AI is seen as a threat to professional translators. The recent advances in AI have significantly improved translation quality and made machine-generated text more natural than ever before. And yes, AI is still trying very hard to take my job. So far, I'm winning.
*Here is why AI still cannot take my job:*
That is because clients do not hire translators to translate words. They hire translators to communicate meaning. While AI has become remarkably good at generating fluent text, it still struggles to consistently understand the "real context", audience expectations, and cultural nuances.
My job begins where literal translation ends. I help businesses communicate naturally and effectively with Japanese audiences through accurate translation and localization. Rather than translating word-for-word, I focus on preserving the original intent, tone, and message while adapting content for Japanese readers.
My goal is simple: make your content feel as if it were originally written in Japanese.
So,,, what sets me apart?
• Native Japanese speaker with professional English proficiency (IELTS 8.0)
• Experience supporting English–Japanese translation projects across business, academic, and customer-facing content
• Strong attention to detail developed through accounting studies and analytical work
Clients recommended who needs to:
• English → Japanese Translation
• Japanese → English Translation
• Localization
• Proofreading & Editing
• Business & Academic Content
AI can translate words. My job is to ensure your message sounds natural, culturally appropriate, and effective for your target audience.
Feel free to reach out. I would be happy to discuss your project and suggest the best approach.
Japanese
Teaching Japanese
Translation
English to Japanese Translation
Japanese to English Translation
Writing
Accounting Basics
Hoshun M.
Tokyo, Japan
$40/hr
5.0
233 jobs
I’m Hoshun, a native professional Japanese translator and proofreader who turns large-scale Word (DOCX) / Excel (XLSX)/ PowerPoint (PPTX) / Google Document/Spreadsheet/Slide/XLIFF packages into flawless Japanese—often faster than average.
I guarantee exceptional quality at unparalleled speed for tasks that other translators might deem impossible. When quick and meticulous translations are needed, you can rely on me as your steadfast ally.
Field: General contents, Fintech, IT, etc.
**<My skills>**
- Translation, Localization (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF, Google Docs, Google Spreadsheets, Google Slides, XLIFF, json, HTML, CSS, Texts, etc.)
- Transcreation
- Transcription of Japanese (Audio and video files, mp3, mp4)
- Subtitling (SRT)
- Proofreading, checking
- Voice recording, narration, voice acting
<The platform I'm familiar with>
Crowdin
Qualtrics
Phrase
**<About subtitling>**
I can make SRT files or burn subtitles directly onto a video.
- YouTube: Bodd x Disney (Japanese Subtitles)
# Examples of my past translation projects
**<Apps>**
- Smart Meditation: A wellness app offering guided meditation sessions and mindfulness tools
- POP guide: A digital guide app providing interactive information for events, museums, or exhibitions
- 3D Modeling App: A creative tool for designing and visualizing 3D models
- QuitSure: A health app designed to help users quit smoking through behavioral guidance
- Toko: English leaning app
- Donna: AI song and music maker
- IRMO: An AI-powered art and avatar creation app for generating images and visual content
- TradingKey: A finance app offering trading tools and resources for investors
- Bodd: Automatic fitting app
- 5 Minute Pilates: Daily Pilates guide app
- Liven: Self-discovery companion app
- Ruut: Personalized running & mobility training app
- Pushscroll: Fitness motivation app replacing doomscrolling with workouts
**<Websites>**
- QuitSure: Official website for the smoking cessation app, with resources and user support
- Smart Meditation: Website for the meditation app, featuring program details and subscription options
- Makkah Digital Coin: A cryptocurrency platform providing digital coin services and blockchain solutions
- KOMOJU card: A payment gateway site offering online transaction and e-commerce solutions
- INNO SUPPS: A nutrition and supplement brand website showcasing health products
- Zact: A fintech website offering digital payment and financial management services
- TradingKey: Online platform for trading education, tools, and financial resources
- JMarkets: A financial services website focused on market analysis and trading solutions
- NEBULA: A personality‑analysis platform providing AI‑driven insights
- MyTraitsProfile: An online assessment site offering MBTI‑based personality tests
**< Books >**
- "Wonderful Day" # Publisher Kidkidos books
- "The Traveling Caterpillar" # Publisher: Kidkidos books
- "I Am Thankful" By Shelley Admont # Publisher: Kidkidos books
- "Under the Stars" # Publisher: Kidkidos books
- "Knowing Me, Knowing You - TAKE A WALK WITH ME" by Elizabeth Murphy, Ed.D.
- "If You’re not Monitoring, You’re Not Protected" By Dr. James Dean Senger
**< Games >**
- Passion Eye
- The Last Frame
**< YouTube >**
- Quantum Tech HD
- Oscar Hunt: Scaling US Retail Operations with Bodd
**< Opera >**
- Curlew River by Benjamin Britten
**<Voice over, narration>**
- P3 Dokument (Swedish Broadcasting Corporation)
**<Medical>**
- Clinical tests
- Charts
- Surgery explanations
- Cancer study
- Discussion Guide for Physicians
**<Transportation>**
- Fly Lili airport announcement (Air port announcement)
- TVM UI Translation
- Haneda Airport Parking (Terms and Conditions)
Subtitles
Japanese
Transcription Timestamping
General Transcription
Microsoft Word
Translation
Japanese to English Translation
English to Japanese Translation
Localization
Website Localization
Subtitling
Software Localization
Translation & Localization Software
Mobile App Localization
Marketing Localization
Maki K.
Sapporo, Japan
$15/hr
5.0
6 jobs
🌟WHO I HELP
Global businesses looking to understand, enter, and grow in the Japanese market.
🌟WHY WORK WITH ME?
Bridge communication gaps and help your business build stronger connections with the Japanese market.
Your business is unique, so your support should be too. I take the time to understand your goals, challenges, and target audience before tailoring my approach.
With seven years of experience in both B2B sales and sales support, I understand both the customer-facing and operational sides of business.
This allows me to communicate with customers, organize information, coordinate between teams, and keep projects moving smoothly.
Whether you need market research, localization, or business support, You'll receive reliable, business-focused support that helps you make informed decisions and move your business forward with confidence.
🌟WHAT I OFFER
✅️ Market Research for Japan
• Customer review analysis
• Competitor research
• Market and consumer insights
I help identify customer needs, market expectations, and opportunities relevant to the Japanese market, drawing on my experience in both B2B sales and customer support.
✅️ Japanese Localization
• Website & Marketing Localization
• Messaging that resonates with Japanese audiences
I create clear, natural Japanese content tailored to different audiences and communication goals, supported by my experience as a private tutor.
✅️ Business Support & Virtual Assistance
• Customer communication support
• Email management
• Scheduling and coordination
• Administrative support
• Sales support
• Document preparation
I provide reliable business support that helps busy professionals stay organized and focus on what matters most.
With experience in both B2B sales and sales support, I understand how to prioritize tasks, coordinate communication, and help keep your business running smoothly.
✅️ Cross-Cultural Communication Support
• Communication support with Japanese partners
• Helping avoid cultural misunderstandings
I help businesses navigate differences in expectations, communication styles, and business practices, drawing on my experience living in Southeast Asia and working across cultures.
✅️Local Perspective from Hokkaido
Based in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan, I bring a local perspective and an understanding of everyday life and culture in Japan.
🌟NEXT STEP
What challenges are you facing in the Japanese market?
Let's bridge the gap together!
Japanese
Market Research
Product Review
Virtual Assistance
Japanese to English Translation
Data Entry
Sales & Marketing
Academic Writing
Customer Support
English to Japanese Translation
Communications
Google Workspace
B2B Marketing
Microsoft Office
Computer Skills
Koki S.
Tokyo, Japan
$100/hr
5.0
78 jobs
As a TOP RATED PLUS consultant and one of the leading matcha sourcing experts on Upwork, I specialize in one thing: building world-class Japanese matcha supply chains for ambitious international brands.
Finding a reliable, high-quality supplier in Japan's hyper-competitive market is the single biggest challenge for global brands. I solve this problem.
Based in Tokyo, I am your strategic partner on the ground. My background is unique: with over a decade of experience as 10+ years in corporate finance and strategic planning at a major Japanese national news organization, I bring expert-level investigation, analysis, and high-level communication skills to every project. This allows me to uncover producers and build the critical relationships that are inaccessible through simple online searches.
My service is a complete, end-to-end solution for your brand's foundation:
* Strategic Sourcing & Market Analysis: Identifying the right producers who align with your brand's quality, volume, and budget.
* Supplier Vetting & Quality Assurance: Ensuring certifications, product quality, and export-readiness meet your exact standards.
* Bilingual Negotiation & Relationship Management: Handling all communications in Japanese to secure the best possible terms and build strong, long-term partnerships.
* Logistics & Export Coordination: Managing the entire process from placing the order to final shipment.
My 100% Job Success Score and history of successful, high-value matcha sourcing projects (as detailed in my portfolio) are your guarantee of a professional, results-driven process.
If you are serious about building an authentic and profitable matcha brand, you need a true partner in Japan. Let's discuss how I can build the supply chain that will become the foundation of your success.
Buying
Sourcing
Product Sourcing
Price & Quote Negotiation
Project Management
Research & Strategy
English to Japanese Translation
Japanese to English Translation
Online Research
Artificial Intelligence
Contract Negotiation
Supply Chain Management
Logistics Coordination
Ecommerce Product Export
Call to Action
Hiroki Y.
Sendai, Japan
$10/hr
5.0
7 jobs
Hello!
I am a native Japanese speaker, born and raised in Japan, currently based in Miyagi Prefecture.
I specialize in Japanese-related tasks such as voice recording, proofreading, localization, translation review, and cultural feedback. Since I live in Japan and use Japanese in everyday life, I can help make your content sound natural, accurate, and culturally appropriate for Japanese audiences.
I am also familiar with Japanese youth culture and modern subcultures, including anime, video games, manga, internet memes, social media trends, and influencers. This allows me to provide practical insights into how Japanese people, especially younger audiences, actually communicate and respond to content.
I also have an academic background in law, particularly Japanese constitutional law, as well as bookkeeping-related qualifications. I am happy to consider projects related to these areas.
I am committed to responsible work, meeting deadlines, and maintaining smooth communication. I respond promptly, communicate clearly and concisely, and always aim to deliver high-quality results.
Please feel free to contact me. I would be happy to help you achieve great results.
Japanese to English Translation
English to Japanese Translation
Proofreading
Data Entry
Localization
Subtitling
Audio Transcription
Email Communication
Accuracy Verification
Quality Control
Editing & Proofreading
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Excel
Japanese
Audio Recording
QA Testing
Data Annotation
Data Labeling
Fumio L.
Akita, Japan
$30/hr
4.9
123 jobs
I am a highly experienced English to Japanese translator and localization specialist with over 20 years of professional translation experience. I help businesses, law firms, and organizations communicate clearly and effectively with Japanese audiences through accurate, culturally appropriate, and natural translations.
My expertise lies in translating complex documents that require precise terminology and deep subject-matter understanding. I specialize in legal and technical translation, where accuracy, clarity, and consistency are essential.
Areas of specialization:
• Legal Translation
Contracts, agreements, compliance documents, corporate policies, court filings, and legal correspondence.
• Technical Translation
Engineering documentation, user manuals, product specifications, patents, and technical reports.
• Medical Translation
Healthcare materials, pharmaceutical documentation, and medical reports.
• Business & Corporate Translation
Business documents, presentations, reports, and professional communications.
• Website Localization
Adapting website and digital content for Japanese audiences while maintaining cultural and linguistic accuracy.
What you can expect when working with me:
• 20+ years of professional translation experience
• Expert knowledge of legal and technical terminology
• 100% human translation — never machine translated
• Natural, fluent Japanese suitable for professional use
• Strict confidentiality and attention to detail
• Reliable communication and on-time delivery
Throughout my career, I have supported multinational companies, law firms, technology providers, and startups by providing accurate and dependable translations that help them succeed in international markets.
If you are looking for a reliable English to Japanese translator who understands the importance of precision, professionalism, and cultural nuance, I would be happy to assist with your project.
I look forward to the opportunity to work with you.
Translation
Proofreading
Japanese
English to Japanese Translation
Japanese to English Translation
Japanese Sign Language
Teaching Japanese
Legal Translation
Medical Translation
Technical Translation
Writing
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