Should all Japanese directly address foreigners in Japanese ?

[nhk9]

I think the issue of Japanese speaking English to western looking foreigners stem from a few factors:

The OP did not discuss the number of western looking foreigners who are actually fluent in Japanese. I don't have the stats, but I wouldn't be surprised that those who can't speak (a word of) Japanese comprise of the majority. This is not America where we are used to seeing East Asians speaking in perfect English. Back in the wild west 100 years ago the cowboys probably had to ask Chinese railway workers whether they spoke English or not, simply because there were few who could speak it.

Another factor lies in the culture thinking of "meiwaku". They think that it's a meiwaku to ask the foreigner to speak in their language, since they would have to learn it, which is a "tough" task. They feel that they shouldn't be asking so much from the foreigner; rather, the hosts of the country should speak their visitors' language so to make them feel more at home. The Japanese feel that it is their job to not let the foreigner visitors feel troubled.

[genmai]

I think the issue of Japanese speaking English to western looking foreigners stem from a few factors:
The OP did not discuss the number of western looking foreigners who are actually fluent in Japanese. I don't have the stats, but I wouldn't be surprised that those who can't speak (a word of) Japanese comprise of the majority. .... They feel that they shouldn't be asking so much from the foreigner; rather, the hosts of the country should speak their visitors' language so to make them feel more at home. The Japanese feel that it is their job to not let the foreigner visitors feel troubled.

1. Do you like Japanese thinking for you?
Ex: In a store, the staff may think...'Ah, a 'foreigner' (stereotype), he can't speak Japanese. Thus, I must speak English to him. Wait, do I even know if he speaks English? Oh, well 'all foreigners' must speak English (stereotype).'
2. I think in this day and age it is hard to tell where someone comes from. Yet the Japanese continue the trend of 'westerner stereotyping' to the fullest degree.
3. In most 'western' countries I don't believe they try to guess the nationality of everone they meet, then try to speak that language. They just speak their native language. It is up to the visitor to communicate in the language of the country they are in. Japan may be a different case due to their history with the US and their already ingrained stereotyped behavior, yet they do not take the 'easy' route, speaking Japanese, they take their own route.
4. I have rarely had a 'normal' conversation with a Japanese citizen. Most just lack common sense. As soon as most of them see a 'foreign' face they immediately change into robot, idiot mode. They speak bad English, rude Japanese, and use gestures. They don't care and won't ask if you understand or can speak Japanese/English, etc. Of course they'll tell you they can't speak English yet keep stuttering on in their clipped tone. If they CAN'T speak English, then don't keep trying. The Japanese language is based on rank and politeness, yet they display none when speaking to 'gaijin.' Bowing all the while the saying 'sank you' and 'haaro' don't quite cut it.
5. People come to Japan for many reasons. So, why do the Japanese think we are all tourists who can not speak any Japanese? Is this one of the lovely reasons to think for us and try to use 'English'? Some people come here to work, study, live, etc...We wan't to speak Japanese, yet the locals won't engage (because they don't know how, or have been mis-guided by society, school, parents.)
6. It is a complex situation....yet as noted many times before, it can be simple. Just speak your own language in your own country. If you need to speak another language if asked by a visitor, they do so if you can.
When Japanese come to the US, do Americans try to speak Japanese? No, of course not. Japanese expect to speak English when they visit an English speaking country. Thus, why is it any different when we visit Japan? If we save thousands of dollars, plan heavily, fly across the ocean, enroll in school, get a job, study hard.....why can't we 'practice' our Japanese in Japan. Of course we can try, only to get hit with rudeness, crap English, gestures, or 100 mile an hour native Japanese. Oh, and ask them to repeat or slow down, you just get the good ol' broken English reply or pointing.
If the Japanese feel that it is their job to not let foreign visitors feel troubled, then just answer the questions that are asked in the language that they are asked in. If I say "Ikura desu ka?" Don't reply "twoooo hundoredo satee en" Just say "nihyaku sanju en". If I say "How much is it?" Just say "250 yen." If you don't understand English, that's not your problem, that's MY problem. I should use Japanese.