A Message to Aspiring Visualmedia Translators from Our President and Japan Visualmedia Translation Academy School Principal, Mr. Naoki Niira.

Japan Visualmedia Translation Academy was established in 1996. The place was Japan, and the time was one in which the term “visualmedia translation” was still not widely known, when most people thought it merely referred to subtitles in foreign movies shown at the theater.

However, the times are changing at a pace far beyond anything we could have imagined. Under the umbrella of globalization, the influx of information from all over the world has become a fundamental part of our society and daily life.

Visualmedia-based translation plays a pivotal role in this influx. DVD, satellite broadcasting and the Internet have made it possible to appreciate an infinitely greater number of movies than those receiving theatrical release. The same is true for foreign drama, news, lifestyle and sports programs, as well as documentaries, animation, and music entertainment. The golden age of the world of visualmedia information is truly upon us.

The question, then, is who are the professionals who will meet the ever increasing needs of such a society?

At Japan Visualmedia Translation Academy, we believe that only those with a new set of skills and greater awareness of what we call visualmedia translation will be able rise to the challenge.

If you are someone who has spent a considerable part of your life studying a language, and want to continue your efforts; or if you just love foreign movie and other visual content and would like to make it your life’s work to have their appeal reach even one more viewer, then I encourage you to visit us at Japan Visualmedia Translation Academy.