Japan’s corporate world has long been known for its reliance on Japanese language and culture. Yet in the past two decades, a quiet revolution has been underway: a growing number of leading Japanese companies have adopted English as their official in-house language. This is not a symbolic gesture—it’s a structural change that affects everything from meetings to hiring policies.
Below, we’ll first list the key companies that have adopted English, then explore their individual stories, motivations, and the broader implications for Japan’s economy.
Major Japanese Companies Using English as an Official Language
1. Rakuten, Inc. (E-commerce & Technology)
Rakuten is the pioneer of what is often called “Englishnization.” In 2010, founder Hiroshi Mikitani announced that all internal communication—including meetings, documents, and even cafeteria menus—would be conducted in English.
At first, the decision shocked employees and the wider business world. Many doubted whether a Japanese company could truly function in English. Some employees resigned, unable to adapt to the drastic change. However, over time, Rakuten created one of the most globally integrated workforces in Japan.
Today, Rakuten recruits aggressively from overseas, operates worldwide, and maintains English as a binding force among its diverse staff. The move is considered one of the boldest corporate experiments in modern Japan.
2. Fast Retailing (Uniqlo)
As Uniqlo stores began spreading across Asia, Europe, and North America, parent company Fast Retailing recognized the limits of a Japan-only language policy. Under founder Tadashi Yanai, the company gradually shifted its official internal language to English, particularly for headquarters staff and management.
The aim was clear: to create a single global organization that could scale rapidly without linguistic barriers. Today, international employees make up a significant portion of Uniqlo’s workforce, and English remains a common language of communication.
3. Nissan Motor Co.
Nissan became an early adopter of English back in 1999, when Renault took a controlling stake and Carlos Ghosn became CEO. To align its Japanese workforce with global operations, Nissan adopted English as the primary corporate language for executive meetings and high-level documents.
Unlike Rakuten, Nissan did not demand English fluency across all levels. Instead, the focus was on management, international collaboration, and overseas projects. The policy helped Nissan survive a period of crisis and rebuild its global brand.
4. Honda Motor Co.
While not as strict as Rakuten, Honda has increasingly required English skills at the managerial level. For certain divisions, especially R&D and overseas operations, English is de facto the corporate language. The push intensified as Honda deepened its reliance on global supply chains and engineering talent.
5. Shiseido (Cosmetics & Beauty)
Shiseido, one of Japan’s most internationally recognized brands, has moved to English as its official corporate language for executive management. This decision reflects its large overseas market—over 70% of sales now come from outside Japan. Internal documentation, investor relations, and global meetings are held primarily in English.
6. SoftBank Group
Masayoshi Son’s SoftBank has always had a global vision, investing in technology firms from the U.S. to India. To align its diverse portfolio and attract international talent, SoftBank uses English for board meetings and official documentation. While not every internal team operates in English, the company has positioned itself as an international tech investor with English as a working language.
7. Hennge, Inc. (IT & Cloud Services)
Hennge, a Tokyo-based cloud security company, adopted English early on to expand its international engineering team. Nearly half of its workforce is foreign, and its recruitment strategy emphasizes an English-friendly environment. Company events, technical documentation, and daily collaboration happen primarily in English.
8. Money Forward, Inc. (Fintech)
Money Forward, a leading fintech startup, shifted much of its internal communication into English to attract foreign engineers and business strategists. The policy has made the company one of the more internationally diverse startups in Japan’s finance sector.
9. Sharp Corporation
Following its acquisition by Taiwan’s Hon Hai Precision Industry (Foxconn), Sharp increasingly relied on English for corporate communication. With foreign leadership and a need to rebuild credibility, English became an essential tool to link Japanese teams with international management.
10. Other Notable Cases
- Takeda Pharmaceutical: A long-established global pharmaceutical giant, Takeda uses English extensively at the management level, especially after its acquisition of Shire in Europe.
- Panasonic: In divisions tied to global business, English is increasingly standard.
- Recruit Holdings: Known for its HR platforms, the company uses English internally to support overseas acquisitions.
Why Do These Companies Choose English?
The motivations fall into several categories:
- Global Expansion 🌍
Japan’s domestic market is shrinking due to demographic decline. Companies seeking growth must succeed abroad, and English is the natural bridge language. - Attracting International Talent 👩💻👨💼
English-speaking policies make it easier to hire skilled professionals from overseas. For example, Rakuten and Hennge now employ large numbers of foreign engineers. - Unifying Corporate Culture 🔗
A single common language prevents fragmentation across regions. At Fast Retailing, English helps unify management from New York to Shanghai. - Efficiency in Global Communication ✈️
From supply chain negotiations to investor relations, English ensures smoother and faster decision-making. - Innovation and Diversity 💡
English-friendly environments attract diverse staff, which leads to more creativity and fresh perspectives.
The Challenges of English-Only Policies
While ambitious, these policies come with real risks:
- Employee Resistance: At Rakuten, some long-time employees resigned after being unable to adapt.
- Unequal Opportunities: Those fluent in English often advance faster, creating tension.
- Morale Issues: Constantly working in a non-native language can cause stress and burnout.
- Cultural Loss: Some critics argue that imposing English risks eroding Japanese corporate identity.
My Perspective: A Balanced Approach
From my analysis, the key lesson is balance. English can be a powerful enabler, but it should not be forced without support. Companies that succeed in this transition usually:
- Provide structured training programs.
- Roll out English in phases, starting with leadership and global-facing divisions.
- Use bilingual systems to ease the burden.
- Respect Japanese culture while opening space for international collaboration.
AI-based translation tools may reduce the pressure in the future, but trust, nuance, and creativity still rely on human language skills.
Conclusion
Japan’s shift toward English as a corporate language represents both an opportunity and a challenge. Companies like Rakuten, Uniqlo, Nissan, Shiseido, and Takeda have shown that embracing English can open doors to global talent, smoother communication, and stronger competitiveness.
At the same time, the policy is not a magic bullet. It requires patience, support, and sensitivity. Done well, it can transform Japanese corporations into true global players. Done poorly, it risks alienating staff and damaging morale.
As globalization deepens, more Japanese firms will face this decision. The ones that succeed will likely be those that combine English proficiency with a deep respect for their cultural roots.
