Bret Mayer (from the US) is believed to be the first in history non-native Japanese language speaker, and the first non-native kanji learner, who was able to pass the Kanji Kentei level 1 test, which he did in 2012.
In 2013 John Brobst (from the US) became the second non-native Japanese language speaker and a non-native kanji learner who was able to pass the first level of the Kanji Kentei (Kanken) test.
In February 2021 Evgeny Uskov from the Russian Federation became the third foreigner to pass the Kanji Kentei level 1 test (“Japan Kanji Aptitude Test”).
Kanji, Japanese language and literature enthusiast Christopher Towns from Canada passed the first level of the Kanji Kentei in February 2022.
5. ニコラス・クレンシャー Nicholas Crenshaw
Nicholas Crenshaw, a certified Kanji Educator (漢字教育士), passed the first level of the Kanji Kentei test in November 2023.
6.アレックス・バーブー Alexandre Barbe
A voice actor, narrator, University lecturer and a certified Kanji Educator Alexandre Barbe passed the first level of the Kanji Kentei in November 2024
Note: although upon collecting information for this page the author has encountered several anecdotal references to other foreigners who purportedly have also been able to pass the first level of the Kanji Kentei test, as it was not possible to confirm the existence of any concrete evidence to corroborate those claims – such as official passing certificates given to those persons – such instances were omitted.