Poor English Skills

Will Japanese people ever learn to speak English? Somehow it is still not completely understood by the Japanese that with being a leading world economy comes the need to communicate with a whole bunch of foreign people. At secondary schools, most students think that they'd never need to ability to speak English because they live on an island and have no hunger to travel abroad. But, the thing is that they never know when the day comes when they HAVE to go abroad.

Let's take for example the Academy Awards. A Japanese film maker produces a Japanese film. Oh, what? Wow!! We've been nominated for an Oscar!! "let's go to the Academy Awards in the States and try not to make too much eye-contact because if they start asking questions we wouldn't be able to answer... And they go off to the Oscars to find out how this story continues. So, they win and Oscar for best foreign film! Now they have to get on stage, and there's a microphone... this means we have to speak (English??). Here's Mr. Yojiro Takita the director of Okuribito (Departures) giving his speech...

Okuribito (Departures) wins an Oscar

Here in Japan this was viewed with mixed feelings. For Japanese who have the same English ability level as these guys it must sound great and they'll just be happy that the Oscar was won by Japan. However, for those with a bit more understanding of the English language were deeply embarrassed by this very low level, un-prepared speech.

Next, they end up in front of the "thank you cam," and there is a chance for the rest of the actors to show off their English skills (Masahiro Motoki, Ryoko Hirosue, Kimiko Yo)


OSCARS 2009 Departures FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM ThankYouCam


Then there is one more nomination for Kunio Kato for best short animated film. It almost seems that he might have done some preparations because his final line was really original. Have a look at Kunio Kato's Oscar speech.


Oscar Speech - Kunio Kato For Best Short Animated Film


For those of you not speaking Janglish, here's what he said:
"So heavy. Thank you very much. Thank you, my supporters. Thank you, all my staff. Thank you, my pencil. Thank you, Academy. Thank you, animation. Thank you my company, Robot. Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto. Thank you very much."