(This was an article I wrote for a job application. Several rounds of screening later, I got the job. Yay! =D)
When the co-founder and CEO of Rakuten Inc., a Japanese e-commerce and internet company, announced in 2010 that he would enforce an English-only policy for company communications, eyebrows were raised at this seemingly draconian measure. Mr. Hiroshi Mikatani, a Harvard Business School graduate and fluent English speaker, said that this policy was imperative if they wanted to become a truly global company. Three years later, the company’s internal meetings, training sessions, paperwork and even the cafeteria menu are all in English.
While few Japanese companies have taken such a bold measure as Rakuten (one of them being clothing retailer giant UNIQLO), many others are recognizing the increasing importance of English in the workplace.
Softbank, one of Japan’s largest mobile phone companies, has introduced an incentive scheme that will award ¥1 million to its employees who score 900 out of the perfect 990 points on the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC). Automakers Nissin and Toyota plan to make greater use of the language in their corporate dealings.
These companies know that English remains to be the primary language of business and is an indispensable tool in increasing competitiveness in the global market. It allows businesses to explore new markets and acquire a better understanding of overseas competition. Furthermore, with a work environment that is welcoming to foreigners, companies are able to attract global talent.
The advantages for individuals are also numerous. As employees become more fluent in the language, they develop confidence and feel more secure at a time when jobs come and go. Being proficient in English could open doors for them; they can take on more and more roles that require English communication. Career advancement and a fatter paycheck are among the likely benefits.
Shifting to English as the corporate language is not only limited to Japan, with companies like Airbus, Daimler-Chrysler, Nokia and Samsung now using English as well. Indeed, English communication is of paramount importance in today’s globalized workplace.
References:
Wakabayashi, Daisuke. “Rakuten’s English Policy: Just Speak It.” The Wall Street Journal. 29 June 2012. < http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2012/06/29/rakutens-english-policy-just-speak-it/ >.
Ryall, Julian. “Japan firms see importance of speaking in tongues.” Deutsche Welle. 22 January 2013. < http://www.dw.de/japan-firms-see-importance-of-speaking-in-tongues/a-16540494 >.
Hoare, Rose. “Workers told, ditch local languages for English.” CNN. 18 May 2012. <http://edition.cnn.com/2012/05/18/business/english-language-business >.
Beyond Grammar 