Implications of the recommendation that English become the second official language in Japan

要旨

Since Japan has never been colonised and has always possessed a common language (the national language), it has a unique position in terms on introducing foreign languages. This creates a special local response to the worldwide phenomenon of English imperialism. However, events early in 2000 created a new context that has forced various players to reposition themselves internally as a result of an increase vulnerability to external forces. In early 2000, the private advisory group for the then Japanese prime minister recommended that English should be used as the second official language in order to cope with globalisation. Reflecting this, the plan to introduce English at primary school level is now in the final stage of development. However, at the same time, the Ministry of Education has proposed a plan to revise the Fundamentals of Education Act in favour of the inclusion of nationalistic sentiment and practices. The policy repositioning is also mirrored in public sentiment. Recently, the Tokyo governor identified 'foreigners' as a dangerous and unwelcome existence in Japanese society in his speech delivered at a ceremony to encourage the self-defence force. Despite this apparent increase in rhetorical conflict, it appears that fundamental values and beliefs within Japanese culture are working to create continuity in the overall policy framework. This paper describes the manner in which these forces for continuity are still shaping even the most recent and extreme conflicts.

主題