2024.10.08
I am sometimes asked about foreign language support. The answer is “we support foreign languages.” However, as someone who only speaks Japanese, all I can do is support using automatic translation. (Actually, I am studying Korean, but I will not go into that here.) In fact, the number of foreigners entering Japan for business purposes has increased significantly. It seems that more than 5,000 people will be issued “business manager” visas in 2023. You can check the statistics here.
Our office began providing foreign language support at the beginning of the year. It was not something we had prepared intentionally. It all started with a sudden appointment from a Chinese person. This person visited our office relying on information on the Internet, and we began providing Chinese support using our smartphones. I am not even confident in my pronunciation of “你好 (Ni hao)”. I immediately started the simultaneous interpretation function on my smartphone and we had a conversation. Then, we began to realize that we could communicate more accurately and smoothly than we had expected. Even the Chinese were amazed at the excellent features of Google Translate. (Please try Google Translate)
The two-hour interview went smoothly, and we decided to enter into a formal consulting contract. The interview began with an interview about the background to the establishment of the corporation in Japan and the business content. We were then able to explain the Japanese tax system, corporate management, social insurance, and the details of the consulting contract. At the same time, the client understood the compensation for these services. Normally, this would take just under an hour. However, it was nothing short of amazing that we were able to communicate such complicated content all through automatic translation.
Currently, Taxlee Tax Accountant Office has three clients, including this one, who do not speak Japanese at all. Two are available in English and one in Chinese. During the interview, we use the automatic translation function on our smartphones. For practical communication, we use email or chat tools using a translation site. The other party also makes full use of the translation function, so we can understand Japanese emails and chats.
We would like to actively accept requests from foreign visitors to Japan. Foreigners have many differences from ordinary Japanese people in terms of residence permits, social insurance, taxes, etc. We have gradually accumulated know-how on special correspondence. Although all correspondence is done using an automatic translation machine, please contact us if you are interested. As an experiment, I will also use an automatic translation to convert this blog into English, Chinese, and Korean and publish it.
View Chinese version ・ View japanese version
*I have written a little about foreign language correspondence in past e-mail newsletters.