Seeking to encourage talented people to enter the translation field, JAT is pleased to announce its 22nd 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 1st Place and 2nd Place in any year) are welcome to enter again.
Prizes
- All Finalists: One-year complimentary JAT membership + Feedback from the judges
- Second Place: One-year complimentary JAT membership + Feedback from the judges + free registration for the 34th International Japanese<>English Translation Conference (IJET-34) organized and funded by NPO Japan Association of Translators (JAT) and to be held in Melbourne in 2026
- First Place: One-year complimentary JAT membership + Feedback from the judges + free registration for IJET-34 + transportation to and from IJET-34+ free accommodations during IJET-34
Contest Schedule
2025
October 1 (Wed.): Source texts and Contest Guidelines available for download
November 15 (Sat.): Submission deadline (24:00 JST) (Changed from Oct. 31 to Nov. 15)
2026
By mid-January: Five finalists announced on the JAT website
By early March: 1st Place and 2nd Place announced on the JAT website and by direct e-mail to them
March: All finalists' translation and judges’ commentaries placed on the JAT website
September: Award ceremony at IJET-34 in Melbourne
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:
21st contest source text and guidelines
Translations of the 21st contest winners and finalists
Commentaries from the 21st contest judges: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3