Five Translation and Interpretation Companies Issue a Joint Statement on International Translation Day

September 30 marks International Translation Day, a United Nations–recognized observance established to highlight the essential role of translation in society and to promote its value worldwide. To mark the occasion, five translation and interpretation companies issued a joint statement declaring that “translation is vital social infrastructure that supports inclusive societies.”

In recent years, translation has become indispensable not only for accelerating global business, but also within Japan as society undergoes significant changes. With a growing population of foreign residents, the rapid increase of inbound tourism, and the expansion of foreign labor, translation now plays a critical role across key social infrastructure sectors such as construction, healthcare, disaster response, and transportation.

The statement emphasizes that translation is far more than the act of converting one language into another—it is a social function with profound significance. Through this joint message, the participating companies aim to reaffirm translation’s value to society as a whole.

International Translation Day was originally established by the International Federation of Translators in honor of St. Jerome, who translated the Bible into Latin. It was officially recognized by the United Nations in 2017.

Key Messages of the Joint Statement

• Translation plays a vital role in ensuring people’s safety and fostering coexistence.
• By issuing this message collectively, translation companies demonstrate the societal value of their work.
• Translation is a fundamental social infrastructure that supports safety, security, and inclusion.

Growing Demand for Translation in Japan

With more foreign residents settling in Japan, increasing inbound tourism, and the acceptance of international workers, multilingual communication has become unavoidable. Historically, translation has been indispensable in helping Japanese companies expand overseas. Today, however, its role has expanded further, becoming essential for public safety and community life within Japan.

• Protecting safety during emergencies: Multilingual communication during disasters or disease outbreaks helps foreign residents evacuate or seek treatment appropriately, reducing confusion and preventing secondary harm—benefiting Japanese residents as well.
• Supporting public services: Preparing multilingual materials in advance eases the burden on staff in government, healthcare, and education, while improving operational efficiency.
• Sustaining communities and economies: Safe, inclusive environments strengthen community vitality and contribute to tourism and industrial growth.

Translation is not simply a “language conversion task.” Ensuring equal access to critical information, free from misunderstanding, is a basic human right. Multilingual communication makes society safer and more sustainable, and translation is indispensable as its foundation.

Examples of Translation as Social Infrastructure

• ASCA Corporation: Applied AI translation to accelerate regulatory submissions for rare disease treatments, contributing to reducing “drug loss” and strengthening healthcare infrastructure.
• Congrès Global Communications Inc.: Provides translation of international sanction lists for financial institutions, helping prevent unlawful transactions and reinforcing compliance frameworks.
• Terilogy Serviceware Corp.: Supports the Japan Karate Association in multilingual communication to promote martial arts globally, strengthening cultural exchange and mutual understanding.
• Human Science Co., Ltd.: Assists a national university with multilingual support for education and research, creating an inclusive environment for international students and researchers.
• Yaraku Inc.: Supports Minowa Town (Nagano Prefecture) in delivering disaster preparedness and community information in multiple languages, reducing staff workload and enhancing multicultural coexistence.

Academic Perspectives

The role of translation as social infrastructure is also attracting attention in academia. Professor Masaru Yamada of Rikkyo University, a leading scholar in translation studies, commented:

“Translation is vital social infrastructure that directly contributes to people’s safety in areas such as disaster response, healthcare, and education. Internationally, translation is increasingly recognized as indispensable for protecting human rights and building inclusive societies.”

Participating Companies

ASCA Corporation (Osaka) – CEO Eiko Ishioka

Congrès Global Communications Inc. (Tokyo) – President Yoshio Kanda

Terilogy Serviceware Corp. (Tokyo) – CEO Michihiro Iida

Human Science Co., Ltd. (Tokyo) – CEO Tsuyoshi Kumazawa

Yaraku Inc. (Tokyo) – CEO Suguru Sakanishi