If I decided to move to Japan should I know how to speak Japanese?

Question

This is really a poll and not nessarly a question.

Thank you all for your feedback Im going to send this to my fellow yahoo peers that think its discrimination to say must speak english in US businesses

Answer 1

Yes.

Answer 2

It would certainly help! And despite what some people say, most Japanese do NOT speak good English! SOME do, but it's rare to find a high concentration of them outside of a learning environment - a university for example!

But it's not a simple thing to 'move to Japan' you know ... you'd need the correct visa, which means either having a Japanese spouse, or getting a job - a LEGAL job - in Japan before you move there! The usual choice is a teacher of English ...!
; )

Answer 3

Yes, you should learn, especially if you are going somewhere other than Tokyo. I would study college level or with a native teacher if you can. The Japanese are often very condescending to foreigners. If you speak their language, they are shocked but they will probably tell you you speak it well. The truth is, if they say this, your Japanese probably stinks. But, they treat you better if you speak Japanese, especially if you stay at a ryokan, or a traditional Japanese hotel, which I would recommend.The better you get, the less you will hear it. Not only practice your Japanese but also Japanese etiquette. One mishap with manners and you could be a social outcast! Generally, if you emigrate to Japan you need a 4 year degree. You also will need alot of cash as housing is expensive. Be prepared financially, culturally,
as well as linguistically. Japan can be ethnocentric to gaijin, which basically means "foreign barbarian." I would recommend getting a teaching job there, you will get more respect and help finding housing.

Answer 4

Depends....you could probably find a pocket of english speaking people or maybe an area with a english speaking community that you could survive in without ever speaking Japanese. Luckily Japanese people love American things and culture...more likely they'll want to practice thier english..seriously...Japan sounds very cool.


Many English teacher who teach english in Japan don't speak a lick of Japanese, but learn enough to get by. I recomend if you need money to try to teach English there. The students usually already have some previous english knowledge before they would take your course..if you teach in the country where it is cheaper you could save alot of dough!!! Japan sounds great i hope you have fun.

Answer 5

♡Since you say that "This is really a poll and not necessarily a question.", I'd have to say YES(!!!) as well. If you decided to move to Japan, as I did, I would highly recommend that you know how to speak Japanese. Of course you can take lessons here from native speakers, but already having some knowledge will enable you to function better in your everyday life and communicate with everyone around youーVery important, I found out!♡

Answer 6

It's not necessary. My friend is there right now doing a study abroad program. He's been there for 3-4 months and said that it's barely a problem that he's not fluent in Japanese. He's even said that everyone speaks very good English.

Answer 7

It's always handy to know some phrases. If you aren't of Asiatic appearance, shopkeepers will generally show you the price of any item even if you ask them how much it is in Japanese (Ikura desu ka). As you live in the country, you will generally pick up the language. Watching children's shows is very handy (just as you may have watched Sesame St as you were growing up). The Japanese are very accomodating.

Answer 8

If the saying 'while in Rome, do as Roman do' is correct, 'while in Japan, speak as Japanese speak' can also be correct.
.

Answer 9

Japanese love things American. It is just common courtesy you would show when you are there. Just tell them, Arnold, the terminator, is a friend of yours; they would love you even more.

Answer 10

Yes.

Answer 11

Yes, you should, it's like somebody wanting to come here, should know Spanish or Engilsh to be functional.