Interesting. They're one of a few Japanese companies that have taken this step. Bridgestone did the same back in 2013. Fast Company (owner of Uniqlo), did the same in 2012, and the president doesn't mince any words about it in the interview. Rakuten took it to extremes and declared that any employees without improved English abilities in 3 years would be fired. There was some attrition, but overall it seems to have met with success. For a country with declining English skills, I'd say this is a very brave push by these companies, but also very necessary if they want to attract top international talent (which they will need with that rapidly declining population). And necessary for Fast Company and Rakuten if they want to expand outside of Japan, for the same reasons.