Japan Ranks 96th in English Proficiency Globally; Global Talent Shortage a Challenge, Global Company HR Discusses 'Skills to Work Globally'

EF Education First Japan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Switzerland, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo / Representative: Nana Ito Groening, hereinafter 'EF Study Abroad'), an international educational institution operating in over 110 countries worldwide, will host the 'EF Global Career Talk 2026' global career event for university students and young professionals on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at the EF Study Abroad Japan office in Shibuya.

In recent years, while Japanese companies expand overseas and foreign companies enter the Japanese market, there is a challenge of a shortage of global talent capable of thriving in international environments. At the same time, interest in studying abroad and international careers is increasing, especially among university students and young generations, leading to a growing demand for practical information and networking opportunities regarding 'globally applicable skills' and 'career development in global companies.'

Against this backdrop, this event will feature speakers with practical experience in global companies and human resource support, including a current executive from Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan, an HR professional who handled talent strategy at former Netflix, and a Senior Consultant from Robert Walters Japan. They will participate in a panel discussion on the themes of 'globally applicable skills' and 'career design for success in global companies.'
On the day of the event, in addition to networking opportunities among participants and with speakers, an experience booth for 'EF SET (EF Standard English Test),' an online English proficiency test, will also be set up. The event aims to provide practical learning and networking opportunities for students and young professionals aspiring to global careers.

## Background of the Event
## Japan's English Proficiency Ranks 96th Globally: What is the 'Global Talent' Companies Seek?

As interest in 'global careers' among young people grows, Japanese companies' overseas expansion and foreign companies' entry into the Japanese market are accelerating, and the demand for talent capable of thriving in international environments is increasing year by year. Securing and developing global talent with language skills and cross-cultural understanding has become one of the critical management challenges for companies.

On the other hand, Japan's English proficiency still faces challenges. According to the 15th survey (2025 edition) of the English Proficiency Index (EF EPI) annually published by EF Education First, Japan ranked 96th among 123 countries and regions with approximately 2.2 million participants. This position is low compared to international standards, making the development of globally active talent a crucial theme for Japanese society.

Given this background, university students and young professionals are increasingly interested in:

- What skills are necessary to work globally?
- What kind of talent is sought after by global companies?
- How can an international career be built?

Based on these social backgrounds, EF Study Abroad is holding a career event with the theme of 'Skills to Work Globally.' Through the experiences and perspectives of speakers who have actually built careers in global companies, the event aims to provide young generations with an opportunity to consider the possibilities of international careers and the importance of English proficiency.

## Foreign-affiliated and Global Companies'