The Sociolinguistic Situation of English in Japan, by Nobuyuki Tukahara

2. The situation of English in Japan

2.1. Linguistic proficiency in English

Due to a lack of data on the proficiency in English of the Japanese population (the census does not include a question on language), we can only consult the results of private English examinations. These are the TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language), TOEIC (Test Of English for International Communication) and EIKEN (Test of English organized by "The Society for Testing English Proficiency"). These results are not of any statistical value, but we can use them as a secondary reference.

2.1.1. TOEFL
This test is organized by the ETS (Educational Testing Service) and is designed to gauge the proficiency in English of individuals whose language is not English. Universities in the United States and Canada require overseas candidates to obtain a certain grade in this test. Here follow part of the results from 2000-2001.

Table 2. TOEFL Result from July 2000 to June 2001

Source: Own work based on data taken from the official website of the Educational Testing Service (3)

Of all the countries of the world, only in the above five Asian countries does the number of candidates exceed 10,000. Bulgaria has the most candidates out of the European countries.

2.1.2 TOEIC
This test is also organized by the ETS and is based and developed on the TOEFL experience. The aim is to gauge communicative skills in English. Here follows an extract of a report on TOEIC candidates 1997-1998, which groups results according to nationality.

Table 3. TOEIC Result 1997-1998*

Source: Own work based on data taken from the TOEIC Report on Test-takers World-wide 1997-1998. (4)

The country with most candidates throughout the world is Japan. However, compared with the other Asian countries, it has the lowest average of points.

2.1.3 EIKEN
This test is organized by "The Society for Testing English Proficiency". It is not an international test, but it is the most highly considered in Japan itself and its excellence is acknowledged by the Ministry of Science and Education. Here follow the results for 2001 at the same level as the tests above, provided by the society itself.