Japan Archives - Shourai Ltd.

10 Reasons Why You Should Consider Website Translation

frederic — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 04:58:29 +0000

10 Reasons Why You Should Consider Website Translation – There will be a point in your business life that you would want to expand, not just locally but internationally. One thing that could be a great hindrance in doing this is the language.

To fit into the global market, as a business owner, you must adjust and be diverse. One way in doing so is getting your website translated into the global language which is the English Language or a multilingual website that depends on your target customers.

Based on the article written by Patrick Regan, there are ten (10) great reasons to translate your website and these are the following:

1. You want to expand your brand reach.
Targeting multilingual and global markets is a great way to sustain company growth, and localized websites are the best way to reach them. They’re key for:

Drumming up brand awareness
Educating potential customers, distributors, or partners about your brand and its offerings
And providing engaging customer experiences by serving new customers in their preferred languages

2. Your brand is gaining popularity abroad.
Sometimes your reputation precedes you, and your brand takes off in a new market unexpectedly. If you discover an unexpected overseas interest in your products or services, keep the momentum going by translating your website. This shows your appreciation for your new customer base and gives them a platform to directly engage with your brand.

3. You already do business abroad.
If you’re already conducting business beyond your domestic market, it’s a best practice to provide localized information and support for international customers. Customers are far more likely to do more business with your brand when they can read product descriptions, understand shipping and payment options and transact in the language they’re most comfortable in.

4. Your competitors aren’t doing it—yet.
Having a translated website can differentiate your brand from the competition. Entering into a new market before your rivals can help you gain market share faster, and empowers you to set the standards for quality and services that your competitors will have to meet later.

5. Your competitors are already doing it.
Your competition may already be serving online customers in their preferred languages. To be relevant in those markets, you should translate your website, too. Luckily, there are translation solutions that get you in new markets fast, with brand-perfect translations that can give you an edge in UX and customer experience.

6. The law demands it.
Sometimes translation is more than just a best practice. In some markets and industries, it’s a legal requirement. Failing to meet these regulations won’t just result in lost business, but in penalties and fines, too.

7. The data suggests it.
Examine your website analytics. Besides your domestic market, where else is visitor traffic coming from? Are global visitors spending time navigating your site, or are they bouncing? Are they converting? Can they convert? Answering these questions with analytics data can reveal untapped markets that can be better served with multilingual websites.

8. You want the SEO benefits.
Your website is more than a platform for customers to engage and transact with your brand. You also reap SEO benefits from online content, which boosts search rankings and organic traffic. Multilingual websites multiply these benefits. The translated content is full of SEO-rich keywords that greatly help with discovery when users search in their preferred languages.

9. You want a boost in traffic and revenue.
Global users who can’t read your website won’t find you, and if they don’t find you, they won’t convert.

Making your content available in new languages will attract new customers, grow your website traffic, and ultimately lead to conversions. Conversions need not be limited to on-site transactions. Even non-transactional websites benefit from translation in the form of completed contact forms, informational downloads, and phone calls to sales reps.

10. You want to deliver a world-class customer experience.
Giving your multilingual and global customers an authentic online experience is the best reason to translate your website and can incorporate any or all the reasons above.

When you want to make new customers aware of your brand, support offerings you already provide, or do a better job of serving a market than your competitors, you do so by giving customers a CX that’s just as good as your origin websites. Your customers don’t just deserve that stellar experience—they expect it. Don’t let them down.

If you need help with digital marketing services such as website and mobile development, SEO, Lead generation, and other IT Services, Shourai can help. Send us a message here or email us at info@shourai.io

For more articles, click here.

Reference:

>https://www.motionpoint.com/blog/10-great-reasons-to-translate-your-website/

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Top 3 Marketing Strategies To Help Your Business Grow: Japanese Market

frederic — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 07:29:28 +0000

There are many different types of marketing strategies that are designed to achieve different goals. You might wonder what will actually work best for your business. Below are the marketing strategies that might help your business grow.

1. Be authentic and Incorporate Culture

According to an article from Jtb Communication Design, “Japanese marketing strategies are built around staying true to your own culture… By embracing your own culture, you can enhance your marketing by attracting an international audience to your events in the same way. Getting a large, international audience to attend promotional events is the most effective way to market your product or business to possible clients from around the world. ”

Also, to connect with consumers, you have to learn and speak their language especially if you’re a foreigner. It is a legal requirement to contain some Japanese in even if it is a foreign advertisement.

“For example, KitKat’s localized Japanese name – “Kitto Katto” – sounds like “Kitto Katsu,” an inspirational Japanese phrase that means “you will surely succeed.” The brand capitalizes on this by releasing a special exam season product each year. The strategy is so successful that it’s now an annual tradition with 50% of students receiving KitKat bars as motivational gifts before university entry exams begin.

KitKat also created over 300 limited-edition varieties (like wasabi and melon). Some of these are seasonal, but others are unique to specific Japanese regions. They’re based on the fruits and food from specific areas and aren’t necessarily found elsewhere.

KitKat’s limited-edition strategy builds hype for the brand. Its regional localization, meanwhile, establishes an emotional connection with Japanese consumers. The result has made KitKat one of Japan’s favorite products.” –Wordbank

2. Updated Technology System | Advertising

The generation today is already into modern technologies including mobiles and computers.

In addition, “Despite being a bit behind the Western world on social media, Japan is now making huge advancements when it comes to social media marketing. This ever-changing form of marketing has really taken off in the last few years and has quickly become an integral part of its marketing strategies. It’s the most efficient way to reach a larger audience, making it a powerful form of international marketing…” as mentioned in Jtb Communcation Design article.

However, avoiding print like magazines and newspapers is one of the disadvantages. You also have to consider the avid paper readers particularly the seniors in Japan.

3. Build Relationships

“Relationships are important in business—especially in Japan, where individuals are defined by their social context. Business cards are exchanged at the meeting to establish identity and connection. You will need to build relationships with your Japanese counterparts: get to know your team which will consist of interpreters, translators, copywriters, and other experts. It’s unlikely you’ll achieve your goals without the buy-in from these local point people. Consider reaching out to affiliate marketers, too, to increase awareness with influential thought leaders.” stated Matt Schneiderman.

In order for a business to win the hearts of the consumers, it is always best to consider many types of marketing strategies. These are just some of the strategies that you might have to consider. There are still a lot and by reading and researching, that would actually help you choose what’s best for your business.

For more articles, please click here.

References:

*https://me.jtbcom.co.jp/blog/2576.html

*https://blog.btrax.com/8-marketing-mistakes-to-avoid-making-in-japan/

*https://www.wordbank.com/us/blog/international-marketing/marketing-to-japanese-consumers/

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Japan’s Daily Life: Effects of COVID-19

frederic — Fri, 26 Jun 2020 02:26:41 +0000

The effects of COVID-19 in Japan’s Daily Life— When tourist visits Japan, the first thing that they will notice is how clean and hygienic Japanese are. It is said that the Japanese life is full of precautions. Good hygiene is good health; therefore, the coronavirus pandemic did not change much of their daily lives.

Japanese use hand sanitizers or alcohols, wear masks, and maintain cleanliness all the time. They are also very obedient in terms of government policies. They took precautionary measures and stayed home even before government declared a health emergency.

An interview with a soft engineer named Ahmad stated that “People felt like the anti-virus measures were already part of their routine and continued their lives but there has been less mobility since the outbreak started,”

City Life to Countryside

More Japanese are thinking of moving from urban to rural areas. This is just one of the effects of the coronavirus that comes in their minds. To avoid crowded places, to seclude themselves might be a better plan to be safe.

A resident from Tokyo mentioned in an article published by Deutsche Welle, “I was thinking of escaping to one of the islands south of Tokyo and setting up a small hotel that catered to foreign visitors,” He is considering this idea and has been encouraged by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The Impact of the Outbreak

The KYODO News released some updates and highlights in regards to the coronavirus safety and precautions:

“As of 11 p.m., Saturday, June 13 (Japan time)

Operators of nightlife establishments will have to keep a record of their customers’ names and contact information and ensure social distancing rules as part of measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus, according to guidelines released by the government on Saturday.
Karaoke fans in Tokyo got a taste of the “new normal” for singing in a karaoke box on Friday, the first day after business closure requests for such establishments were lifted following a sharp fall in new coronavirus cases.
Japan’s pro baseball and football leagues are set to resume later this month after being derailed by the coronavirus pandemic, finally bringing sports spectating back into daily life — albeit in a different fashion
The novel coronavirus pandemic has hampered pilot training programs overseas, with the aviation industry in Japan bracing for a shortage of pilots in the near future.
Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp. will cut more than half of its 2,000 workforce as part of restructuring amid a plunge in demand due to the coronavirus pandemic and repeated delays in its development of Japan’s first passenger jet, a source close to the matter said Friday.”

In addition, Japan enforced measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. One of these is denying entry of travelers from 111 countries and regions for the safety of the whole country.

The coronavirus might not affect much of Japan’s daily life but there are changes that is happening and are about to happen. The health damage is relatively low but the economic and social damage is significantly high.

As of today, there are 18,110 total cases with recoveries of 16, 320 and fatality of 968. Active cases is 822 and 58 are in serious condition. For live updates, click here.

Shourai Coronavirus Articles:

3 Ways to Help Your Business In The Midst of Coronavirus Outbreak
The effects of COVID-19 in Japan’s Daily Life

For more articles, click here.

References:

https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-more-japanese-to-swap-urban-life-for-the-countryside/a-53854362

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/-covid-19-did-not-change-much-in-japan-s-daily-life-/1819015#

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/06/9b4086db3a78-coronavirus-outbreak-latest-june-13-2020.html

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2020/05/24/commentary/japan-commentary/time-face-real-risks-posed-covid-19/#.XvQITmgzbIU

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/06/18/national/japan-talks-ease-travel-curbs-four-countries-says-abe/#.XvVQvGgzbIU

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries

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Embracing Culture Diversity: In Work Aspects

frederic — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 08:31:22 +0000

Today, understanding each individual and recognizing difference such as the dimension of race, ethnicity, and gender is becoming less of an issue in the corporate world. Though these have positive views, there are still criticisms and some are still very sensitive about this issue.

In 2017, minority groups in Japan began changing their views in terms of the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) topics. An article from Japan Times states, “From the progression of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Womenomics agenda, to the passing of legislation to protect individuals against bullying based on gender identity and sexual orientation, Japan is beginning to make strides in the equality arena.” This might still take some time to be resolved since the country has been very slow to make progress in gender equality. A deep-rooted perception and unconscious bias against women in the workplace still exists and is difficult to eliminate. As of 2018, the world economic forum ranked Japan as 110th in gender equality.

The government and private sectors is taking numerous actions to make the Japanese workplace more diverse and inclusive. In fact, it has been observed that there are changes in people’s thinking and in labor market in having a greater diversity and inclusion.

It is also mentioned in Japan Times that “Younger people are more receptive to the idea of working with people of different nationalities and cultures, according to a recent online survey. Companies such as Fast Retailing and Mercari have such cosmopolitan workforces. With well-respected global companies such as Fast Retailing and Mercari — one of the few former unicorns originating in Japan — leading the pack, we can expect more people to become receptive to a diverse workplace.”

Moreover, Leland Gaskins, a book author, suggests that, cultural differences in Japan have solutions to get through with these problems.

In his book, “Step Up: Overcoming Cross-Cultural Differences Between Japanese and Western Business people,” Gaskins provides a roadmap for understanding when and why these disconnects arise and for figuring out how to work effectively in diverse environments, in spite of different values and different communication styles. The comparison of the Japanese and Western approach to different aspects of work and problem-solving is also discussed in the book.

Will Japan become a truly diverse and inclusive society?

Even though Japan is not that open and friendly to different countries and cultures, they are still trying to resolve this issue. Some of the companies and even the citizens are now embracing culture diversity.

Diversity makes for stronger teams and better business: the more diverse, the more growth. The dilemma that Japan faces may now have a solution and might be overcome soon.

References:

Time to make diversity and inclusion a reality

How To Overcome Cultural Differences In Japan With “Step Up” By Leland Gaskins

Japan: Growth through diversity

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Japan Technology: Translation Apps

frederic — Sun, 14 Jun 2020 13:49:13 +0000

Do you have plans in visiting Japan but afraid to communicate and interact with the locals because of the language barrier? It’s the right time to get rid of that fear. Japanese phone technology successfully created translation apps for your convenience.

There are a lot of translation tools that became available that can be used not only by foreigners visiting Japan but to all people who are interacting with other nationalities in their work and even in their daily activities. According to the article posted in Live Japan, the three best website-based translation tools are Excite Translator, Google Translate, and Bing Translate.

Aside from the website-based tools, there are also camera translation apps. Some of the best visual tools that use a camera app are Google Translate Camera mode and Microsoft Translator. All you have to do is open the application, take a snapshot of the sign and trace area of the text that you want to translate or you can also just choose the real-time mode wherein you have to align your camera to the text and then it will be automatically be translated.

One great example of the camera translation app is the “Payke”. It is a mobile shopping assistant for foreign visitors. Masaru Ikeda, an author in Bridge website wrote “Founded in Naha, Okinawa in November of 2014, Payke launched the mobile app a year later. Designed for foreign visitors shopping in Japan, it can display product information in 7 languages (English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Thai, and Vietnamese) by simply scanning the barcode of what they want to check. Foreign visitors to Japan make up more than 95% of the app’s users, and it has been downloaded approximately 700,000 times (as of August 2018). Summed up with third party services using Payke’s multilingual product database via API, the company’s platform is now being used by 3.4 million people in 132 countries (as of September 2018).”

Moreover, a voice recognition function that allows converting word into text has also become available nowadays as well as a speech synthesis function that converts the text back into audible speech and sends this sound signal to a speaker. These technologies are currently progressing globally.

Business owners who plans to market their businesses internationally often let digital experts to translate their Japanese website into English. This is one of the most common reasons why they need people or agencies like Shourai.It is an Information Technology consultancy who can fulfill their needs.

References:

https://livejapan.com/en/in-tokyo/in-pref-tokyo/in-tokyo_train_station/article-a0003251/

https://web-japan.org/trends/11_tech-life/tec120126.html

https://thebridge.jp/en/2018/09/payke-jpy1b-funding

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Japan: Tokyo Olympics 2020

frederic — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 09:21:31 +0000

Olympics started in 1896 and were cancelled three times ever since it began. This was cancelled once because of World War I in 1916 and twice during World War II in 1940 and 1944. It is a set of international sports competitions that happen once every four years. Japan hosted the event three times in the past (Summer Olympics 1964, Winter Olympics 1972, Winter Olympics 1998) and this year summer 2020 was supposed to be the fourth.

A lot of Japanese react to the postponement of the Olympics which was supposed to be held in Tokyo this July 2020. The event was postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

According to the interview with IOC President Thomas Bach by Dan Roan, a BBC sports editor, “You cannot forever employ 3,000 to 5,000 people in an organizing committee; you cannot have the athletes being in uncertainty.” In March 2020, the OIC was questioned by the athletes why the games were not postponed sooner. “The developments were so fast that you could not know what would happen tomorrow,” the OIC added in the interview.

It was also mentioned that the organizers have no Plan B. The Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told IOC president Thomas Bach that 2021 may be the “last option” for the Tokyo Olympics.

He also said that everything is still at risk and it will still depend on how the world will look like next year for them to decide whether the Tokyo Olympics will push through. “We are relying on the advice of the World Health Organization. We have established one principle: to organize these Games in a safe environment for all the participants. Nobody knows what the world will look like in one year, in two months.” he added.

Japan and other countries are still fighting against COVID-19 outbreak. As of today, in Japan alone, there are 1,386 active cases, 894 fatalities, and 14,650 recoveries. It has 6,467,333 active cases, 382,766 fatalities, and 3,078,403 recoveries worldwide.

Reference:

Japan at the Olympics.(2020, June 3). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_at_the_Olympics

Roan, D. (2020). IOC’s Thomas Bach accepts Tokyo Olympics would have to be cancelled if not held in 2021. BBC. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/52747797

Roos, D. (2020). When World Events Disrupted the Olympics. History. Retrieved from https://www.history.com/news/olympics-postponed-cancelled#:~:text=Since%20the%20opening%20of%20the,II%20(1940%2C%201944).

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Digital Marketing in Japan

frederic — Fri, 22 May 2020 07:55:29 +0000

Japanese companies in this recent time still prefer to use traditional method of marketing, thus making them far way behind the digital age. These companies still use marketing kits such as but not limited to magazines and flyers. Most of them do not heavily invest in digital marketing which requires significant amount of time and especially money. It does not affect them since their companies keeps on growing and undeniably getting continuous profits.

The digital transformation efforts will be a long term process but will become one of necessities anytime soon. Many of the Japanese companies show interest in entering new markets and motives to expand not just domestically but internationally. This will encourage them to enhance and elevate their marketing strategies by converting or at least consider the digital world.

Entering the digital world can largely benefit them to communicate well with foreign consumers. One example is having a website displaying their services or products with an English translation. They can also make online payments to make it more convenient. Lead generation is also done digitally and can make it easier to approach business and consumers. Another is by creating a video advertisement which can also promote their brands in different social media platforms that is being widely used by people around the world.

Digital marketing in the Japanese market has a high potential to be in demand in the next couple of years. Japan is the third largest consumer market that will mostly stay on top and can undeniably expand quickly.

Does your business needs digital transformation? Contact Shourai now at info@shourai.ios

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