Optimizing e-commerce translation for Japan

Step 1: Master commercial keigo

Japanese uses a system of honorifics (敬語 keigo) built into the grammar. In e-commerce, the 丁寧語 teineigo level (standard polite, with です/ます) is appropriate for product listings.

For customer service and emails, 謙譲語 kenjōgo (humble) is required: “Thank you” = ありがとうございます (teineigo), but “We take the liberty of…” = ~させていただきます (humble kenjōgo).

Step 2: Localize the Japanese UI

• Information density: Japanese users prefer dense pages with plenty of text and product detail.
• Detailed reviews: customer reviews (レビュー) with photos are critical to conversion.
• Three scripts: kanji 漢字, hiragana ひらがな and katakana カタカナ must be balanced.

Step 3: Local payments and logistics

Japanese consumers use specific payment methods:

See our marketing translation service for complete e-commerce localization.