How to Expand Your Reach with Japanese Translation Services

We all know Japan as the land of manga and anime. Characters such as Pikachu and Gudetama have been immortalised in global media. The success of these franchises is not just because of how lovable they are, but also because of good marketing. Indeed, Japan is often known as a land of fresh opportunities and is a gateway to expanding your business into the Asian economy. Let’s get to know why Japanese translation services are necessary for a business.

3 reasons why Japanese translation services can expand your business: Buying and selling go hand in hand, but what facilitates this exchange is speaking a common language. Entering the Japanese market is a great way to expand your business to the rest of Asia, but mastering the Japanese language is your first step to success. Here are 3 reasons why : 1. The Japanese Culture of consumer loyalty The Japanese are people who value consumer loyalty and will furiously stand by their choice among different brands. However, to win the trust of this audience, it is important to reciprocate their effort. It is necessary to invest your time and effort into properly translating all documents and infographics regarding your product. Moreover, sharing the language helps build a unique connection between the seller and buyer. Keep in mind that since Japanese people are looking for a long-term business partnership, rather than a surface-level transaction, proper language helps your customer communicate their needs. Making mistakes in Japanese translation can be a reason why your customers change to another brand. With perfect Japanese translations, you are one step closer to guaranteeing customer loyalty, and hence one step closer to building a network that values your product and values your business. 2. Translation vs Transcreation Stepping into the Japanese market helps you understand why Japanese translation can often be interpreted as “translationese”. In other words, translationese is when the word-for-word translation of a text leads to an ungrammatical or awkward-sounding result. This will be a problem seen not only in Japan but also in many other Asian markets. Since you might be used to a different culture in the West, getting familiarised with Asian calendar events, holiday habits, family traditions and more can help avoid translationese. Rather than simply translating your product from one language into another, incorporating aspects of Asian culture and tradition gives you the power to transcreate. Transcreating means “Translation + Creating” and refers to adapting your message and product pitch altogether. For example, while in the West Christmas is considered to be a family event, while New Year’s is more about letting loose and having fun, the opposite is true in Asian countries. Familiarising yourself with such differences is why Japanese translation services can ensure your success while expanding your business. 3. Understanding the Asian demographic While Japan is just one of the several countries representing the Asian population, the power it holds lies in this same statement. The Asian market is unique from the Western market in two key areas. Firstly, while in countries such as the UK and the USA, baby boomers refer to people who are currently in their 50s and 60s, the boom in the Asian population is much more recent. Hence, the baby boomers in the East refer to people who are currently in their 30s and 40s and at the peak of their consumption cycle. Targeting this growing population starting with one country can be your key to success. Secondly, the Eastern economy has not suffered from the same economic shocks and recessions as in the West, which makes it a commercially profitable market. Now what we are about to say next must be already apparent to you. Without good communication, you simply cannot relate with your target audience! Why Japanese translation services are important, is because they help you understand the purchasing wants and cultural restrictions of your targeted customer profile. By connecting with the demographic in Japan, you are taking a step towards understanding the Asian populace as a whole. Source : How to Expand Your Reach with Japanese Translation Services