In Japan, the TOEIC exam is practically a rite of passage for job seekers and career changers. For many, a high TOEIC score opens doors—so it’s no wonder the test has become big business. But in recent years, it’s also become big news for all the wrong reasons.
Lately, there’s been a surge in so-called “proxy test-taking” scandals, where someone hires another person—a ringer, if you will—to take the exam on their behalf. The headlines this spring were particularly striking: a graduate student at Kyoto University was arrested for taking the test in someone else’s place, and dozens of people who hired him or used the same shady services were also charged.
According to the news, entire networks of brokers operate on social media, advertising things like “guaranteed high scores” and “you’ll never get caught!” Since a TOEIC score can make or break a job or study abroad opportunity, desperate clients fork over tens of thousands of yen for the chance to outsource their exam—and their integrity.
In May 2025, a Chinese national studying at Kyoto University tried to take the TOEIC for someone else. AI-powered facial recognition and vigilant test staff quickly caught on. The police traced his application records and payment transfers, uncovering about forty clients linked by the same address. Several of these clients were formally questioned and charged with inciting document forgery and other crimes.
It’s easy to see why a high TOEIC score is tempting, but I have to wonder: does cheating really pay off? Wouldn’t your boss eventually notice if your English doesn’t live up to your impressive score? I can’t help but imagine some awkward office moments—“Wait, I thought you spoke English?”
On a side note, there’s a familiar refrain in Japan that “Japanese people can’t speak English because our education system is terrible.” Personally, I don’t buy it.
In my view, there are two main reasons Japanese people struggle with English.
First, Japanese and English are worlds apart in terms of grammar and structure. The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) actually ranks Japanese as a Category V language, the toughest for English speakers to learn. There’s even an asterisk next to Japanese in their rankings, saying “Languages preceded by asterisks are usually more difficult for native English speakers to learn than other languages in the same category.”
In other words, the feeling is mutual, English is one of the hardest languages for native Japanese speakers, too.
Second, there’s simply no pressing need for English in daily life here. Sure, a high TOEIC score is a nice boost when job hunting, but most Japanese people can get through life—and even academia—without ever having to use English. Practically every textbook, from psychology to medicine, is available in Japanese translation, so students can become experts in their fields without mastering English.
And yet, if so many people are willing to pay serious money to cheat on their English exams, maybe the stakes are changing. Maybe English is becoming less “optional” in Japan. But honestly, I hope we never reach the point where you can’t get by in your own country without a foreign language. There’s something wonderful about living in a society that’s self-sufficient in its own language.
For what it’s worth, I took the TOEIC once, just out of curiosity, without any practice or preparation. My score? 920, far from perfect, I know.
