Japan Chapter

Atsuko Kato is the IMIA Japan Chapter Chair

Ms. Atsuko Kato, or Kathy which is her nick name, has worked for more than 30 years as Coordinator of the Japanese Council for Medical Training (JCMT) Program, which receives doctors from other countries for training in advanced medical techniques at a large general hospital, Toranomon Hospital, in Tokyo. Toranomon Hospital is known as one of the top referral hospitals in Japan. In addition to general responsibility for coordination of the JCMT Program, her other responsibilities include orientations and other support for JCMT Fellows in their everyday lives in Japan, interpreting during actual training (when necessary), English translation of training materials, Japanese translations of reports submitted by the Fellows on completion of their training, and coordination of local training programs held by the JCMT in the home countries of Fellows. She is also responsible for interpreting for English-speaking foreign patients, handling telephone inquiries in English, and English translations of medical certificates, letters of introduction, and similar documents. She is currently Senior Coordinator of the JCMT Program. She has been a member of IMIA Japan chapter since 2014. She played instrumental roles in organizing the 1st (2014) and the 2nd IMIA Asia Symposium (2015) held in Tokyo. She has been also actively involving in organizing the IMIA Japan Chapter Webinars 6-10 times a year as the vice chair of the Japan chapter.

JAT Pharma Handbook

JAT published the JAT Pharma Handbook for people translating pharmaceutical-related material. It is a very helpful tool for medical interpreters as well. To get a copy of this please email Fred Uleman at fuleman@gmail.com.

(The Boston Globe, March 28, 2010) When Toyota’s president, Akio Toyoda, testified before Congress last month about dangerous defects in many of the Japanese automaker’s popular vehicles, a crucial person was at his side: an interpreter, who carefully translated his apologies and explanations. The translator’s job, interpreting Toyoda’s statements from Japanese to English, was vital because Toyoda’s words had to be translated correctly, keeping in mind their cultural context.

IMIA President visits Japan (2009)

The visit to Japan was of a different nature as the IMIA was invited to speak about the profession and education of medical interpreting and the organization's recent efforts. Izabel Arocha, representing the IMIA, and Oscar Arocha, representing Boston Medical Center, were dignitaries of Gumna Prefecture, which is establishing a public medical interpreting program for its linguistically diverse populations, mostly from Brazil and Peru. Currently most medical interpreters in this prefecture are volunteers. Izabel presented on the profession and mostly on the specialization of medical interpreting, and Oscar presented on the technologies available for language access. Both presented on more than one occasion to different groups in the country. Our Japanese hosts were excited to forge ties with the US. The IMIA was pleased to announce that Kazumi Takesako, IMIA member and pioneer in Japan in the field of medical interpreting, had been appointed our IMIA Japan Representative.

Congratulations on a successful event to our wonderful members in Japan!

View additional pictures