Deadline: 3 December 2024
The Japan Foundation is seeking applications for its Support Program for Translation and Publication to provide partial financial support for overseas publishers intending to translate and publish works originally written in Japanese.
The program aims to foster better understanding of Japanese culture by encouraging overseas publishers to translate and publish Japanese works.
Funding Information
- Number of assistance: 56 out of 70 applications for FY 2024
- Average amount of assistance for FY 2024: Approximately JPY 500,000
Eligible Projects
- Translation and publication projects of works written in Japanese and already published in Japan (works of fiction and works of nonfiction in humanities and social sciences). The projects must fulfill all of the following requirements:
- The translated work must be published between April 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026. However, applicants may apply for support for translation fee only, provided that they publish the translated edition within two years of completion of the translation. They may also apply for support for the publication costs of the same project in a different fiscal year (e.g., applying for translation support in the first year and for publication support in the following year).
- The original work written in Japanese must already be published at the time of application.
- As a general rule, translations must be made directly from the original works. Regarding translation and publication in languages where the translator pool is limited, approval may be given for support for translation from a previously translated edition of the work.
- In principle, the contract for acquisition of translation rights of the original work must have been concluded. In case of indirect translation, permission must also be obtained from the copyright holder of the foreign language edition from which the applicant’s translator intends to translate. As for the translation fee, a written contract between the publisher and the translator must have been concluded at the time the application is submitted. Submission of a copy of each contract is required for the application.
- A part of the draft translation should accompany the application. The draft should be equivalent to approximately 30 pages of the original work.
- The plan for the project should be appropriate to the realistic and practical completion of the translation.
- Projects must not be used for religious or political purposes.
Eligibility Criteria
- Publishing companies outside of Japan.
For more information, visit Japan Foundation.
