#Japan #Tokyo #Bizmates #Eiken #English Training

Strategic Partnership between Bizmates and EIKEN Foundation

Bizmates, a Tokyo-based company specializing in online business English conversation services, recently announced a significant partnership with the EIKEN Foundation of Japan, which aims to transform the landscape of corporate English training. Under this new agreement, effective from December 2025, Bizmates will manage two crucial assessments designed to measure practical English skills in the business setting: the GCAS (Global Competence Assessment for Speaking) and the CEST Business (Cambridge English Skills Tests for Business). This collaboration sets the stage for a new developmental model that merges EIKEN's expertise in measurement with Bizmates' nurturing capabilities. Together, they aim to make the effectiveness of corporate English training visible, contributing to enhanced personnel development strategies and the sophistication of human capital management.

The Current Need for Practical English Skills

In today's global business environment, merely speaking English is no longer sufficient. To succeed, professionals must possess practical English skills that enable them to engage effectively in negotiations, presentations, and management situations. According to the EF Education First's 2024 EPI (English Proficiency Index), Japan ranks 92nd among 116 countries in English proficiency. This highlights the urgent need for a qualitative shift in corporate English training methodologies.

In line with the Japanese government's Global Talent Development Strategy, there is an increasing focus on developing multifaceted skills beyond mere language proficiency, including communication abilities, initiative, flexibility, and cross-cultural understanding.

Bizmates' Tailored Solutions

Addressing these growing demands, Bizmates offers targeted developmental programs through its Bizmates platform. The service is distinctive for delivering one-on-one lessons conducted by trainers with real-world business experience. This approach not only enhances language proficiency but also strengthens essential business skills such as leadership, cross-cultural communication, and negotiation techniques, ensuring that participants attain practical English skills necessary for real-world results.

Currently, Bizmates collaborates with over 1,500 corporate clients, providing customized solutions tailored to each company's unique challenges and human capital management strategies. By combining online conversation training with cross-cultural understanding seminars and evaluation tests, Bizmates delivers a diversified training framework. As investment in human capital becomes increasingly prevalent, the ability to quantitatively measure training outcomes and improve programs is gaining prominence.

Establishing a Development Cycle

With the backdrop outlined above, Bizmates' partnership with EIKEN is poised to revolutionize how practical English skills are assessed and fostered. The GCAS and CEST Business tests will facilitate the creation of a global human resource development cycle that emphasizes 'nurturing → assessing → improving' strategies, resulting in objective visualization of training outcomes supported by quantitative data. This transition is expected to propel high-quality English training further, leading to better preparedness for global business challenges.

This collaboration aims to deepen contributions to corporate human capital management and global talent strategies, reinforcing a pathway for businesses to thrive in an interconnected world.

Comments from EIKEN Foundation

The EIKEN Foundation has expressed enthusiasm about partnering with Bizmates, recognizing the alignment of their mission to promote practical English skills within the business sector. The high compatibility and synergistic effects between Bizmates' specialized programs and EIKEN's internationally recognized business English assessments like GCAS and CEST Business will broaden opportunities for corporate adoption and ultimately contribute to the development of professionals capable of excelling internationally.

Bizmates' Vision for Growth

Bizmates President Nobuaki Suzuki emphasized the significance of this partnership in enhancing their mission of enabling more business professionals to engage globally. By incorporating EIKEN's practical English proficiency tests into their services, they aim to create a structure that allows businesses and participants to visibly recognize training results and further facilitate growth.

About EIKEN Foundation

The EIKEN Foundation of Japan, established in 1963, is committed to supporting lifelong learning by evaluating English language proficiency and providing varied learning opportunities. They develop and manage a range of assessments aimed at promoting practical English skills, including the widely recognized EIKEN tests and the GCAS speaking assessment.

Conclusion

The partnership between Bizmates and the EIKEN Foundation marks a pivotal step in the evolution of English training for corporate personnel, aligning educational methodologies with the demands of a rapidly evolving global business landscape. As companies continue to navigate the complexities of international markets, tailored solutions in language development will be crucial for cultivating a skilled workforce equipped to meet diverse challenges.

For more information on Bizmates and their innovative solutions, visit www.bizmates.co.jp.