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Japanese Localization

Japanese Localization

To attract Japanese customers and clients, you will have to familiarize yourself with the idea of Japanese localization. Japanese localization is the process of adapting the language, appearance, and functionality of a product or website for the Japanese market. A complex Asian language, Japanese presents a variety of unique challenges to Japanese localization professionals.

Japanese Localization

Japanese consumers are known to have high standards for the performance and appearance of products. To ensure a positive reception for your software, website, and documentation, it is a good idea to work with an experienced localization company. Your localization service provider should employ Japanese, native speaking teams of localization specialists who understand how to anticipate and solve the myriad of potential Japanese globalization issues.

Some examples of globalization (G11N) issues include:

Website IssuesLocalization Requirements
FontsDouble-byte enablement
Color schemeInoffensive colors (e.g. minimal white, which represents mourning)
ToneMore formal than English source
Date, time, currency formatsChange to standard Japanese formats
eCommerce paymentsEnable various payment methods such as bank transfers

 

Software IssuesLocalization Requirements
Time to marketTranslation memory tools help speed translation
High user expectationsTesters should be Japanese

 

Documentation IssuesLocalization Requirements
Text lengthAccommodate possible text expansion
Printing Japanese fontsEmbed fonts in PDF file for printer
Font directionDetermine if client prefers left-right or top-bottom directionality

 


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