Working with Japanese Engineers Who Struggle with English
If you're looking to work as an engineer in Japan, you'll likely apply to companies that "welcome English speakers." We feature such companies on our site too.
But here's something important to know upfront: even Japanese companies that promote being "English-friendly" rarely have native English speakers on staff. Most employees use English as a second language. This means they're not looking for perfect English—being able to communicate is enough.
If you feel like "I can speak English reasonably well, but I'm not perfect," I'd encourage you to apply anyway. In real workplaces, more people than you might think aren't completely comfortable with English either.
So let's look at some tips for working smoothly in this kind of environment.
The Reality of English in Japanese Workplaces
Many Japanese companies are willing to work with global talent, but that doesn't mean all employees speak fluent English. This isn't about ability or effort—it's about education and environment.
Education Focused on Reading and Writing
Japanese English education has long emphasized grammar and reading comprehension. It's centered around test preparation, with little to no speaking or pronunciation practice. This creates a weak sense that "English is a communication tool," making it difficult to develop practical skills.
Education Focused on Reading and Writing
Limited Speaking Opportunities
Japan is geographically and linguistically isolated, with very few opportunities to use English in daily life. Plus, with a population exceeding 100 million, many companies can sustain their business purely on the domestic market, limiting the necessity for English use.
Perfectionist Mindset
Many people hold the belief that "you shouldn't speak unless your grammar and pronunciation are perfect." This leads to lost confidence and hesitation to speak. It's like dealing with "a compiler language that crashes if you miss a single semicolon"—one small mistake and the mental application freezes up.
As a result, many engineers can read English technical documentation or write code comments, but struggle with smooth conversation in meetings or casual discussions.
5 Tips for Working with Colleagues of Varying English Levels
In actual workplaces, you'll be working with people whose English abilities vary widely. Use these tips to create an environment where everyone can participate comfortably.
1. Use Simple English
Avoid complex vocabulary and slang—keep it short and clear. This benefits not just colleagues for whom English is a second language, but also improves the clarity of your own communication.
2. Handle Complex Decisions Through Text
For important discussions and decision-making, use text communication alongside verbal discussion whenever possible. Tools like Slack, email, and ticket management systems allow team members who aren't comfortable with English to take time to read, think, and participate in complex discussions. (Many people are better at text communication than verbal anyway.) Recording final agreements in text also allows for later reference and reduces misunderstandings.
3. Don't Fear Silence
People using English as a second language often need time to process between their native language and English before responding. Don't rush them—wait patiently. You can also use acknowledgments to show you're following the conversation.
4. Clearly Communicate Each Other's Needs
Rather than one-sided consideration, it's important to share each other's requests.
- For example: "Please don't proceed with discussions only in a specific language"
- "If you don't understand something, please say so right away"
Sharing these kinds of requests enables more open discussion. Communication isn't about one-sided adaptation—it's about meeting each other halfway.
5. Acknowledge the Effort
Even when it's not perfect, show appreciation for "the effort to communicate." This creates a sense of security regardless of English level and makes team interactions smoother overall.
Final Thoughts
Working in an English environment is challenging for everyone. It's not unusual for non-native English speakers to communicate with each other in English.
What matters is understanding and accommodating each other's backgrounds and situations. Your English doesn't need to be perfect. What's important is that team members from diverse backgrounds respect each other while building great software together.
If you think "I can speak English reasonably well, but I'm not perfect," that's good enough. Go ahead and take on the challenge.