Students take the speaking section of the national academic achievement test for third-year junior high school English. April 24, 2026, Tokyo.
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An education ministry survey on English education released on June 18 revealed that more than half of junior high and high school students have surpassed the government's target English proficiency levels.
The government expects students to reach EIKEN Grade 3 by the end of junior high school, a level covering English for everyday situations, and Pre-Grade 2 or above by the end of high school, which includes writing basic essays and speaking in a face-to-face interview.
The Basic Plan for the Promotion of Education, approved by the Cabinet in fiscal 2023, sets a goal of having more than 60% of students meet these levels by fiscal 2027—and that target is now coming within reach.
According to the survey, as of fiscal 2025, 54.6% of junior high school students and 52.4% of high school students had surpassed the government's target levels. Among high school students, 23.9% had reached the equivalent of EIKEN Grade 2.
When the survey began in fiscal 2013, the rates were just 32.2% for junior high students and 31% for high school students. A ministry official remarked that "steady progress is being made in raising English proficiency in line with the Basic Plan."
English proficiency among teachers was also assessed. The share holding the equivalent of EIKEN Pre-Grade 1 or higher stood at 58.5% for junior high school teachers and 84.4% for high school teachers—up significantly from 27.9% and 52.7%, respectively, in fiscal 2013.
A ministry official noted, "Japan's English education tends to attract criticism, but this is evidence that many teachers in schools are working hard to improve their own English ability."
Teachers and ALTs Lead the Charge
The survey also found a strong correlation between students' English proficiency and the degree to which Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs)—often native or near-native English speakers who support language instruction in Japanese schools—are involved outside of English classes.
Around 70% of high schools reported that their ALTs interact with students in non-English classes, school events, and club activities—and those schools tended to show higher student English proficiency. MEXT plans to use these findings to inform future ALT placement strategies.
The survey covered all public junior high and high schools and asked about conditions as of February 2026. It has been conducted annually since fiscal 2013, except in fiscal 2020, when it was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Special needs schools were included for the first time this year on an optional basis, but participation will be made mandatory for all such schools from the next survey onward.
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Author: The Sankei Shimbun
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