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Japan Association of Translators to host Shōgun Translation Team Members at International Japanese-English Translation Conference in 2025
Two members of the Shōgun translation team will join IJET-33 in May 2025 as keynote speakers to discuss their challenges and experiences in dealing with this large-scale international project.
FUKUOKA, Japan – The Japan Association of Translators (JAT) is honored to announce that translators Mayumi Sanda and Jun Ajiro will be keynote speakers at the 33rd International Japanese-English Translation (IJET-33) conference in Fukuoka, May 9-11, 2025. Sanda and Ajiro worked as part of the translation team that helped bring authentic Japanese language and culture to the hit FX series Shōgun, produced by Hiroyuki Sanada and Eriko Miyagawa. The series won an unprecedented 18 Emmys in 2024, including the first-ever win for Best Drama by a non-English language series.
In his acceptance speech for that award, show co-creator, executive producer, and show runner Justin Marks said “Shōgun is a show about translation. Not what is lost, but what is found when you do safety meetings in two languages and you learn not to walk on tatami mats with your utility boots.” JAT and the IJET planning committee welcome this focus on the value of translation as a key to connecting cultures.
Ben Tompkins, head of the IJET-33 planning committee, commented "As working translators and as members of the Japan Association of Translators, we are gratified by the public recognition that everyone behind Shōgun has brought to the value of this work.”
Fellow committee member George Bourdaniotis added, "Working myself in video translation, I am delighted at how Shōgun has shone the spotlight on the value of human translators who continue to work quietly in the background bridging cultures through skill and passion." He emphasizes, “The accolades Shōgun has received are due in large part to the show’s dedication to authentic culture and language, and showcasing the work of translation in that pursuit is a boon to our industry.”
As keynote speakers at IJET-33, Sanda and Ajiro will kick off two days of professional development with a look at how they came to join the production team and the challenges they encountered in turning an English script into language befitting the 17th-century Japan setting. The talk will include real examples they encountered in working with scriptwriters.
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About JAT
The Japan Association of Translators (JAT) was founded in 1985 to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas among translators working between Japanese and English, and to establish and maintain professional standards in the industry. Membership is limited to individuals who are engaged in, or interested in, translation or interpretation. JAT was officially recognized as a non-profit organization (NPO) in Japan in April 2001. As of June 2024, JAT has about 600 members. JAT offers members a wide array of opportunities and resources for professional development and networking.
The International Japanese-English Translation (IJET) Conference is JAT’s flagship professional development and networking event. First held in 1990, this annual two-day conference brings translators and interpreters together to network, share their experience and expertise, and further develop their professional skills. With the venue alternating between Japan and an English-speaking country each year, IJET has been held in locations throughout Japan and around the globe.
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Contact
Address: 5F, 2-7-14 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
URL: https://jat.org/
IJET-33: https://ijet.jat.org/