3 Best Practices For Successful Japanese Localization

It is said that communication is the key to every relationship- even business ones! If you are looking forward to expanding your business in the Japanese Localization market, economic data would tell you to go for it. After all, what’s not to love about the third-largest consumer market in the world? The existing language barrier should not be a deterrent, especially in this period of the 21st century. However, this blog is for you if you are still struggling to adapt.

How to get the best results from Japanese localization

The Japanese crowd is a tough nut to crack if you haven’t done your homework- translating your product word for word will not be appreciated. Without a lack of thorough effort, you may find yourself unable to win the attention, let alone the trust of your target audience. Now we of course don’t want that to happen, but do you know how to prevent it?

Here are 3 factors to remember to ensure the best results.

1. Adapt design and imagery

Did you know that Japanese text is 20-55% longer than English? While localising your website from English to Japanese, make sure to align fonts and text boxes accordingly to maintain a neat look without having to cut down on the information available.
Moreover, imagery in the East and the West are not the same. In American culture colours for branding are chosen on whether they give your business a unique look. On the other hand, in Japan, colours may be chosen based on their symbolism. For example, red symbolises luck and blue stands for peace.

2. Understand the customer’s psyche

The quintessential Japanese customer is characterised as risk-averse, which is because of a culture where long-term brand loyalty is the norm- the relationship goes beyond just buying and selling a product. Moreover, Japan is on the lower end of the spectrum for English proficiency. If your localization is not thorough- maybe you made a mistake in the format for writing addresses, or used machine translation tools- the customer will be avoidant of doing business with you.

3. Localization goes beyond text translation

As a smart businessman, you must already realise that there are many differences between the East and the West- a one size fits all approach just won’t work. To make Japanese Localization effective, you need to pay attention to not just translating the text, but also fitting all other parts of your business model for this new market. For example, while most businesses in the West use PayPal, Japanese customers are not yet accustomed to a cashless system, so keep options such as cash on delivery available.

How to choose a good Japanese Localization service provider:

Successful English-to-Japanese localization can take both crucial time and effort that may have been utilised elsewhere. Especially when you are not familiar with the insider secrets to best localization practices, making the most of limited resources is not possible. The solution to this problem is to hire a professional freelancer or a language service provider. Plenty of options are available for your every Japanese Localization need, but how do you choose the best?

1. A transparent quality-checking process

The challenges to Japan’s localization are plenty- but not every professional knows how to tackle each of them. Making errors in translation can make you lose out on precious time as well as raise business costs. To ensure the best result on the first try, the company you hire should have a well-defined quality assurance process.

2. Native speakers and subject matter experts

With 3 different scripts, Japanese is already a difficult language to master. The task becomes even more complex when you consider the different dialects arising from different regions such as Hokkaido, Kanto, Kyoto, Kyushu and Hachijo. That’s not all keep in mind that the Japanese vocabulary also follows a strict distinction between formal and informal dialogue, with no flexibility for mistakes. With such a high linguistic standard, it is best to choose a company that works with native speakers who have both experiences as well as expertise in the subject.

3. Reviews and references

At the end of the day, what you see might not be what you get. The best way to get in touch with the professional you need is to ask someone who has been in the same position as you. Before sealing the deal go online to check out positive and negative reviews.

Finding a Japanese Localization service provider can be tricky. But with the right help, you can go from being a domestic company to a global player. Don’t restrict your opportunities- with MoniSa Enterprise you need not look any further. With a team of proficient linguists trained in over 250 Asian and major European languages, MoniSa Enterprise offers accurate translation and Japanese Localization services at affordable rates. Not convinced? Check out the official website to know more.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ):

1) Why is Japanese Localization considered difficult?

One of the biggest challenges for Japanese localization service providers is the lack of exact translations in the English language. For example, the word Kawaii is popularly translated into English as “cute”. However, simply cute does not cut it- the word is used for things ranging from a baby to a flower, an article of clothing or even stationery.

2) Why is Japanese Localization different from other languages?

While most languages have a script and vocabulary which is derived from another language, Japanese is not a part of any language family. A misconception may exist that Japanese is derived from Chinese; however, the two languages have no genetic familiarity. Moreover, the Japanese language comprises 3 different scripts, namely Kanji, Hiragana and Katakana.

3) What is the first step to localising my webpage for Japanese readers?

The first step for successful Japanese Localization for your website is to understand the objective for localization. There are several possible objectives such as expanding into a foreign market, building customer loyalty, or increasing sales and customer retention. Make sure to communicate and stick to this objective when outsourcing the job.

4) Can I use Google Translate for Japanese localization?

Google Translate is one of the most used CAT (computer-assisted translation) tools on the market. What makes using it even more viable is that it is free and easily accessible. However, for accurate Japanese localization services, you should go for a professional- either a freelancer or a language service provider.

5) What is the biggest advantage of localising for the Japanese market?

As of 2023, the Japanese market is the third-largest among all other Asian markets. Successfully utilising Japanese Localization services means an opportunity for your business to get familiarised with the Asian economy and expand into other countries around the globe.