English speaking Japanese

[Tidus]

Hi, I just wanted to know if I'd be ok travelling around in Japan if I can't speak Japanese. What's the percentage of Japanese that speak English? If I'm correct most of the younger population know basic English, I think I read somewhere that schools there have English classes. I speak fluent English and Vietnamese.

Sorry if this question have been asked before. As you can see I'm new.

[ArmandV]

Welcome aboard.

You'll have no problem navigating around. Many signs have Roman spellings (Romanji) such as street signs and subway station signs. Just make sure you have plenty of maps to guide you.

Quite a number of Japanese have a rudimentary or better grasp of English (since they are required to take it in school) and some will go out of their way to try their English out on you, especially older Japanese men and younger Japanese women. If one doesn't know English at all, chances are they'll grab a co-worker who does.

[Tidus]

Awesome, thanks a lot.

[Carrie]

Please note that although almost all Japanese people study English, very few actually become fluent--especially in rural areas. I lived in Kyushu near Nagasaki for a year and often stuggled because I couldn't speak or read Japanese. It is true, however that most signs will use Roman letters. A good guidebook can be helpful because you can simpy point to your destination or pictures etc. I was greatly shocked at how few people could or would communicate in the country-side--but perhaps you will only travel around Tokyo and more urban areas . . .

[Ewok85]

True, its well worth remembering that you are in Japan - don't expect people to know or understand English than you would random people to understand Japanese in America.