Native Japanese Website Translation & Localization Expert

Native Japanese Website Translation & Localization Expert About the Role We are looking for a native Japanese-speaking translation and localization expert to help adapt English-language websites and marketing materials for the Japanese market. This is not simply a translation role. We need someone with a strong understanding of natural Japanese, Japanese consumer behavior, and local marketing conventions who can take existing English website copy and make it feel like it was originally written for a Japanese audience. You will work directly on Japanese website content, making translations, edits, corrections, and cultural/localization adjustments where required. Key Responsibilities Translate English website copy into natural, fluent Japanese Review existing Japanese website translations and identify unnatural, overly literal, or grammatically incorrect language Make amendments directly to website pages where appropriate Localize headlines, product descriptions, CTAs, FAQs, landing pages, and marketing copy for Japanese consumers Ensure Japanese copy feels native and commercially persuasive, rather than machine-translated Adapt tone of voice to suit the brand and Japanese market Identify cultural references, terminology, claims, or expressions that may not work well in Japan Maintain consistency in terminology across the entire website Review mobile and desktop layouts to ensure Japanese copy displays correctly and naturally Work with the wider marketing team to refine copy based on performance and feedback Flag areas where a direct translation would not be appropriate and suggest better Japanese alternatives Ideal Candidate You should be: Native Japanese speaker Fluent or near-native in English An excellent Japanese writer with a strong understanding of modern Japanese copywriting Highly attentive to grammar, nuance, tone, and word choice Comfortable editing and amending website content Familiar with e-commerce, DTC, digital marketing, or consumer brands Able to understand the difference between literal translation and effective localization Comfortable working independently and taking initiative Detail-oriented and able to spot small inconsistencies Familiar with CMS platforms such as Shopify, WordPress, Webflow, or similar is a strong advantage Important: Localization Over Literal Translation We are specifically looking for someone who understands that good localization is not word-for-word translation. For example, you should be comfortable taking an English headline or marketing message and rewriting it into Japanese if that produces a more natural and compelling result. The goal is: English meaning → Natural Japanese communication → Japanese consumer response rather than: English words → Japanese words Technical Requirements Experience with the following would be highly beneficial: Shopify WordPress Webflow Google Docs / Google Sheets Basic HTML/CSS Website content management systems AI translation tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, or DeepL You do not need to be a developer. However, you should be comfortable navigating a website/CMS and making content amendments yourself. Example Tasks You may be asked to: Translate an English landing page into Japanese. Review an existing Japanese translation and rewrite sections that sound unnatural. Change product descriptions to better suit Japanese consumers. Improve Japanese CTAs and headlines. Correct terminology across multiple website pages. Make edits directly inside Shopify or another CMS. Compare the English and Japanese versions and ensure the intended meaning has been preserved. Suggest alternative Japanese wording where the original translation doesn't work culturally or commercially. What We're Looking For We want someone who can look at a Japanese website and immediately recognize: "This is grammatically correct, but a Japanese person wouldn't actually say it like this." That level of linguistic and cultural judgment is extremely important for this role. Working Arrangement Remote Freelance / contract position Flexible working hours Potential for ongoing work across multiple websites and brands Initial project with the possibility of a longer-term relationship How to Apply Please provide: A brief introduction Your experience with Japanese translation/localization Examples of websites or marketing materials you have localized Your experience with Shopify, WordPress, Webflow, or other CMS platforms Your English and Japanese proficiency Your hourly/project rate Your availability Please also include 1–2 examples of Japanese website copy you have personally translated or localized. We are particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate that they understand the difference between translation and genuine Japanese localization.