ABSTRACT
In this chapter, I briefly review over 30 years of history and the current status of assessment center (AC) practices in Japan. The way Japanese organizations utilize ACs is quite different from the practices observed in the countries where they originated, that is, the US, Canada, and the UK. This is explained mainly by cultural differences, especially in the context of the individualism and collectivism characteristics of each culture. Although most of this chapter focuses on AC practices in the private sector, some practices in the public sector will also be shared. Also, I briefly discuss the challenge of development and deployment of multicultural ACs, which are highly important for many Japanese companies facing the needs of further globalization. Finally, the issues and future outlook of AC practices by organizations operating in Japan are discussed.
