If you’ve spent any time in Japan as a foreigner—especially in urban centers like Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto—you may have experienced this awkward moment: you walk into a store, greet the staff in perfectly functional Japanese, maybe even ask a question fluently, only to be answered in hesitant, broken English.
Why does this happen? Why would someone respond in English—even poorly—when you’ve already demonstrated that you speak Japanese? Is it politeness? A misguided sense of duty? Or something deeper rooted in Japanese social norms?
Let’s explore the cultural context behind this behavior, its implications, and how you, as a visitor or resident, can navigate it without frustration.
🚨 The Phenomenon: Fluent Japanese In, Broken English Out
Imagine the scene:
You: 「すみません、このTシャツは他の色ありますか？」
Clerk: “Ah… this one… no color. Only… white, OK?”
You spoke natural Japanese. They replied in elementary English. You’re left puzzled.
This isn’t a rare incident—it’s a common phenomenon experienced by countless foreigners in Japan, regardless of their Japanese proficiency.
🤔 Why Do Japanese People Do This?
The reasons are not always obvious, and they rarely come from a place of disrespect. In fact, they often stem from a combination of social norms, cultural assumptions, and education-based habits. Here are the main factors:
1. “Foreigners = English speakers” Assumption
Despite the increasing international diversity in Japan, a persistent stereotype remains: if you don’t look Japanese, you probably speak English. This oversimplified assumption leads many locals to believe they should respond in English, even if your Japanese is fluent.
This is especially true for older generations who grew up in a more homogeneous Japan, or in rural areas where foreign residents are still rare.
2. Politeness and the Burden of Communication
Japanese culture places an immense value on “omotenashi” (hospitality) and not causing inconvenience to others. When a Japanese person assumes that a foreigner is struggling with Japanese, they may feel it’s their responsibility to switch to English, even if their own English ability is limited.
In this case, the person isn’t trying to be rude—they’re trying to help. Ironically, their effort often backfires by making the conversation harder for both sides.
3. Fear of Embarrassment or Mistakes
Believe it or not, some Japanese people are intimidated by foreigners who speak Japanese fluently. Why?
Because Japanese communication culture is strongly hierarchical and careful. When a foreigner speaks confidently, some Japanese may fear that their own “casual” or regional Japanese might not be correct enough or polite enough. To avoid embarrassment, they might choose to speak broken English instead—even if it leads to a less effective conversation.
4. English as the “Default International Mode”
In many schools and workplaces, English is taught not as a language for deep communication, but as a kind of default “international mode.” When confronted with a foreigner, even those with little English confidence may reflexively switch into “English mode,” assuming it’s the proper way to interact.
This happens particularly in service settings—hotels, shops, airports—where staff are trained to use English with foreigners, regardless of the situation.
🧠 A Misguided Kindness
At its core, this behavior is usually driven by kindness, not condescension.
It’s important to understand that in Japan, doing something for someone else’s sake—even if unrequested—is often seen as thoughtful. Switching to English, however awkward, is in many cases an attempt to help or accommodate.
But here’s the twist: for a foreigner who has studied Japanese, this feels counterproductive. You’ve worked hard to learn the language, you want to practice and be treated equally, and suddenly you’re being “othered” in your own conversation.
💬 How to Respond Gracefully
So what should you do when this happens?
✅ 1. Keep speaking Japanese
If you respond in English, you reinforce the assumption. But if you continue in polite Japanese—smiling, relaxed—the other person often realizes their English isn’t necessary and reverts to Japanese.
✅ 2. Use humor or gentle reassurance
You can say things like:
- 「日本語の方が分かりやすいです！」(Nihongo no hō ga wakariyasui desu!)
“Japanese is easier for me!” - 「英語苦手なんです。」(Eigo nigate nan desu.)
“I’m not good at English.”
Ironically, this line often relieves the other person, allowing them to speak more comfortably in Japanese.
✅ 3. Be patient and kind
Remember, this is rarely an insult. The person is likely doing their best under pressure. A bit of patience goes a long way—and often turns an awkward moment into a friendly exchange.
🌍 The Broader Implications: Language and Identity
This strange linguistic dance reveals a deeper issue in Japan: a still-developing relationship with multiculturalism. For many Japanese, navigating interactions with foreigners is unfamiliar territory.
As Japan slowly becomes more diverse—due to tourism, immigration, and global business—the need for true multilingual flexibility grows. Until then, moments like these will continue to be a subtle test of patience for foreign speakers of Japanese.
🔄 When the Roles Are Reversed
Interestingly, some foreigners living in Japan adopt the opposite habit: replying in Japanese even when the Japanese person uses English. Why?
Because the goal is communication—not language purity. So don’t be surprised if the conversation becomes a hybrid mix of Japanese and English. In many cases, that’s where mutual understanding lives.
✨ Final Thoughts: Embrace the Chaos, But Push for Change
It can be frustrating to be spoken to in English when your Japanese is perfectly fine. But in most cases, the person doing so is not rejecting your effort—they’re reacting to cultural programming.
Instead of seeing it as a personal slight, try to see it as a cultural glitch—an artifact of Japan’s ongoing adjustment to a more global society.
By calmly and kindly continuing in Japanese, you’re helping that shift happen—one conversation at a time 😊
