.
Can I take it on my phone?
Yes. It works in a phone browser.
What if I run out of time?
Each section has its own timer. When the timer ends the section closes and your answers so far are kept.
Next step
Other diagnostics
Each one covers a different part of working and living in Japan.