Japanese–English translation: a checklist before you order

A good Japanese–English translation reads as if it was written in that language. Getting there depends as much on what you send the translator as on the translator. Use this checklist before you order.

1. Decide who will read it

A contract, a product page and a speech need different language. Tell the translator who the readers are, what you want them to do, and whether the tone should be formal, friendly or technical.

2. Send the final version

Changes after translation cost time and money, and edits made in two languages drift apart. Wait until the source text is signed off, and send the editable file (Word, Google Docs or a spreadsheet) rather than a PDF or screenshot where you can.

3. Share context and key terms

• Product, service and brand names, and whether they should be translated.
• Any glossary or earlier translations you want to stay consistent with.
• Images, layouts or links that show where the text will appear.

4. Translation or localisation?

Translation carries the meaning across. Localisation also adapts details for the reader: dates (2026年10月4日 versus 4 October 2026), addresses (Japanese addresses run from the largest unit to the smallest), names (family name first in Japanese), units, and cultural references. For marketing and websites you almost always want localisation.

5. Leave room in the design

The same message takes up a different amount of space in Japanese and English, and Japanese line breaks follow different rules. If the text sits in a fixed layout, such as a brochure, an app screen or a slide, check it again after translation.

6. Be careful with machine translation

Machine translation is useful for getting the gist. For contracts, marketing, websites and anything customers will read, it often gets politeness levels, subjects and nuance wrong, because Japanese leaves a lot unsaid. Have a fluent human translate or at least review it.

7. Check official requirements

If the translation is for an official application, such as a visa, a university or a government office, check whether they need a certified translation or a particular format before you order.

8. Plan a final review

Ask someone who knows your business to read the finished translation in context, on the page or in the document, and send questions back to the translator rather than editing directly.