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Edge International provides comprehensive support for the investor relations (IR) activities of Japanese companies through the creation of corporate communications materials, including integrated reports, sustainability reports, and website content. Almost uniquely in the IR industry, we offer a one-stop service that includes not only the planning and production of these materials but also their design, layout, editing, and translation. Founded in 1990, we have grown steadily to establish an industry-leading record in IR and an extensive client base that includes blue-chip Japanese companies from a diverse range of industries. Our company name reflects our commitment to do cutting edge work and our goal of communicating the stories of our clients to a global audience. Our team of native English-speaking writers and editors work to produce English materials that reflect the true meaning of the original Japanese clearly and accurately.

Edge International has an open and informal corporate culture combining freedom and discipline. The recent office refurbishment and introduction of a hot-desking system allows employees to work in the section of the office that best suits their needs and facilitates communication among those from different departments. Complimentary coffee, tea, and other refreshments are available throughout the day. Outside of work, cooking, futsal, and art clubs are among some of the employee-led activities.

1. What attracted you to the position of Japanese-to-English translator? 

I was eager to advance my career as a translator, and Edge International seemed like the perfect place to develop my skills through exposure to a wide range of content across various industries. Although I had studied translation, I lacked practical experience, and the company was open to hiring inexperienced translators like me who were serious about developing their careers. When I came in for the interview, everyone made me feel very welcome and gave a great first impression.

2. What does a typical workday look like for you? 

I usually start my day by checking emails and planning how much time to allocate to each translation task. During our busy season, my day is mainly spent focusing on translation, although I may also need to attend a meeting or two. Throughout the day, I often discuss style-related points with our editors, who we work in tandem with on translation projects, and frequently have lunch or coffee with coworkers, either at nearby restaurants or in our in-house café-style space.

3. Could you discuss your duties other than translation? 

I am currently a member of the company’s Compliance Committee and also participate in a companywide project aimed at continuously improving our working environment. I occasionally travel to our clients’ offices to conduct interviews with English-speaking members of their companies for use in integrated reports and other publications. Outside of the busy season, I also research and share global news trends with the rest of the company to keep everyone informed about recent developments.

4. How would you describe the work environment and team dynamics at Edge International? 

The work environment at Edge International combines teamwork and discipline with a certain level of freedom and autonomy. Translators and editors work closely together to deliver the best possible final products for our clients, and each project is led by a dedicated project director. Our recently refurbished office was designed with various workstyles in mind, from quiet, partitioned spaces built for concentration to open spaces for collaborative work. We also have café-style space that we use for eating lunch and grabbing a coffee, and company events are also held there from time to time.