A study examined the factors shaping English language education within the Japanese public education system and the attitudes of Japanese learners toward the pronunciation of English, first in an overview and then within the context of a case study of an adult Japanese student. The first section discusses the status and instruction of English in Japan, including characteristics of "Japanized English," which is based on the use of English loanwords spoken by Japanese people among themselves, the effect of learning four Japanese writing systems before English orthography is encountered, classroom practices, and norms for English usage within social groups. It is concluded that listening and speaking skills are governed by Japanized English within the Japanese system of syntax, with type and frequency of use governed by group norms. The subject of the case study was a middle-aged Japanese professor of linguistics on sabbatical in the United States attending undergraduate lecture courses in linguistics. His use of English language skills, learning strategies, and pronunciation patterns were investigated and the effect of Japanized English on comprehension of academic lectures was analyzed. Background information on the subject and a 21-item bibliography are appended. (MSE)