Contract Japanese Translator Consecutive Interpreter

Futamura USA; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 55,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Futamura USA seeks a contract Japanese-English Translator / Consecutive Interpreter to provide onsite language support on an as-needed basis. The contractor will typically assist with two visits per year, each spanning up to three days of meetings, tours and related events.

The role requires professional fluency in Japanese and English, with experience in business or manufacturing settings. Onsite work in Tecumseh, Kansas is expected, with confidentiality and neutrality upheld at all times.

Qualifications

• Professional fluency in Japanese and English with strong listening, speaking, and comprehension skills.
• Experience providing consecutive interpretation in business or corporate settings.
• Ability to interpret clearly in meeting rooms, tours, and group discussions.
• Knowledge of interpreter ethics: confidentiality, accuracy, impartiality.

Responsibilities

• Provide accurate consecutive interpretation during onsite meetings and discussions.
• Facilitate communication between visiting Japanese personnel and U.S.-based staff and leaders.
• Interpret during facility tours, safety, operations, and business discussions.
• Assist with interpretation during informal dinners or events.
• Maintain professionalism, confidentiality and neutrality at all times.
• Convey speaker meaning, tone, and intent for clear cross-cultural communication.
• Prepare in advance by reviewing agendas and background information.

Skills

Japanese-English

Consecutive interpreting

Onsite interpretation

Job description

FUTAMURA USA

Contract Japanese Translator / Consecutive Interpreter

Independent Contractor | Onsite, As Needed | Approximately Two Visits per Year for Up to 3 Days of Meetings per Visit

Position Summary

We are seeking a qualified Japanese-English Translator / Consecutive Interpreter to provide onsite language support on a contract basis. This role will support occasional visits from representatives of our Japan facility, typically about two times per year, during business meetings, facility tours, and related company events. The ideal contractor will be a professional, reliable interpreter who can accurately convey meaning, tone, and context between Japanese and English while maintaining confidentiality and neutrality.

Assignment Details

• Contract, as-needed assignment based on scheduled visits from our Japan facility.
• Estimated frequency: approximately two onsite visits per year and meetings usually span up to 3 days per visit.
• Work location: onsite at the company facility in Tecumseh, Kansas.
• Interpretation style: consecutive Japanese-English and English-Japanese interpreting.
• Settings may include conference rooms, small-group meetings, facility tours, operational discussions, and occasional company dinners.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide accurate consecutive interpretation between Japanese and English during onsite meetings and discussions.
• Support communication between visiting Japanese personnel and U.S.-based employees, leaders, and subject matter experts.
• Interpret during facility tours, including discussions related to operations, safety, processes, equipment, and general business topics.
• Assist with interpretation needs during occasional company dinners or informal business-related events.
• Maintain professionalism, confidentiality, impartiality, and discretion at all times.
• Accurately convey the speaker's meaning, tone, and intent while supporting clear cross-cultural communication.
• Prepare in advance as needed by reviewing agendas, terminology, visitor schedules, and relevant background information provided by the company.

Qualifications

• Professional fluency in Japanese and English, including strong listening, speaking, and comprehension skills in both languages.
• Demonstrated experience providing consecutive interpretation in business, manufacturing, technical, or corporate settings.
• Ability to interpret clearly and accurately in meeting rooms, walking tours, and group discussion environments.
• Strong understanding of interpreter ethics, including confidentiality, accuracy, impartiality, and professional boundaries.
• Ability to work onsite for scheduled assignments and remain flexible based on visitor agendas and event schedules.
• Professional demeanor, strong interpersonal skills, and comfort working with employees and visitors at multiple organizational levels.
• Interpreter certification, formal interpreter training, or documented professional interpreting experience preferred.
• Familiarity with manufacturing, facility operations, safety terminology, or technical business terminology preferred.

Working Conditions

This is an onsite contractor role. Assignments may require standing or walking during facility tours and the ability to interpret in active workplace environments. The contractor may be asked to support business discussions in formal meeting settings as well as occasional offsite or after-hours company dinner events.

About Us

We make NatureFlex and Cellophane packaging films. These are biodegradable and compostable products to help reduce plastic pollution around the world! Since they are made from renewable wood pulp as a raw material, we essentially make transparent paper. Check out the process here.

The Futamura Group was established in Japan in 1950 and is now a global operation specializing in high added value packaging products. Our products are shipped around the world and are utilized by major brands and specialized markets.

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