People often ask should they be spending their time focussing on learning written Japanese, or should they focus on getting fluent in the spoken language? The simple answer is, it depends.
Here is the thing. Learning Japanese characters is difficult, particularly if you have no experience with anything other than the Western alphabet. There are three completely different writing systems, Kanji, Hiragana and Katakana (not to mention that the Latin alphabet is also often used for things like Pepsi or NATO). In particular Kanji is thought to be the most difficult aspect of Japanese to learn. There is no way to sugarcoat the amount of time needed to be able to become proficient. It’s a big involvement.
However, for many people, learning Japanese characters, particularly Kanji, can be both rewarding and enjoyable. There can be a sense of amazement when learning such an intricate system that is so different from what they are used to. And there is a great feeling to understand the written language behind the spoken word.
I hear you ask, how is this relevant to you?
Well it depends on what you want out of your Japanese study.
If you are going on a short holiday to Japan, the basic spoken word should suffice; most important signs will have an English translation anyway. In fact it has been often said that you can get by in Japan on short trips with just English and a phrasebook.
If you are going for a bit longer, or want to gain more of an understanding of the Japanese language, then finding some balance is probably appropriate. At least learning how to read Hiragana and Katakana, as well as basic Kanji would probably suit your purposes. Most Japanese language software packages try to find that balance to ensure you will be able to speak and communicate, but also know the basics of the written word.
That said, if you really want to gain a full understanding and appreciation of the Japanese language, and have the time to learn it, it is likely you will find studying Japanese characters an engaging and rewarding experience.
At the end of the day, its all about looking at your own motivations and deciding what is best for you, good luck!
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