The True Meaning of Kohai and Senpai

What are Kohai and Senpai?

The literal meanings are:

• Kohai: Junior (in age, rank or position), and
• Senpai: Senior, Elder, Predecessor.

Senpai and Kohai are an essential part of the Japanese hierarchical society, which places emphasis on seniority. Age is not always the determinate of seniority, as a young person at times can be the senpai of an older if the young person entered the organization earlier.

Kohai are usually expected to perform various menial tasks and is expected to respect and obey their senpai.

Senpai, while carrying seniority, also bears obligations similar to a parental figure. A senpai must guide, protect and teach their kohai. A true senpai becomes one as a result of these virtues, not as a function of simply time spent in an organization.

Beyond the direct one-to-one mentorship a senpai provides, in an organization it is the senpai who carry the responsibility and stewardship of the betterment of the whole. This concept of the betterment of the whole and not a focus on the individual is also a cornerstone of the Japanese society.

One is not meant to focus on becoming a senpai, but should focus on the improvement of one's self and others. As you improve yourself and others around you, the sempai status may be bestowed, but not demanded.

• As an eastern saying goes, "If you always have one eye on your goal, then you only have one eye left to see where you must step next"

Being a senpai carries the obligation of the improvement of others as well as the whole, and I assert if one is senior but not practicing these virtues, they are simply still a kohai. So I leave you with this...

Improve others and the whole, and you will improve yourself