Can Japanese Speak English Well?

Whenever I go to stores, talk with Japanese people (both old and young), talk with police officers at the koban (police box) when I need help, talk with service people (at the post office, delivery people, etc), I usually find it that they cannot speak English. Luckily, I know some basic-level Japanese, so I can always get by. For someone who doesn't speak any or much Japanese, I think it would be difficult to communicate with Japanese people in Japan.

If you just say easy words like "eat', "where", and "help" like you said in your question, they will probably understand. But if they don't, you either have to have a handy dictionary (or smart phone), and be the master of doing gestures. Gestures are the best way to communicate when both of you don't have a common language to speak. I use them all the time when I can't speak to Japanese people.

I find it strange that many Japanese do not know much English. English is everywhere, and every Japanese person should have learned a basic level of English in junior high and high school. Sometimes, there are some Japanese people who do know English, but just don't want to use it because they don't feel very confident in using it. So if you do find someone able to speak English in Japan and "willing" to actually use it, you'll be lucky.

Since you are Asian, it may be a bit more difficult for you, too. If you "blend in", then some Japanese people may think you are Japanese too, and expect you to be able to speak Japanese. OR, because you are Asian, you should be able to speak Japanese. I am just like you, Asian, so I blend in easily. So whenever I need to throw in the "gaijin card" (foreigner card) to let the person know I am not Japanese, I survive somehow and try to speak English and see if they understand. When I don't use the "gaijin card", they sometimes think I am Japanese. So when I try to speak Japanese, they might just think I'm slow or mentally disabled because I just throw random words if I can't speak a whole sentence.

So you will probably need to throw in the "gaijin card" when you do need to speak English.

So far, I have found very few people out in public that have actually spoke or understood English when I spoke to them. I always speak simple words and very slowly, but it usually comes to no avail. I also live in a major city that has many foreigners.

But for you, it would be best to learn most of the phrases and basic words you will need, before you go to Japan, it will really be a lifesaver for you. Japanese words aren't hard to pronounce, since it's a syllabic language, so pronunciation is very easy.

Good luck!

Knowing English and Speaking English are two different things.

Japanese people, especially younger ones can generally understand basic English items. But speaking English can be a little more difficult. Of course all students from Jr. High School learn English ACADEMICALLY, does not mean they speak it. However if you write something down or speak slowly they might be able to understand you.

However the great part about big cities in Japan like Tokyo is that it is very very tourist friendly that you don't need to know much Japanese to travel around cities like Tokyo.

The country is Japan, so please bring a dictionary/phrasebook just in case.

Most japanese know some form of basic english however the fluency will vary

Some of them will not get the pronunciation correct

Buy a tour book with phrases and point at the line they will understand it

Gestures are universal language if they cant understand you make a eating motion followed by your stomach pat , If you need help you scream help help - they will know it, and if you something where get your tourbook and point

When we travel, it is up to us to learn as much as we can of our hosts' languages, not the other way around. While most industrialized nations have many citizens who can speak English, to immerse yourself in another culture -- and that means going beyond simple pop cultural things like anime and cosplay -- you must also learn the language. If your goal is to settle in Japan permanently, you will definitely need to know the language. Japan's culture is a wonderful combination of ancient and modern, industrial and artistic. While you are there, take advantage of everything Japan has to offer. Good luck to you!

Most don't know English well enough to chat with someone.

How are you going to stay there ? You can't stay more than 90 days without a job.

How about you learning Japanese ?

First of all, English is CAPITALIZED. Secondly, most Japanese at least in the major cities speak and write English better than native speakers, and that includes you.