[Survey of 1,000 People] Ranking of Japanese Celebrities with Admirable English Skills!

■ Why does that person's English sound so cool?

Have you ever been captivated by a Japanese celebrity speaking fluent English in a TV interview or on an international stage?

Seeing their clear pronunciation, natural expressions, and confident demeanor, many people likely feel a desire to speak like them. People who can speak English possess a coolness and charm that goes beyond mere communication.

Therefore, in collaboration with the online English coaching school 'Money English', we conducted a survey of 1,000 men and women nationwide about 'Japanese celebrities you wish you could speak English like'.

*When citing the content of this press release, please comply with the following:

- State that the source is 'a survey by NEXER Inc. and Money English'.
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Survey Overview: 'Survey on Japanese Celebrities with Admirable English Skills'

Survey Method: Internet questionnaire

Survey Period: May 15, 2026 – May 21, 2026

Survey Target: Men and women nationwide

Valid Responses: 1,000 samples

Survey Questions:

Question 1: Which Japanese celebrity do you wish you could speak English like?

Question 2: Please tell us the reason for your choice.

Ranking of Japanese Celebrities You Wish You Could Speak English Like!

◆1st Place: Ryohei Suzuki – 93 votes

Comments from respondents included:

- He graduated from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, isn't that the best? (Male, 20s)
- I heard he has Eiken Grade 1. (Male, 20s)
- His fluency is cool. (Female, 30s)
- His conversation was smooth. (Female, 30s)
- Because he became fluent through effort. (Female, 40s)
- He sounds smart without being obnoxious. (Female, 40s)

Taking first place was Ryohei Suzuki.

Many comments mentioned his specific background and achievements, such as 'graduating from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies' and 'holding Eiken Grade 1'. This suggests many people perceive him as having solid, not just image-based, English skills.

There were also voices of empathy for him being 'someone who became fluent through effort', garnering support as a figure who makes people feel 'maybe I can get closer to that level if I try'.

◆2nd Place: Hikaru Utada – 91 votes

Comments from respondents included:

- Because both her music and English are high-class and 'authentic'. (Female, 20s)
- Because she masters English and seems to have a rich sense of expression. (Male, 30s)
- Because she seems like she can speak English casually without strain. (Female, 30s)
- Because she's good at expressing not just words but her way of thinking and worldview. (Female, 40s)
- Because she attended an international school and can have natural, native-like conversations. (Female, 40s)

Coming in a close second was Hikaru Utada.

Having grown up in the United States, many responses mentioned 'native-like' and 'natural conversation'.

Particularly notable were comments praising not just her beautiful pronunciation but her 'nuance of expression' and 'ability to convey a worldview'. Many people admire her ability to naturally express her thoughts and sensibilities in English, beyond just being able to speak it.

◆3rd Place: Christel Takigawa – 66 votes

Comments from respondents included:

- Because the sight of her giving a fluent speech during the Olympic bid is memorable. (Female, 30s)
- Her elegant and calm way of speaking is attractive. (Male, 50s)
- I think it's proper English that gets the message across. (Male, 50s)
- As a former announcer, I think she is comprehensively fluent and skilled. (Male, 60s)

Ranked third was Christel Takigawa.

What particularly stood out in many people's memories was her speech for the Tokyo Olympic bid. Her fluent English and calm manner of speaking on a grand stage seem to have left a strong impression.

Additionally, besides her communication skills honed as an announcer, comments praised her 'elegant' and 'intellectual' aura. It appears that her precise and beautiful way of speaking English itself is an object of admiration for many.

◆4th Place: Ken Watanabe – 64 votes

Comments from respondents included:

- I see him in movies and he's cool. (Male, 20s)
- I think the effort he put into becoming that fluent in English to succeed in Hollywood is amazing. (Female, 30s)
- Because his way of speaking feels cool and admirable. (Male, 30s)
- Because he spoke fluent English in his movies. (Male, 40s)

Selected for fourth place was Ken Watanabe.

Many comments cited 'because he's active in Hollywood' and 'his English in movies is cool'. As an actor working on the world stage, his English skills seem convincing to many.

◆5th Place: Katsuya Kobayashi – 56 votes

Comments from respondents included:

- Because his pronunciation is very good. (Male, 30s)
- Because he talks to Americans without an interpreter on 'Best Hit USA'. (Male, 40s)
- Because he has a native-like feel. (Male, 40s)
- It's cool and admirable that he reached that level through self-study. (Male, 60s)

Ranked fifth was Katsuya Kobayashi.

Many people remember his fluent English talk on music programs, leaving a strong impression as a 'Japanese person good at English'.

Particularly striking was the comment, 'It's amazing he reached that level through self-study'. Many people admire his journey of learning English on his own, without relying on study abroad, and honing his pronunciation and talk skills.

◆6th to 10th Place

From here, we announce the 6th to 10th places along with some reasons.

6th Place: Yu Hayami – 49 votes

- Because she's almost native. (Female, 50s)
- Because her native-level pronunciation is very easy to listen to. (Male, 50s)
- Because she grew up in Hawaii and is fluent. (Female, 60s)

7th Place: Shohei Ohtani – 43 votes

- Because I thought he couldn't speak English, so I was surprised to hear him speak fluently. (Male, 40s)
- Because I think his English level is enough to joke around happily with teammates. (Male, 40s)
- Because his English was acquired through living there, not from studying since long ago. (Female, 50s)

8th Place: Mari Sekine – 39 votes

- Because her pronunciation doesn't sound like a Japanese person's English. (Female, 30s)
- Because she spoke casually with foreigners. (Female, 40s)
- Her fluency and quick thinking. (Female, 60s)

9th Place: Dean Fujioka – 37 votes

- Because he's fluent. (Female, 40s)
- The process of him building his career overseas on his own is cool. (Female, 50s)
- Because he acquired it through effort. (Female, 60s)

10th Place