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Why English is Important for Japan thoughts and figures compiled by Bill Anton from a variety of sources
English has emerged as the international language, the common language for business, technology and politics, and Japan's economic future depends on all Japanese increasing their English capabilities.
68% of all Internet communication is in English.
New media such as the Internet and electronic mail are defining the communication challenge and needs for corporate Japan. According to Microsoft: "the total number of people in the world speaking and studying English is approximately 1.5 billion." It is estimated that 80% of web pages are written in English. The majority of new technological and scientific advances are written in English in order to reach as many people as possible.
Due to all of the language and cultural barriers that all corporations face it is crucial to have a common language that all business people can use to communicate.
A great example of the international world is Carlos Ghosen recently hired to lead Nissan. He was born in Brazil, works for a French car maker in Japan and speaks English to his employees.
Asia has adopted English as its common language but several of the past Japanese Prime Ministers could not speak with other foreign ministers without using an interpreter, while everyone else was communicating quite effectively on their own in English.
All of the major business resources published in English such as Time, CNN, The Wall Street Journal and Newsweek are used as a valuable business resource for many countries around the world, except for Japan. With limited English ability, many Japanese have no direct access to information. Instead they depend on 'filters' (the Japanese press) to tell them what was happening in the world, waiting daily for the satellite editions of the Tokyo newspapers to reach their desks. As with all filters, some things get left out and other things get distorted.
In today's information overload global society, the Japanese will always be behind if they always wait for others to give them the information. If Japanese continue to rely on others for information and not learn the world's common language, English, they will continue to miss many business opportunities.
Economist Paul Kruman of MIT stated that there is a direct relationship between economic growth and English proficiency. He goes on to say "Want growth? Speak English." The common denominator of most areas that have become economically stable is the nations that speak English.
No other country in the world but Japan has made a greater effort to educate its people in English but despite all of these efforts only 2 other countries scored lower than Japan on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) -- Afghanistan and Cambodia (both industrially undeveloped countries.)
Among the reasons for this poor showing: the Japanese corporate culture in which English is not treated as important and necessary. Experts say that corporate culture results when certain behaviors become ingrained - and they become ingrained when they are rewarded. How do we do this? We need to change the way of thinking in traditional Japanese corporate culture and send signals to our employees that foreign language and cross-cultural skills are important and something to be rewarded.
Most Japanese businesses do not send enough positive signals regarding English and culture training as important. One international business consultant says: "Japanese companies should interpret the need for English skills among their employees broadly, rather than just designating certain positions in their international departments. The ability to access and understand foreign language information should be seen as important to all executives and not just those with international responsibilities."
In order to communicate in business effectively students must focus their studies on listening, speaking, reading and writing as well as the global culture. Smart companies realize English is no longer a specialty item that is available when profits are high - rather, they see it as a integral part of their corporate culture.
Four Seasons Language School and Cultural Center, has, since 1980, dedicated itself to helping Japanese corporations be competitive by creating courses that are:
Ø Interesting
Ø Relevant
Ø Customized to your company's needs
Our teachers are:
Ø Experienced professionals
Ø Models for the employees they teach
Our research and experience has shown that short, isolated courses that meet once a week or sporadically are simply not effective ways to acquire a new language. Sustained, regular learning situations are essential in order to bring about changes that will be obvious to both management and employees. FS has shown, through improved job performance, that it can effectively meet the needs of corporations that accept the challenge and commitment of offering real language training.
