Translating Japanese Sustainability and ESG Reports into English

Many Japanese companies publish an integrated report (統合報告書) or sustainability report (サステナビリティ報告書) and want an English version for overseas investors, customers and rating agencies. A good translation keeps the numbers, tables and terminology exactly consistent with the Japanese original and with the company’s other English disclosures, while making the narrative read naturally in English. Start early, because these reports are long and often finalised late; share a glossary and last year’s English version; and plan a review by someone who knows the business. This guide covers what’s in these reports, key terms and how to plan the translation.

What these reports usually include

• A message from top management (トップメッセージ) and the company’s purpose and value creation story (価値創造プロセス).
• Environmental data: greenhouse gas emissions (温室効果ガス排出量, often by Scope 1, 2 and 3), energy, water and waste.
• Climate-related risks and opportunities (気候関連のリスクと機会).
• People: human capital (人的資本), diversity, health and safety, training.
• Governance: the board, committees, executive pay and compliance.
• Materiality (マテリアリティ): the issues the company considers most important.

Translation challenges

• Consistency with other disclosures. Names of segments, products, targets and frameworks should match the English annual securities report, IR materials and website. See translating IR materials into English.
• Numbers and units. Tables, footnotes, fiscal years (〇年度) and units such as t-CO2e must be checked carefully.
• Management messages. Japanese CEO messages can be modest and formal. A literal translation can sound stiff, so agree how natural the English should be.
• Katakana terms. Words like サステナビリティ, ダイバーシティ and エンゲージメント look English but can be used differently. See katakana loanwords.

How to plan the translation

1. Share last year’s English report and a glossary, or let us build one.
2. Send sections as they are finalised rather than all at once at the end.
3. Mark which numbers and tables may still change.
4. Have someone in the business review the English, especially targets and claims.
5. Allow time for layout, because English text is often longer than Japanese.

For slides and summaries, see translating presentation slides. For websites, see translating a website.

How Hanabuddies can help

We translate integrated reports, sustainability reports and ESG web pages between Japanese and English, working from your glossary and past documents. Our translations are uncertified. We don’t verify data, provide assurance or give ESG, legal or accounting advice. It starts with a free consultation.