From Japan to the World: How to Translate Video Games from Japanese to English

Japan has long been a powerhouse in the gaming world, producing iconic titles that have captivated audiences globally.  From classic RPGs to cutting-edge action games, many of these masterpieces originate in Japan.  But for these games to succeed internationally, especially in English-speaking markets, expert translation is essential.

Then how to translate video games from Japanese to English? This is not an easy thing. The translation of Japanese games will face many challenges. In this article, we will explore the key steps, challenges, and best practices of translating video games from Japanese to English.

Why Japanese-to-English Game Translation Matters

The English market is one of the largest consumer groups in the game industry. Games that only remain in the Japanese market may lose huge global revenue and fan stickiness. Successfully localizing a game into English means being able to reach millions of new players from North America, Europe, and other places

Accurate translation can not only make the game easier to understand, but also enhance playability, maintain immersion, and ensure that players establish an emotional connection with the game story and characters. On the other hand, poor translation may damage the reputation of the game. Players usually believe that poor localization will undermine transactions, leading to negative reviews and sales losses.

 

Challenges in Translating Japanese Games

Japanese is a language with a strong context and a unique structure, which makes direct translation difficult. The following are some key challenges:

1. Language differences: Japanese sentences often omit the subject. Translators need to infer the meaning based on the context and fully understand the context to translate accurately.

2. Text expansion: When converting Japanese text to English, since the space occupied by Chinese character symbols is much smaller than that of English written text, English text may be longer than Japanese text, which can affect UI layout and subtitles.

3. Cultural Adaptation: Japanese games often incorporate idioms, word games, humor, and content related to Japanese popular culture, history, or social norms. These contents need to be localized to adapt to other markets.

4. Consistency: UI space, character restrictions, and game time all affect the display or expression of the translation. The consistency of terms and tone is of vital importance throughout the game. Character names, key items, or gameplay terms must remain uniform.

Steps in Translating Games from Japanese to English

Here are five key steps to guide the game translation process:

1. Project Preparation and Resource Planning

Before translation begins, it's crucial to evaluate the game’s scope, genre, target audience, and technical specifications. This stage involves identifying which game elements require translation—dialogue, UI, in-game text, voice scripts, manuals, and more.

To ensure consistency and efficiency throughout the project, prepare essential resources such as:

• Translation memory tools (CAT tools)

• Glossaries and terminology databases

• Style guides tailored to the game’s tone and audience

This foundational work lays the groundwork for a smooth and high-quality localization process.

2. Professional Translation of In-Game Content

Once preparations are in place, the core translation begins. This step involves converting all in-game content from Japanese to English, including:

• Character dialogues and story scripts

• Menu items and system messages

• Item descriptions, tutorials, and notifications

Working with professional translators who specialize in the gaming industry and are fluent in both Japanese and English is essential. These experts understand not just language, but also gameplay context, player expectations, and genre conventions—ensuring the translated content feels natural and immersive.

3. Editing and Quality Review

After the initial translation, the content undergoes a thorough editing and review process. Experienced editors refine the language for readability, tone, and accuracy while ensuring terminology consistency across the entire game.

This stage also includes a cultural review, where editors may recommend adjustments to expressions, references, or idioms to better suit Western audiences. The goal is to produce a final script that reads seamlessly to native English speakers without losing the essence of the original narrative.

4. Localization and Cultural Adaptation

Localization goes beyond translation—it involves adapting the game to meet the cultural and technical expectations of English-speaking players. This may include:

• Adjusting visuals, symbols, or culturally specific content

• Replacing or re-recording voiceovers with native English actors

• Modifying game mechanics or references to align with regional preferences or content guidelines

A culturally adapted game enhances player immersion and helps avoid misunderstandings or offense, ensuring the product is both enjoyable and appropriate in the target market.

5. Testing and Quality Assurance (QA)

Before launch, the game must be tested thoroughly to ensure all translated and localized elements function correctly. This phase includes:

• Linguistic QA: Checks for spelling, grammar, context accuracy, and translation consistency

• Functional QA: Verifies that text fits properly within UI constraints, and no bugs are introduced

• Cultural QA: Ensures that localization changes are suitable for the target region

Beta testing or soft launches can also help identify overlooked issues and gather valuable feedback from real players.

Other Notes: Voice-over and Subtitle Translation

If the original Japanese version contains dubbing, the English localization may still require the translation of voiceovers and subtitles. Rewrite the script to match lip movements or scene times, hire native English-speaking voice actors for real performances, and adjust the subtitles to maintain clear and synchronized audio.

Cooperate with Professional Translation Providers

Localizing games for the international market requires a multidisciplinary team, including translators, editors, localization engineers, voice talents, and testers, all of whom need to cooperate carefully.

At Artlangs Translations, we offer one-stop video game localization services, collaborating with native language experts and game industry experts. Whether you are developing an indie game or an AAA game, we will help you ensure that your game is immersive.

Conclusion

Translating video games from Japanese to English is a complex and creative process that requires more than just language skills. This requires profound cultural insight, game knowledge, and attention to detail. A well-localized game gives the feeling as if it were originally made for the British market - and that's exactly what your players deserve.

Are you ready to bring your Japanese game to the world? Contact us to learn more about our game translation solutions.