Seeking to encourage talented people to enter the translation field, JAT is pleased to announce its 21st annual Japanese <> English translation contest for new and aspiring translators. The actual passage to be translated is a real-life text—the sort of thing a working commercial translator might well be called upon to do.

Open to: Anyone with less than three years’ experience as a professional translator. JAT membership not required. Previous entrants (except winners) are welcome to enter again.

Prizes
- All Finalists: One-year complimentary JAT membership + Feedback from the judges
- 2nd Place: One-year complimentary JAT membership + Feedback from the judges + free registration for the 33rd International Japanese<>English Translation Conference (IJET-33) to be held in Fukuoka in 2025.
- 1st Place: One-year complimentary JAT membership + Feedback from the judges + free registration for IJET-33+ transportation to and from IJET-33+ free accommodations during IJET-33 organized and funded by NPO Japan Association of Translators (JAT)

Contest Schedule

2024
October 1 (Tue.): Source texts and Contest Guidelines available for download
October 31 (Thu.): Submission deadline (24:00 JST)
Late December: Five finalists announced on the JAT website

2025
Late January to early February: 1st- and 2nd-place winners announced on the JAT website and by direct e-mail to the winner
By late March: Winners' and finalists' translation and judges’ commentaries placed on the JAT website
May 10: Award ceremony at IJET-33 in Fukuoka

All entries will be reviewed and judged by experienced professional translators.
All decisions are final. All entries become the property of JAT.
For further information, please check the JAT website after October 1 or contact the contest committee at [email protected]

References:
20th contest source text and guidelines
Translations of the 20th contest winners and finalists
Commentaries from the 20th contest judges: Part 1 Part2 Part 3 Part 4