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Japanese Localization Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Sony Corporation

Localization Translator

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$65K - $75K/yr

MUST BE BUSINESS PROFICIENT AND BILINGUAL IN JAPANESE POSITION SUMMARY The Localization Translator will work on translation and localization of Japanese games and anime titles to North America. The ...

Sega of America

Producer (Bilingual Japanese)

Irvine, CA · On-site

$85K - $103K/yr

Hybrid Work Model #LI-hybrid Job Summary: (Bilingual Japanese Skills Required) Producers coordinate ... Localization, Marketing, QA, game development, 1st party, consumer research and more, to the ...

Productive Playhouse

Japanese Transcriber

Glendale, CA · On-site

$21/hr

Fluent reading, writing, understanding, and typing in Japanese (ja_jp) With Productive Playhouse ... localization, field and studio recording, language skill verification, and specialized data ...

Sega of America

Editor I

Irvine, CA · On-site

$30/hr

Solve localization challenges by finding effective English equivalents for Japanese nuances such as jokes, idioms, etc. * Perform other duties as assigned by Project Leads, Senior Editors, Lead ...

SEGA OF AMERICA INC

Editor I

Irvine, CA · Hybrid

$30/hr

Solve localization challenges by finding effective English equivalents for Japanese nuances such as jokes, idioms, etc. * Perform other duties as assigned by Project Leads, Senior Editors, Lead ...

Sony

Licensing Coordinator

Santa Monica, CA · Hybrid

JAPANESE - ENGLISH FLUENCY BILINGUAL REQUIRED POSITION SUMMARY Aniplex of America Inc. is seeking a ... Japan, localization companies, and each licensee * Support submission and approval progress of ...

Sony Corporation

Licensing Coordinator

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

JAPANESE - ENGLISH FLUENCY BILINGUAL REQUIRED POSITION SUMMARY Aniplex of America Inc. is seeking a ... Japan, localization companies, and each licensee * Support submission and approval progress of ...

Sony Electronics

Licensing Coordinator

Santa Monica, CA · Hybrid

JAPANESE - ENGLISH FLUENCY BILINGUAL REQUIRED POSITION SUMMARY Aniplex of America Inc. is seeking a ... Japan, localization companies, and each licensee * Support submission and approval progress of ...

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Japanese Localization information

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$21

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How much do japanese localization jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for japanese localization in California is $45.64, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $39.62 and $50.05 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are typical daily tasks for a Japanese Localization specialist?

As a Japanese Localization specialist, your daily responsibilities might include translating and adapting content such as websites, software, marketing materials, or documentation to fit Japanese cultural and linguistic standards. You may review translations from external vendors, troubleshoot localization issues, maintain glossaries and style guides, and collaborate with product managers, engineers, and designers. Working across global teams often requires managing deadlines in multiple time zones and participating in meetings to align on project requirements. This combination of tasks ensures the end product feels authentic and user-friendly for Japanese audiences.

What is a Japanese Localization job?

A Japanese Localization job involves adapting content, such as websites, software, games, or marketing materials, for a Japanese-speaking audience. This process goes beyond direct translation—it includes cultural adjustments, formatting changes, and ensuring the content resonates with local norms and expectations. Professionals in this field, such as translators, editors, and localization specialists, work to maintain authenticity while preserving the original message. Strong language skills in both Japanese and the source language, along with cultural awareness, are essential for success in this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Japanese Localization position, and why are they important?

To thrive in Japanese Localization, you need fluency in both Japanese and English, a deep understanding of cultural nuances, and experience in translation or localization processes. Familiarity with CAT (Computer-Assisted Translation) tools, localization management systems, and industry certifications such as JLPT or ATA can be highly beneficial. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective cross-functional communication distinguish top performers. These skills ensure accurate, culturally appropriate translations that resonate with target audiences and support seamless project delivery.

What are the most commonly searched types of Japanese Localization jobs in California? The most popular types of Japanese Localization jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Japanese Localization jobs in California? For Japanese Localization jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Japanese Localization jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Japanese Localization jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Japanese Localization jobs? Cities in California with the most Japanese Localization job openings:
Japanese Localization jobs near you
Infographic showing various Japanese Localization job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 80% In-person, and 20% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $94,925 per year, or $45.6 per hour.
Localization Translator

Localization Translator

Sony Corporation

Santa Monica, CA • On-site

$65K - $75K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted just now

Job description

Aniplex of America Inc. (Santa Monica, California) is a subsidiary of Aniplex Inc. (headquartered in Tokyo, Japan), a group of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. and a leading provider of anime content and music production and distribution in Japan. The company's ever-growing line-up of shows include: March comes in like a lion, Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga, ERASED, The Asterisk War, OWARIMONOGATARI,KIZUMONOGATARI, GRANBLUE FANTASY, Eromanga Sensei, Katsugeki TOUKEN RANBU, BLEND-S, Slow Start, and Record of Grancrest War. To learn more: http://aniplexusa.com/.
MUST BE BUSINESS PROFICIENT AND BILINGUAL IN JAPANESE
POSITION SUMMARY
The Localization Translator will work on translation and localization of Japanese games and anime titles to North America. The ideal candidate must have a passion for Japanese anime and related culture. The ideal candidate must be bilingual speaker (English and Japanese) and have strong skills in reading, writing, and communication.
The position has a HYBRID schedule. Employees are expected to work onsite in the Santa Monica office at least 2 days per week.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Under the supervision of the department manager and leads, the candidate will perform the following duties:
  • Translate text from Japanese to English
  • Check translation accuracy between Japanese and English
  • Assist with communication with domestic and oversea partners
  • Assist with tracking localization progress and schedule
  • Assist with quality assurance on physical and digital releases
  • Any additional tasks as required by the department manager
  • Honesty, trustworthiness, and ethical conduct are material requirements for the responsibilities outlined above.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR POSITION
Your qualifications and experience should include:
  • Must be fluent in English and Japanese (English native speaker preferred)
  • Must have achieved JLPT N1 certification or equivalent fluency
  • Associate or Bachelor degree in related fields or equivalent skills and knowledge
  • A minimum of 1-3 years of relevant localization experience OR a minimum of 1-3 years of video game/anime/manga translation preferred
  • Familiarity with TYPE-MOON properties is a significant bonus
  • A strong enthusiasm for and passion for Anime
  • Must have strong writing, reading and communication skills
  • Computer proficiency with Microsoft Office applications; Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
  • Be able to work under pressure of heavy workloads and tight deadlines
  • Must be a team player
  • Must be self-motivated, self-starter, confident, energetic, and creative
  • Experience with live interpretation is a plus

Benefits:
SCA offers benefits-eligible employees (generally regular employees scheduled to work 20 or more hours a week) a comprehensive benefits program that offers coverage and support for employees and their family's physical, emotional, and financial well-being.
What we offer you:
  • Comprehensive medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage with coverage for spouses/domestic partners and child dependents, including access to a Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
  • Employee assistance plan and comprehensive behavioral health benefits
  • Fertility benefits, including, surrogacy, and adoption assistance programs
  • Basic and supplemental life insurance for employees as well as supplemental life insurance coverage for their spouses/domestic partners and children
  • Voluntary benefits such as group legal, identity theft protection, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance
  • Short-term & long-term disability plans
  • Up to 12 weeks of paid parental and caregiver leave
  • 401(k) Plan with pre-tax, Roth, and after-tax options and company match with v immediate vesting
  • Education assistance and student loan programs

Other Programs:
  • Flexible Work Arrangements, including remote and hybrid work schedules
  • Time off to include vacation, paid holidays, sick leave, Summer Fridays (early release), and a winter break between Christmas and New Year's Day (based on business needs)
  • Referral bonuses (subject to eligibility)
  • Matching gift program
  • A wide variety of employee business resource groups (EBRGs)
  • Special discounts on Sony products, offered exclusively to Sony employees
  • Employee stock purchase plan (Sony covers commissions and fees for your Sony stock purchases made through after-tax payroll deductions)

The target annualized base salary range for this position is $65,000 - $75,000. In addition to the annual base salary, this role has an annual bonus target of 5%. The individual will be paid hourly and eligible for overtime. This range does not include any other compensation components or other benefits that an individual may be eligible for. The actual base salary offered depends on a variety of factors, which may include as applicable, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.
#LI-EK1
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation.
Disability Accommodation for Applicants to Sony Corporation of America Sony Corporation of America provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in job application procedures. For reasonable accommodation requests, please contact us by email at careers@sonyusa.com or by mail to: Sony Corporation of America, People Experience Department, 25 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010. Please indicate the position you are applying for.
We are aware that unauthorized individuals or organizations may attempt to solicit personal information or payments from job applicants by impersonating our company through fraudulent job postings. We take these matters seriously but cannot control third-party websites. To protect your personal information, please verify that any job posting you respond to also appears on our official Careers page: www.sonyjobs.com. Please also be advised that we never request personal identifying information (such as Social Security numbers, bank details, or copies of identification documents) during the initial stages of our application process. If you have any doubts about the authenticity of a job posting or communication, please contact careers@sonyusa.com before submitting any information.
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