Japan’s booming economy, large consumer market, and cutting-edge technology make the country an attractive market for international corporations. A major obstacle to international trade is the language barrier. There is a significant language barrier that visitors and would-be entrepreneurs in Japan must overcome.
A 2019 survey found that Japanese speakers’ proficiency in English had dropped to the low 50s on a global scale. The Japanese economy has lagged behind its Asian and developed-country counterparts despite the Ministry of Education’s acknowledgment of the importance of English-language skills in the modern economy.
Employing Native Speakers is a Powerful Tactic In Japan; it is common practice to employ native speakers with extensive experience with Japan’s language and culture.
Foreign companies doing business in Japan must find ways around the language barrier by adapting their strategies to the Japanese language. See how below:
Strategies to Overcome Language Barriers in Japan
Hiring Local Language Experts
Employing Native Speakers is a Powerful Tactic In Japan; it is common practice to employ native speakers with extensive experience with Japan’s language and culture. These experts make communicating with partners, clients, and customers in the target language and culture easier by translating, interpreting, and providing insight into cultural norms and differences. As a result, foreign companies can better establish solid relationships with local counterparts while minimizing the potential for miscommunication.
Engaging Professional Translation and Interpretation Services
Professional translation and interpretation services can help foreign companies communicate with domestic customers. These services provide accurate translations of legal and business documents. You can find someone if you need an interpreter for a meeting, negotiation, or presentation. Trustworthy language service providers who focus on corporate translations and are fluent in the vocabulary and culture of the Japanese market must be enlisted for this mission.
Investing in Language Training
Workers who work in Japan or with Japanese coworkers will benefit greatly from any investment in language training. Employees can improve their communication and rapport with local stakeholders by taking language courses or hiring tutors to help them learn Japanese. Basic language knowledge is enough to establish credibility with Japanese business partners.
Utilizing Technology Solutions
Overcoming language barriers is made easier with the help of modern technology. Apps that translate and teach new languages, text-to-speech, and voice-to-text programs are invaluable resources for international companies. Ordering supplies, holding meetings, and answering customer questions are all made more effortless with the help of these devices. To avoid miscommunication and maximize efficiency, use technology developed with the Japanese language in mind.
The Smarter Way to Launch a Business in Japan
SME Japan offers comprehensive incorporation and administration services for foreign firms looking to enter the Japanese market. Establishing a presence in the Japanese market and managing operations there is where we shine. We also help with business licenses and applications, marketing and media support, startups, exit planning and strategic consulting, office rentals and mergers and acquisitions, IT and telecom, and more.
With SME Japan as your one-stop shop, you can concentrate on expanding your company while we take care of the paperwork and aid you through the special difficulties of doing business in Japan. The lawyers, corporate secretaries, certified public accountants, tax consultants, and immigration experts on our team are conversant in Japanese law and the intricacies of doing business in Japan. SME Japan can be counted on as a dependable partner when looking to grow your business in Japan.
"Otsumami" - a bite size snack:
Hiring local language experts who are native speakers can greatly enhance communication with partners, clients, and customers in Japan, ensuring a smoother business experience and minimizing the potential for miscommunication.
