Here you can meet the project managers at Interbooks. Our team is made up of a variety of project managers with different nationalities, personalities, and areas of specialty, all ready to handle your requests. The most suitable person from our team will be matched to your project based on its field, area, and characteristics. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Project manager
UENO Eri
It’s so rewarding to be able to connect with various fields, industries, languages, and worlds through the requests of our customers. One project may involve disseminating information on national policy or global events in connection with a government agency, while another may be a cultural project featuring a rich body of work, such as a photography collection or exhibit. Some projects related to inbound tourism may also take us on a journey to discover the colors and wonders on display across all four corners of Japan. I joined Interbooks in the hopes of meeting translators face-to-face at social gatherings and other events. I hope to continue working together with translators to produce a consistently high standard of work.
Project manager
Kang Jooseock
I specialize in projects that make use of translation tools. The natural workflow for projects with data from a particular platform involves simply processing the data using translation tools. However, there are also more complex projects that aren’t always processed so smoothly. This is due to the various file types used by our clients. After I’ve analyzed and processed an assortment of data, and created a framework that allows translation to be easily carried out using translation tools, I feel an enormous sense of achievement. I’ve made it a habit of carefully asking clients about their requirements and specifications in detail, however it tends to cause friction between my wife and I when I talk to her in the same way(!)
Project manager
WATANABE Akiko
When I catch sight of signs along the street written in multiple languages, I can’t help but check them out. With only a limited amount of space for text, these signs offer many new language discoveries, such as clever ways of summarizing text in various languages without relying on direct translation, as well as the use of unexpected expressions. One occupational hazard in my everyday life is momentarily hesitating over using "wasei eigo," or strictly Japanese expressions derived from English. So, when the junk mail I get in my mailbox at home is badly formatted, I feel the urge to correct it.
Project manager
OGUE Jun
The projects we handle include annual reports by national security think tanks. These reports provide information on the strategic environment surrounding Japan, as well as the national security and defense policies of other countries, so translating them requires us to work together with translators and editors familiar with relevant specialist terminology, current affairs, and the international situation. Recently, we have also been receiving requests from prefectures across Japan to produce multilingual hazard maps for preventing and mitigating disasters. With these kinds of projects, it is vital to convey information to international residents in Japan in a concise and easy-to-understand manner. An unexpected joy of this job is that, through translation, we can support socially significant policies, including those related to urgent defense, national security, disaster information, and other similar fields.
Project manager
ASO Kasumi
Just like Japanese, foreign languages evolve over time. Words that are likely familiar to language learners may, in reality, have already fallen out of use by native speakers in more recent years. For instance, when writing Japanese names in the Western alphabet, one way of denoting long vowel sounds such as “o” or “u” can become old-fashioned and strange in only a short amount of time, thereby making a text seem awkward to native speakers. The best translators aren’t complacent when it comes to increasing knowledge, but instead carry out background research to ensure that they can continually deliver translations with a guaranteed level of quality. Great translations don’t just rely on good language skills—the ability to carry out research is also crucial. I too never want to stop learning.
Project manager
OSHIMA Shoko
I love movies with great dubbing. When I watch a good movie, or one that leaves an impression, I’ll often rewatch it in the original language, then go back to the Japanese version, repeating this several times. I love comparing the wording used in each version and discovering translations that fit the original sound or meaning perfectly, or that skillfully incorporate cultural differences. It makes me like the movie even more. With older films, the language used for translating the dubbing changes with the times, so I sometimes collect several versions of the same movie with different translations.
Project manager
HIROKAWA Ayano
When I was responsible for an English translation of allergy information, the proofreader commented, “I chose to make the translation more concise rather than just stay faithful to the original text.” Lives could be at stake, so it had to be understandable for people of all ages, from seniors to small children. Considering that people whose first language isn’t English might also refer to it, the translation had to be accessible, no matter who would be reading it. After all, the most suitable translation varies depending on its intended audience and context. This project made me reflect on the role we still have to play in a world where AI has seemingly made translation effortless.
Project manager
MATSUMOTO Sumiko
My role mainly involves handling patent translations. I’ve worked in the translation industry for many years and have gained experience in a wide variety of translation fields from business to publishing. However, I had never dealt with patent translations before joining Interbooks. Patents are one of the most specialized areas in translation, and I’ve learned that not every company can offer a patent translation service. There is so much depth to it—the knowledge required to achieve accuracy above all, in addition to style. Despite working in the same role for many years, I have always found new things to learn. And, while I’ve had countless demanding jobs and experienced many challenging situations, I feel that the great relationships I’ve been lucky to develop with translators, checkers, clients, and others are what have allowed me to keep going until now (not to mention the support of my family).
Project manager
URI Ayaka
I’m passionate about reading books and visiting art galleries. In fact, I devour more than four books per month and enjoy sharing my thoughts about them on social media. That’s why, unsurprisingly, I can’t help but find the translated descriptions at art galleries so captivating. I often wonder how certain words are expressed and compare the Japanese and English descriptions. Sometimes, I even feel compelled to take pictures when they pique my interest. Upon closer inspection, you’ll see how these translations go beyond just the information on the exhibit and the artist. They are crafted from a wealth of knowledge, covering everything from historical backgrounds and cultural conventions to even social issues. This realization reminded me that before becoming an expert wordsmith, I must first become an expert on the subject matter at hand. That’s why I’m committed to continuously improving and expanding my knowledge.
Project manager
Fransisco Samara
I specialize in translation projects that deal with UIs for websites and mobile apps, as well as marketing and promotional materials. I used to be in charge of brand communication strategies for B2C products, so I have firsthand experience of how important it is to communicate using words and expressions that users and consumers understand. I came to value translations with an emphasis on the user experience that go beyond just replacing words. Even when I’m off the clock, I find myself analyzing signs on the street because words are always on my mind, day in and day out. When I spot a store with a sign that reads “Soul Out” instead of “Sold Out,” I can’t help but laugh, like, I know it’s a typo, but... technically they’re not wrong.
Project manager
SUGIHARA Ayaka
I used to help with sales and student retention at a language school. I thought I knew how to word things correctly, but immediately after joining Interbooks, it became clear that I still had a lot to learn. I also realized that even Japanese phrases you’re confident about can be wrong. Even with commonly used words, you might discover better ways to express or write them. It dawned on me how important it is to keep questioning and thinking, instead of treating things as absolute. During discussions with clients, I sometimes have to explain the reasoning behind a translation, even down to word choice. When they find what I have to say insightful, I feel happy knowing that I managed to convey the translator’s feelings. I want to put my heart and soul into every project that comes my way.
Project manager
WAKAMATSU Sumire
Project managers underpin everything about a project, acting as unsung heroes behind the scenes. Watching things I contributed to take shape and make their debut out into the world makes everything I did feel worthwhile and confirms that I’ve truly helped people. There’s nothing like the feeling I get when clients send me kind comments and messages telling me about how everything went great. All my efforts are validated in an instant. Every day, I handle a number of projects across a variety of fields, which helps me build industry knowledge and expertise. That’s another part of my job that I love. Nowadays, people often say that AI-generated translation is “good enough.” But I want to provide value that transcends AI in terms of both services and quality to clients who trust us with their projects. That conviction drives me to keep doing my best.
Project manager
Y.K.
I previously handled marketing and PR for consumer products. Seeing products and services I worked on go global and sharing the process with those around me gave me an immense sense of fulfillment. In stark contrast, at Interbooks, I can’t share anything about my projects outside the company. We’re certified as compliant with ISO 27001, a domestic and international standard for information security management systems, so we take information security very seriously. Logically, it makes sense. That’s why I talk to my dog when I feel a little lonely. Having a silent confidant puts me at ease. The strong rules we have in place are what allow us to focus on our work with peace of mind.
Get a Quote