Language in Japan
日本の言語
The main language used in Japan is Japanese.
Because education through higher education can be completed entirely in Japanese, it’s not uncommon—even for people in respected positions—to speak only Japanese.
English is taught in compulsory and higher education, but most people don’t acquire practical fluency because they don’t use English in daily life. This shows how Japan has developed with a strong sense of uniqueness, but it’s also a challenge for globalization.
When you want to speak to someone in English while traveling, it’s best to start in Japanese and then use a translation app or device.
Features of Japanese
One major difference from English is that Japanese often omits the subject. There are also multiple words for both first- and second-person (“I” and “you”), giving the language a very wide expressive range.
Another feature is the clear difference between language used among close friends and language used with strangers or in formal settings.
Polite language is called keigo or teineigo, and it’s standard to use it when speaking with staff or ordinary citizens while traveling.
Examples of polite expressions
- Excuse me: すみません (Sumimasen)
- Thank you: ありがとうございます (Arigato gozaimasu)
- Good morning: おはようございます (Ohayo gozaimasu)
- Good night: おやすみなさい (Oyasumi nasai) or お疲れ様です* (Otsukare sama desu)
*This mean like “good job”.
As you can see, it’s common to add ～ます (masu) or ～です (desu) at the end of words.
Writing systems used in Japanese
Japanese combines multiple scripts when writing. The main types are:
- ひらがな (Hiragana)
- カタカナ (Katakana)
- 漢字 (Kanji)
Rather than using just one, standard writing mixes all of them in a single sentence.
For children, texts are sometimes written only in hiragana. This is the first script Japanese children learn, and it’s also where many learners of Japanese start. If you want to master Japanese, begin here.
Japanese can also be written by converting the sounds into the Roman alphabet, called romaji. Japanese people usually don’t use romaji when writing to other Japanese people, but anyone in their late teens who has completed compulsory education can read it without trouble.
Signage for English speakers
On major transportation lines and at larger public facilities, you may see signage in languages other than Japanese.
However, detailed explanations are rare—most information is minimal and to the point.
Common languages used:
- English
- Chinese
- Korean
At large facilities or locations that actively serve international visitors, you may see an even wider range of languages such as Portuguese or French.
Is it okay to speak to Japanese people in English?
As a rule, it’s not recommended to suddenly address passersby in English.
Only a minority of Japanese people are fluent and comfortable communicating in English. As noted above, most people have limited opportunities to interact with English speakers and aren’t used to speaking English.
That said, in city centers the proportion of English speakers is higher, and even in rural areas, tourist spots with many international visitors often have staff who are good at English.
How should I approach someone?
If you can’t resolve something on your own and need to ask nearby people for help:
Start with a polite “すみません (Sumimasen)”, then try to communicate using a translation app.
If you begin speaking English out of the blue, people may not notice you’re addressing them—or they might be startled and step away.
“Sumimasen” works in situations similar to “Excuse me” in English.