Why do some websites resonate deeply with audiences abroad, while others fall flat? The answer often lies in the difference between translation and localization. To truly connect with overseas audiences, Japanese companies need to localize their English web writing.
Translation is just the beginning
It may be tempting to think a high-quality translation from Japanese is good enough for your English website. But language is deeply intertwined with culture, context and unspoken expectations, which is why literal translations often lead to:
- Awkward or unnatural phrasing: What sounds perfectly normal in Japanese might sound stiff, overly formal, or even nonsensical to a native English speaker.
- Cultural misunderstandings: Jokes, idioms, pop culture references, or even direct marketing approaches can easily be misinterpreted or, worse, cause offense.
- Ineffective communication: If the tone isn’t right, or the message doesn’t hit the mark culturally, your content won’t inspire trust or encourage action.
Your English website is your global storefront. You wouldn’t open a physical store in London with signage and marketing materials designed for Tokyo, would you?
Adapt for local impact
This is where localization comes in. Localization goes far beyond mere translation. It adapts the entire digital experience – linguistically, culturally and technically – to feel natural and familiar to your audience. For your English website, localization means:
- Linguistic nuance: Making sure the writing flows naturally, with the right tone, style, and idioms for your target audience (e.g., U.S. English vs. U.K. English).
- Cultural sensitivity: Choosing examples and metaphors that resonate, while avoiding those that confuse or alienate.
- User experience: Adjusting date and time formats, currencies and even navigation to match local habits.
- SEO strategy: Using keywords your target audience actually types into search engines (not just direct translations).
Why localization matters for your global ambitions
For Japanese companies aiming to expand overseas, localization isn’t just a helpful step. It’s a strategic investment that can make a big difference for your company. Well-localized English websites:
- Build trust and credibility: When people feel like your site was made for them, they’re more likely to trust you.
- Prevent cultural missteps: Even small errors can damage your reputation. Localization helps you avoid costly misunderstandings.
- Increase engagement and conversions: Visitors stay longer, interact more, and are more likely to take action when content feels tailored to them.
- Strengthen your global brand: You’ve built a strong identity in Japan. Localization ensures that reputation carries over internationally.
Even a site that’s grammatically perfect can fail if it doesn’t feel right to your readers. That’s the danger of stopping at translation.
Common translation pitfalls
Here’s a typical scenario: A Japanese company translates its corporate website into English using a literal approach or machine translation without post-editing. The result? It’s technically accurate but feels unnatural.
Sentences are long and vague. The tone is too formal or too polite. Key selling points are buried in abstract language. The content doesn’t reflect how people in English-speaking countries expect to be spoken to.
Worse still, key phrases like “We provide peace of mind and trust” that Japanese customers appreciate may not convey the intended message. In English, simply saying “We provide peace of mind and trust” can feel empty unless it’s supported by evidence or examples.
What specific actions or services make you trustworthy? That’s what English-speaking audiences want to know.
Localization makes your site feel native
When localization is done well, international users don’t feel like they’re reading a translation. They feel like the site was made for them. Localized English web writing makes your site feel native by:
- Adapting tone, style, and sentence structure
- Rewriting idioms and metaphors for the local context
- Replacing Japan-specific references with local ones
- Localizing formatting for dates, times, prices, and addresses
When you speak the language of your target audience, it’s easier to win their trust.
A smart investment
Localization takes more time and effort than translation, but produces better results. A localized site can significantly increase engagement, reduce bounce rates, and drive more conversions. It shows that your company is serious about doing business globally and respects the needs of your audience.
As a Tokyo-based team that specializes in multilingual websites, Citrus Japan has witnessed firsthand how localization can transform a site that feels awkward to one that earns trust and generates leads.
From strategy to action
Over the coming weeks, we’ll dive deeper into the building blocks of effective localization of English web writing. This will include everything from adapting your brand voice to optimizing for local search habits.
Whether you’re planning your first English-language site or updating an existing one, localization is a powerful tool for international success.
The world is waiting to connect with your company. Let’s make sure your website speaks to your audience in their language, and in their heart.
