Are the majority of Japanese in Tokyo able to speak in English?

Question

I'm told that in general, most Japanese do not know how to speak English and cannot converse well in English with foreigners. I'll be going to Japan for my F&E holiday so I'm thinking if I need to pick up some useful phrases just in case I lose my way in Japan and can't get ready help because of the language barrier.

One thing which I find peculiar is, since Japan is undoubtably the most advanced country in Asia, why is the majority of Japanese monolingual? Aren't Japanese supposed to learn English apart from Japanese in schools? Or is it because it is a closed economy with strong cultural and national pride such that it does not feel the need for its people to be effectively bilingual?

Pls don't give me silly answers like that of Moon_Ray and Among_my.

I'm talking about the issue of any developed country in the world would have its people being at least able to speak basic English so as to seize the economic advantages.

English is the most common language for people of different nationalities to use. When I ask this question, some of you get the wrong impression that I'm looking down on the Japanese for being monolingual. I think you got me wrong. I just find it ironic as I've said above. Anyway, it's not about comparing Americans and Japanese as being equally monolingual. In fact, I'm not monolingual at all. I speak a few languages but not Japanese.

Frankie B, I appreciate the 1st part of your answer but the rest, indicates to me that you don't comprehend English well at all, not in written text at the very minimum. Do not make assumptions. Very poor inferencing skills in comprehension. And well, you're one negative chap.

Why do people here get so defensive when I just ask a simple qs of why most Japanese do not really understand spoken English well? I'm just curious about it and have no intention to offend any Japanese. Some of you guys are really narrow-minded. I've taken a stand to explain my intention and yet someof you are making your assumed wild accusations at me. Well, it just makes me wonder the obvious reason for you lurking here is just to criticise others instead of helping. Pardon me for my frankness again.

Answer 1

From my experience, most do not really understand English well. If you need to ask for directions, try to approach the office working class people instead of the middle-aged and above people as the older generations are mostly monlingual. Also, speak slowly and emphasize on the main point with some good hand gestures to indicate your needs. This should help others to figure out how to help you or redirect you to others who can help.

Answer 2

Tokyo is a big city and most of the signs at train stations and department stores are bilingual. However, I think less than 15% people on the street in Tokyo would speak English, so it's a great idea to pick up some useful phrases before you visit Japan. Speaking a little Japanese word may make them be a little more friendly to you! and when you are talking to Japanese in English, try speaking slowly, simply and clearly like a textbook, and also try making a sentence as short as you can.
oh there are many foreigners in Tokyo, so maybe you can ask them for help if you can't find any Japanese speaking English. Anyway, I hope you'll have a fun time in Japan.

Answer 3

You are right to plan ahead and learn some useful phrases. You may need them. And, its always a good idea to show your interest in the place you are traveling to.
You are wrong about national pride- in fact many Japanese people place a high priority on learning English. The problem lies in the education system, which pretty much focuses on grammar and books, in order to get a passing grade. They dont spend much time, if any, speaking English during the lessons, so thats why Japanese are extremely under-confident about speaking. Also, Japan is still a very homogeneous country- so the average Japanese person has very few chances to speak a language other than Japanese. There are many other points and issues I could bring up related to this topic, but basically you should try to use Japanese in Japan and if someone speaks to you in English then thats great too! Just dont walk up and speak English, that puts them on the spot.
EDIT: I just read the rest of your question. What other economic advantages do they need? Japan has been doing quite well for itself since the end of the war, in fact it has come a long way, without a bilingual population. Its not a closed economy, the last time I checked! Its 2007.

Answer 4

You seem to be making assumptions here.

Actually, most people in Tokyo can speak a little English, as almost everyone studied it at school at some point. Currently, most Japanese kids study English for 6 years in the public school system, then possibly more at university, or on their own through various means.

Why is Japan mostly monolingual? Maybe for the same reason China is. If you've got a language and can get by, then so be it. My parents are monolingual. They never had a reason to learn any other language. Sucks to be them though.

It sounds like you're more intent on being angry at Japanese for not learning English, than you are on knowing whether or not you can communicate effectively in Japan.

And who are you to lecture about economic advantages? Japan is the second largest economy in the world. Not bad for such a small country. For some reason, I think Japan's doing just fine in those regards. Also, again, people in Japan DO speak English, and those who need to use it, need to use it.

Do you want to communicate with Japanese, or do you just want to whine about what isn't?

Maybe you're just upset because Japanese is too hard for you. As you said, you can speak several languages. Maybe you became sort of used to seeing yourself that way, but Japanese trumped you.

I can't wait until the next time I go out and can order the best things from a Japanese menu, while you're complaining at KFC about the chicken in Japan or whatever.

Answer 5

There is absolutely NO need to be able to speak Japanese in order to travel to and in Japan. In fact, a majority of people(especially younger ones) now can speak English quite well, although they may not have confidence in using it, and there still are some funny signs in rural areas, but the number of these has diminished as well. The difference in 10 years is striking: I went to Japan for the 1st time in 2002, and at that time none of the JR Railstaff could speak English when I asked a question in Japan. However, as of a few years ago, now, all JR Railstaff will answer in very good English even when you ask in Japanese. Furthermore, Narita airport now looks like any Norh American airport because of all the English signs.

Answer 6

While I was in Tokyo, No, there is no big predilection for English, its not because they don't want to learn it, but because the lists to get into any Educational institution are so very very long. They do however have Japanese cell phones that when you take a picture of a Japanese sign, it will translate into English. Learn please, thank you and excuse me, also if you want, good morning, afternoon and night. They really appreciate any effort of anyone trying to speak the language. (I made a lot of friends there that wanted to practice speaking and understanding English)

Answer 7

The majority of Japanese are living and working with Japanese who speak Japanese. There's no need to speak English.

Advanced = speak English? I don't think so. But I think it's good to learn other languages. So it's good to learn basic Japanese phrases when you go to Japan.

Answer 8

wherever did you get that idea? In point of fact, most middle aged and younger Japanese have had extensive English lessons in school,and they understand it QUITE well. BUT they often have difficulty SPEAKING it , and as such, are reluctant to attempt to carry on a conversation with a Native English speaker. many of the consonants in English they do not have( they have no 'L' for instance)

HOWEVER. Tokyo is mostly Bi lingual, The airports and road signs are Bilingual. and at least one person at most restaurants and hotel swill be fluent. But it's considered polite to at least learn some basic phrases. They will be more polite to you and more willing to help out a lost gai-jin if you took the time to learn something about their country.

Answer 9

The real and pressing issue is that, as much as the Japanese government tries hard to find good local and foreign teachers, it has a large pool of local teachers in great need of training to level up their proficiency of English.

You've posed a good question. I've read an article which emphasised on this educational problem in Japan which you've asked. This is the reason why the concerned Japanese government tries to recruit many English teachers into its schools to widen the pupils' exposure to native speakers of English and to train their listening and comprehension skills.

Answer 10

Most learn some English in school, but many are not fluent. You will probably find more English speakers in shops than on the street.

I would suggest learning basic phrases to enable you to get around, shop, get information, etc. One thing that's helpful is that a good deal of signs are in English.

I traveled there and spent a few months beforehand learning a bit of the language; it helped immensely.

And since the US is such an "advanced" country, why are we all monolingual? Is it because our national pride says that English is the national language? Oh wait, it does.