Secretary (cum Interpreter) [English/Japanese]

Daiso Japan; Singapore; On-site; SGD 20,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail company in Singapore is seeking a bilingual Secretary (cum Interpreter) to provide administrative support to the Director. This role involves facilitating communication between the local office and parent company, managing documentation, and assisting expatriate employees. Candidates must have a diploma or degree and experience in secretarial roles, with strong skills in English and Japanese. Competitive salary and benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• Min. 2-3 years of relevant experience in an administrative or secretarial role.
• Advanced proficiency in Business Japanese (JLPT N1 or above preferred).
• High level of professionalism and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and manage correspondence and reports in English and Japanese.
• Maintain business records and filing systems.
• Coordinate meetings and internal communication for the Director.

Skills

Bilingual in English and Japanese

Excellent organisational skills

Strong communication skills

Education

Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration/Management

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Secretary (cum Interpreter) [English/Japanese]

We are looking for an experienced Secretary (cum Interpreter) to provide administrative, coordination and expatriate support to the Director in day-to-day business operations. This role focuses on facilitating smooth communication between the local office and the parent company in Japan, ensuring efficient documentation, scheduling, reporting and support for expatriate employees. The ideal candidate should have past experience in secretarial positions and is bilingual in English and Japanese with interpretation experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare, edit and manage business correspondence, reports and presentations in both English and Japanese.
• Maintain and organise business records, documents and filing systems.
• Handle scheduling, meeting coordination and internal communication on behalf of the Director.
• Act as a bridge between the local office and the parent company in Japan to ensure effective and accurate information flow.
• Translate and interpret business documents and meeting discussions as required.
• Draft and review internal memos, reports and emails in English and Japanese.
• Arrange and prepare agendas, materials and minutes for internal and external meetings.
• Support the Director in following up on action items and deliverables.
• Assist in the preparation of monthly and quarterly reports for submission to Japan HQ.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive business information.
• Liaise with other departments (Finance, HR, Operations, etc.) to coordinate projects and gather information for the Director.
• Support logistics and communications related to business trips, conferences or corporate events (work‑related only).
• Serve as the primary contact for expatriate employees, providing administrative and logistical assistance during relocation, onboarding and local adaptation.
• Coordinate with HR and external vendors for visa applications, renewals, housing arrangements and other expatriate‑related matters.
• Assist expatriates with understanding local office policies, procedures and cultural practices.
• Support the Director in managing expatriate assignments, including documentation, reporting and communication with the Japan HQ.
• Handle inquiries and requests from expatriate employees with professionalism and confidentiality.

Key Requirements

• Min. Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration/Management, or a related field.
• Min. 2‑3 years of relevant experience in an administrative or secretarial role (experience in a Japanese company is an advantage).
• Skilled in interpretation, with advanced proficiency in English and Business Japanese (JLPT N1 or above preferred).
• Excellent organisational, coordination and communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• High level of professionalism, attention to detail and able to manage confidential information with discretion.