Japan has a long history of taking English education seriously — and millions of people study it every year. But a new international study suggests that many learners still struggle with confidence when it comes to speaking.

What’s even more surprising, Japan now ranks below several smaller countries. So how did Japan get here?

For many years, Japan was seen as a strong English learner. In 2011, the country ranked near the top in global English studies. Today, the situation looks very different.

In the latest ranking by EF Education First, Japan placed near the bottom and was put in the “very low” level group. Even smaller countries such as Vietnam and Laos scored higher.

There are a few reasons for this. One reason is how English is taught in schools. Many classes focus on grammar rules and written tests. Students spend a lot of time reading and listening, but very little time speaking. As a result, many people can understand English but feel afraid to use it.

Another problem is confidence. Many students worry about making mistakes. They stay quiet in class because they do not want to sound wrong or be laughed at. This makes learning slower and less enjoyable.

Technology also plays a role. Today, translation apps and AI tools can quickly change Japanese into English. Because of this, some people feel there is no need to really learn the language. They simply use their phones instead.

Finally, English does not always feel necessary in daily life. Japan has a large local job market, and many people can find work without speaking English. With high prices and low wages, families often cannot afford extra English lessons or trips abroad.

All these reasons together help explain why interest in English is falling. The question now is whether Japan will find a new way to make English useful, fun, and worth learning again.