Japan’s ability to communicate effectively in English has dropped to its lowest level in more than a decade, according to a global ranking that paints a worrying picture for a nation that prides itself on being an economic and educational powerhouse.
The latest survey by Swiss education company EF Education First places Japan 96th out of 123 nations, relegating it to the lowest of five proficiency tiers – “very low” – and behind Laos, Bhutan, Turkmenistan and Vietnam. China ranks 86th, while the Netherlands once again takes the top spot, followed by Croatia, Austria and Germany.
Just 14 years ago, Japan sat near the top of the table. In 2011 it ranked 14th, but it has since fallen in almost every subsequent review. Apart from a brief pause in 2014, when it held steady at 26th, Japan’s English proficiency has slid steadily, culminating in its worst-ever result this year.
The report highlights that Japanese learners’ reading and listening skills are better than their speaking and writing – a long-standing pattern that reflects the ability “to understand but not master” the language.
It also notes a sharp divide between urban centres, where English is more commonly used, and rural regions dominated by older populations with little exposure to the language.
