Vision 2035: Advancing English Proficiency for the Future of Japan

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Introducing Vision 2035

We believe that Japan’s future in a globalized world depends on giving the next generation the language tools to thrive. That’s why we’re launching Vision 2035, a bold plan to transform the educational landscape of English in Japan.

With this initiative, we’re officially setting our sights on a clear and admittedly ambitious objective: to help all Japanese high school graduates become proficient in English by the year 2035. We will start our campaign by digging into actionable strategies, zeroing in on effective practices, and profiling the individuals and institutions steering this effort.

Why English? Why Now?

Japan is facing a steep demographic decline with respect to its total population. A smaller workforce, then, calls for improved productivity and flexibility at the individual level. Improving English proficiency is both a practical and impactful way to equip graduates for success within this evolving landscape.

The relevance of English extends far beyond tourism or international etiquette as the language is primed to expand intellectual and economic horizons, helping startup founders in Fukuoka, say, present their innovations to a global audience not confined to domestic markets. A company with ten employees in Osaka can operate across ten countries across APAC. In a context where English fluency is normalized, international reach becomes not a luxury but instead a professional growth prerequisite.

Current Realities

As of 2025, just over 20 percent of Japanese high school seniors have passed Eiken Grade 2: a significant majority still graduating without the linguistic wherewithal required to participate in bilingual academic programs or professional settings at a global level. The dynamics of university admissions are shifting, meanwhile, with application office-style pathways (AO) that place greater weight on English proficiency gaining ground by the day. The corresponding impact? Students lacking skills in this area face increasingly limited opportunities.

Beyond Language: What’s at Stake

Achieving universal Eiken 2 proficiency is also a means to achieve broader educational equity and social mobility. Regardless of whether a student resides in Tokyo or Tottori, he or she should be able to access the tools necessary to navigate a multilingual world and contribute to the same.

Moreover, English fluency improves Japan’s global standing while shoring up its ability to take part in intercultural dialogue, global diplomacy efforts, academic research, and worldwide innovation. English-proficient graduates, likewise, enjoy access to global platforms and more chances to collaborate and can thus lend their voices to help solve international challenges from multiple angles.

It’s important to note this initiative doesn’t work in opposition to Japanese cultural identity; on the contrary, the English language provides the means for Japan to articulate, preserve, and share its legacy as a nation on a global stage.

All Eyes on the Future

Our goal is for every high school graduate in Japan to reach a minimum of Eiken Grade 2-with a third passing Pre-1-by 2035. While this target is most certainly ambitious, it is indeed achievable with coordinated help from educators, families, institutions, and policymakers.

In future International School Times articles, we’ll introduce the “Ten Pillars of 2035,” document progress, share related insights, and invite dialogue around this critical objective and welcome your participation in this continued conversation.