Most of the foreigners use Google translator to understand the content of the Japanese mail or material they encounter with at office or during daily life. I still use Google translator to understand the whole context of a long text written in Japanese language, but I do not depend on the meaning suggested by the translator.
Google translator helps me to understand an overall meaning. For me, reading and understanding of a two-page material written in Japanese language will take more than 25 minutes. Typically, we read approximately 200 words in one minute (highly dependent on age, native language or not etc). Quick readers can finish a page of around 600 words in a coupe of minutes. I do use Google translator to shorten the time of understanding the context meaning, which will help to read quickly.
Google translator app for smart phones is one of the best tools that assists expatriates in Japan. Translation app has camera function, which can read Kanji characters and show equivalent meaning in any language the user choose to display. You will get an approximate meaning since most of the Kanji characters represent a conecpt.
When it comes to the written material or mail, google translation still gives an approximate meaning, but is not an accurate one. Japanese language writing style is different from person to person. The difference in writing style and its impact on the meaning was noticeable. Most often it produces opposite meaning for the passages/e-mails written by some individuals, while it produces nearly accurate meaning for others.
Translation of technical news produce satisfactory results compared to the news related to social issues. Below is a news appeared in one of the leading Japanese newspaper about the recent controversies surrounding Huawei.
Original Japanese Newspaper Article
米国をはじめとする先進各国で、情報漏洩やサーバー攻撃を防ぐために中国製の通信機器を排除する動きが強まっている。主な標的は、中国最大の通信機器メーカーで第5世代移動通信（5G）関連の技術力に優れるとされる華為技術（ファーウェイ）と、同じく大手の中興通訊（ZTE）だ。
ファーウェイについてはここ数日で、目まぐるしい動きがあった。米政府の要請でカナダ当局が同社創業者の娘である孟晩舟・最高財務責任者（CFO）を逮捕したことが明らかになった。また、英BTグループがファーウェイ製品を基幹ネットワークに採用しない方針を表明した。
日本政府も、各府省庁や自衛隊の通信機器の調達について、安全保障上のリスクを重視した新指針を導入する方針だ。名指しは避けているが、やはり中国企業を念頭に置いた措置だ。
Google Translation in English
In the advanced countries including the United States, movement to eliminate Chinese-made communication equipment is strengthening to prevent information leakage and server attacks. The main target is China's largest telecommunications equipment manufacturer, Huawei Technology (Huawei), which is said to be excellent in technology related to the 5th generation mobile communication (5G), and also a major Zhongxin communication (ZTE).
For Huawei in the last few days, there was a rapid move. At the request of the U.S. government, Canadian authorities arrested Mr. Meng Funabu, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the daughter of the founder of the company. In addition, the British BT Group announced its policy not to adopt Huawei products as its backbone network.
The Japanese government is also planning to introduce new guidelines focusing on security risks regarding procurement of communication equipment of each government agency and the SDF. Although I avoid the name, it is still a measure taken with a Chinese company in mind.
My Translation in English
The United States and other advanced countries have started to eliminate Chinese telecommunication equipment manufacturers due to concerns of information leakage and Cyber security. The main targets are Huawei, a leading 5G technology provider and China's largest telecommunication equipment manufacturer and Zhongxing Telecommunication Equipment Corporation (ZTE).
The US Government moved quickly against Huawei for the last few days. Canadian authorities have arrested the Chief Financial Officer and the daughter of the founder of Huawei, Ms. Meng Wanzhou following a request from the United State. In addition, UK's British Telecom (BT) had announced its policy not to adopt Huawei products in its backbone network.
The Japanese government is also planning to introduce new guidelines considering the security risks in procuring Chinese communication equipment for the Government agencies and the Self Defense Force (SDF). Though the company names are not published, it is widely considered as a measure to restrict Chinese companies.
Note: English is not my native language.
