Strengthening Collaboration with IT Channels and Advancing Global Digital Transformation –
Yaraku Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Sakanishi Yu; hereinafter referred to as Yaraku), the provider of Yaraku Translation, a computer-assisted translation tool (CAT tool*) equipped with generative AI, is pleased to announce that as of July 16, 2025, Kenzo Oiwa has joined the company as an executive advisor.
Mr. Oiwa possesses extensive knowledge and practical experience in the fields of translation, security, and digital transformation (DX), and has led both domestic and international companies in strengthening collaborations with IT channels and creating value in the translation sector. In the future, we will be responsible for more broadly communicating the value of Hachiraku’s products and services, as well as developing new channels and promoting sales strategies in the IT industry.
※CAT tool = Software designed to streamline translation workflows and enhance quality by enabling human translators to work with machine translation (MT), translation memory (TM), and terminology management—ensuring efficient and high-quality translation through human–AI collaboration.
Background of the Appointment and Future Outlook
Earlier in his career, Mr. Oiwa was involved in the deployment of “ATLAS,” a translation software solution operated on Fujitsu mainframes, where he supported the automation and efficiency enhancement of translation workflows. He notes that the core process of “pre-editing → translation → post-editing” has essentially remained unchanged to this day, and its importance is being increasingly recognized.
Drawing on insights gained through decades of experience, Mr. Oiwa will help articulate the unique value of Yaraku’s hybrid translation support tool within the broader context of enterprise digital transformation (DX).
“Being given the opportunity to return to the world of translation feels like destiny. I hope to support the growth of a young company and, in doing so, contribute to the digital transformation and global expansion of Japanese businesses.”
Mr. Oiwa will also lead efforts to strengthen partnerships with both domestic and international IT distributors and resellers, with the aim of promoting DX solutions centered around translation.
Advisory Role and Contributions to Yaraku
As Executive Advisor, Mr. Oiwa will serve as a bridge between Yaraku and the broader IT ecosystem. Leveraging his extensive network and industry expertise, he will help expand Yaraku Translation’s market reach via IT channels and resellers.
His mission includes redefining the role of “translation”—a process often overlooked—as a critical element in digital transformation. He will work to establish a value proposition that enables IT partners to naturally integrate Yaraku’s solutions into their offerings.
In an era where free translation tools are becoming ubiquitous, Mr. Oiwa will also help articulate the advantages of paid solutions—namely quality, operability, maintainability, and data security—for corporate users with high compliance standards. His contribution will include developing persuasive sales messages and proposal materials to support IT partners during client engagements.
In addition, based on his extensive past experience, Mr. Oiwa will lead initiatives to raise awareness of translation as an “essential infrastructure” within IT channels. Through this, Yaraku aims to position translation not merely as a tool, but as a core component of enterprise-wide DX systems.
Profile of Mr. Kenzo Oiwa
Over a span of more than 30 years at major multinational IT corporations, he has held key positions including Sales Director, General Manager, and Country Manager. He has been at the forefront of developing IT channel strategies and driving digital transformation, with a focus on cloud computing and security sectors.
He has held various executive positions, including Executive Officer at Symantec Japan, Inc., Director of Consumer Business at McAfee Japan, Ltd., Senior Executive Officer at Lenovo Japan Ltd., and Representative Director at Acronis Japan Co., Ltd.
Leveraging years of experience in the IT industry and an extensive network, we are engaged in support activities at the intersection of translation and DX, aiming to redefine the social value of translation assistance tools that utilize generative AI.
Born on February 11, 1960, in Fukuoka Prefecture.
About Yaraku Translation
Yaraku Translation is a next-generation translation assistance tool (CAT tool) that utilizes generative AI and combines machine translation with human review to achieve both efficiency and quality. In addition to conventional CAT features such as centralized management of translation memories (TM) and glossaries, it is equipped with advanced translation assistance functions including flexible paraphrasing suggestions and context-aware adaptations powered by generative AI.
It is being utilized for translation tasks involving internal documents, press releases, contracts, and public relations materials in corporations and local governments. In particular, it is being increasingly adopted by small and medium-sized enterprises facing challenges with multilingual support, as well as in settings where both speed and accuracy are required.