#Japan #Tokyo #Neuroscience #HJ Corporation #pymetrics

Transforming Recruitment: HJ Corp's Game-Based Cognitive Aptitude Test

In a trailblazing move for the recruitment landscape, HJ Corporation, headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo, is set to launch a beta version of their innovative game-based cognitive aptitude test in March 2026. During this beta phase, users will have complimentary access to all features of the assessment tool.

This next-generation cognitive test allows candidates to engage in various mini-games, enabling a multifaceted visualization of cognitive traits and behavioral tendencies that traditional assessments struggle to measure. This advancement promises to enhance the precision of matching candidates with suitable job roles.

The Rationale Behind Game-Based Assessment

With a staggering 87.5% of Japanese companies employing some form of aptitude test or written examination (as noted in the 2024 Employment White Paper), the current landscape primarily leverages SPI and written assessments aimed at measuring educational performance and self-reported personality traits. Unfortunately, these methods fail to capture critical cognitive characteristics, such as decision-making speed, risk management approaches, emotional regulation, and attentional shifts—traits crucial in the modern workplace.

Contrastingly, the emergence of game-based assessments informed by neuroscience, such as the U.S.-based pymetrics, has gained traction among many global corporations. By simply playing mini-games, candidates can have their cognitive traits assessed, making the recruitment process more efficient. This response-driven approach fills a significant gap that traditional assessments have yet to address.

However, despite the proven success of such methods internationally, Japan has seen very few offerings in this category.

HJ Corporation has diligently addressed this gap during its collaboration with various clients in the recruitment sector. Driven by the question, "How can we scientifically visualize characteristics that remain hidden in resumes and interviews?" CEO Katsuki Iguma, who has researched career education and psychology at Tsukuba University, has leveraged this understanding to develop a unique cognitive assessment rooted in neuroscientific and cognitive psychological principles.

Features of the Cognitive Aptitude Test

1. Measurement of Unconscious Behavioral Tendencies Through Gameplay
Candidates will participate in multiple mini-games on either PC or smartphone devices. In real-time, the system will analyze their response speeds, selection patterns, and risk-taking behaviors, objectively capturing behavioral data that self-reported personality tests often miss.
Candidates will engage with the game naturally, allowing characteristics like risk tolerance, impulse control, sensitivity to fairness, learning speed, planning skills, and emotional recognition to be measured effectively.

| Test Type | Game-Based Test | Traditional Assessments (SPI, etc.) |
|-------|--------|--------|
| Measurement Focus | Cognitive Traits & Behavioral Tendencies (Unconscious Responses) | Academic Ability & Personality (Self-Reported) |
| Format | Game-Based | Written Test or Multiple Choice |
| Preparation Feasibility | Difficult to Prepare for Due to Behavioral Data | Commonly Prepared for Using Study Materials |
| Candidate Experience | Less Pressure with Game Format | More Stressful in Test Format |

About the Beta Version

Service Details

The beta version of the cognitive assessment provides complete access to its functionalities for free, which includes:

• - Game-Based Cognitive Trait Assessment
• - Management Dashboard (Candidate Management, Result Viewing, Matching Algorithm)
• - Benchmark Setting Functionality
• - Comprehensive Reports for Each Candidate

Target Audience

All corporate entities, regardless of type or size.

Cost

Completely free during the beta phase.

For companies considering implementation, we invite you to schedule a meeting through the following link: Meeting Reservation.

Future Development and Final Version

Feedback received during the beta period and the accumulated performance data will guide improvements to the matching algorithm. The official release of the finalized version is anticipated, which may include:

• - Profession-specific benchmark templates
• - Validation of predictive accuracy through integration with post-hiring performance data
• - Support in optimizing team composition via analysis of cognitive diversity.

A Message from Our CEO

Katsuki Iguma, CEO of HJ Corporation

"Through my research in career education and psychology at Tsukuba University, I realized that assessing an individual’s capabilities and suitability goes beyond what traditional written tests reveal. While working with various companies in recruitment, I encountered similar barriers. Even if academic and occupational backgrounds are strong, true work styles—decision-making in teams, risk-taking, and responses to stress—remain unseen on paper.

The cognitive assessment tool we are unveiling in its beta version is a blend of my academic research and real-world insights gained from hiring practices. We aimed for an engaging experience for candidates, allowing them to undergo assessment as a fun game rather than a conventional test. While there’s always room for improvement, we are eager to partner with companies looking to innovate their hiring processes. We encourage interested parties to give it a try!"