Fukuoka City announced it will launch a homepage for its Fukuoka Proficiency Test, an exam that tests knowledge of the city’s history, culture and cuisine, on Mar. 1. The site will also contain a free pre-test that test-takers can use to prepare for the first proficiency test, which is slated for next February. City Hall is hoping to attract an initial batch of 2,000 to 3,000 test-takers. The aim of the test is to remind citizens of Fukuoka’s wealth of historical, cultural and tourism resources and boost the city’s “spirit of hospitality”.
The pre-test will consist of 20 multiple choice questions—such as “who was the first lord of the Fukuoka Domain”—randomly selected from a pool of 100 questions. Test-takers will have 30 seconds to answer each question and may only move to the next question if they answer correctly. The best scores will be ranked and listed on the homepage. Working with the Fukuoka Chamber of Commerce, City Hall has allocated ¥18.2 million over two years for the project. Source: Nishinippon Shimbun, Feb. 25. More information: http://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/shicho/koho/charm/fukuokakentei.html
