THE HISTORY OF

INTERPRETING IN JAPAN
Presentation by Bilqees Mohammed

INTE 5700 - Interpreting Studies | 2023-2024 York University

 EARLIEST EVIDENCE
The earliest references to the interpreting profession in Japan date from 607 AD
where the “working languages” were Chinese and Japanese.
In the 5th to 8th centuries, most Japanese interpreters were men of Chinese or
Korean descent (toraijin) who had a working knowledge of Chinese and Sillan,
this being the language of one of Korea’s three largest kingdoms called Silla.
In 730 AD, the Japanese Imperial Court officially acknowledged the need to train
Chinese interpreters and it issued an order, dated 817 AD, to train interpreters
by setting up conversational Chinese classes in prestigious Japanese academies.
A directive was also issued in 761 AD to teach young Japanese males Sillan in
order to become interpreters in preparation for invading Silla.
 THE EDO PERIOD
During the Edo Period (1603–1867), there were many interpreters of
Portuguese, Chinese and Dutch (tsuji) often stationed in Nagasaki. These
interpreters were government officials with hierarchical titles and they also
engaged in trade-related administrative matters.
Toward the end of the Edo Period, Japan was forced to open up its borders in
1854 to the Dutch, the English, and the United States. Interpreting became
especially important with Dutch and English interpreters being in high demand.
Dutch-Japanese interpreters were so highly demanded that they received the
title of “Oranda Tsuji”. They also functioned as informants to the Japanese
government and had a dual role as scholars of European texts.
 TRIBUNAL INTERPRETING
Between 1930-1945, the Imperial Army of
Japan committed several large-scale war
crimes across East Asia and South East Asia in
a series of military invasions.
The Japanese Imperial Army launched
conquests of neighbouring Asian territories
including Manchuria, Korea, Taiwan, the
Philippines, Manipur, and Hawaii.
Following World War II, the International
Military Tribunal for the Far East was thus Tojo Hideki, an army general and Japan's political and
military leader, testifies at the Tokyo Trials in January 1948.
established to prosecute Japan for its Crimes
Against Humanity.
 THE TOKYO TRIALS
MODE
Although simultaneous interpreting
was used during the Nuremberg
Trials, the main mode of interpreting
used in the Tokyo Trials (1946-
1948) was consecutive interpreting.
The official languages of the trial
were English and Japanese.
LEGACY
Consecutive interpreting at the
Tokyo Trials in 1946 was a
precursor of conference
interpreting in Japan with the use
of dedicated interpreters,
interpreting booths, and equipment
for simultaneous interpreting.
 1960s-1980s

THE 1964 With an influx of foreign visitors in light of the 1964

TOKYO Tokyo Olympics, the International Christian University
OLYMPICS provides interpreter training for students.

ECONOMIC In the late-60s and early 70s, interpreting agencies start

GROWTH IN operating to recruit Japanese interpreters. The high
THE 70s-80s demand for English interpeters is managed by agencies.

“And what about simultaneous...???”

 TOHOKU EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI

WHAT IMPACT ON COMMUNITY

HAPPENED? COMMUNITIES INTERPRETING
In 2011, Japan To facilitate natural The disaster
kickstarted many
experienced the disaster relief and
community
strongest give humanitarian
interpreting training
earthquake in its aid, there was a
courses in Japan and
recorded history, spike in the demand
emphasized mediation
followed by a for community as a skill for
destructive tsunami. interpreters. interpreters.
 RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Most interpreters are trained by and work through

local interpreting agencies which play a uniquely
dominant role in the industry.
Daito Bunka University launched an interpreting
program at the graduate level for the first time in
1995 and the university then established in 2000
the Japan Association for Interpretation Studies.
There is no national certification of interpreters in Daito Bunka University in Tokyo, Japan.
Japan aside from the government exams for
licensed tour guides.
 CONCLUSIONS

INTERPRETING THERE IS SOME THE MONOPOLY

WAS ALWAYS LAGGING NOW... OF AGENCIES?
VITAL IN JAPAN It’s near impossible
There is only one
Although Japan AIIC-accredited to establish oneself
was closed off to interpreting master’s as a professional
the world for programme in Japan interpreter in Japan
centuries, there and no national without an agency’s
was always a certification exam. backing. Perhaps
significant need for Professionalization this needs to
interpreting. is still a challenge. change?
 BIBLIOGRAPHY
Pöchhacker, Franz, Nadja Grbić, Peter Mead, and Robin Setton. Routledge
Encyclopedia of Interpreting Studies. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2019.
Cadwell, Patrick. "Translation and interpreting needs in the Great East Japan
Earthquake of 2011." In Proceedings of the FIT XXth World Congress, pp. 752-60.
2014.
Karaoğlu, Semiha. "Interpreting in Japan: History, Profession, Current Trends and
Developments." PhD diss., 2019.
Mizuno, Makiko. "Community interpreting in Japan: Present state and challenges."
Translation and translation studies in the Japanese context (2012): 202-221.

Presentation by Bilqees Mohammed | INTE 5700 - Interpreting Studies | 2023-2024 | York University