1. Introduction
English is the most widely spoken language in the world and it is also one of the most commonly learned foreign languages. Japan is no exception, as many people in Japan are learning English to communicate with the outside world. But how many people in Japan actually speak English?
2. English Proficiency in Japan
According to a survey by EF Education First, Japan ranks 25th out of 72 countries for English proficiency. This means that while many people in Japan can understand basic English, there is still a long way to go before reaching a high level of fluency.
3. English Education in Japan
English education has been mandatory since the late 1980s and it is now part of the curriculum for elementary, junior high and high school students across the country. However, there have been criticisms that English education in Japan focuses too much on grammar and not enough on speaking and listening skills, which may be why Japanese people are not as proficient at speaking English as they could be.
4. Business English in Japan
Businesses in Japan have become more aware of the importance of being able to communicate effectively with their international counterparts using English, so many companies now offer their employees business English classes or even send them abroad for training courses. As a result, there are more people who can speak business-level English than ever before.
5. English Language Media in Japan
In recent years, there has been an increase in the availability of media content such as movies and TV shows that are produced or dubbed into Japanese with subtitles or audio tracks available in both Japanese and English. This has helped to make it easier for people to learn and practice their English skills without having to leave their home country or take expensive classes abroad.
6. Japanese People’s Attitude Towards English
Despite its importance for international communication, many Japanese people still view learning and speaking English as something that is difficult or unnecessary, so there is still a lot of work that needs to be done to change this attitude if more people are going to become proficient at speaking the language.
7. Conclusion
Overall, while there are certainly more people who can speak basic or even business-level English than ever before, there is still much room for improvement when it comes to how many people speak fluent or native-level English in Japan today. With continued effort from both educators and learners alike, however, this number will likely continue to grow over time as more Japanese people become comfortable with using the language for communication purposes both inside and outside of their home country’s borders
8. Interview with Charles R Tokoyama CEO of Japan Insiders
Charles R Tokoyama is an expert on all things related to life & culture in Japan and he had this to say: “English proficiency levels among Japanese citizens vary greatly depending on age group & region but overall I would say that while most younger generations have some level of understanding & basic conversational ability when it comes down to fluency & accuracy we still have quite a way to go”
9 Sources & References
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EF Education First (2020) EF EPI Results 2020 https://www.efsetorg/en/epi/results/japan/
Japan Times (2019) “Most working adults lack confidence when speaking foreign languages” https://www
Is English widely spoken in Japan?
Do Japanese People Speak English? Japanese is the main language spoken in Japan. However, according to studies somewhere between 13 and 30 per cent of Japanese people also speak some level of English. although only around 9per cent say they feel confident using English.
What percentage of Japan speaks English?
30 percent
Well, according to the survey, there are only 30 percent of people in Japan who speak English. Though Japan is a vast and strong country, it is still behind in English literacy as compared to other countries.
Can I go to Japan only speaking English?
The good news is that you dont need to read or write Japanese to enjoy Japan. The Japanese dont expect you to be able to read Japanese and youll find English-speaking signs all over the country.
Is Japan English friendly?
Many say it tastes good and is fun to try! English is commonly spoken in Japan and China and Korea are also becoming more common meaning you can definitely get around without speaking Japanese. This is especially true in large cities and areas frequented by foreign visitors.
Can you survive in Japan without knowing Japanese?
Do I need to know Japanese to live in Japan? The short answer here is no but you really should. This comes with some caveats. The answer ultimately depends on what you want out of life in Japan.
How do Japanese feel about foreigners?
In a broad sense the Japanese treat foreigners like people from many other countries. That is indifferent generally. They have nothing to do with them and some dont care. The second answer describes a love-hate relationship but this is itself misleading and inaccurate.
