English Language Policy and Practice in Japan

Abstract

This article examines the present and past polices and practices undertaken in Japan with regard to language education from societal and educational perspectives. Further, it will be discussed how English language policy in Japan relates to theoretical perspectives in the literature. It is argued that there has been a historical and continuing disparity between official goals and implementation that have rendered English language education less effective than otherwise might be. Although a reform of foreign language education policy in 2003 signals a positive move towards more effective communicate methods, failure to reimagine the university entrance exam system and continuing to take an egalitarian approach are evidence that language reform was never the underlying objective of foreign language policy. Rather, English education has always been pursued for national ecomonic goals rather than any individual linguistic needs.