Brainwoods Interpretation Services FAQ — Answers to frequently asked questions about our interpretation services.

First, complete and submit our inquiry form with the required information. A member of our team will contact you after reviewing your request. To ensure the quality of our service, we cannot accept first-time bookings for the day of the inquiry or the following business day. Thank you for your understanding.

We use the information below to understand your requirements and select an appropriate interpreter. Please confirm these details with the person responsible before contacting us.

• Languages and direction of interpretation

  (Example: The seminar will mainly be interpreted from English into Japanese, but the Q&A will require interpretation in both directions.)

• Language background of the foreign-language speaker

  (Example: The guest is French and grew up in France, but speaks fluent English, so interpretation between English and Japanese is preferred.)

• Date and time

  (Example: A site visit on Saturday, July 7, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; meet at 8:30 a.m. for a briefing.)

• Venue and nearest station

  Please provide the venue address, building name, floor, room or hall name, nearest station, and approximate walking time from the station.
  If the venue is not close to a station, please share any available information about transportation options.

• Purpose of interpretation

  (Examples: courtesy visit, business negotiation, seminar by an overseas lecturer, internal meeting with an overseas subsidiary, training, or interview.)

• Interpretation method and equipment

  Simultaneous, consecutive, or whispered interpretation, for example. If you are unsure, we will recommend the most suitable option for your event.

• Subject area and content

  (Example: A research presentation on catheters by an overseas physician, delivered to healthcare professionals at an academic conference.)

• Audience size and venue details, such as room dimensions

  (Example: An English-language seminar for an audience of approximately 100 Japanese and international attendees in an auditorium measuring about 30 by 20 meters.)

Interpreters' schedules are often fully booked a week in advance, so we may be unable to secure an interpreter for a last-minute request. Time may also be needed to brief the interpreter and provide reference materials. Please contact us at least three to five business days before the assignment. For assignments elsewhere in Japan or overseas, please contact us at least one week in advance.

An attendant interpreter accompanies you and assists with everyday communication and activities. Typical assignments include guiding visitors at exhibitions, reception duties, and airport or station pickups and drop-offs. This service is intended for straightforward, general communication. For business negotiations or meetings, please use consecutive interpretation.

Brainwoods carefully reviews your requirements and recommends the interpreter best suited to the assignment. We select interpreters according to their professional experience and areas of expertise. You may also choose from profiles of several candidates.

Our network includes many interpreters with experience and expertise in fields such as IT, machinery, civil engineering, and medicine. Even within highly specialized subjects, Brainwoods draws on each interpreter's experience, advance research, and preparation to support successful communication. We will arrange a suitably qualified interpreter for the required language and subject matter.

For effective interpretation, please allow 30 minutes to one hour for a briefing before the assignment begins. A meeting between the speaker and interpreter is particularly important for seminars, symposiums, and other events featuring a foreign-language presentation. If there will not be enough time on the day, we recommend scheduling the briefing on an earlier date, such as the day before. An additional fee applies when the advance meeting is held on a separate day.

The half-day rate applies to bookings of up to three hours. The full-day rate applies to bookings of up to eight hours, consisting of seven working hours and a one-hour lunch break.

The standard team sizes are shown below for reference.

Method	Half day (up to 3 hours)	Full day (up to 8 hours)
Consecutive interpretation	1–2 interpreters	2–3 interpreters
Simultaneous interpretation	2–3 interpreters	3–4 interpreters

Interpreters rotate to maintain the concentration required for accurate interpretation. We will recommend the appropriate team size for the purpose and requirements of each assignment.

Booked time runs from the scheduled meeting time at the venue through dismissal and includes any briefing held on the day.

Advance preparation is essential to delivering high-quality interpretation. Please provide the following materials between one week and three days before the assignment:

• Agenda and schedule
• Meeting or presentation materials
• Names, organizations, and job titles of attendees
• Speaker's script and related materials

Brainwoods handles all client information under strict controls. Every interpreter working with us is also bound by a confidentiality agreement.