Seeking to encourage talented people to enter the translation field, JAT is pleased to announce its 23rd 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.
Contest Schedule
2026
October 1 (Thu.): Source texts and Contest Guidelines available for download and prizes and other details announced.
November 7 (Sat.): Submission deadline (24:00 JST)
By late December to early January 2027: Five finalists announced on the JAT website
2027
By early to mid-February: 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
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 (from the 22nd contest):
https://jat.org/news
https://jat.org/news/p2