Mie Prefecture has created an easy-to-understand “Guidelines for Easy Japanese” to promote smooth communication with foreigners and has published them on the prefecture’s website. (Mie Evening Edition, January 9, 2025)
In recent years, with the increase in foreign workers and tourists in Japan, there has been a growing need to communicate smoothly with people of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. In this context, the concept of “easy Japanese” has been attracting attention. “Easy Japanese” refers to Japanese that has been designed to be easy for foreigners and Japanese language learners to understand. However, we will consider how useful this “easy Japanese” is in reality, including voices from the field and issues.
1.What is “Easy Japanese”?
“Easy Japanese” was proposed following the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995. Due to the issue of foreigners not being able to obtain accurate information during disasters and delaying evacuation, it was recognized that disaster information needed to be communicated in a form that anyone could understand. This led to the creation of “Easy Japanese,” which avoids difficult expressions, kanji, and technical terms and uses simple, clear Japanese. For example, by saying “nigetekudasai” (run away) instead of “hinanshitekudasai” (please evacuate), people can be encouraged to act more intuitively.
2.Actual Effects and Benefits
(1) Information transmission during disasters
In times of disaster, speedy and accurate information is required. “Easy Japanese” can help foreigners understand the information they need, even in areas where English or other languages are not available. For example, by using “Easy Japanese” in disaster prevention drills and evacuation instructions by local governments, it can lead to swift action to save lives, even in cases where multilingual support is difficult.
(2) Communication in daily life
For foreign workers and international students, accessing information about daily life and administrative procedures in Japanese can be a major hurdle. By using “easy Japanese” at public institutions such as government offices and hospitals, procedures can proceed smoothly and the quality of life can be improved. In fact, in local governments that promote multicultural coexistence, by explaining garbage sorting methods, tax procedures, traffic rules, and more in “easy Japanese,” foreign residents have reported that it has become easier to understand.
(3) Support in the educational field
The number of foreign children attending Japanese schools is increasing. When teachers use “easy Japanese,” students’ comprehension of the lesson content improves and their motivation to learn increases. In particular, for students who have just started school and have insufficient Japanese, it is said that simplified Japanese makes it easier for them to adapt to the learning environment than being supported in a language other than their native language.
3.”Real voices” from foreigners
We will also introduce comments from foreigners who have actually used “Easy Japanese.”
Positive opinion
“City hall procedures have become much easier to understand. Previously, I had trouble with a lot of difficult vocabulary, but the ‘Easy Japanese’ guide has given me peace of mind.” (Man in his 30s from Vietnam)
“When a disaster occurred, the message ‘run away’ was displayed, so I was able to act immediately. The simple Japanese was easier to understand than English.” (Woman in her 20s from China)
Negative opinion
“It’s so simple that sometimes it’s hard to understand. I’d like a more detailed explanation.” (Male in his 40s from Indonesia)
“Even though it’s easy Japanese, Japanese itself is difficult, so sometimes it’s more helpful to use my native language or English.” (Male from Nepal, in his 20s)
4.Challenges and limitations
(1) Misunderstandings due to simplification of language
“Easy Japanese” can sometimes make information ambiguous by simplifying the content. For example, changing the expression “no entry” to “do not enter” can make it difficult to convey the nuances of legal force and penalties.
(2) Diversity of Japanese language skills among foreigners
There is a big difference in the level of understanding of Japanese among foreigners, and it is difficult to create “easy Japanese” that is suitable for everyone. It may be useful for beginners, but it may feel insufficient for intermediate and higher level learners.
(3) Limitations of response situations
Although “easy Japanese” is being introduced in tourist destinations and public institutions, it has not yet been fully adopted in general commercial facilities, medical facilities, etc. In addition, in emergencies, instantaneous decisions must be made, and consideration of the language used may not be sufficient.
5.Future Outlook
To maximize the effectiveness of “Easy Japanese,” the following points are important:
Popularization of education
It is necessary to strengthen “easy Japanese” training in public institutions and companies so that people can use it naturally in the workplace.
Use with multiple languages
By promoting the use of not only “easy Japanese” but also English and other languages, we will create an environment that can accommodate a wide range of foreigners.
Utilization of digital technology
The introduction of translation apps and AI will enable more accurate and faster multilingual support, allowing for flexible provision of information according to the situation.
6.Conclusion
“Easy Japanese” is a very useful tool for foreigners, especially in times of disasters and when communicating information at public institutions. However, it is not a panacea for all foreigners, and to maximize its effectiveness, it needs to be adapted to meet diverse needs and used in conjunction with multilingual support. We hope to see the development of more practical “easy Japanese” that reflects the real voices and issues in the field.