This policy analysis will explore the prevalence and purpose of compulsory practical English courses for students across all faculties in universities in Japan. Special attention will be given to English courses taught in two non-English major colleges within a large private Japanese university in Western Japan, which since their inception have been partially outsourced to external education institutions. The first part of this analysis will explore the broader social, cultural, political, and economic context of compulsory English courses in Japanese universities. The second part of this analysis will critically examine the policy of compulsory English courses regarding the role of teachers at Japanese universities and identify opportunities for positive change. This analysis should be particularly insightful for anyone teaching or designing curriculum for English language courses in a Japanese university, especially those who are less familiar with the policies and broader contextual forces that affect their classrooms.