Japanese English

What often confuses foreigners in Japan isn’t Japanese—it may be Japanese English.

Once you start living here, you’ll run into a whole ecosystem of almost‑English expressions.

Many Japanese people use them confidently because they appear in major media and even on NHK.

Sometimes an NHK announcer presents these terms with the air of someone introducing a revolutionary concept, even though it’s just pseudo‑English.

A few highlights:

“Government hunter”

NHK recently started using this to describe officials licensed to shoot wild bears.

To native speakers, though, it sounds like someone who hunts the government, not wildlife.

“Business carer”

Intended to mean someone who works while caring for aging parents.

To English speakers, it sounds like a corporate consultant who helps you optimize your career.

“Working carer” would be far clearer.

“High nose”

Used to describe someone—usually a Westerner—with a tall or prominent nose.

The first time someone tells you “You have a high nose,” you may wonder what on earth they mean.

But rest assured: it’s a compliment.

Many Japanese people feel self‑conscious about having a “low” (small) nose.

And these are only the beginner‑level examples.

Once you’re here, you’ll encounter plenty more wonderfully odd English inventions—enough to keep you entertained for a long time.

Japanese English

What often confuses foreigners in Japan isn’t Japanese—it may be Japanese English.

Once you start living here, you’ll run into a whole ecosystem of almost‑English expressions.

Many Japanese people use them confidently because they appear in major media and even on NHK.

Sometimes an NHK announcer presents these terms with the air of someone introducing a revolutionary concept, even though it’s just pseudo‑English.

A few highlights:

“Government hunter”

NHK recently started using this to describe officials licensed to shoot wild bears.

To native speakers, though, it sounds like someone who hunts the government, not wildlife.

“Business carer”

Intended to mean someone who works while caring for aging parents.

To English speakers, it sounds like a corporate consultant who helps you optimize your career.

“Working carer” would be far clearer.

“High nose”

Used to describe someone—usually a Westerner—with a tall or prominent nose.

The first time someone tells you “You have a high nose,” you may wonder what on earth they mean.

But rest assured: it’s a compliment.

Many Japanese people feel self‑conscious about having a “low” (small) nose.

And these are only the beginner‑level examples.

Once you’re here, you’ll encounter plenty more wonderfully odd English inventions—enough to keep you entertained for a long time.