Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book explores the concept of the native speaker as it stands within in the literature before moving on to present a sociohistorical analysis of Japan's relationship with the native speaker of foreign languages. It focuses on Japan and a mapping of the sociohistorical foundations of Japan's relationship with the native speaker of foreign languages is documented. The book shows the extent, and at what points, language attitudes within Japan have been shaped by native speakers of foreign languages such as Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and English. It demonstrates how particular forms of native-speakerism are embedded in Japanese language teaching and raises some possible future directions for post-native-speakerist practices in Japan. The book presents project data collected pertaining to English language teachers' views on native-speakerism-in-context. It examines how the Japanese language skills of foreigners are perceived and addressed by the government.