Kohai
後輩
A junior colleague in a dojo, school or company who joined later. The counterpart of the senpai, to whom he shows respect and from whom he receives advice.
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Definition
Kohai (後輩) means “junior colleague”: 後 is after, later, 輩 is companion, colleague. It is the counterpart of the senpai in the informal Japanese hierarchy found in schools, clubs, companies and the dojo. The kohai is the one who joined the group later. The kohai shows the senpai gratitude, respect and sometimes personal loyalty, bows to him and speaks to him in polite language. In return he receives help, friendship and advice. In Japanese companies the hierarchy also shows in the seating order: the junior sits closer to the door, in a place called shimoza, the senior in the place of honor, kamiza.