More than a decade after becoming the first Westerner to pass the highest level of Japan's notoriously difficult Kanji Aptitude Test (Kanken), Bret Mayer says he has little interest in being known only as "the kanji man."
For Mayer, conquering this grueling exam was just one milestone in a longer journey to find meaning and connection with Japanese culture, rather than a stopping point defined by his ability to memorize Chinese characters.
The Kanji Aptitude Test, also known as Kanken, is held annually in Japan with levels ranging from low to high. The highest level, Level 1, requires candidates to master approximately 6,000 kanji characters along with countless complex readings and usages. It is a challenge that even native speakers rarely pass.
Mayer, who came to Japan from the United States, spent years studying and practicing to achieve this impressive feat. However, in recent conversations, he has emphasized that his motivation was not just about passing. He believes that a deep understanding of kanji brings him closer to the cultural, historical, and intellectual depths of the Japanese people—something he considers more lasting than any certificate.
Today, Mayer no longer devotes all his time to studying kanji. Instead, he finds fulfillment in community activities and teaching, where he can share his knowledge and inspire other foreigners on their own journey of integrating into the Land of the Rising Sun.
Though the "kanji guy" reputation remains an inseparable part of his identity, Mayer views it as a small chapter in the larger story of his life. "I want to be remembered as someone who tried to understand Japan fully, not just for memorizing characters," he said.
