The 'Invisible Hurdles' to Jobs Utilizing English: 31.5% of Job Seekers Uncertain, Job Merit Survey Finds

Survey Summary - 31.5% reported they 'do not know what jobs they can apply for' based on their English skills. - Emphasis is on realistic combinations of 'existing professional skills x English.' - A strong preference for 'environments where English can be used gradually' over immediate high-level specialization.

Survey Overview - Survey Date: April 20, 2026 - Region: Nationwide (Japan) - Survey Agency: Freeasy - Method: Online survey - Participants: 200 men and women nationwide considering jobs that utilize English.

Key Findings

### 1. Desired Work Style Most job seekers are not looking to jump straight into high-specialization roles but prefer environments where they can integrate English into their daily routines gradually. Interest is concentrated in supportive tasks such as email correspondence and reviewing documents.

### 2. Preferred Job Categories General administrative, back-office, and customer service roles, which utilize existing professional skills, top the list. Conversely, roles requiring high interpersonal intensity like international sales or secretary positions are approached with more caution.

### 3. Key Hurdles The primary barrier is the uncertainty of 'not knowing which jobs they can apply for.' A lack of concrete information regarding job duties and necessary skill requirements is preventing job seekers from taking the first step.