Japanese people spend years studying English, but fluency is still rare. The truth lies in how the language is taught, practiced, and applied. If you’re wondering why so many still struggle despite intense efforts, it’s because the system is layered, a bit old-fashioned, and slow to adapt. But things are changing.
Let’s look closely.
In Japan, English is part of the public education curriculum. Students start around age 10. By the time they finish high school, they’ve had six years of English classes. But here’s the problem. Most of those lessons are built around grammar rules and test prep.
A large part of the focus is on passing university entrance exams. These exams rarely test speaking or listening skills. As a result, students memorize vocabulary and grammar patterns. They can read and write reasonably well. But when it comes to holding a conversation, many freeze.
This method is deeply rooted in Japan’s education history. The structure values order and predictability. Tests are standardized. So, spoken fluency becomes a side concern. Teachers are bound by curriculum guidelines that give little room for improvisation.
According to the EF English Proficiency Index, Japan ranks low — 87th globally as of 2023. Countries like South Korea and China have leapfrogged the past. The reason is not a lack of effort. It’s a mismatch between how English is taught and how it’s used in real life.
Teachers in public schools often lack conversational confidence
Another barrier? Most English teachers in public schools are Japanese. Many are non-native speakers who also learned English through the same system. They know the rules, but speaking fluently isn’t always their strength.
So, classes end up being about the mechanics of English. Students rarely get to use the language. If they do, it’s in scripted dialogues. Real conversations — the kind that help someone think in English — are rare.
Some schools bring in ALTs (Assistant Language Teachers), often native English speakers. But their role is supportive. They’re not always in charge of leading the class. Plus, they rotate schools and positions frequently. So students rarely build long-term learning relationships with them.
That’s why many turn to personal lessons outside the classroom
To fill the gap, parents invest in after-school programs. One-on-one lessons are especially popular. They offer what schools can’t — natural speaking practice, real-time feedback, and conversational flow.
Many learners prefer options like 英会話 個人レッスン (English conversation private lessons). These sessions can be tailored. A student might want to practice travel English. Another might focus on business phrases. With the right tutor, improvement becomes faster and more targeted.
Platforms like AmazingTalker provide flexibility and global access. Students can choose English tutors based on accent, schedule, or even personality fit. It’s no longer about going to a cram school in person. Now, a learner in Tokyo can take a lesson with a tutor in London before dinner.
English home tutors give a personalized edge
English home tutors are another route many families take. These tutors come to the house or teach online. For children, this is especially useful. Parents like it because the tutor adapts to their child’s pace. Sessions can be shorter, more frequent, and less intimidating.
Tutoring isn’t cheap, though. Hourly rates can vary. In Tokyo, a private English tutor might charge between ¥3,000 to ¥7,000 per hour. But families see it as an investment. A child who learns fluent English can access global universities, better jobs, and more cultural experiences.
It’s also about confidence. One-on-one tutoring reduces the fear of making mistakes. In Japan’s group-centered culture, students often hesitate to speak up. They fear embarrassment. But with a private tutor, the pressure is gone. Mistakes are normal. Learning feels safer.
AmazingTalker’s platform makes this easier. Learners can filter for English tutors who specialize in Japanese students. Or those who’ve helped beginners overcome that first fear of speaking. The tutor’s profile, reviews, and even demo lessons are visible. It gives learners more control over their learning journey.
Many Japanese learners study alone, but it’s not always effective
Self-study is common in Japan. Walk into any bookstore in Shibuya or Osaka, and you’ll find entire walls of English grammar books, TOEIC guides, and vocabulary flashcards. People buy apps. They subscribe to YouTube channels. They follow Instagram accounts that share “English phrases of the day.”
But here’s what many studies show. Input without output is slow progress. You can watch thousands of videos. But if you never speak, your mouth won’t keep up with your brain. That’s the silent struggle. Japanese learners know a lot about English. But they don’t use it enough.
According to a 2022 survey by Rakuten Insight, over 67% of Japanese adults said they feel “not confident at all” speaking English. Only 6% said they’re comfortable holding conversations with foreigners.
That’s not a knowledge gap. That’s a practice gap.
Pop culture helps, but only to a point
There’s a rise in people watching English dramas, movies, and Netflix shows to learn. This immersion approach works — but only if done actively. Subtitles help, but passive viewing doesn’t build speaking skills. It improves listening comprehension over time. But fluency requires speaking back.
Anime and J-pop fans often learn slang or catchy phrases. But that’s surface-level learning. To be fluent, learners need structure and consistency. Pop culture can motivate. But it can’t replace real conversation practice.
English fluency is often tied to better job prospects in Japan. Multinational firms, especially in Tokyo, look for candidates with strong communication skills in English. Some companies even make TOEIC scores mandatory for promotions.
This pressure creates demand. Every year, more than 2.4 million people in Japan take the TOEIC test. It’s a business English test that’s widely accepted in Asia. But again, the focus becomes about passing a test. Not about speaking comfortably with a colleague from Singapore or New York.
This is another reason platforms like AmazingTalker see growth. Learners don’t just want to pass tests anymore. They want to speak, negotiate, present, and collaborate — all in English. That’s what modern tutoring offers. Practical language that aligns with global business needs.
Younger learners are adapting faster because the system is evolving
Elementary schools now introduce English earlier than ever. Since 2020, English has become a formal subject in grade five. From third grade, it’s taught as part of “foreign language activities.” This shift aims to expose students to spoken English earlier — when their brains are more adaptable to new sounds.
The younger generation is also more digitally native. They use YouTube, TikTok, and games like Minecraft in English. These platforms introduce vocabulary in natural contexts. When a child learns a phrase because a favorite streamer said it, it sticks differently than from a textbook.
Some schools are trying “English Zones” — areas where students must speak only in English. It’s an immersive trick. It builds confidence through repetition, not rules. These small experiments show promise. They make English part of daily rhythm, not just a subject.
Technology is redefining how English is practiced
Tech is changing the game — especially for spoken English. Online tutors, AI chat partners, pronunciation apps, and real-time feedback tools offer smarter ways to practice. Learners no longer need to be in Tokyo or Osaka. They can study from anywhere, with anyone.
Smartphone apps like Duolingo and HelloTalk are popular. But their impact is limited if not combined with speaking practice. That’s where live interaction wins. Platforms like AmazingTalker fill this role. Students can connect with a real English tutor. Talk. Get corrected. Try again.
Virtual Reality is also entering the space. EdTech startups now offer VR classrooms. These are immersive environments where learners take part in simulations. For instance, ordering food at a Western restaurant. Or joining a business meeting. This gives emotional memory to language, which improves retention.
Studies show retention can be up to 30% higher when language is learned in an emotionally engaging, simulated environment. It’s no longer enough to read a dialogue. Now, learners can be in it.
Social fears still hold back many adult learners
Japanese culture prizes harmony and perfection. Speaking up in class — and making mistakes — can feel like breaking that balance. Adults in particular often fear embarrassment. This prevents active participation in speaking practice.
This cultural dynamic affects adult learners more than kids. Adults have more to lose, socially. They fear judgment. A wrong verb tense feels like a public mistake. That’s why one-on-one private sessions work better. They’re private. No pressure. Learners feel safe to try.
It’s one reason why online tutoring is rising among adult learners. Especially among working professionals who want to practice English before big meetings or interviews. They need targeted, fast, low-risk practice. A short session with a trusted tutor works better than hours of passive study.
The cost of English fluency is high, but many see it as an investment
Japanese parents spend heavily on education. According to a 2022 survey by Recruit, the average household spends ¥30,000 per month on cram schools and private lessons. English accounts for a growing portion of that.
For working professionals, the costs are personal. A TOEIC prep course can cost over ¥50,000. Private English lessons? Easily ¥3,000 to ¥5,000 per hour. Yet people keep signing up. Because they believe English opens doors. To promotions. To foreign travel. To more secure futures for their children.
Even public sector employees — traditionally not English-focused — now see pressure. For example, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government now offers English training for civil servants. Because they interact more with global visitors. Even during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021), volunteers were trained in practical English phrases to welcome tourists.
Business and tourism are forcing faster change
Japan’s role in global tourism is growing again. In 2024 alone, over 25 million international tourists visited Japan. Airports, hotels, and train stations need bilingual staff. Store employees are encouraged to learn simple English. This creates demand for functional, practical language skills — not textbook grammar.
Even in retail, phrases like “Can I help you?” or “Would you like a bag?” are taught as fixed patterns. These are drilled in short workshops or online crash courses. The goal is not fluency. It’s clear. It’s being able to assist someone from another country — without fear.
In the business world, English is now seen as a growth tool. Many Japanese companies are going global. Some like Rakuten and Uniqlo have made English their official internal language. This sends a clear message: English is not a bonus skill anymore. It’s a basic requirement.
So where is Japan headed with English?
There’s a clear shift in mindset. From English as a school subject to English as a life tool. The old grammar-heavy, exam-focused system still exists. But more people now supplement it with active speaking. That’s where private tutors, online teachers, and global platforms come in.
Kids are being taught to speak from an earlier age. Adults are using one-on-one lessons to break through years of silent study. Companies are investing in practical training. And learners are starting to understand that speaking fluently doesn’t mean speaking perfectly.
Online tutoring (英語 家庭教師) help learners move at their own pace. These methods are breaking through the silence that textbook English left behind.
The future of English in Japan looks more practical, more personal, and more connected. And that’s the real shift. It’s no longer about knowing English. It’s about being able to use it — naturally, confidently, and in real life.