something i wrote on the Japanes forums

[Peregrine]

I'm disappointed in the PERSISTANT lack of English-speaking in this large Japanese corporation across two generations, let alone a global corporation. Nevermind a global one where 2/3 of their revenue comes from english-speaking regions and 3/4 of their goal revenue is set to come from non-japanese regions in 2011 per their end of 2010 investor meeting.

English is the international business language, and Japan has largely embraced and led that push. I've had several friends study abroad in Japan, and they all say there is no lack of English-speaking there ESPECIALLY in the business world.

They don't have a single significant person on the team who speaks English in 2010? That right there is a huge lack of buffer against disaster.

They have to know English. SOMEONE has to learn English. Has to. Square Enix is not going to be able to handle another decade of oursourced localization and contracted translators to take the pulse of the gaming world for them.

They've had a decade to find a videogame developer who knew English to be a big part of this project. And they don't have a single one.