You might wonder:
“Japan is such a modern country… so why can’t most people speak English?”
Good question — and to be honest, most Japanese people wonder that too!
Let’s take a lighthearted look at the real reasons behind Japan’s “English mystery.” 😊
🎓 1. We study English for years… but only for paper tests
Japanese students start learning English in elementary school and continue for more than six years.
Sounds promising, right?
But here’s the twist: almost all of it is reading and writing, not speaking.
We memorize vocabulary, grammar, and take written exams — but rarely open our mouths.
So, even people with high TOEIC scores can freeze when a real conversation begins.
(Yes, it’s a national problem!)
👩💼 2. If you’re over 30, you grew up on “exam English”
For anyone in their 30s or older, English meant grammar drills and test scores, not communication.
So even if we can read “This is a pen,” when someone actually speaks English to us, our brains… stop working for a second.
💸 3. Learning as an adult is expensive
After graduation, many people want to improve their English — but language schools can cost hundreds of dollars a month.
So, most turn to self-study.
Unfortunately, many apps and textbooks focus on reading and listening, but not much on actual conversation practice.
In short: there’s no easy, affordable way to “speak” English daily in Japan.
🌏 4. Life on an island = no English exposure
Japan is an island nation.
Outside of tourist spots, it’s rare to meet English speakers.
That means most people simply don’t need English in their daily lives.
So when a foreign visitor suddenly speaks English to them, Japanese people often panic —
heart pounding, mind blank, trying their best to respond politely.
Please don’t take it personally! We really want to help — we’re just nervous 😅
✈️ 5. Once you leave the airport… English zone ends
At airports and big hotels, you’ll find staff who can communicate in English.
But once you step outside — into restaurants, taxis, or small towns —
you’ll quickly discover that English doesn’t travel far here.
📱 6. Don’t worry — technology to the rescue!
Thanks to translation apps like Google Translate or DeepL, communication is much easier now.
Many Japanese people also use them, so showing your phone screen back and forth is perfectly normal!
It’s actually a fun, modern way to connect. 🤝
❤️ In the end…
Japanese people aren’t lazy — it’s just how the system and society evolved.
We might not be fluent speakers, but we genuinely want to communicate.
So when you visit Japan, remember:
Even if English isn’t universal here, kindness is. 🗾✨
Welcome to Japan!