[Survey of 500 Men and Women] Ranking of Moments When People Regretted Not Knowing English

Those moments when you think, 'I wish I knew English'

Have you ever frozen up when spoken to by a foreigner on the street? Have you ever wanted to enjoy your favorite movie or music more deeply? Many people have experienced moments where they wished they could speak English. English is a familiar subject studied for years in school, yet when the moment of truth arrives, the words often don't come out as expected. This frustration is felt by many.

In collaboration with 'Money English,' an English coaching school with online lessons, we conducted a survey of 500 men and women across Japan on 'moments when you regretted not knowing English.'

◆ 1st Place: Being unable to answer when asked for directions or spoken to by a foreigner in Japan (25.4%) The most common scenario wasn't abroad, but within Japan itself. It seems the need for English arises in familiar moments, even without traveling.

◆ 2nd Place: Being unable to shop or order food smoothly while traveling abroad (19.2%) Many felt the necessity of English when they couldn't read a menu or convey what they wanted during overseas trips.

◆ 3rd Place: Wanting to enjoy foreign movies/dramas without subtitles or translations (17.8%) The desire to understand the true nuances of the work leads to regrets about not having learned English.

◆ 4th Place: Wanting to understand the meaning of lyrics in Western music (14.0%) Understanding the lyrics deepens the appreciation of the music. The desire to grasp nuances often lost in translation drives this regret.

◆ 5th Place: Being unable to handle English at work (12.2%) From customer service and document reading to overseas presentations, the need for English in business varies, often leaving lingering regrets regarding career development.