Japan's English Proficiency Plummets as Isolationism Rises
• Japan has fallen to 87th in English proficiency rankings, down from 14th in 2011, putting the country behind Malawi and barely ahead of Afghanistan
• Declining English skills seen as "symptomatic of broader political and demographic shifts" hampering Japan's global role
• While Japanese students learn written English well, they lack speaking opportunities to become fluent
• Government aims to boost study abroad to improve English abilities and global competitiveness
• Some link poor English skills to "hubris and arrogance," causing disconnect between Japan and globalized world