text: Senpai and kōhai are Japanese terms used to describe an informal hierarchical interpersonal relationship found in organizations, associations, clubs, businesses, and schools in Japan and expressions of  Japanese culture worldwide.  The  senpai (, "senior") and kōhai (, "junior") relationship  has its roots in Confucianism, but  has developed a distinctive Japanese style. The term senpai  can be considered a term in Japanese honorifics.