Japanese reading strategy
How to analyze Japanese text difficulty through kanji
Combine unique kanji, their frequency, and coverage by your study range to choose a text that fits you.
Key idea
Two passages of equal length can feel very different when one repeats familiar characters and the other constantly introduces new ones. Check both total occurrences and unique kanji.
How to use it
Coverage is a selection aid, not an absolute score for grammar and vocabulary. Start high, then move to passages containing five to ten unfamiliar characters.
Next step
Prioritize unfamiliar kanji that repeat, check their readings and a representative word, practice writing them, and reread the passage the next day.