A bit to the side of the topic, but I've never had trouble getting Japanese people to speak Japanese to me. My problem was more that I'm nowhere near fluent, so I could often ask questions but not understand the replies. Mostly people seemed impressed/appreciative of me even making an effort, which gave me the impression that a lot of foreign tourists don't even try to learn more than a few words. Though there's also the cultural factor of encouraging people for making an effort, period.

I'm not putting down the tourists who don't attempt it. I've gone to countries knowing nothing more than "Hello." The only reason I've tried to learn Japanese at all was that I realized after the first time that I'd be coming back. I find languages extremely difficult and wouldn't put in that level of effort for a short one-time visit.