If you’ve been following this article series, you might notice a common thread running through the real-world examples I’ve shared so far.

It all boils down to one crucial element: personnel.
The Importance of the Right People for Your Japanese Translation Project
In previous articles, we’ve seen how issues with timing, cost-cutting, and poor decision-making led to costly translation errors. Here’s a quick recap:
- ARTICLE 1: A three-day turnaround for a massive project that no team could realistically handle.
- ARTICLE 2: A two-week Japanese translation job that turned into a six-month disaster.
- ARTICLE 3: A project that never got off the ground due to poor cost-saving decisions.
The common denominator? Personnel—the right people weren’t in place for the task at hand.
Why Putting the Right Person on the Job Matters
I came across an interesting blog post recently while doing some SEO research.

The company was offering a valuable service, but they had a clueless person managing SEO efforts. Now, I’m sure the person was eager to learn, but this isn’t the time to “learn on the job” for something as critical as SEO.
This example ties back to translation projects as well. When it comes to professional Japanese translation, you can’t afford to have someone who’s not qualified handling it. Even though your team may be full of highly skilled professionals, a lack of expertise in translation can still lead to significant errors.
So, why do 80% of global firms lose revenue due to translation errors? The answer is simple:
They’re not using the right people.
How to Avoid Costly Translation Mistakes
Whether you’re handling the translation in-house or outsourcing to a professional translation service, it’s crucial to make sure the right person is in charge. When you work with a professional Japanese translation service, ensure that they’re assigning experienced, native-speaking translators who understand both the language and the cultural nuances. The wrong translator can easily lead to mistakes that impact your company’s bottom line.
If you decide to take on translation tasks internally, it’s just as important to have the right personnel. Don’t cut corners—ensure your team has the expertise to handle the task.
Stop Losing Money Over Translation Errors
Translation errors don’t have to be inevitable. By ensuring that the right people are working on your Japanese translation projects, you can eliminate the risk of costly mistakes. Avoiding the wrong personnel is one of the simplest ways to protect your company’s revenue.
Remember, it’s all about putting the right person in the right job.
About the Author
Ivan Vandermerwe is the CEO of SAECULII YK, the owner of Japan, Tokyo based Professional Japanese Translation Visit SAECULII for the latest professional case studies, articles and news on Japanese Translation Services
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