[National Survey] 77% of Japanese People Have Had the Experience of Being Understood with 'Just Words'. The Key to English Conversation is 'Effective Vocabulary' Over 'Perfect Grammar'.

The AI English learning app 'Epop' (operated by EpopSoft) conducted a survey in May 2026 targeting 1,000 Japanese men and women nationwide on their 'confidence in and awareness of English conversation.'

With the recent increase in inbound tourists, rising overseas travel demand, and ongoing globalization, opportunities to communicate in English have increased in daily life. However, it has been pointed out that many Japanese people still harbor a sense of difficulty regarding English conversation.

Epop conducted this nationwide survey to clarify why Japanese people feel anxious about speaking English and what factors actually lead to successful communication.

Survey Summary - 56.4% of Japanese respondents say they 'lack confidence in speaking English.' - The top reason for lack of confidence is 'anxiety about not being understood' (48.9%). - Other top reasons include 'anxiety about making mistakes' (31.0%) and 'dislike/lack of confidence in pronunciation and accent' (12.4%). - Conversely, 77.0% responded that they have had the 'experience of being understood with just words.' - This suggests that 'effective vocabulary' may be a more important first step in English conversation than 'perfect sentences.'

Survey Details

### Majority of Japanese Lack Confidence in English When asked about their confidence in speaking English, 56.4% answered that they lack confidence ('not very confident' at 30.5% and 'not at all confident' at 25.9%). This reveals that more than half of Japanese people harbor negative feelings or psychological hurdles regarding English communication, despite having received English education.

### The Source of Anxiety is 'Not Being Understood' Among the 564 respondents who lack confidence, the most frequent reason was 'anxiety about not being understood' (48.9%). This was followed by 'anxiety about making mistakes' (31.0%) and 'aversion to pronunciation and accent' (12.4%). For many, the barrier to English conversation is not just a lack of grammar, but the psychological fear of not being understood.

### 77% Have Had Success with Just Words However, 77.0% confirmed having had the experience of successfully communicating using only individual words. This indicates that while many feel anxious, they have actually experienced successful communication despite using incomplete English. It highlights the fact that communication can be achieved through 'effective vocabulary' even without perfect grammar or natural pronunciation.

### 'Effective Vocabulary' as the Entrance to English Conversation The results suggest that possessing 'vocabulary that conveys meaning' is more important than speaking perfect sentences from the beginning. Building confidence in English conversation should focus not just on grammatical accuracy, but on accumulating 'successful experiences of being understood.'

### Epop: English Learning Focusing on 'Usable Vocabulary' In light of these findings, the app 'Epop' is designed to help users learn words not merely for memorization, but as 'vocabulary that effectively conveys meaning in actual conversation.' By learning words within sentences crafted by native speakers, users naturally grasp not just the definitions, but when and how to use them.

Features like real-time feedback on errors and automated review functions reduce learning anxiety and support long-term retention. By providing 'practical conversation learning,' Epop helps users master learned words, creating an environment where even those with a strong sense of difficulty can accumulate successful experiences of being understood. Confidence in English conversation arises not from speaking perfectly, but from accumulating experiences of being understood.