Nova, Japan’s huge chain of english conversation schools, has been trying a new ad campaign recently. The evil corporation has spread to all corners of Japan and now has schools at almost every train station, is trying to convince Japanese people that they need to learn a foreign language. Here is a summary of their new commercial:

Two Japanese guys who don’t think they would have any practical use for a foreign language are watching TV.

A news report comes on TV. An official announces that a horrible disaster has struck Japan and that Japan will be evacuated. All Japanese people will move to other countries.

Scenes of horrible disaster as Japan sinks into the sea. Oh the humanity.

The two guys look shocked. Text saying “You should have gone to Nova(It would have been good if you went to Nova)” appears.

Watch it here.

So there you have it. The commercial is supposed to be a joke, but it hits at a major issue: most Japanese people will probably go through their whole life without being required to use English. For some Japanese viewers, the hypothetical situation presented in the commercial is the most realistic situation in which they would be forced to use a foreign language.

What do you think is the most likely event that would result in most Japanese people being required to use English? The Japanese government allowing more immigrants, or Japan sinking into the sea? To be honest, I’m not sure.