Japanese-English Translation & InterpretingQuality | Accountability | Experience

We are an outlier in the translation business, because we are not a translation broker (purchaser/reseller of translations), but rather a true translation company, with our own capabilities, not reliant on outsourcing. There are distinct differences.

We have provided translation and interpreting services to a diverse spectrum of clients, and our track record speaks for itself.

We are an outlier as a translation service provider, because we are not a translation broker (purchaser/reseller of translations), but rather a true translation company. There are distinct differences.

Translation

If you are an individual needing translation of documents, please visit:

Legal & Intellectual Property Translation

The translations we provide our diverse clients are the result of end-to-end professional translation by accountable professional translators, with no involvement of risk-prone AI that produces just artificial translations that merely attempt to emulate human behavior and necessitate repair work.

Our decades of experience assure our clients of high-quality translations of critical documents.

Legal Document Translation

Just a few of the types of documents we handle;

Purchasing agreements
Powers of attorney
Non-disclosure agreements
Employment agreements
Corporate safety and health regulations
Court decisions

Intellectual Property

We handle not just patent specifications, but virtually any document related to the patent prosecution process, patent litigation, and a wide range of other legal matters, a very partial listing of the type of documents we handle being as follows.

Patent specifications (related to a diverse range of fields of art
Procedural amendments
Written oppositions
Non-patent documents, including academic papers submitted as prior art
Appeals
Notification of reasons for rejection
Trials to invalidate
Arguments (written opinions)
Allowances
Complaints
Final rejections
Licensing agreements

Technical/Industrial Translation

In a space mostly populated by translation sellers claiming to be able to handle any language and any subject matter, Kirameki is unusual, in that we consciously limit our scope to the Japanese<>English language pair and to the fields in which we can guarantee high quality.

Kirameki is operated by a professional translator who comes from an engineering background and has significant real-world industry and research experience, and we feel strongly that a "jack of all translations" translation seller is not the best choice for clients looking for high-quality translations of complex subject matter.

Since starting to provide technical translations decades ago, we have executed high-quality translations done by identifiable "carbon-based" professional translators who understand the technology they are translating, something that is clearly not a given in the translation industry, particularly with the indiscriminate adoption of AI to produce artificial translations.

A Sample of Documents We Handle

While we can handle virtually any type of document in fields that are within our range of competence and experience, just a few of the types of documents we handle are as follows.

Technical journal papers
Specifications, sales literature, user manuals, and maintenance manuals (particularly for complex industrial equipment)
Internal engineering & production documents
Test reports
Software-related documentation
Technology transfer documentation
Complex specifications for automotive electronics

Technical Subject Matter Fields We Handle

We have a translation track record in a wide range of fields, just a few of which are show below, and we have direct industry and research experience in a number of these fields,

Electronics
Chemical and other analysis systems
Frequency analysis systems
Machinery
Semiconductor devices and manufacturing methods
Energy/power generation/transmission & storage infrastructure
Display technology
Materials
Automotive electronics
Measurement & testing products
Optics
Medical imaging systems
Control systems
Games
Communications

Criminal Matters

We have extensive experience in translating Japanese police investigation documents, one particular assignment involving more than 200 documents (totaling over 1200 pages), ranging from statements given by witnesses and victims to documents provided by numerous entities having contact with or knowledge of the particulars in a criminal investigation.

We have also provided interpreting in criminal matters, as noted elsewhere.

Certified Translations

For translations we have executed, we can provide certification for use in submission to government agencies or in litigation. We can provide a letter of certification for a translation signed by the responsible professional translator, something that many larger translation sellers avoid doing or cannot do. Such translation brokers very often provide a purported certification letter signed by a person who is not a translator and who has no way of judging the quality of the translation they have sold you.

The Reasons We Don't Use AI in Translating Client DocumentsThe main reason is that we are responsible professionals who care about our clients.

Although there is a white-hot frenzy over artificial intelligence and many entities that are best characterized as translation brokers have jumped on the AI bandwagon, we are committed to not using AI to create artificial translations, for a number of good reasons.

We have expanded on the following reasons elsewhere, but here are the major reasons summarized.

We front-load quality into the translations we produce.
AI produces artificial translations and just automates the age-old approach of starting with a rough translation and repairing it.
Hallucinations
Artificial translations provide them; we don't.
Real translations are best executed by real professional translators with experience in and understanding of the real world
AI doesn't get out in the real world much—or at all, actually.
AI doesn't care.
Your translations need a translator who cares; AI couldn't care less about you or your documents.
Security
This shouldn't need explanation.

The Things We Commit Not to Do Also Set Us Apart from the Crowd

We will not accept an assignment unless we have the in-house capability of assuring the quality you need.
We will not accept a job without knowing beforehand who will be doing the translation. In the world of translation sellers that are mostly just brokers, this is a promise that very few can make and fulfill.

Interpreting

If you are going to have a professional-level interaction—be it related to legal matters or industrial/business matters—with a Japanese speaker, you deserve professional services provided by an interpreter with enough real-world experience to assure you of the services you need. We also provide interpreting services for criminal matters and dealings with government agencies.

If you are an individual needing interpreting services, please visit:

Legal and Intellectual Property

We have broad and deep experience in the real world in fields that often are the subject matter of litigation. That experience, combined with a proven track record of interpreting for IP matters in both federal court cases and USITC investigations, assures you of the best possible interpreting services.

Federal Court Litigation Interpreting Track Record

(Listed alphabetically by case caption.)

Advanced Technology Incubator, Inc. v. Sharp Corporation et al (2:07-CV-00468; fabrication of color masks for liquid-crystal displays).
Agere Systems Inc. v. Sony Corporation, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., Sony Computer Entertainment America, and Sony Electronics Inc. (2:06-cv-00079; wireless LAN and semiconductor lasers)
Alcon Manufacturing., Ltd., Alcon Laboratories, Inc., and Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ltd. v. Apotex Inc., and Apotex Corp. (1:06cv-1642; antiallergent for allergic conjunctivitis)
AstraZeneca et al v. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., et al (1:07-CV-00806; pyrimidine derivative for treatment of high cholesterol)
Asahi Glass Co., Ltd. et al v. Guardian Industries Corp. (1:09-cv-00515; sputtering target and method for manufacturing same).
Board of Regents, University of Texas System, on behalf of University of Texas at Austin and Hydro-Quebec v. Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation in the District Court of Travis Country, Texas, 126th Judicial District (Cause No. GN1-01844; lithium ion batteries)
Everlight Electronics Co., Ltd, and Emcore Corporation v. Nichia Corporation and Nichia America Corporation (4:12-cv-11758; White LEDs)
Fenner Investment, Ltd. v. Microsoft Corporation et al (6:07-CV-00008)
Fujitsu, Ltd. v. Belkin International et al (5:10-cv-03972; computer I/O cards)
GREE, Inc. v. Supercell Oy (2:19-CV-00071; video games).
Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. v. Mylan Inc. et al (2:09-CV-01692; anticancer drug)
Honeywell International Inc. and Honeywell Intellectual Properties Inc. v. Apple Computer, Inc. et al (C.A. No. 04-1338-KAJ (Consolidated); 04-CV-1337, 1338, and 05-CV-874)
Immersion v. Sony Computer Entertainment (haptic interface technology)
Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV and Philips Electronics North America v. Zoll Medical Corporation (defibrillator technology)
LG Electronics Inc. v. Hitachi, Ltd.; Hitachi Automotive Products (USA), Inc.; Clarion Co., Ltd.; Clarion Corporation of American and Xanavi Informatics Corporation (5:07-CV-00090; car navigation systems)
Lexar. Media, Inc. v. Fuji Photo Film (3:03CV00355; flash memory)
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. v. Mediatek, Inc., Oppo Digital, Inc., and Micro-Star International Computer Corp. (05-cv-3148; digital motion picture decoding apparatus and digital motion picture decoding method, method and apparatus for generating planarizing pattern and semiconductor integrated circuit device, clock generator and method for generating a clock)
Mediatek, Inc v. Sanyo Electric Co. LTD., et al (86:05-cv-00323)
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. v. Mediatek, Inc., Oppo Digital, Inc., and Micro-Star International Computer Corp. (05-cv-3148)
Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. v. Samsung (ITC Investigation TA-337-692; Certain Ceramic Capacitors and Products Using Same (multilayer ceramic capacitors))
Nichia Corporation v. Seoul Semiconductor. Ltd. et al (3:06-CV-0162; light-emitting diodes)
Pall Corporation v. Entegris dba Mykrolis Corporation (2:07-cv-01869; filters for industrial applications)
Renesas Technology Corp. v. Nanya Technology Corp. and Nanya Technology Corporation, USA (5:03-cv-05709)
St. Clair v. Fuji Film (digital cameras)
Storage Technology v. Quantum
In Re TFT-LCD (Flat Panel) Antitrust Litigation (M:07-cv-1827)

USITC Investigations Interpreting Track Record

(Listed by alphabetically by subject matter.)

Certain Audio Processing Hardware and Software and Products Containing the Same (ITC Investigation 337-TA-949)
Certain Audiovisual Components and Products Containing the Same (ITC Investigation 337-TA-837)
Certain Blu-Ray Disc Players, Components Thereof and Products Containing Same (ITC Investigation 337-TA-824)
Certain Ceramic Capacitors and Products Containing Same (ITC Investigation 337-TA-692
Certain Coenzyme Q10 Products and Methods of Making Same (ITC Investigation 337-TA-790)
Certain Digital Photo Frames and Image Display Devices and Components Thereof (ITC Investigation 337-TA-807)
Certain Digital Televisions and Components Thereof (ITC Investigation 337-TA-789)
Certain Display Devices, Including Digital Televisions and Monitors (ITC Investigation 337-TA-713
Certain Formatted Magnetic Data Storage Tapes and Cartridges Containing Same (ITC Investigation 337-TA-931)
Certain Integrated Circuits, Chipsets, and Products Containing Same Including Televisions (ITC Investigation 337-TA-786)
Certain Light Emitting Diode Chips, Laser Diode Chips and Products Containing Same (ITC Investigation 337-TA-674)
Certain MLC Flash Memory Devices and Products Containing Same (ITC Investigation 337-TA-683)
Certain mobile telephones and wireless communication devices featuring digital cameras, and components thereof (ITC Investigation 337-TA-663))
Certain Multimedia Display and Navigation Devices and Components Thereof, and Products Containing Same (ITC Investigation 337-TA-694
Certain Probe Card Assemblies, Components Thereof, and Certain Tested DRAM and NAND Flash Memory Devices and Products Containing Same" (ITC Investigation 337-TA-621)
Certain Semiconductor Chips with DRAM Circuitry, and Modules and Products Containing Same (ITC Investigation 337-TA-819)
Certain Semiconductor Chips and Products Containing Same (ITC Investigation 337-TA-753)
Certain Semiconductor Devices and Consumer Audiovisual Products Containing the Same (ITC Investigation 337-TA-1047)
Certain Semiconductor devices, DMA systems, and products containing same (ITC Investigation 337-TA-607)
Certain Wireless Consumer Electronics Devices and Components Thereof (ITC Investigation 337-TA-853)

Industrial & Business

Commercial Arbitration

Commercial arbitration in Zurich, Switzerland (arbitration between a Japanese company and a European company)
Commercial arbitration in New Delhi, India (arbitration between a Japanese company and an Indian company)
Numerous other arbitrations conducted in Japan and involving Japanese parties
DOJ Price-fixing investigations of Japanese manufacturers (2010 to the present)

Meetings

Extensive licensing negotiations regarding video recording technology
Contract novation
Sales meetings

Criminal & Government Interpreting Track Record

Interpreting for 35-plus consecutive days in interrogations of a high-profile white-collar suspect by the Special Investigators unit of the Tokyo Prosecutors Office.
Interpreting for visits to detention facilities holding non-Japanese individuals
DOJ Price-fixing investigations of Japanese manufacturers

Logistics & Other Considerations

Location

Since we are based in Japan, engaging us from overseas for assignments here in Japan would involve neither charges for international travel, nor visa problems.

That said, we have provided interpreting for arbitrations and litigation overseas as well, and have traveled from Japan to the following locations to provide interpreting services.

Guam
Hawaii
Hongkong
Mainland US
New Dehli
Seoul
Zurich

Conflict Checking

The nature of our interpreting often requires that we check that our assignment to a particular matter does not create a conflict with ongoing matters in which we are involved. When you contact us, please provide enough information for us to clear the conflict hurdle.