Japanese Business Card Translation

We cannot overstate the importance of business cards in Japanese business culture.

When travelling overseas to meet with Japanese counterparts or receiving Japanese visitors in Australia, it is essential that you provide a business card presented in Japanese. Presenting your business card in Japanese conveys respect to both your Japanese associate and to their culture. It also enables them to instantly comprehend your position within your company and how to accurately pronounce your name.

We translate business cards into a wide variety of languages, however, one of the most common language requests are for business cards to be translated into Japanese.

Generally, we provide bi-lingual translations for business cards. We provide the English version of the card on one side and the Japanese translated version on the other side of the card.

We can work from either artwork files, e.g. InDesign and Illustrator or from high resolution PDF. When the translation has been completed, we can provide you with print ready high resolution PDF files.

As one of the most established translation companies in Australia, we have worked with our primary Japanese translators for over a decade.

Dos and Don'ts of Japanese business card translation

Each business card is different from the next. We are happy to discuss the details of the translation prior to commencing work. However, there are certain rules which apply to the translation of business cards into Japanese.

Translated business cards should be presented in a bi-lingual format. Either English on one side, translated version of the flip side or one side in bi-lingual format.

Business people's names should be transliterated into Japanese. Transliteration enables your counterpart to correctly pronounce your name. The Japanese write foreign names using the phonetic katakana alphabet.

Avoid 1300 and 1800 numbers as these prefixes will only work in Australia.

Avoid translating or transliterating addresses into the target language. Addresses should always remain in English.

How to present your business card to your Japanese counterpart

What may be acceptable behaviour in Australia, can be frowned upon, or even insulting, in other countries. Business cards are treated with great respect in Japan.

Giving/Receiving business cards in Japan

Japanese use both hands when giving and receiving anything of value, including gifts and particularly business cards. Presenting your business card in Japanese conveys respect to both your Japanese associate and to their culture. Ensure that the Japanese side is facing upwards and forward. Hand the cards out to individuals in order of seniority bowing slightly as you do so. When handed a card, take some time to look at and acknowledge the individual's card. Say 'thank you' (Hajimemashite) when receiving a business card from a Japanese associate. Treat all individual's business cards with respect; do not fiddle with or bend the business card. Ideally store the card in a business card holder.

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