The vast majority of elementary school teachers are not trained or prepared to teach English.  But they will be mandated to teach at least 35 hours at the 5th and 6th grade level by 2011.

Many schools have already implemented some English education, mostly focusing around international awareness and taught by foreign assistant English teachers.  The Japan Times reported in detail some of the expectations and objections of Japanese elementary school teachers about the mandate.

The increased hours in elementary schools coupled the reluctance of teaching English has put an extra load on foreign assistant English teachers.