Challenges and Strategies for English Communication in the Japanese Business World

Hurdles of English Communication in Japan’s Business World

A major concern for foreign businesses entering Japan is their English communication capabilities. Many foreign-owned enterprises list English proficiency as an obstacle to expanding their operations in Japan. In reality, Japan’s English Proficiency Index (Ef EPI) ranks 80th out of 111 countries.

Even if the target market is in Japan, English communication remains essential for startups. Using Japanese for business purposes typically becomes feasible when a company reaches a larger scale. Although some companies may choose Japanese communication, the intricacies of hiragana, katakana, and kanji make acquiring proficiency in Japanese within a short time challenging, which may not be reasonable for business-focused language acquisition.

TOEIC: A Popular English Proficiency Test in Japan

In Japan, English education is mandatory from junior high to high school. English instruction has become compulsory from the third year of elementary school in recent years, highlighting the importance of English education. Typically, students start learning English in class, and later study it intensively for university admissions or qualifying exams.

Several international English proficiency tests are available, including:

• TOEIC
• TOEFL
• IELTS

Among these, TOEIC is the most familiar to the Japanese. TOEIC is used by a wide range of age groups, from university students seeking employment to working professionals looking for career advancement. The TOEIC exam primarily assesses reading and listening skills, lacking a speaking and writing component. Consequently, individuals who score highly on TOEIC may still struggle with spoken English.

On the other hand, tests like TOEFL and IELTS, which also evaluate speaking skills, are less common in Japan. Typically, these tests are taken when planning to study abroad rather than for domestic career advancement. Thus, employers often rely on TOEIC scores when assessing candidates’ English proficiency.

Defining English Proficiency to Attract Japanese Job Seekers

When hiring English-proficient Japanese individuals, it’s crucial to define the specific situations where English proficiency is necessary. Since TOEIC primarily tests basic business English reading and writing skills, many Japanese applicants can meet these criteria. Therefore, whether English conversation skills are required is a significant factor in the hiring process.

Even when English conversation skills are necessary, the specific level of proficiency, whether for everyday conversation, telephone communication, or participating in meetings, needs to be explicitly stated. Doing so makes it easier for job seekers to find relevant job listings and simplifies the application process.

In the end, this approach can help reduce the chances of mismatches in English communication abilities between employers and job seekers.

In Conclusion

The challenge of conducting business in Japan with less-than-fluent English communication skills can be a significant hurdle for foreign businesses. The Japanese government acknowledges this issue and has adopted policies to enhance English proficiency. Moreover, some Japanese companies have made English their official internal language.

However, as of now, fluent English speakers remain a minority. Clearly defining the level of English proficiency needed in a business context allows for a broader range of potential candidates.