Do Foreigners in Japan Speak Japanese? 2023

[@ThatJapaneseManYuta]

Learn Japanese with Yuta: bit.ly/3J3ENCv

[@fromgames3123]

I remember you at some point mentioned you were learning Spanish, you can actually talk to Italians and Portuguese in Spanish and they will understand you, and if your level of Spanish is high you can understand most of what they will say. It's like Magic

[@katyungodly]

The guy at 7:54 is Dogen, he's another popular Japanese KZbinr! I recognized his way of speaking immediately :)

[@Webberjo]

I'm can't imagine suddenly being approached by Yuta in the street as he tests whether I'm subscribed to his email group or not.

[@ikamusuko]

that's my dream me personally

[@cstpa1]

lmao

[@abrahamalatorre]

I actually would like for him to approach me and practice my Japanese with him when I travel to Japan. Would be a great experience

[@matthewhaddadin8846]

🤣🤣🤣 he’ll teach you the kind of Japanese that real Japanese people speak😌

[@nileredsexperiment834]

Yuta: haveyousubscribedtomyemailgroupyetyesorno?? Stranger: uh no no, no japanese… Yuta: *but im speaking in English tho??*

[@DavidCruickshank]

Yuta busting out the Italian had me shocked. Also Yuta knowing so much about african countries. Yuta is very talented!

[@Ping63ms]

"talented"

[@Ping63ms]

its called knowledge

[@sk8_bort]

I think the word you're looking for is "knowledgeable", but he is probably talented at many things lol

[@bubberduck4964]

@@Ping63ms get off his dick damn 😭😭

[@daveedwards4681]

The look of horror in the eyes of the people that didn’t speak Japanese as you approached them was priceless 🤣🤣

[@mikamikamiia]

This was very funny 😅

[@aniketmane6232]

yes that should be.. and they should be ashamed that they are not learning the language of the country they are visiting, more shameful if you're living/working there and still don't care learning japanese. Japanese people should stop responding to anyone speaking to them in English or just say "Engrisu no.." and walk away.

[@TheSuperBoyProject]

I hate black gaijins

[@thndr_5468]

@@aniketmane6232 wow that's a very xenophobic attitude

[@bluecii6943]

@@thndr_5468 I think its fair if you live in japan for over 3 or 4 years, come on bruh, you gotta speak at least, not even read or write. But if you just arrived or are just visiting, then its fine.

[@loulou3676]

Shibuya is kinda a touristy area. You should ask foreigners in non touristy areas or outside of Tokyo. Would be interesting to see if there is a difference

[@linnyunt]

I wanted to see how many foreigners who actually live in Japan could speak Japanese because most tourists obviously can't. In fact none of the ones in this video could.

[@TMTLive]

Of course, but it would take a long time of standing around to find any foreigners let alone ones who have the time to get interviewed

[@nmkhnh1394]

You don't actually need to speak japanese to travel in japan,In fact most employee in japan can speak simple english.

[@mashiroboy]

7:55 Yuta, you need a better disguise for Dogen

[@scoshi6592]

they have the same voice

[@thybiscuit]

That's why his voice sound familiar

[@malzergski]

I KNEW IT

[@tannertuman9412]

That's my exact thought lol

[@Finn31088]

Dogen has a better pitch accent I think

[@AshtonCoolman]

The African diplomats were delightful people. I'd love to hear more about their story and experiences.

[@Enforcedcraft]

They are good but man you are diplomat and you still don't know how to speak even a bit of Japanese and she has been in Japan for 3 yrs. Its kinda a bit not right cause maybe she don't need it in her line of work but you kinda putting other people who don't speak it as much in an uncomfortable position. To me if you play to stay much longer time 2+ yrs then it's customary to learn it, if not then it's fine if you aren't there permanently

[@LINX009XBL]

@@Enforcedcraft The Lady on the far right said she arrived in April, but will be in Japan for 3 years, not that she has been in Japan for 3 years. Assuming she arrived in April of 2022, she has, as of today, been in Japan for at most 9 and 1/2 months, but we don't even know when that particular scene was recorded, so at time of recording she may have only been there 5 months.

[@subhadeepmandal3092]

@@Enforcedcraft I think they have translators so they'll manage. But certainly knowing Japanese is a plus. Someone who knows Japanese and also possess the relevant skills will be a better competitor for that job position 😅

[@Enforcedcraft]

@@subhadeepmandal3092 I would assume so. But living somewhere that isn't your birth country, it is customery to learn their language in order to not cause much problems in that regard.

[@sechabatheletsane9784]

​@@Enforcedcraft lmao. Listen to this guy😂😂😂😂 Tell this to white people here in South Africa cant speak a lick of the 12 other languages here in South Africa.

[@kougamishinya6566]

7:13 is it possible to even find someone who radiates more positive energy than this man, it's like you can't help but smile just seeing him. I need to learn this power

[@connorvest5269]

His name is Mano Agapion and he's an actor so you can see more of him if you like! 🙂

[@rgbok5453]

@@connorvest5269 that's surprising

[@oromain]

I love him I came down to the comments to see if anyone else loved him

[@exorbitantmango200]

I agree, he's a very charismatic person. A lot of it has to do with his smiling--it's very welcoming!

[@lvlupproductions2480]

I got a little confused at 13:21 because I was hearing Anki, and thought of it like the SRS program of the same name. However, I couldn't see it in the translation such as 「Anki」or maybe "SRS" to generalize it further. So I did some research and found out anki is actually a Japanese word and almost certainly where the name for the app came from. Anki is 暗記(あん・き) which means memorisation or rote learning. Thanks Yuta for making these videos :)

[@lestergreen2828]

No way, I thought the same thing and I didn’t know that either

[@Antayn]

lvld up 😁

[@fromgames3123]

That's really cool, I know the app was made for no specific materia or subject but in the end it was predestined to be kanji memorization LMAO

[@lvlupproductions2480]

@@fromgames3123 Lol so true.

[@lvlupproductions2480]

@@Antayn I'm glad :)

[@japanischertraum7101]

I've been watching your videos for more than 7 years, now! Back then, KZbin recommended me a random video of yours. I just clicked out of curiosity. That time I didnt know much about Japan but over the years my interest grew and grew, that way I finally decided to move to Japan. I was in Japan for the first time in 2019 and stayed for 7 months but left due to Covid and since last year I am back. Seeing this video felt so 懐かしい。 いつもありがとうございます😊

[@MateoYouTube]

I love these interview videos, they're my favorites. I've watched them all and they are always very entertaining and insightful. And helped me deepen my knowledge of Japan/Japanese just like the Japanese learning ones (that people really speak). Not to mention it's nice seeing Japanese streets along with their distinctive atmosphere. Consider doing more in the future, Yuta-san!

[@Adanos_ger]

So while I would most likely have died when someone approached me like this, it was still really wholesome. Nice to see the amount of different people and cultures .. and especially that they are not worried about not speaking the language. I'm way more prone to overthinking, so that's super interesting to me. thanks for your video!

[@KingR098]

5:58 the italian switchup haha

[@azubruh8787]

the only one who said where he was first without even being asked. italian at its finest

[@avlinrbdig5715]

Wow, Yuta sure has traveled alot!

[@AriCarli]

I subcribed that italian conversation was so wholesome😭🧡

[@SKY11211213]

Yuta can speak basic Italian got me. Don't people call Yuta a chad?

[@rosiebowers1671]

I vaguely remember him saying something in French in an older video. I was impressed with his excellent pronunciation (I'm a native French speaker).

[@jame254]

Yuta's plug never gets old! 動画ありがとうございます！

[@icebergstorm]

aahhh this is what i love the most... cute, entertaining/informative street interviews... Yuta-san used to do a lot of these in the beginning... but maybe due to Covid, he has stopped doing this kind of stuff for a while until.... now... Please do this more, Yuta-san.. Arigatou gozaimashita 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@Hackbridge1963]

This has been a very pleasant video to watch. Thank you 🙏🏽🇬🇧

[@idkjustadude41]

Surprised at the fact the first that the most asked are from Philippines (my beloved country), it just shows how we love Japan and that most Filipinos want to visit there some time

[@darthhideous9084]

I mean, it's better learning Japanese than that Star Wars language y'all have.

[@idkjustadude41]

@@darthhideous9084 ok and

[@ryzikx]

@@darthhideous9084 😂😂😂???????????

[@heroichitsuji]

@@darthhideous9084 username checks out

[@perlen5227]

Surprised by that too and heck I even have Filipino relatives living in Japan.

[@SnekiNeki]

OMG the last dude who recommended to study Kanji was so cool! I mean the way he didn’t even try to avoid you and instead tried to listen to you carefully was really cool. I want to learn Japanese fluently and one day visit or consider living there for a little while. It’s such a beautiful country with beautiful traditions and delicious food!

[@matteomiller5229]

this just gives me hope man, thanks so much. Just keep doing what you're doing

[@Bergkatse2]

Mano Agapion was in Japan! I’m relocating there for 6 months this year and I’ve been trying to learn some basics before I get there…..but I’m 50 nothing much is sticking 😢

[@arthurvc79]

Use refold method to learn Japanese

[@artboy598]

The English guy towards the end with his wife/gf had the best Japanese 😆

[@aspebb]

Totally agreed

[@silverstorm1000]

They seem like a sweet couple. I like seeing the foreign guys with Japanese girlfriends who actually try to learn her language and don’t leave all the work to her to close the communication gap. I feel like too often the English speaker in those relationships won’t meet in the middle and try to close the gap.

[@teongreen5254]

I wanted him to say that the best way to learn japanese is to get yourself a japanese wife :)

[@Soreto23]

​@@silverstorm1000If you want to live in a given country, it is natural that you learn the language that exists there, regardless of your gender. First of all, it is convenient for you as well, it makes things much easier for you. it would be a bigger sacrifice if they lived in England and he learned Japanese for his partner

[@TheZenomeProject]

That guy from New Zealand is almost certainly a Dogen and Matt vs. Japan devotee. The near-native, almost robot-like pitch accent and the story of the mass immersion approach are dead giveaways. I have to say, though, that if you can't actually live in the country, the online immersion strategy works very well! Good for him for having the commitment to stick with it, and it sounds excellent, too!

[@kougamishinya6566]

Not near-native pitch accent but better than average, and his overall vowel sounds have a distinctive foreign tinge. I'm always amazed how many people say 勉強 as 頭高 though. It's by far one of the most common errors for whatever reason. Maybe because it's one of the first things people say when they early-output. Like 日本語を勉強します every time they introduce themselves and then the incorrect intonation on 勉強 just ends up as a habit. But yeah it is obvious he's an AJATT / Matt vs Japan follower. Probably a bit more reading-dominant kind of similar to how Matt sounded in 2017 before he learned pitch accent.

[@SAIMONch]

Dude, I thought that guy was Dogen at first. Bro looks like him, has the voice and even has the exact same mannerisms with those hand gestures and word choice LOL. Only problem I think Dogen is from the US

[@thomasfit3095]

From my experience, I feel like foreigners who speak English don't speak Japanese and foreigners who can't speak English can speak Japanese fluently. Of course it's just tendency and there are lots of exception.

[@maxinoume]

It makes sense. You can get by with English even in Japan so if you don't speak English you kinda HAVE to learn Japanese. If you already know English, it's easier to get complacent.

[@narsplace]

I find that out of the English speakers who do speak Japanese well are black people.

[@narsplace]

@@maxinoume I hate those people.

[@enna740]

@@narsplace same here bro. They don't respect the culture. Learning a language is about respecting the culture and enriching your knowledge. I hate people who pretend the others will speak their language even if it's not their country's. I don't care how widespread your language is, when you are in another nation you must AT LEAST do an effort to show respect towards the native citizens' culture

[@ekx5120]

@@maxinoume It irks me the most with other Romance language users. I'm French and I work in a place that receives visitors from a few places, Italians and Spaniards will always speak to me in English, when I'm pretty sure we could have been able to understand each other with a little effort and a few hand gestures. Plus the infinity of accents of non-Native English speakers makes it a bit hard sometimes. English is convenient but we actually communicate less because of it.

[@33y852]

You are the best channel that brings you closer to real Japanese!!

[@leslieshE]

I love how long the videos are because usually in videos like these people interview 5 people and that's it.

[@natakuma]

this is a very cool experiment!! i just landed in hirakata japan, hopefully i can go to tokyo and partake in these kinds of videos お疲れ様でした♪

[@J-W_Grimbeek]

1:33 song is Suiheisen by Back Number for anyone that wants the name

[@katyungodly]

The guy at 7:54 is Dogen, he's another popular Japanese KZbinr! I recognized his way of speaking immediately :)

[@StarMercurian]

I think the guy in the beany with the glasses was my favorite his voice was so calming and he had the spirit of a japanese person!❤️

[@starryshark]

So true! His voice was very soothing~

[@JonStallworth]

yessss i was waiting for an updated version of this

[@mngts]

Finally Yuta back on da streets with dat drip

[@maknyc1539]

fr

[@rachelbartlett9783]

I love your interviews. 感謝しています。🙏

[@notaroundduh]

Yuta in Shibuya IS THIS A JUJUTSU KAISEN COINCIDENCE!!!!!🫸🏻🟣🫷🏻🫸🏻🟣🫷🏻

[@MR-bp8od]

the guy in the blockbuster sweater around 7:30 seemed so kind

[@hertert7710]

Yuta your italian pronounciation is really good!

[@AnimeAngelBSR]

Thank you Yuta for doing this video! These tips help me because I really want to go to Japan as well as learn Japanese but afraid I don't have the brain power to learn nor do I want to offend anyone. Maybe and this is a huge MAYBE even move to Japan.

[@jacobhawthorne1997]

Wow Mano! That's so wild! What a good video

[@osmanylmaz9886]

Yuta dripped out man

[@Paul-yk7ds]

"Now I'm looking for a fluffy pancake, because that's the kind of person I am"

[@omenncs]

This is one of my fav videos by you sir, thank mr yuta san

[@ruipedrobessa50]

Someone from Portugal, finally 🔥

[@cube6485]

Yuta, that jacket and that look really works on you. Keep that style going.

[@narutodayo]

Wow, can't believe how many Filipinos are there! How fascinating.

[@bleromafia]

This interview wen smoother compared to the last one you did. You've improved in this hahaha!

[@ATTAproject]

Guy at 3:02 got "jouzued" in english, wow, you can see his hurt reaction lolololol

[@abbeydurkin8489]

Fluffy pancake man 😍😍😍🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻 love his energy

[@fdama]

He's a comedian. Mano Agapion.

[@Twentace]

5:51 Bravissimo Yuta!! 🇮🇹

[@YuviApp]

Love the title Yuta :D

[@darkangel8068]

I enjoy the street interviews Yuta! keep it up!

[@joshuasjapanchannel]

面白かった！

[@XDKang]

Gotta respect the guy at 7:54 for reaching that level of Japanese speaking and comprehension from studying and not living in Japan. Most foreigners living in Japan who are competent in the language are mostly so thanks to the exposure of simply being surrounded by Japanese everywhere, and their skills develop the longer they stick around, but to be that conversant in only one and a half months in Japan is simply impressive. I now totally understand what goes through the minds of the native Japanese people who compliment me on the same thing ("you've only lived here for XX no. of years and you're already so good!").

[@Soreto23]

People who live in Asian countries fall into different categories. apart from tourists, these are people who are interested in Japan or those who are much less interested and go there for business purposes. the man said that he has been studying since high school, assuming that he is about 25 years old, it seems that he has been studying for at least 7 years. With such a long experience, there is nothing unusual about giving such an interview

[@GabeWatchesAnime]

Ohhh never thought this would come back!! My first Yuta video was about this too!

[@lizc6645]

I love the way the people from Africa speak 🥰

[@savannah7375]

Great video, thanks 😊

[@Hulkeq2]

Dear mr Yuta have you seen the movie "Fear And Trembling" (starring Sylvie Testud based on a book by Amélie Nothomb) it depicts the trials and tribulations of a foreigner trying to make it in corporate Japan who was born and spent their first years in Japan to then move back to europe with their parents but later come back. I was wondering if it is depicting something common, or something rare or pure fantasy for comedic value. Cheers.

[@painiacs83]

Wow he picked up Japanese fast! Way to do it immerse yourself constantly, not easy tho

[@TheZenomeProject]

That guy studied for YEARS outside Japan. This is what the likes of Matt vs. Japan talk about when they mention mass immersion on the internet.

[@poplix2704]

@@TheZenomeProject yeah matt vs japan/refold might be the best way to learn japanese to a good level since other methods limit the amount you can learn while refold is technically limitless

[@J-W_Grimbeek]

10:50 Was hoping she's gonna say South Africa. Literally the single spot in South Africa that isn't actually South Africa

[@ジョウドなの筍]

2:49 ここはっきり"コツ"って言うた時に別のこととして理解したじゃん😂❤️

[@Nihonbunkaotaku]

From my short two week vacation back in April 2017 most the foreigners I met in Japan were tourists and the only foreigners I met that could speak Japanese were the Indian workers at McDonald’s near Tokyo Tower, Nigerians working at a clothing store in Harajuku, the Turks that a Turkish restaurant and one English man working a lot a buffet restaurant in one of the tall buildings in roppangi

[@connorvest5269]

7:13 That's Mano Agapion. I recognize him from a show called Play It By Ear, which he hosts. But I know he's an actor in other things as well! Pretty crazy to just run into him 😄

[@cranberrylangers3095]

That was a fun video!

[@Danbu1988]

Hi Yuta, I have a question. For the sake of the people who watch you who try to lean japanese, would there be a slight chance to make subtitles on your videos optional? It would be pretty helpful for listening comprehension and to see and check how much oneself understands.

[@gregorybreen7705]

In the most tourist heavy part of any country, like Shibuya, no!!!! most foreigners don’t speak the local language. But in residential areas, yes most will. Do this video in Setagaya where every foreigner I know speaks at least basic Japanese.

[@nobodyexceptme7794]

Did the Australian guy stand out because of his tan? It's funny because I never realized how light most Japanese ppl are in terms of the Asian diaspora.

[@Simple-nn7ky]

Nice experience Can you do the same for foreigners in Japan's countryside?

[@balusurisetti]

The place you chosen is tourist place that’s why most of them couldn’t speak Japanese. Next time please try in residential areas then you can find more Japanese speaking foreigners with very wide variety of backgrounds ..

[@xenoheartvisuals]

No lie, I think even just meeting Yuta will make me almost forget what little Nihongo I learned. Would be too excited and nervous all at once. 😅

[@jssmedialangs]

Could you please do a lesson on "neutral Japanese"? I've been trying to find more info on it ever since you mentioned it in one of your videos but I've had no luck. 🥲 いつかは日本に行ったらYutaさんに会えて少し日本語で話すといいです。

[@dtar3844]

The guy in the blockbuster sweatshirt works with college humor lol that was wild that you ran into him and two very specific worlds of mine collided

[@InterludeSpiral]

10:00 bro that Australian tongue hahahaha

[@UzumakiHarutoJP]

i feel shook every time i hear "kiyoto" instead of "kyoto"

[@Hehe-dl8si]

Do foreigners in japanese speak japan?

[@thomasfit3095]

Yes they do

[@marioluigi9599]

@@thomasfit3095 Urmm... no they don't. Don't lie The real question is, can they ever become Japanese? Or will they always be labelled "foreigners"? I mean in America, Obama is not considered a foreigner. Even Japanese people can be American if naturalised. But is the same true for Japan?

[@furiifouru]

Lol haha

[@destroythepatriarchy-24]

Those people looked so confused like- you’re in another country?! Before you visit another place it’s always respectful to know SOME of the language and culture.

[@a23oj28]

Bruh what... like I'm doing a chemistry course in Japan and trying to learn some before I go but there is no way I would be able to understand him speaking at that speed

[@kwicksandz]

i learned 骨こつ from this video. i had never heard this word before!

[@yamigekusu]

Yuta's coat looks really neat

[@evalja]

At 8:06 the guy who has been in Japan for ONLY 1,5 months on a working holiday visa speaks AMAZING JAPANESE! He must have been learning a lot longer than 1,5 months, I am impressed 😃

[@shylectre]

Eyyyy, it's been a while since I've seen Yuuta outside lol

[@sloweia]

7:53 ahhh love this guy's energy🤩

[@nobodyexceptme7794]

Yuta looking fresh in that jacket. Drip gawd

[@shitaisagashi]

I thought it was Dogen for a second 7:54

[@pietro6032]

Damn Yuta, this jacked fits you so well.

[@_Sisyphus]

Brilliant!

[@nicbentulan]

2nd comment: Great series of how anime characters speak Japanese. Please do Itsuki Nakano from the quintessential quintuplets or any or all the 7 main characters in TQQ. how they speak Japanese I believe is very important to understanding the plot eg the honorifics, the lost in translation stuff (eg when they say things like tsurui, hatsukoi, uso, etc that are removed from the dub). I compiled a lot of the lost in translation stuff in r/gotoubun Something to consider about Itsuki: The Quintessential Quintuplets' character types are: Ichika - Onee-san / ara ara, Nino - tsundere, miku - kuudere / dandere, Yotsuba - genki Itsuki - ?? - Tsundere like Nino? - Eat-suki? - Imouto? - Someone who speaks keigo to their siblings, to Fuutarou and to Raiha and to everyone basically? I have a theory as to what Itsuki's type is, but you're not gonna like it...

[@beovulf7241]

5:30 I could almost immediately see and hear that they were Swedish before they said it. Funny how fast you can recognize your own people.

[@gt7395]

Damn, a lot fewer foreigners in Japan speak Japanese than I thought, although the sample is limited I guess

[@TheNewGreenIsBlue]

@7:19 Best answer ever! I passed by not passing. And oh man... that guy is so engaged in the conversation!

[@FunkyBukkyo]

Just to comment, that ABC Grand Mart, got good selections. Found a pair of shoes that was sold out at the New Balance store

[@A_commenter_igues]

2:03 bro forgot about Google translate, Google translate teaches fake Japanese that I laughed so much 😂😂

[@hiroharu7565]

イマースって単語、早速使ってみます！

[@crunchmcm8780]

Your Italian is actually good.

[@Redu3]

7:20 I literally knew this dude would say LA. What a king

[@XeclipseXZ]

The LA guy was just so LA I saw it on the thumbnail and wanted to confirm lol😂

[@soyosugawara2658]

Bro I knew this is good. Idea man and keep up your channel your channel is fantastic.

[@OAnIncurableHumanist]

I would love to see this experiment done in a less major city, as I suspect more foreigners would know Japanese outside of Tokyo! But then, of course you will see less foreigners outside of the city too.

[@cstpa1]

あら! i was wonderin if a link for the foto guy would pop up lol. ナイス。

[@teach5040]

I am planning on going to Japan one day in the future and I am currently starting to learn Japanese, literally started like last week 😅

[@teach5040]

I do want to be able to speak Japanese somewhat fluently before I go, because as much as it seems most foreigners can't speak it and it's normal, but I'd hate to be in an environment where I can't speak the language

[@crystallitex6311]

How you doin'?

[@TheSuperBoyProject]

@@crystallitex6311 I'm doing all right. Things are a bit rough home I will pull through like I always do.

[@Soreto23]

get ready for a long learning journey. If anyone thinks that he will study a few months before leaving, I have to worry him, it doesn't work like that. If it is to make any sense, you have to study very intensively for at least 2 years to reach an upper-intermediate level

[@teach5040]

@@Soreto23 oh ye im fully aware it will take a long time to learn the language, i wasnt planning on being fluent within months, its going to take a while, ngl its gonna take longer now because im having issues right now, but once im good ill start back up and probably restart

[@rockinraven101]

Totally random to recognize Mano Agapion in this vid lol what a small world haha even when travelling