45.4% of Business Professionals Say English Proficiency Impacts Their Career; 'Globalization' Cited as Top Reason

The Reality of English Proficiency and Its Impact on Work

With the increase in international interactions and foreign tourists, the demand for English in Japan is rising. To understand how much English is actually used in the workplace, NEXER and ECC Online Lesson conducted a survey of 379 working professionals across Japan.

8.4% Use English in Their Current Jobs

Only 8.4% of respondents reported using English in their daily work. Among those who do, 'email correspondence' was the most common task (43.8%), followed by 'dealing with overseas clients.' Text-based communication remains more prevalent than verbal interaction.

19.5% Have Felt the Need for Better English Skills

Approximately 20% of respondents have felt that their lack of English skills hindered them at work. The most common scenarios included reading English documents (28.4%), overseas business trips, and meetings.

45.4% Believe English Proficiency Impacts Career Growth

45.4% of professionals believe English skills affect their career. The top reason cited was 'the progress of globalization' (70.9%), indicating that professionals view English as a necessity due to broader societal changes rather than just immediate personal gains like salary increases.

55.8% Prefer 'Practical Conversation Practice' for Learning

More than half of the respondents identified 'practical conversation practice' as the most effective way to learn business English, emphasizing the need for active speaking experience.