On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Japanese to English translator/localizer Mel Ok tells about localizing Japanese video games and how he got into the translation/localization industry.

About Mel Ok Mel Ok is a translator/localizer of Japanese video games and heads the translation/localization company Ace Honyaku. Topics Discussed

• The Japanese population in Hawaii
• Studying Japanese linguistics
• About doing play testing for video games
• Doing the Japanese QA for Halo 2
• On getting to Japan and trying to get into the JET Program
• On transitioning into the translation & localization industry
• On starting a translation company in Japan
• On how the translation & localization process for video games works
• On dealing with ambiguities in texts
• On dealing with new IP
• On translating The World Is Your Weapon
• On how long it can take to translate a game
• The difficulty of finding good translators
• On translation tests
• Advice for aspiring translators/localizers
• About Tottori
• And much more!

Support on Patreon & Ko-fi

If you enjoy Japan Station and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $1 a month you'll get early access to all JapanKyo podcasts, bonus content, and more. And for $3 a month, you'll get access to Japanese Plus Alpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and all of its fascinating quirks. Also, all pledges get a shout-out on the show and my undying gratitude. Thank you in advance!

• • Support Japan Station on Patreon

You can also do a one time donation via Ko-fi.

• • Support us on Ko-fi

Links, Videos, Etc.

To follow Mel Ok on Twitter or visit the ACE Honyaku website, use the links below.

• Mel Ok on Twitter
• Ace Honyaku Website

Don't forget to check out the latest episode of Ichimon Japan.

• Are Japanese…? (Stereotypes About Japan) | Ichimon Japan 62

Follow Japankyo on Social Media

• Facebook (@JapankyoNews)
• Twitter (@JapankyoNews)
• Instagram (@JapanKyoNews)

Full Show Notes

Get the full version of show notes at https://www.japankyo.com/category/podcasts/japanstation/