In addition to the current translation agency service, I have launched a new service to “develop the ability to do translation yourself” and provide educational support to achieve speedy and natural translations in your work by making the most of AI translation such as ChatGPT and DeepL.
Self-driven Translation Skills Development Program
Support for implementing AI translation
From the use of ChatGPT and DeepL prompts, to how to incorporate them into practice. We can also customize for industry-specific terminology and expressions.
Practical translation training
Learn how to translate daily email correspondence, contracts, manuals, product descriptions, and other documents to create “natural and understandable” translations.
Enables in-house handling without worrying about outsourcing costs and deadlines. In-house translation capabilities reduce costs and time.
Method of service provision
Step 1｜Current situation analysis hearing
・Hearing about the translation tools in use and the nature of the work to be translated
・Confirmation of current English proficiency, IT literacy, and knowledge of industry terminology
・Diagnosis of appropriate AI translation usage
Step 2｜Support for introduction of AI translation tools
・Lecture on ChatGPT and DeepL settings and usage
・Provide examples of prompts suitable for translation and how to use them
・Support for creating a glossary (My Glossary for terminology unification)
Step 3｜Mid-term practical translation training
・Exercises using business e-mails, contracts, manuals, etc.
・Explanation of the process of “AI translation” → “adjustment to human-like expressions
・Confirmation of English by ChatGPT and incorporation of native expressions
Step 4｜Feedback & Continuous Support
・Individual feedback on translation results (e.g., once a week)
・Periodic review of translation prompts and settings
Variation of offering format
・1-on-1 online session
・Simple plan with materials and templates provided only
Q&A
Q: Which would be more cost-effective: “continue to use AI translation” or “improve English language skills to avoid using AI translation”?
A: A cost comparison of the two approaches leads to very different conclusions from a short-term and a long-term perspective. If short-term cost reduction is the focus, relying on AI translation is more immediate and requires no initial investment. If the goal is to reduce total costs over the medium to long term and to make it an internal asset, it is overwhelmingly more advantageous to improve English language skills. Especially for foreign-affiliated companies and companies looking to expand overseas, the availability of in-house English language self-starting capability directly affects mid- to long-term competitiveness.
🔍Cost Comparison Chart: AI Translation Dependence vs English Improvement
| Perspective | Continue to rely on AI translation | Improve your English skills and run on your own |
| Initial cost | ○Almost zero (only tool usage fee) ○No training required | ✖Need to invest in materials and learning time ✖May temporarily reduce work efficiency |
| Short-term labor cost | ○Efficient (get translations immediately) | ✖May take time to understand context without translation |
| Translation quality risk | ✖ Always risk of mistranslation of proper nouns and tone | ○Can make decisions and adjustments on own ○Can write sentences in line with internal terminology and company culture |
| Learning and training costs | ○ No or minimal training required | ✖ In-house training, TOEIC preparation, and other educational programs required |
| Long-term translation costs | ✖ Continuous human check of AI output → accumulated labor costs | ○No need for translation costs (can eventually run on its own) |
| Flexibility of response | ✖ Limited by urgent meetings and phone calls ✖ Translation takes time | ○Enables real-time response ○Immediate response across time zones possible |
| Future promotion and overseas expansion | ✖ Limitations in promotion and overseas business trip support | ○Flexible response to promotions, job changes, and internationalization |
| Internal human capital formation | ✖ Knowledge does not accumulate and tends to belong to a particular person | ○English language skills become an asset and know-how remains within the company |
🔍 Overall evaluation (cost and return perspective)
| Time horizon | AI translation-dependent evaluation | English Proficiency Improvement Evaluation |
| Short-term | ◎Low cost and immediate effect | △Education cost and inefficiency |
| Medium-term | △Accumulated correction work for translation quality | ○Efficiency improves in the growth stage |
| Long-term | ✖Limitations due to dependence on translation, high risk of becoming dependent on a third party | ◎Can run on its own, almost zero cost |
Q: Is it okay to have zero English proficiency when using AI Translation?
A: As it turns out, there are some difficulties if you have “absolutely nothing” to work with, but once you get the basic points down, you can use AI translation quite effectively even if you have little or no English ability.
🔍 Situations where AI Translation can be used even with zero English proficiency
・Translation of short sentences and standardized expressions (e.g., “We will send you a delivery note.”)
・Creating and reading simple English emails
・Understanding the contents of websites and documents at a glance
DeepL and ChatGPT are quite accurate, so as long as the “Japanese to be translated” is well defined, natural translation is possible even without English proficiency.
🔍Tips for making the most of AI translation even with zero English
① Write Japanese “simply” and “subject and predicate” clearly.
✖ “How is that thing from yesterday going?”
○ “Please give me an update on the progress of the materials you requested yesterday.
② Prepare “translation templates” for phrases often used in business.
(e.g., confirming delivery dates, sending invoices, inquiring about inventory, etc.)
③ Check the AI translation results by “back-translating”.
Check if the meaning can be understood by converting back from English to Japanese.
④ Ask ChatGPT “Is this English natural?”
It also provides corrections and explanations, so it is a great way to learn English.
Q: Please tell me about industries and occupations where AI translation can be utilized even with zero English proficiency.
A: List of industries and occupations where AI translation can be used even with zero English
| Industry / Job Type | Reason / Key Points |
| Trade Administration (Import/Export) | Frequent use of fixed phrases makes it easy to handle with AI translation templates. Documents like INVOICE and PACKING LIST follow consistent formats. |
| Sales Support for Overseas Sales (Sales Assistant) | Tasks such as order confirmation, delivery date notifications, and quotation creation are standardized and manageable with AI translation. |
| Customer Support (Email Correspondence) | If FAQs and manuals are translated, most inquiries can be handled. Responses can be templated, requiring little English skill. |
| E-commerce Site Operation (International Market) | Product descriptions, inquiries, and shipping notifications are mostly fixed-format. AI translation + brief checking is sufficient. |
| Purchasing/Procurement in Manufacturing (Overseas Sourcing) | Although there are technical terms, communication patterns are repetitive and suitable for AI-assisted translation. |
| Customs and Logistics Administration | Terminology and formats are well-defined. AI can help check customs documents and shipping instructions. |
| Technical Manuals / SOP Development or Translation Check | These texts often have rigid sentence structures. Literal translation using AI still works effectively. Accuracy is more important than nuance. |
| HR/General Affairs Communication with Overseas Offices (Limited Scope) | Documents like work rules or contracts follow patterns and can mostly be handled with AI translation support. |
🧠 What are common characteristics?
Jobs that can easily take advantage of AI translation have these characteristics in common:
・Many routine interactions
・Can use past examples and templates.
・Less need for emotional nuance and creativity
・Following the rules” is more important than expertise.
🚧 Conversely, positions that require attention
・Precise translation of legal documents
・Marketing copywriting (sales text)
・Situations requiring interpretation/immediate respon
What are the marginal business areas for AI translation?
A: Below is a list of business areas where AI translation is likely to have limitations, the reasons for these limitations, and specific solutions.
| Business Area | Reason for Limitation | Solutions & Supplementary Measures |
| Legal / Contract Translation | Each word has legal implications; mistranslation can result in contract invalidation or lawsuits. AI lacks understanding of legal systems and precedents. | Review by legal translation professionals. Use of glossaries and contract templates. |
| Medical / Life Sciences Translation | Heavy use of technical terms and abbreviations. Misinterpretation can impact patient safety. Regulatory documents are especially sensitive. | Review by medical translation specialists. Combine AI with a well-maintained terminology database. |
| Finance / Financial Documents | Misinterpretation of terms or numbers can cause legal and financial risks. Expressions vary by region. | Review by finance domain experts. Tailor translations to regional standards. |
| Marketing / Advertising Copy | Cultural context and emotional appeal are crucial. Literal translation fails to convey brand message. | Human localization adapted to target audience. AI can be used for rough drafts. |
| Literary Translation (Poetry, Novels) | Difficult to replicate metaphors, tone, and cultural nuances. AI lacks appreciation of aesthetic elements. | Translation by skilled literary professionals. Use AI only as a reference. |
| Film / Game Localization | Requires preserving character voices, tone, and world-building. Humor and sarcasm are especially difficult for AI. | Done by specialized localization teams. AI may assist in initial drafts. |
| International Negotiation / Contracting | Requires reading between the lines and understanding cultural subtleties. AI struggles with negotiation strategies. | Handled by experienced negotiators. AI can assist in preparation or reference materials. |
| New Market Development / Global Project Leadership | Coordination with multicultural teams and cultural sensitivity is essential. Misunderstandings can derail projects. | Assign culturally competent personnel. Use AI for research and document prep. |
| Strategic Consulting / R&D | Needs precise understanding of abstract concepts and domain-specific terms. AI struggles with contextual depth. | Human experts handle communication. AI can assist in data analysis and drafting. |
| Translation of Humor, Sarcasm, Emotional Expressions | Highly dependent on cultural background and context. AI cannot grasp emotional nuance. | Human translators with cultural insight. Use AI as a supplementary tool. |
| Confidential / Security-Sensitive Documents | Using online AI tools risks data leaks. | Use on-premise AI systems or secure, certified translation providers. |
| Long / Complex Documents | Difficult to maintain coherence and context across long texts. AI may miss nuance or continuity. | Use human post-editing for finalization. AI can be used for drafting. |
Conventional translation support is also available upon request.
Real-Time Translation
We can communicate with overseas clients and individual customers in English on their behalf. We can respond to a variety of methods, including chat, social networking services and email. From routine correspondence to negotiations, I can provide a quick and accurate response in business English.
Time-Sensitive Translation
We provide translations of various contracts and manuals. We can also provide translations of product names specific to Japan and for SEO purposes.
Translation Service Flow (Real-Time Translation)
The above is a real-time translation service based on the client’s business type. Time-Sensitive Translation is also available on spot basis. Please feel free to contact us.